Divisions & Denominations
Differences, Factions & Schisms
An Introduction to Unity & Division
“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 (Gr. schismata – rips) among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels (Gr. eris – strife) among you. 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.” Is Christ divided (Gr. merízo – portioned)? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions (Gr. schismata – rips) among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences (Gr. haireseis – factions) among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!
1 Corinthians 11:17-22
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division (Gr. schisma – rips) in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:21-27
Wisdom in the WORD 
In all my years of serving and learning within so many various circles, I nevertheless have actually never seen the word until here quite like it just became very clear after watching the short video below and, for the first time ever, understanding the extended metaphor clearly used in this entire passage. This is so clear
It is not written
So Christ himself gave the [missionaries], the [preachers], the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until [AD 70 or whenever the last of the original 12 apostles dies, whichever comes first.]
NO!
Rather:
So Christ himself gave the [missionaries], the [preachers], the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-13
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The word in Ephesians 4:13 usually translated equip has more to it and fits jointly into the extended metaphor in this entire longer passage. The word is
“katartismós…exact adjustment which describes how (enables) the individual parts to work together in correct order.”
“to adjust,” which is derived from 739 /ártios, “properly adjusted”) – properly, exactly fit (adjust) to be in good working order.”
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Here is a response just now to another brother on the topic of unity & doctrine which goes right into the topic of the ongoing living, breathing, functioning body of Christ.
Quote
Yes, prophesying & preaching
And of course
Prevent not doing what the word says
Because the one who does what God says not merely saying LORD we did this or that when they didn’t in fact but the one who DOES these things will be blessed and his house will be built on the ROCK and he himself will be like the tree in Paradise giving healing to the nations.
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