Is Christ Divided? Was Paul Crucified For You? Or Were Ye Baptized In the Name of Paul? - Part 1692

When Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ and Sosthenes [our] brother is writing unto the church of God which is at Corinth -- to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord -- some questions arise. Or, as Paul writes, "contentions among you." (I Corinthians 1:11)

Herein, one person believes that he is of Paul and another states that he is of Apollos. " ... and I am of Cephas; and I of Christ." So Paul asks, "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the Name of Paul?" Given the state of the modern day religious culture, and the increasing number of man-made religions hanging their shingle out for one and all to see these days, these queries of necessity require a response.

So, in this context, what do the scriptures state? Indeed, the scriptures state that Paul planted, Apollos watered, but it was always God who gives the increase. Remember earlier posts. You are God’s building not made with hands. Therefore, in this current dispensation of grace, Jesus the Christ is the only foundation. He is the Head of the Church -- the corner stone. In fact, there is not any other foundation. The gospel is the solid Rock foundation of Jesus Christ.

And just as the Israelites passed through the Red Sea, drinking of that spiritual Rock that followed them -- the Rock which was Christ, we are to do the same today. (I Corinthians 10:1-4) But I digress.

What we are witnessing here is that God's plan of salvation was not man-made. It was God-made. So why then would the foundation of God's church be created -- if I may use this analogy -- with man-made cement mix? 

"For while one saith, "I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted. Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then, neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters, but God that gives the increase. Now he that plants and he that waters are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God; ye are God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building, according to the grace of God which is given unto me as a wise master builder. I have laid the foundation and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ!" (I Corinthians 3:5-11; Isaiah 28:16; Ephesians 2:20-22; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9; Romans 1:5; I Corinthians 4:15; II Corinthians 6:1; Galatians 6:3; Acts 18:4, 24-27; II Corinthians 3:3, 5-6)

Put simply, God is not dependent on man’s maintenance. However, we are totally dependent on God. (Corinthians 3;1-23) 

If we read further into 1 Corinthians chapter 10, we discover the following. When the exodus of Egypt was front page news, all of those who had demonstrated their obedience to God’s command and sprinkled the blood of a lamb around their door posts and lintels were not harmed, as God had promised. These people were now en-route to the Jordan River. To observers, traveling to the Jordan River was like heading down a dead end street, particularly given the enemies which followed.

Still, these plodded onward, loaded with the spoils of their former taskmasters. The taskmasters recouping from their now impoverished place watched as their former slave labour hit the road. Let's bring out the army along with the big guns, they thought. Surely, they will protect our comfortable luxurious lifestyle. What they were unaware of was that God had heard the cry of the Hebrew slaves. Their prayers had ascended to His ears, and He being a compassionate God was touched with the feelings of their infirmities. 

In other words, God moved with compassion toward them. Remember that God is altogether pure humanity. In fact, we were originally designed by God (the potter) to be an earthly visible expression of His own humanity. We were to become the sons and daughters of God. The plan was that we would be a perfect creation for Him. God created man with His own hands. 

The question for us is this. What is man that you Lord are so mindful of him?

Still, the Lord knew their pending predicament, even as they approached the barrier river. When confronted with the Jordan River, there was no doubt fear and dismay that arose among them. But Moses had the rod /staff in his hand. Recall that Moses was a faithful servant in the plan of God’s creation? Jesus is the builder of the house. And Moses knew in whom to trust. Moses waited. God instructed. "Moses" God said, "Lift up the rod/staff over the waters" and ...!

Look at what happened next. Where did that wind come from? Why even the wind and the waters obey Him? Walls of water on either side of the river while the ground stayed dry underfoot. A cloud over head and the people were free. What a getaway. The Hebrews all crossed over to the opposite bank, with sighs of relief and amazement. But the big guns of the army emerged, endeavouring to pursue the Hebrews. In so doing, their fate was sealed. The watery walls of the Jordan River collapsed over them when they attempted to cross and they perished.

This is the fate that inevitably will befall all those who oppose the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and likewise, water baptism in the name of Jesus. The rod, the staff, the Covenant of God. Those who continue their cement mix formulae of baptism - into the titles father, son, and spirit will never make it to the opposite bank. They will never see the shoreline. Going into the water without the Name of Jesus, they arose with wet clothes but without the justification they sought. The Hebrew people were delivered by God’s determinate counsel saying, “Let My people go so that they may serve Me."

The scriptures do not distinguish between one and another. Rather, they were all to eat the SAME spiritual meat and similarly, all to drink the same spiritual drink. In the same context, they were to drink of the spiritual Rock which followed them. That Rock was Christ. As the scriptures state, "Let there be no divisions among believers." Instead, let us continue steadfastly in the Holy Ghost teachings delivered to us and confirmed with mighty signs and wonders and gifts. 

Remember, if God confirms His Word, no man has the power to dis-annul it. He that has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Holy Ghost -- the resurrected Christ,, whose Name is Jesus has to say in your heart this day! 

Peace to all in Jesus name. Stand in the offering plate.