“Now I say this that each of you says, “I am of Paul”, or “I am of Apollos, “or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptised in the name of Paul? (I Corinth. 1:12-13)
THE Apostle Paul loved his Corinthian brothers and sisters in Christ. But when he received reports that divisions, immorality, and pride had crept into the Church, he knew he had to speak up and confront the sin that some Church members had grown proud of. Yes, division, faction has to do with a small dissentient group within a larger one.

However, the Church is the body of Christ and any attempt to dismember it will not only affect its role, but witness to the world. Sometimes, the Church may allow itself to be derailed by some considerations such as oratory, gifting, carriage and appearance among others. We notice that when these things are not put in their places, its spiritual well-being is affected. Therefore, the talk about Paul or Apollos or Cephas or Christ should not have risen, as the other three are fellow workers in Christ. One plants, another waters but Christ gives the increase. Yes, we need to underline that God in His wisdom gave to His Church different gifting and more so, St. Paul has recognised this earlier in his writing in Ephesians. 4:11.

Apostle Paul was aware that the Church is not a political party, but a religious institution whose aim is to prepare men and women for the salvation of their souls. In the Church, therefore, unity, love, cooperation and collaboration among others should be the indices for identifying them as people of God. The emphasis of a political party is on personal or sectional interest, for politics has to do with interest. This is why in the political arena, politicians do not care whether a party is factionalised or not so long their interests are well protected. But this shouldn’t be so in the Church, for any attempt to factionalise it would whittle down its witness and message to the world.

May I then humbly caution believers not to give the Devil a foothold in their midst. The Devil’s agenda, if allowed, would bring disunity, anger and hatred, thereby reducing spiritual growth and the potentials of members. But we must agree it isn’t always easy to speak correction to those we know are clearly in the wrong. But the Lord uses strong leaders to correct His people, courageous leaders that can speak the truth in love. It is expected that the Lord can use us to achieve that kind of leader. Church bickering, rancour, or strife leaves a scar on the body of the Church. We must work to avoid such.

Therefore, I trust, as we prepare ourselves to enter a new month under God that He will make us an instrument for peace and unity wherever we may be found in His Church. Those who fan the embers of discord should think twice. Our Christ is not divided and His prayer for the Church “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me,” (John 17:21) should be our desire always.

Ven. Ernest Onuoha
Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State. www.ibrucentre.org