I Corinthians 1:1-17

“Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (v13). Paul used strong words to condemn the way the Corinthian believers were beginning form groups who followed favorite leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas/Peter, etc, v12). This hero-worship of human leaders was causing arguments (v11) and distracting from the gospel of Jesus Christ. The best preachers – who had “words of wisdom” or prophetic gifts – were not meant to attract such attention, “lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power” (v17).

Elevating human leaders (or styles, or cultures) separates us; instead, worshipping Jesus, we are called to be “united in the same mind and in the same judgment” (v10).