THE PRIORITY OF SCRIPTURAL UNITY IN HIS CHURCH

THE PRIORITY OF SCRIPTURAL UNITY IN HIS CHURCH

1 Corinthians 1:10-25

Apostle Paul’s writing to the church at Corinth is instructive to all the churches

throughout the world. He emphasised the priority of scriptural, perpetual and

profitable unity in Christ’s Church. This must be at the forefront of all our

decision and aspiration as members in His church.

Point 1: THE PRICE OF COMMITMENT TO UNITY IN CHRIST

1 Corinthians 1:10

Unity in the church demands a price. For the love of Christ, the progress of the

church and to fulfil our purpose of being in the church, we pay the price of

commitment to unity in Christ. As members of the body of Christ, we must

ensure that “there be no divisions among [brethren]”.

(i). The Purposeful Unity of Messengers on the Scriptures

1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:3-6; Philippians 1:27; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 1

Peter 4:11; 2 Corinthians 13:8

Believers’ unity is based on the Scriptures. We need to make effort “to keep

the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” for the progress of the gospel.

Unfortunately, many ‘Christians’ go through life but do not make deliberate effort

to pay any price to achieve unity. If the church cooperates and coordinates like

one body with one Spirit dwelling in us, we will have the same hope of getting

to heaven. The essence of our unity is for every believer in the church to

become “perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

(ii). The Prevailing Unity among Members through Sanctification

1 Corinthians 1:10; John 17:17,21-23; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 2:11; Acts

2:1,46; Philippians 2:2-5

Unity prevails among sanctified members and ministers of the church. Believers

with the same purpose, indwelt by Christ and the same Spirit, and controlled by

the same Scripture cannot be divided. Christ wants us to be sanctified so that

“[we] all may be one”. He did not pray for our sanctification so we would

overlook sin, evil or false doctrine; but to be united on Scripture and the Spirit.

Just as God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are united, the Lord wants

us to have real unity that pervades everything.

(iii). The Perfect Unity of Mind for His Sake

1 Corinthians 1:10; 2:16; Romans 12:2,16; 15:5,6; Philippians 2:5-8; 2

Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 3:15,16; 1 Peter 3:8-12

The Lord wants believers and His ministers to have the “mind of Christ”. The

proof we are truly converted is that, wherever we are, we “speak the same

thing” and are “perfectly joined together...” The joining brings perfection. It

also helps us to perfect the saints in the church. Those who have the mind of

Christ possess perfect unity which affects how they speak, act and live their

lives. One who has the mind of Christ who “...made himself of no reputation”,

will not give room to pride in his heart. He will not be after reputation, honour or

recognition.

Point 2: THE PREVENTION OF CONTENTION AND DISUNITY IN THE

CHURCH

1 Corinthians 1:11-18

Paul had preached the gospel at Corinth and brought many of them into the

kingdom of God. Others like Apollos and Peter also preached there. Now the

people were taking sides with the preacher they preferred. This brought disunity

and “contentions among [them]”, which “the house of Chloe” declared to the

apostle.

(i). Preventable Contentions and Disunity in the Church

1 Corinthians 1:11-13; Proverbs 13:10; Titus 3:9; 1 Corinthians 3:3-9; 2

Corinthians 12:20,21

The division of the Corinthian church into camps was the reason for the

contention among them and it was preventable. But because “ONLY by pride

cometh contention”, these people were disunited. Pride, backsliding, debate

and strife lead to contention. We can prevent contention and disunity in the

church if we approach the word of God, personalise and internalise it. If our

concern is to be holy and get to heaven, we will have no division, disunity,

contention and disagreement amongst us.

(ii). Prioritised Concentration on Discipleship in the Commission

1 Corinthians 1:14-17a; Matthew 28:19,20; John 4:1-3,41,42; Acts 26:14-22;

14:21-23

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel”. Paul the

apostle did not disprove the doctrine of water baptism, but made it clear that his

focus was on preaching the gospel, whilst others baptize. He emphasised water

baptism and discipleship. He followed in Jesus’ footsteps, brought people to the

knowledge of salvation and allowed his companions who laboured with him to

baptize the converts in water.

(iii). Perpetual Consecration to the Doctrine of the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:17,18; Philippians 3:17-19; Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 2:3-8

The priority and pattern of Apostle Paul’s life was to emphasise the doctrine of

the cross, that is, the sacrifice Jesus made to bring us into and make us abide

in the Kingdom.

Point 3: THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS AND THE UNIQUENESS OF

CHRIST

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but

unto us which are saved it is the power of God”. The preaching of the cross

makes us to experience the power of God – the power that saves, recreates in

us a new nature, sanctifies and brings us to the blessing and fullness of all the

provision of Calvary. That was why Paul concentrated on the preaching of the

cross.

(i). The Preaching of Provisions in Christ’s Cross

1 Corinthians 1:18; Ephesians 2:16-22; Colossians 1:20-23; 2:13-15; Galatians

6:14-16

Both the Jews and the Gentiles are reconciled to God by the death of Jesus

Christ on the cross. He slew the enmity between the sinner and God at Calvary.

Therefore, “through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the

Father”. Christ has also taken away everything contrary to us because of our

past transgression. He took our accusation, condemnation and judgment,

“nailing it to his cross”.

(ii). The Prediction of the Peril of Contradictory Contestants

1 Corinthians 1:19-22; 3:19-21a; Isaiah 29:14-16; Jeremiah 8:9; 1 Corinthians

2:6-8

The ‘worldly wise people’ count the wisdom, provision of God and the preaching

of the cross as foolishness. They contest the preaching of the cross and the

salvation, which Christ has provided. Their wisdom does not allow them to

submit to the wisdom of God and His salvation. They reject the word of God

and proclaim themselves wiser than the Scripture and God’s plan of

redemption. Therefore, the Lord “will destroy” them and “bring to

nothing [their] understanding”.

(iii). The Partakers of the Power of Christ Crucified

1 Corinthians 1:18,23-25; 2:2,5,7-10; Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; 1

Corinthians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 13:4

We become partakers of Christ’s salvation and redemption through His sacrifice

on the cross. When a sinner believes on Him crucified, his sins are taken away

and He becomes his Substitute and sin-Bearer. Without the cross, there will be

no conversion. As beneficiaries of God’s mercy and grace, we should “all speak

the same thing... be perfectly joined together (in the proclamation of the

gospel and service) in the same mind (His message, ministry, motivation,

motive, manifestation of the Spirit of God, goal and direction) and in the same

judgment (decision, pursuit, activity, passion and destination)”.