Starting the new material on this section. I believe God has a purpose with this material to educate us on something that is a dirty little secret. Church Division.
To put things in perspective, God doesn't divide a church, Satan divides a Church.
Back ground History.
Corinth was a Greek city/state.
It was a place of moral flexibility to say the least. It has been described as a moral cesspool.
The city was inhabited by Jews, Pagans, and new Christians.
There was an immature New Testament Church that had leadership issues. The biggest problem is that the surrounding community saw the new church as a source to be made fun of due to their lack of direction.
I Corinthians 1:10-15
Divisions in the Church
10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas[a]"; still another, "I follow Christ."
13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into[b] the name of Paul? 14I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
When a church follows a person, they are going to fail. When a church is led by a pastor who takes his marching orders from the Holy Spirit (God), there is success around the corner.
In summary,
the church is not a building, it is the believers in Christ. The leader of the Church must be from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. IF NOT, it will be destine to fail because of the Great Accuser.
