Servants Of Unity

I apologize for being late for posting this weeks lesson. For those who may have been expecting the lesson earlier. It is the beginning of a new quarter. We didn't get the new books last week. I have been being prepared unknowingly, through conversations I have had. I was talking to a brother who said he didn't witness to Muslims. They have a litany of questions, he wasn't prepared to answer. They harp on the differences of doctrines, in the various denominations. We should be seize the opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. That's the thing as Christians, our message should be the same.

Passage 1 Corinthians 1:10-12:
10Now 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.
11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

Paul was concerned that the people of Corinth had factioned off, into separate groups. Due to the fact that the gospel had been preached by other capable preachers. Often those who had been converted. Started to follow those who they liked personally, for whatever reason. This had been brought to Paul's attention, by someone from the house of Chloe. He only said this to make them aware of his authority. He was informed by a reliable source. A student of Pauls personal instruction. Apollos was appealing to the intellectual crowd, or the Greeks. Then there was Cephas(Peter), who appealed to the converted Jews. Paul was letting them know that all of them were supposed to be preaching the same thing.

1 Corinthians 1:13-16
13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
14I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other

Does this behavior represent Jesus? Did either of your teachers die for you? Your salvation is not afforded you, by those who ushered in your conversion. Paul was happy to say, these were not the fruits of his labor. Crispus and Gais were both converts, Paul had baptized himself. Obviously Christians who were not guilty of this. Other wise they would be participating too. Paul also mentioned Stephanas this was the first family he baptized in Greece. These verses show the diversity of the message. In it's proper context, it is the same for all believers.


1 Corinthians 1: 17
17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Paul simply states his purpose. He was sent to preach and teach, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not to captivate audiences with his oratory skills, and charisma. The message of all believers should draw people to God through the teachings of Jesus Christ.