COMMENDATION AND EXHORTATION TO UNITY IN THE CHURCH

MEMORY VERSE: “Now 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” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 1:1-17

In the last chapter of his epistle to the Romans, Paul the apostle exhorts the brethren to a practical life of unfeigned love as befitting saints. Paul posits standard scriptural guidelines that should characterize mutual relationship among brethren; the role of women in ministry and vehement warnings against the infiltration of false teachers.  In this epistle to the Corinthian Church, Paul the apostle acknowledges the effective work of grace in their lives and their endowment of charismatic gifts but then addressed the teething challenges of cleavages and divisions which could pose a stumbling block to the fellowship among brethren. He exhorts them on the dire need for profound unity. In the New Testament, the Church generally refers to the universal body of Christ which comprises: (i) all genuinely born again believers of all ages (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 3:10), (ii) the local church which is composed of Christian believers identified with a constituted body worshiping in one locality (Romans 16:1; Col.4:16; Acts 14:23), and (iii) the House churches, which were an assembly of brethren in Christian homes (1Corinthians 16:19; 14:23; Colossians 4:15).

Question 1: What is the meaning and significance of the Church?

By virtue of the fact that the church is a company of ‘called out’ saints (2 Corinthians 6:17), it is important for contemporary believers to live a separated and holy lives unto God (2 Corinthians 7:1; Isaiah 52:11; Romans 12:11); shine as light to the world (Matthew 5:16); influence their neighbourhood positively as the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13); and preach the gospel to save the lost with the mind of Discipling A Whole Nation (DAWN) (Luke 19:10; Mark 16:15,16; Matthew 28:19,20.)

1.

HE PURPOSE OF GODLY COMMENDATION

(1Corinthians 1:1-7; Philippians 2:19,20,25-30; 2Cor.3:1; 12:8; Luke 7:9; Mark 12:41-44)

At the time Paul the apostle wrote this epistle, it appeared that there were some at Corinth who questioned his apostleship (1 Corinthians 9:1,2) and vilified his person and ministry (2 Corinthians 10:10). Thus, Paul began by challenging this defective character as he asserts “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God…”. He made it clear that he had not taken this honour unto himself but by divine commission; it was therefore proper for him to magnify his office(Romans 11:13) when false teachers and their followers relished in running him down.  

It is instructive to observe that though this Corinthian Church was ridden with a lot of irregularities that needed to be corrected (1 Corinthians 1:11; 3:1-4; 5:1-3; 7:5; 8:1-5; 1Corinthians 10:1-10; 11:29-32), Paul began with an appreciation of their steadfastness, wisdom, charismatic gift and continual waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Question 2: What role does commendation play in Christian service?

Commendation in Christian service serves the following purposes. One, it is evidence that the believer’s service is being acknowledged either by the Lord or one’s spiritual leader (Revelation 2:2,3,8,9;  Rev.3:7 - 9; Mat.25:14,15,20- 23). Two, it is a source of encouragement to the believer, prompting him to do more in the Lord’s vineyard. Three, it presupposes the certainty of reward for an accomplished task. Four, when a faithful believer is being commended, it sends a warning signal to the callous and nonchalant brethren to wake up from their slumber.

 

THE PATTERN OF SCRIPTURAL EXHORTATION

  

 (1Cor.1:8-9; Acts 2:40; Acts 11:22-23; Acts 13:15; 27:22; 1Thessalonians 2:3,4,11; Jude 3; Hebrews 3:13; 13:22; Psalm 119: 89; )

After thanking God and commending the Corinthian brethren for their unwavering faith, perseverance and charismatic gifts, apostle Paul went further to exhort them on the need to cultivate the spirit of unity (1 Corinthians 1:10). He also identifies the faithfulness of God (1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:13; Deuteronomy 7:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Question 3: What is exhortation? Enumerate its functions among believers today.

Exhortation is a life-transforming admonition often used to build up the faith of believers. It could also be used as a soul-winning tool. It aims at strengthening believers with their walk with God. It is one of the gifts of the Spirit (Romans 12:6-8). A prayerful exhortation has the capacity to accomplish the following: (i) convert sinners (Acts 2:40,41); (ii) motivate brethren to continue in the faith (Acts 11:22-24; 14:22); (iii) reproduce the mind of Christ in believers (Philippians 2:5); (iv) stir up the gift of the Spirit that is latent in saints (2 Timothy 1:6); (v) equip believers to become law-abiding citizens (Titus 2:9); (vi) make believers to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3); (vii) warn the unruly in the church and help them to be disciplined; (viii) stir up believers to intercede for the nation and secular leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4); (ix) prepare believers for a blameless life in readiness for the rapture

(1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 John 3:1-3); (x) maintain constant fellowship among brethren (Hebrews 10:25; Malachi 3:16), among others.

3.

THE PRIORITY AND POWER OF SCRIPTURAL UNITY

(1 Corinthians 1:10-17; Ephesians 4:3; Romans 16:17; 1 John 5:6,7; Philippians 1:27; Galatians 3:28; John17:21,23; Psalm 133:1-3; Matthew 12:25; 18:19; 1 Peter 3:8-11; Ephesians 4:16)

Believers in Christ are bound together in one brotherhood by ties of the blood of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the love of God shed abroad in the heart (John 17:21). The unity of the body of Christ is not negotiable. The apostle sought to resolve the divisions found in the Church when he questioned rhetorically, “Is Christ divided?” Disunity in the Church is always the evidence of corruption, worldliness, backsliding and imperfect Christian experience.

Question 4: Give reasons for the importance of unity in the body of Christ.

The importance of unity in the Church cannot be over-emphasized. One, it is exemplified in the Trinity or the Godhead. Two, it is perfectly expressed in the two ordinances of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 10:16,17), and water baptism (1 Corinthians 12:13). Three, it was demonstrated in the early Church as a pattern for all Christians in all ages (Acts 2:44-46; 4:32- 35). Four, Christ prayed and paid for it (John 17:21- 23). The responsibility of every believer is: “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Today, there are people who claim to be Christians; yet, they regard membership of a local church as an additional burden.

Question 5: How can members maintain unity in the body of Christ?

To maintain unity in the church, members must experience a purging of the heart from all divisive tendencies of bigotry, tribalism, superiority/inferiority complex, class consciousness etc. Church leaders and members must mark those who cause divisions and avoid them. Again, we must recognize our need of one another. We must be willing to submit to one another, share our burdens and resources together and pray for one another. However, it is important to note that this unity is not the same as unification, uniformity or ecumenism and the unequal yoke these may engender. Christian unity is the situation where our differences and diversities are swallowed up by the love of God in the believers’ hearts so that each member finds and takes his rightful place in the body of Christ (Psalm 133;  Galatians 3:28).

Question 6: (a) Differentiate between Christian unity and human organizational unity (b) State the basis of true unity.

Man’s attempt to bring together all those who profess faith in Christ into one human organization with multitudes of people who know nothing about being born again and freedom from sin is not the Bible unity which Christ prayed and died for. Christian unity can only be realized when we are truly saved and sanctified. True believers cannot find unity with those who hate the Lord (2 Chronicles 19:2).

Question 7: What are the benefits of Christian unity?

Unity provides grounds for the function, expression and manifestation of God-given gifts and abilities. It provides security and satisfaction. Other benefits of believers’ unity include: corporate power and anointing for victorious living and ministry, effective ministry within the body, growth of the body and blessing of eternal life with Christ in heaven (John 17:24).