THINGS THAT UNITE BELIEVERS IN A LOCAL CHURCH

1 Cor. 1:10

Morning Meditation 3/19/2014

Verse 10 says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

Paul is pleading for unity in the Local Church at Corinth. They were clearly divided. So Paul appeals to them in the tone of a beggar. The word “beseech” translates “parakaleo” to call to one's side, call for, summon, to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.” It is a present active indicative verb. This is a lengthy definition but I want you to see that Paul does not come to them as a domineering missionary with apostolic authority. He appeals to them on the basis of reason within the framework of Scripture. The verb tense is not in the imperative mood. As important as what Paul is saying is, he treats them with the respect of being a local church under the authority of the Lordship of Christ. Local Churches do have the right of choice even though that makes room for wrong choices even apostasy. It is very hard for a missionary or pastor to take his hands off a church to the point where he is merely a shepherd with the authority of reason and not domination. The church at Corinth needed correction and Paul’s approach was to give them the truth and let them decide if they would obey the Lord or not.

He accepts them as “brethren” and appeals not only with the word “beseech” but also “by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Here assumes the ambassador’s role: 2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” Not only does he appeal as the missionary that began the Church but as “by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is a strong appeal.

Then he makes the request: “that ye all speak the same thing.” The word “all” translates “pas” and means, “individually and collectively.” The work “speak” translates “lego” to say or affirm or maintain.” It is a present active subjunctive verb. The present tense is continuous action, the active voice mean that they much act or make a choice in this matter, and the subjunctive mood is potential means that it is a possibility. Paul is appealing to them to make a choice to agree continually.

The next request is stated in the words, “and that there be no divisions among you.” The word “divisions” translates “schisma” and means, “a rent, metaph., a division, dissension.” We get our word schism from this word. We often hear of Church splits. This is the idea in this word. Sometime, like Corinth, there are divisions within the body where there is no formal division but just as damaging. In fact it is more damaging. As long as those divisions exist there will be very little power to go forward. Paul pleads and comes to the in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord to allow no divisions among them.

Then he gives the ideal that should be attained in the words, “but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” The words “perfectly joined together” translate “katartizo” and means, “to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair.” This is what needs to happen when relationships have been torn apart. They need to be mended, they need to be put back together. Especially if it is in the local church.. Paul deals with this in Philippians 4:2 where he says, “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.” A common usage in our day is “fence mending.”

The word “mind” translates “nous” and means, “the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining, the intellectual faculty, the understanding.” The word “judgment” translates “gnome” and here means, “view, judgment, opinion, mind concerning what ought to be done.” Paul wants them to have the same beliefs and apply those beliefs in the same way.

As we think of this verse there are five unifying factors for Christians:

1.A common salvation. All of us are saved alike. We repented of our sins and put our faith in Christ as personal Saviour. Jude calls it “the common salvation.”

2.A common purpose. All of us are saved to glorify God. Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” We are not here primarily for our pleasure. We are here for His pleasure. If we operated according to that principle, there would be a lot fewer problems. Most of the time trouble between believers is brought on by someone not getting his way.

3.A common doctrine. This is one of the reasons churches adopt articles of faith. Everyone needs to know the doctrinal beliefs on which his church is built. If they are not Scriptural then one needs to get out and find a church that believes and preaches the Bible correctly. However, I must add this. There are churches that have the right articles of faith and have since departed from those beliefs but have not changed them on there records.

4.A Common mission. The task of the church is reaching its own area and at the same time have a world wide missionary outreach. There is no reason for disagreement in this area. A person who does not believe in world wide missions has a Bible in his hand he does not believe.

5.A common access to God.. Paul says in Ephesians 2:18: “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” This is speaking of Jew and Gentile. But it is a unifying factor between believers. All of us have to access to God by the same Spirit.

A lot of other things could be mentioned. But verse ten is an appeal to put aside Unscriptural and petty differences for the sake of unity. There are definitely things important enough to be divided over. But we need to be willing to die to self and give in to others for the sake of unity where the things over which we disagree are not major doctrinal differences.

Let me make a suggestion. If you get offended at someone, put it on the shelf for a while and let it rest. It may not be as important tomorrow as it was today. And even if it is important, it may not be important enough to cause problems in your church over. It may be after it rests for a while, God may give you grace to forget it or have a wiser approach in settling the matter.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White