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March 29, 2025 |
| Division in the Church | ||
This study is about divisions in the church and what the Bible says about that. There are more aspects to this topic than you might expect, such as what causes division, whether all divisions are bad, and how to deal with people who cause division.
We'll see examples of these aspects of division and what the Bible says about them. We'll also spend some time on the idea of rebuking those who cause division, just as the bible spends time on that topic. There are few churches in our time that do that, even when the Bible says they should be.
Some churches believe that Christians should never say anything that would offend anyone or say anything that would cause a division within the church or might reignite a division. Churches like this usually say that causing divisions gives Satan a foothold in the church.
These bans on divisive speech aren't limited to Bible topics but also include politics or any other topic where there might be a difference of opinion among the church members. We'll see that this is not a Biblical idea.
Silencing people is actually the basis for totalitarian control. If people are afraid to say anything, then they won't oppose those who will speak. They won't oppose false teaching.
We'll see that, sometimes, it's necessary to speak. The history of the church shows that it goes off the rails, and the only way to get it back is to say something that causes division. The Bible shows this as well.
Jesus caused divisions. He said that he would, and we know that he did. The truth will always cause divisions when it is given to those who don't hold to the truth.
Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? I say to you, no, but division. 52 From now on there shall be five in one house who are divided, three against two and two against three. (Luke 12:51-52)
In Jesus' time, Judaism had gone off the rails. They had done that many times before, but this time they believed they were doing what was right, when they were doing what was wrong.
They were strictly enforcing the law. But they had come to believe that salvation came by living within the law. Then Jesus came, saying they had it all wrong. Therefore the truth appeared to many of them to be a lie. Some accepted what Jesus said, but others didn't.
And there was division among the crowd because of him. (John 7:43)
Jesus' situation is like our time; the church is off track, but they think they are on track. After Jesus is gone, when the apostles start churches, the churches they start will be on track from the start. Therefore the apostles can tell their churches not to listen to anyone who teaches something different.
Later, we know the church went off track, and there was an effort to reform it. That effort was only partially successful, and it divided the church into thousands of churches. Now those churches are on different tracks, and there is no authority to tell them which, if any, is correct.
We saw that Jesus' true teachings were divisive. Now we see that false teachings can also cause division.
But I beg of you my brethren, beware of those who are causing division and subversion outside of the doctrine which you have learned, that you should stay away from them. (Romans 16:17)
So, both true and false teachings cause division in a church. That leaves us with a problem. We need to determine which is which so we can reject the false doctrines and accept the true ones. How do we do that?
Paul provides the answer - "outside of the doctrine". We need to know the doctrine. That's easily said, but most false doctrines enter a church as small changes that are almost unnoticeable. After a while, true doctrine looks false. Therefore we also need the discernment of the Spirit to warn us about the changes and also about the person making the change. But when a church is off-the-rails, discernment is hard to find. Often it left the church early, after being ignored.
Paul also tells us how to deal with these doctrinally divisive people - stay away from them. Unless you are prepared to throw them out of the building, you can't make them stop. Later on, we'll see Paul tell Timothy and Titus more about what they can do. But staying away from them and ignoring them can be effective. People like this want an audience. If they don't get that, they will often go somewhere else.
Some people will be weaker in doctrine. Those who are stronger need to teach them, and they need to be prepared to listen and learn.
If these measures aren't taken, a whole church, or most of a church, may accept a false doctrine. In that case, the answer is the same - stay away from them. That is done by leaving yourself.
Paul speaks to the Philippian church about how Christians should live. We are focused on what he says about who is responsible for division.
Do everything without complaining and without division, 15 that you would be perfect and without blemish as purified children of God who dwell in a hard and crooked generation, and appear among them as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:14-15)
Complaining and division are similar in that they can start with a single person and then spread to others. Paul says each person should not complain and each person should be without division. But what does he mean by being without division?
We need to recognize something about division. It can only be caused if a person allows it. Each person must act to remain undivided. This may involve ignoring the teachers of wrong doctrine, as we've seen, or the other sources that seek to cause division.
