1 Corinthians 1:10–13
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.
12 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.”
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Corinthians 11:18–19
18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.
19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.
The church is the church of God. It does not belong to any one group of people. It does not belong to the pastor, deacons, or other leaders of the church. It is God’s church! Anything done in the church is done for God’s glory! God does not share His glory with anyone.
The church is made up of believers, those who have been saved by the blood of Jesus. The believers are sanctified; set apart. Each believer is given a spiritual gift to be used to build up the Body of Christ, the church. No one person’s spiritual gift is more important than another. Some gifts are more visible, some less visible but all are important to building up the Body of Christ.
There is no exclusiveness nor superiority in the church. Spiritual superiority and pride have no place in the church. The only one who is to be honored and exalted in the church is Jesus Christ. All believers in Jesus are subjects of Christ and not the lords of other believers.
We live in difficult times. Many are turning away from God and allowing the demonic influence of Satan to rule their lives. The church, local and worldwide needs to be united in Jesus. Remember what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:1, there is to be no division among the church but to be perfectly joined together in Jesus.