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Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
May 25
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Today's Pathway:
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We concluded yesterday with Paul pointing out that the church at Corinth was divided, and its members were quarreling over which man they should be following. Paul had ministered in Corinth for a year and a half. He then sent Apollos to be the second pastor. Perhaps a group of Jews in the church had been saved under Peter’s (Cephas’) ministry. All three had been instrumental in the spiritual development of some of the believers there. Unfortunately, factions soon developed around the names of each of those men. And then there were somewho simply said that they were followers of Christ. While it is true that we should follow Christ and not men, this fourth group seems to be just as bad as the other three, for Paul lumps them all together in his condemnation. Apparently they had some sort of spirit of superiority or smugness that made them just as divisive as the others.
It should be noticed that all four of these groups were following good men. Of course, Jesus is the Son of God, so His teaching is always correct. Paul, Apollos, and Peter, while imperfect, were all greatly used by God, and two of them wrote portions of Scripture. The problem in this instance was not the ones who were being followed, but the attitude of the followers. Christians need to be careful about what preachers they listen to and whose books they read, for there is an abundance of false teachers in the world. However, we also need to be careful about our attitude when it comes to those who are teaching the truth. There have always been factions within fundamental Baptists. We see divisions based upon which Bible colleges, mission boards, Christian camps, and fellowships certain people choose. All of these groups may teach the same doctrine and have virtually the same practice, but often their individual followers see themselves as spiritually superior for choosing that particular institution. And when that attitude spills out into dissension with those who disagree, then churches suffer.
In verse 13 Paul asks,
"Is Christ divided?"
Of course not! Christ has not been parceled out in pieces to the different factions. Paul wrote that there is
"one Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:5-6).
So, if Christ has not been divided, why should His body, the local church, be divided? Why should someone be "of" Paul? Paul, Apollos, and Peter were all on the same theological page, and they were all following Christ! Paul didn't die on the cross for anyone's sins. As a sinner himself, if he had shed his own blood it would not have even provided an atonement for himself, much less anyone else! No one was baptized in the name of Paul. Jesus commanded that baptisms be done "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). The names of men do not really matter. Salvation is through faith in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:16), and all worship belongs to His name (Philippians 2:10).
Christians need to be wary of "man-worship". There have been men down through the years who have stood for Truth and have had tremendous ministries. Some have been eloquent speakers, and some have pastored large and influential churches. Perhaps there have been pastors, teachers, and evangelists who God used greatly in our own personal lives. Yet, while we should be grateful for God's working through them, it must be remembered that all the glory belongs to God. Were it not for God's grace and power they, and we, would accomplish nothing. Revelation 5:12 tells us,
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."
Are you following men, or are you following Christ?
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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