Paul uses the word "assembly" to describe a group of Christians who meet together. He wouldn't have used the word "church" in the way we do now, as a building where Christians meet. They didn't have those then. When he and others use the word "church," it is another word for an assembly.
Also, Paul uses two words on the topic of division. He refers to contentions as disagreements that have become contentious or argumentative. Emotions have become involved. Those disagreements could be about the interpretation of scripture or the direction of the group. If those contentions are not resolved, they become a division. So, disagreements can become contentious, which can lead to division.
For whenever you gather with the assembly, I have heard that there is division among you, and certain things I believe. 19 There are going to be contentions among you, that those who are approved among you may be known. (1 Corinthians 11:18-19)
There will be contentions, he says. We are human, and that is to be expected. The Bible isn't always clear, and there are different levels of understanding within the church. Therefore disagreements will happen, and the proponents of the different understandings will contend for their understanding.
But then Paul says these contentions serve a purpose in the assembly. They show who among the assembly can understand and explain doctrine, and who can quiet the contention and settle the disagreement. They show themselves to be workmen approved by God.
We saw divisions based on doctrine, which are serious. Next we'll look at some foolish divisions. The first is sectarianism, which is fracturing an organization into groups. Among their many other problems, the Corinthian church had this problem.
But I request of you, my brethren, in the name of Our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, that all of you would have one speech, and that there would be no divisions among you, that you would be perfected in one mind and in one conscience. 11 For brethren from the house of Kloe sent to me about you, that there is contention among you. 12 But I say this: there is one of you who says, "I am of Paulus", and one who says, "I am of Apollo", and one who says, "I am of Kaypha", and one who says, "I am of the Messiah." 13 Has the Messiah been divided, or was Paulus crucified for your sakes, or were you baptized in the name of Paulus? (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)
Paul says there should be no divisions. He isn't referring to differences of opinion or differences of Bible interpretation. He isn't saying we shouldn't talk about those differences. He is saying we shouldn't let those become contentious and blow up into divisions.
Beginning in verse 11, Paul is telling them to think about what they have done in factionalizing by leaders. He'll go on to explain that the leaders are nothing and the Messiah is everything. It is a pointless division that can only produce failure.
Here is another foolish division Paul finds in the Corinthian church.
Lest there would be divisions in the body; but all the members should be caring equally one for another. (1 Corinthians 12:25)
Paul is saying that unequal treatment of the members of an assembly can cause division. We also know that if unequal treatment crosses an existing division, then that division is expanded.
This is different because the division does not result from the understanding of words or respect for leaders, but from actions.
This unequal treatment goes by other names, like favoring or hypocrisy, which is another word for lying. This practice can also damage homes and businesses with the divisions it creates there.
James talks about people who think they have wisdom.
But if you have bitter envy or contention in your hearts, do not be puffed up against the truth and lie. 15 Because this wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, from the thoughts of the self and from demons. 16 For where there is envy and contention there is also chaos and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is pure, filled with peace, meek and attentive, filled with love and good fruit, without division and does not show partiality. 18 But the fruits of righteousness are sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:14-18)
Thinking you have wisdom can lead to envy of others who have wisdom and are respected for it. It can also lead you to be contentious in an effort to prove to others that you have wisdom.
James says, if this wisdom makes you arrogant, you become a liar. Now, that's a thought. Thinking more of yourself than you are is a lie.
He says: This kind of wisdom comes from your own thoughts or, worse, from demons whispering in your ear.
Paraphrasing James, this kind of wisdom produces chaos and other evils. The wisdom of God, though, produces peace without division or partiality, which is favoritism, which we talked about already. Those who make peace use peace to sow the fruits of righteousness in others.
For our topic today, we see that false wisdom can lead to envy and contention. We already know that these can lead to division.
We're going to change gears a little now and talk about rebuking, which is making it clear to a person that he is doing wrong.
Earlier we saw advice to stay away from people who were trying to create division … or were creating it without trying. Now we'll see that sometimes you need to rebuke these people.
Rebukes can lead a person to repentance. Otherwise, they can be divisive. None-the-less, they are sometimes required.
