Division In The Church

What would the Apostle Paul say about the divisions that are happening today in the Church?
1. Division is caused by those who do not grow up in the faith but remain spiritually immature.

 

Paul’s Solution:
1) Grow up in knowledge.
2) Grow up in our reverence in worship.

 

2. Division is caused by those who follow the word of men rather than the word of God.

Paul’s Solution:
1) Settle disputes and disagreements on the authority of scripture alone.
– this means having a high view of scripture.
– this means seeing scripture as sufficient.

 

3. Division is caused by being ignorant of how unrepentant sin destroys a church or a person.
Paul’s Solution:
1) Be a church that deals redemptively with sin by calling all to repent and be forgiven, and by removing those who refuse repentance.
2) Preach Christ as the Passover Lamb, slain for the forgiveness of our sins.

 

4. Some division is necessary because there are unbelievers in the Church.
Paul’s Solution:
1) Some divisions in the Church are unavoidable.
– there MUST be some factions in the church because there are goats within the sheep.

 

5. Division is caused by not understanding what unites us.
Paul’s Solution:
1) It is our union with Christ that unites us.
– The true Church is divided as much as Christ is divided.
2) We are to regard one another as we regard Christ, and not according to the flesh.”