1 Corinthians: Not Paul, Not Apollos, Not Peter, But Christ - Week 2
Opening Prayer:
Lord God,
You are gracious and forgiving, wise and all-knowing.
You are merciful and loving, the God who gives us multiple opportunities to love You and join You in Your work.
Thank you for gracious embrace.
May we always remain focused on Christ, the centre, the foundation, the incarnate proof of Your love for us.
Grant us unity.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Key Scripture:
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
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We begin with the historical context of Corinth, an ancient Roman city in Greece driven by an honour-shame culture. In this society, citizens gained social status by aligning with elite public speakers and philosophers. This cultural obsession invaded the Corinthian church, fracturing the congregation into competitive factions. Believers divided themselves based on their preferred leaders: the founding apostle Paul, the highly eloquent intellectual Apollos, the culturally Jewish-focused leader Cephas (Peter), or a self-righteous group claiming to follow only Christ. While there was no inherent theological conflict between these leaders (they knew each other and had worked well together in the past), the believers used them as tribal badges to foster rivalry and elevate their own status within the church.
Modern Christians frequently replicate this division by gathering into rigid tribes defined by worship styles, political leanings, age brackets, theological camps, or economic status, often subtly or overtly tearing others down.
In response, Paul challenges the Corinthians (and also us) to anchor their definition of self entirely in Christ. He asks rhetorical questions—"Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?"—to redirect their focus back to the gospel. Baptism serves as the ultimate symbol of a new identity, signifying that believers are adopted into one diverse whānau by Christ, making secondary differences irrelevant. Paul does not demand rigid, uniform replication of doctrine; rather, he calls for a non-competitive attitude that dismantles power plays.
Ultimately, we are challenged as the church to transition from a consumer-driven, preference-based mindset—which mirrors modern digital algorithms—into a presence-based community. A presence-based church shifts its core question away from "what do people prefer and how do we cater to it?" and instead continually asks, "Where is Jesus already at work, and how do we join Him?" We concluded with a call to repentance, urging listeners to reject needless division, recognise where they have allowed divisions to dictate grace and treated other believers as "the other", and let the unifying work of the cross dictate their true identity.
Discussion Guide:
Starter Questions:
What is a petty or funny preference you hold onto fiercely (e.g., a specific brand of coffee, a phone operating system, or a local food spot)? How easily do we let small preferences form our "tribes"?
What do you see as the “petty preferences” that Christians often let divide them from others? Why?
Hearing the Context:
In ancient Corinth, your social status was tied to the eloquence of the teacher you followed. Teachers and their disciples would openly yell, fight, and compete in the public forum to prove who was best. The tragedy was that the church adopted this exact culture, fracturing over their favourite leaders instead of letting their diverse gifts bless the whole body. To understand why Paul is so passionate here, we have to look at the "factions" forming in the Corinthian church:
The Paul Tribe: Those loyal to the pioneer who spent 18 months building the church, even if he wasn't the most eloquent speaker.
The Apollos Tribe: Followers of a highly educated, deeply passionate, brilliant preacher from Alexandria.
The Cephas (Peter) Tribe: Most likely the Jewish believers rallying around Peter’s specific ministry and legacy.
The "Christ" Tribe: Those claiming a spiritual superiority by saying they only follow Jesus, using it to look down on others.
Discussion Questions
Paul asks, "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?" (v. 13). Why is it so dangerous when we elevate a Christian leader, a ministry style, or a theological camp to the point where it defines our identity?
Sam mentioned that the "Corinthian Forum" has largely become the "Internet Forum" today. In what ways do modern Christians subtly or overtly take down other believers based on preferences like political ideology, worship music, or preaching styles?
In his commentary, Anthony Thiselton notes that Paul doesn’t demand uniform doctrine on every tiny detail, but a "non-competitive attitude that sets aside all hint of power play". What does a non-competitive church look like in a highly competitive world?
The sermon challenges us to shift from a "preference-based" mindset (catering to what we like) to a "presence-based" mindset (asking "where is Jesus, and how do we join Him?"). How would shifting this question change how we view our church?
Practices:
Individual Practices:
The Algorithm Fast: Algorithms are designed to cater strictly to our personal preferences. This week, consciously step away from online theological or political debates. When you feel the urge to "subtly take down" another group or viewpoint online or in conversation, pause and pray for them instead.
The Repentance Audit: Take time in silent reflection to ask yourself: “Have I placed something other than Christ at the centre of my faith?” Confess any areas where you have regarded other believers as "the other" or contributed to division because they don't share your style or preferences.
Community Practices:
The "Where is Jesus?" Shift: We long to be a presence-based community rather than a preference-based one. Instead of asking, "What do we like and how do we cater to that?" make it a habit to ask your group, "Where is Jesus already at work in our neighborhood, and how do we join him?"
Welcome the Difference: Intentionally spend time with someone in the broader church family who holds different secondary preferences than you (e.g., different age bracket, political view, or worship preference). Listen to their story without trying to change their mind, remembering you have been baptised into the exact same family.
Additional Resources:
For a printable version of this guide click here.