"Offspring of vipers, who has instructed you to flee ..." (Mat. 3:7)
This is Jesus rebuking the Pharisees and Sadducees. For most, these words would increase the division between them. For some, like Nicodemus, we know he looked at himself and didn't like what he saw.
Here is Paul being "divisive" with the Galatian church.
"Oh stupid Galatians!" (Gal. 3:1)
We don't know, but we expect that most of that church repented. Yet, it is almost certain there would be a few who would be divided.
John the Baptist called out Herod for what he was doing, and lost his head for it.
Guard your souls. If your brother should sin, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. (Luke 17:3)
This verse isn't exactly on topic, but it contains two important ideas. To guard your souls means to be watchful and take action as needed so evil cannot use you. The second part is to forgive, once a person repents.
But when Kaypha came to Antiakia, I rebuked him to his face because they were tripped up by him (Galatians 2:11)
The verse says "tripped up" which is the same as divided. Peter has been treating the Jews differently from the Gentiles, which has been causing or enlarging a division.
Paul puts his advice into practice and gets in the face of Peter. Paul doesn't provide the details to the Galatians, but elsewhere we see that he didn't yell or become accusatory. His rebuke is a short, pointed question that is asked publicly in the presence of Jews and Gentiles.
Neither should you fellowship with the servants of darkness, because they have no fruit in them, but you should rebuke them. (Ephesians 5:11)
When Paul says "servants of darkness", he is not talking about Christians.
The word "fellowship" means being together in a close relationship. Not everyone understands what he means by this. He is not saying we should never deal with unbelievers. If that were true, there would be no way to spread the gospel message. He is talking about people who need to remain in the acquaintance zone in your relationship with them. If you move them up to the friend zone, they will be a danger to you.
Do not rebuke an elder, but petition him as a father, and those who are young as your brothers, 2 and elder women as mothers, and those who are younger, as your sisters in all purity. (1 Timothy 5:1-2)
Paul is teaching Timothy how to rebuke the members of his church, but the method is the same as for those outside the church.
When a rebuke is needed, for each person, there is a best way to do it. But we need to keep in mind that sometimes you aren't the person to do it - at all. This is another place where discernment is needed.
Remember that the goal is to gain repentance and not cause division.
Paul tells Timothy some of the requirements for being a leader of a church. The same points apply to any leader.
I charge you before God and Our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, he who is going to judge the living and the dead at the revelation of his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word and stand with diligence, in season and out of season; reprove and rebuke with all long-suffering and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:1-2)
We don't use the word "reprove". Reprimand would be a better word, but even the meaning of that isn't clear. It's a criticism for wrongdoing or unacceptable behavior. That makes it less serious than a rebuke.
The point, though, especially in light of everything else in this study, is that reproving and rebuking are part of the function of a Christian. No one wants to do it, but sometimes you're the one to do it.
I want to end with a few last thoughts.
How do we stop a disagreement from becoming contentious and leading to a division? The first question is, What is motivating you? Are you trying to find the truth or the best path forward? Or are you trying to "win" the discussion so you can claim your prize? We saw the verses about this earlier in the study. This wisdom you wish to demonstrate is not from above.
The Bible is unclear in many places. I have a 2.5-inch book called "Hard Sayings of the Bible." Often, instead of explaining the saying, the book only says this guy says this and that guy says that.
Sometimes the best you can do is agree to disagree. And don't tell the person, "I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree." That's a passive-aggressive way to say, "I think you are wrong". It's better to say, "let's think about it some more."
For this to succeed, you need to express your thoughts and then stop. That means stop and leave it alone. Unless you've found new information, the discussion has gone as far as it can. If you stop but feel like continuing, your motivation may be wrong.
Don't become emotionally engaged.
I also have a last thought on rebuking.
Bibles didn't exist in Paul's time. All they had were individual scrolls. Even those were very rare because they were very expensive. So Paul doesn't say rebuke from the Bible - that wasn't reasonably possible.
In our time, though, when rebuking Christians, we should support our words with the Bible. What you think, personally, isn't that valuable. Even your report of what your pastor said is not that valuable.