1 Corinthians 1:10-13… “Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.” vs. 10
Paul gets to his point immediately in his first letter to the Corinthians. It had been reported to him by some insiders in the congregation that serious divisions were taking place. The central focus on Christ had been replaced by competing loyalties to particular leaders–some followed Apollos, some followed Paul, and others Cephas. This factionalism was destroying the unity of the community. It’s the same sort of thing we see when members of a faith community express allegiance to pastors and lose sight of their life-giving connection to Jesus. It is true that some preachers are more charismatic than others, but that does not qualify them as a Christ substitute. And when they use their charisma to gather people to themselves, they do damage to the Body of Christ. Paul was appalled when this happened in Corinth and he urged people to be single-minded in their devotion to the Lord Jesus and his ministry. Only then would their congregation have credibility in its teaching and preaching. Only in this way could they claim to be obedient to the final prayer petition of Jesus, that his followers might be one. Paul was right. Unity in Christ is still the primary mark of a healthy congregation!
Thought for the Day: What makes “charismatic” pastors different?
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