The Danger of "Fan Club" Christianity! - 1 Corinthians 1

 Introduction to the Book of 1 Corinthians

We know that Paul wrote the two letters to the church of Corinth in response to questions people had asked. These included but were not limited to:

1. Sexual Immorality

2. Idol Worship

3. Confusion over spiritual giffts as a result of spiritual immaturity

4. Division from people preferring certain leaders over others. 

5. False teaching about the resurrection. 

Corinth was a dominant commercial city in the Mediterranean world as early as the 8th century b.c. and was as influential in Paul's day.  The International Bible Study has this to say about the city of Corinth,

Corinth in the Time of Paul

The city of Corinth, perched like a one-eyed Titan astride the narrow isthmus connecting the Greek mainland with the Peloponnese, was one of the dominant commercial centers of the Mediterranean world as early as the eighth century b.c.

No city in Greece was more favorably situated for land and sea trade. With a high, strong citadel at its back, it lay between the Saronic Gulf and the Ionian Sea, with ports at Lechaion and Cenchrea. A diolkos, or stone road for the overland transport of ships, linked the two seas. Crowning the Acrocorinth was the temple of Aphrodite, served, according to Strabo, by more than 1,000 pagan priestess-prostitutes.

By the time the gospel reached Corinth in the spring of a.d. 52, the city had a proud history of leadership in the Achaian League, and a spirit of revived Hellenism under Roman domination after 44 b.c. following the destruction of the city by Mummius in 146 b.c.

Paul’s lengthy stay in Corinth brought him directly in contact with the major monuments of the agora, many of which still survive. The fountain-house of the spring Peirene, the temple of Apollo, themacellum or meat market (1Co 10:25) and the theater, the bema (Ac 18:12), and the unimpressive synagogue all played a part in the experience of the apostle. An inscription from the theater names the city official Erastus, probably the friend of Paul mentioned in Ro 16:23 (see note there)."

Thanksgiving

4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Part starts out on a positive note stating how much grace the Corinthians have been given.  Specifically this grace was given in the form of spiritual gifts, which Paul will talk about quite a bit later in this letter. Paul mentions the gifts of "speech and knowledge" here.  Paul affirms that they have all they need to be an effective church spreading the gospel in such a critical area of the known world.  Though they are excited for Jesus to return, they have work to do until he comes and the means to do it.  Importantly it is Jesus who will keep them firm until the end.  Jesus began this good work in them and HE WOULD BE FAITHFUL to complete it.  Though there is spiritual immaturity, personality issues, and weak teaching in the church, it is Jesus who will present them BLAMELESS. 

A Church Divided Over Leaders

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] 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[b]”; 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.

Paul addresses the elephant in the room.  People were divided based on a partiality to which leader they followed.  People had developed their own "fan club" based on what leader they followed.  Some people claimed they were following Paul, others Apollos and others Peter (Cephas was his Jewish name).  Paul does not hesitate to make it crystal clear that he wants no part of this.  The last thing Paul wants is the church to confuse who he is with who Jesus is.  Paul did not die for them.  Paul has not been raised from the dead.  Paul is a sinner.  Paul is not Jesus, nor is any other leader for that matter.  Paul emphasizes that any power he has in preaching, teaching or healing come from Jesus. He cannot take any credit for the fruits of his ministry.  

How are Christians today tempted to follow a human leader vs. Jesus?  Why is it so dangerous to put your faith in a human leader? Do you have a strong sense that it is Jesus who called you and He will keep you firm to the end?  How does knowing this help you to deal with the challenges and trials you face?  Where in your life do you need to remind yourself that through thick and thin God IS FAITHFUL?