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. 1 Corinthians 1:10
The Greek word for “divisions” is “schisma,” meaning “a split or gap (schism).” (Strong’s Concordance G4978). We see here that it is God’s will and plan that there to be no divisions, no disunity, and no factions in the church. The church is to all be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Paul gives the answer to how this can be: “BY THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” [See above table for study.]
The early disciples had one thing manifested before them: the person of the Spirit-anointed Jesus. This person demonstrated Himself to be the Lord over all. He was the living Word demonstrated in the flesh. They touched Him and talked with Him. They saw Him full of grace and truth and saw Him with the glory of God on Him. They didn’t see Him as religious doctrines, beliefs, practices and procedures. They had a personal relationship with Him on a daily basis. After He left, He sent the Spirit to be with them in the same way. His presence remained with them!
The Spirit was their manifest Helper, Teacher, Guide and Power for life and ministry. In Jesus’ physical absence, with the outpouring of the Spirit, now the Spirit, who is come in and upon their flesh bodies, was the physical manifestation of Jesus in their lives. Now the Spirit, poured out on the day of Pentecost, is with them in supernatural power to constantly reveal the person of the Lord Jesus Christ in and through their physical lives. John 15:26-27; John 16:13-16
By the promise of the Father, this Spirit-anointed Lord Jesus comes in and upon believers through the proclamation of the anointed person and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter preached this gospel in Acts 10:34-48. This gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the FOUNDATION of the Body of Christ!
If the gospel of the Spirit-anointed Lord Jesus is not preached, the people believe on another Jesus and go without the fullness of the Spirit of God! Paul said, if any person preaches any other gospel than this, “let him be Anathema,” “let him be accursed.” God is jealous over what is being preached! The following scriptures show this to be true. Galatians 3:13-14; 1 Corinthians 16:22; 2 Corinthians 11:1-4; Galatians 1:8-12
1 Corinthians chapters 1-4 deal with the issue of correcting divisions in the church. In these chapters we are given understanding of how God has set the church up to operate as one body: God the Father works through His Son through the power of the Spirit. This is the pattern. He uses various ministries such as Paul, Apollos, Peter, etc., to establish this pattern in His people in the power of the kingdom of God.
The kingdom of God is not in word only, but in the power of the Spirit— “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” Paul said his speech and preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power. This was so the people’s faith would not stand in the wisdom of man (informational knowledge only), but in the manifest miraculous power of God. 1 Corinthians 4:20; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
A clarion trumpet call of God goes out to the Body of Christ. God is calling His Army to rise up as one man in the fullness of Christ (the anointed One). We are not to be tossed by every doctrine of the cunning craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive with information only. The Body of Christ is to grow up into Christ Himself, cemented and set together by the Word and working of the Spirit of God. This is unto the edifying of itself in love. The various ministries given to this end are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Ephesians 4:1-16
We are to rise up in Him, in His power, with all boldness, to proclaim and demonstrate the risen person of the Lord Jesus Christ in all His loving, healing, delivering power. By Him living and operating through us by His supernatural Spirit, the world will be convinced, if they have ears to hear, that He is the real, living God, and not just another dead, boring religion.
So, let’s take our position and identity in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ—in His authority, in His cross and crucifixion of self, and in His anointing of life, love, liberty, joy and power. Let’s carry out the mission to which we are called. SOULS ARE WAITING TO BE SET FREE! We are the vessels through which He will work by His Spirit! Let us lay aside the carnal divisions and focus only on one thing: the Lord Jesus Christ. To that one name will every knee bow and every tongue confess (Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:10). Let’s not hold back! Let’s go forward in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!