1 Cor. 1:10-17

Intro.
   A. We learn from the books of first and second Corinthians that   
      the church at Corinth had many problems.
      1. They had problems and questions regarding division,
         fornication, lawsuits, marriage, eating of idolatrous meats,
         the Lord's Supper, and the resurrection.
      2. All churches will have problems from time to time because
         they are made up of human beings.
         a. The Lord requires that we do our best in solving and
            overcoming our problems.
   B. There are at least three basic lessons we can glean from 1 Cor.
      1:10-17
      1. The importance of unity.
      2. The evils of wearing human names.
      3. What it takes for one to be "of" Christ.

I. THE IMPORTANCE OF UNITY. 1 Cor. 1:10
   A. Unity is clearly required of those who claim to be children of
      God. John 17:20-21; Eph. 4:1-6
      1. The spirit of strife and division is condemned in the
         Scriptures. Rom. 16:17
      2. Paul said the Corinthians were carnal because of their envy,
         strife, and divisions. 1 Cor. 3:1-3
      3. Contentions, dissensions, and heresies are condemned as
         works of the flesh. Gal. 5:19-20
      4. We must follow after things which make for peace. Rom.
         14:19; Heb. 12:14
      5. It is a wonderful thing when brethren dwell together in     
         unity. Psalm 133:1
   B. The denominational claim is that we cannot be united upon the
      Bible. They claim that there is no way we can see the Bible    
      alike.
      1. The problem is not seeing, but is simply an unwillingness to
         walk by God's rule.
      2. God requires that we understand His will alike. Eph. 5:17
         a. If we understand it at all, we will understand it alike.
      3. We must have an intense desire to walk only according to
         His word. Deut. 12:32
         a. We cannot go beyond what is written. 1 Cor. 4:6
      4. For example, God's word says "sing." Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16;
         Heb. 2:12
         a. The simple question is: "Will we abide in His word, or
            will we, by the commandments and doctrines of men,
            add mechanical instrumentals along with our singing?"

II. THE EVILS OF WEARING HUMAN NAMES. 1 Cor. 1:11-12
   A. The Corinthians were divided according to their religious      
      leaders and were wearing their names.
      1. Some were Paulites. He was the great apostle to the
         Gentiles, and he had established the church at Corinth. No
         doubt, some thought wearing his name was a great honor.
      2. Some were Apollosites. He is introduced in Acts 18 as an
         eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures. No doubt, some
         were very proud to wear his name.
         a. Even today, some Christians like to rally around great
            speakers.
         b. A congregation had  invited a "big name" preacher to
            preach for them one Sunday. As it turned out, however,
            he couldn't go and, thus, he sent his brother to speak in
            his place. As word got around the congregation that
            morning, several people started to leave. The fill-in
            preacher then stood up and made this announcement:
            "Those of you who came to hear my brother speak may
            leave at this time; those of you who came to worship
            God may stay on."
      3. Some were Cephasites. This was the great apostle Peter. He
         had been given the keys of the kingdom, being the first to
         deliver the terms of admission into the kingdom. Again, no
         doubt, some were proud to wear his name.
   B. Some were Christites or Christians. These were the ones who
      were correct in their choice of names.
      1. Notice Isa. 62:2
         a. The fulfillment of this prophecy is linked with the
            justification of the Gentiles.
         b. It would be a "new name" which the mouth of the Lord
            would name.
         c. See charts No. 1 and 2 below.
            (1) Chart #1 - The name "Christian" is the only new
                name.
            (2) Chart #2 - The Greek word "chrematizo" which is
                the word "called" in Acts 11:26 carries the idea of a
                divine call, as is shown by the way it is translated 
                in the eight other verses where it is used.
      2. We should wear the name God chose.
         a. The name we wear suggests ownership, discipleship,
            and allegiance.
         b. The wearing of human names robs Christ of the glory
            He demands and deserves.
            (1) It is that honorable name by which we are called. 1
                Pet. 4:14-16; James 2:6-7
            (2) There is salvation in no other name. Acts 4:12
            (3) We should do all things in His name. Col. 3:16
   C. The practice of wearing denominational names is prevalent      
      today.
      1. Some wear the name of outstanding religious leaders; e.g.
         Martian Luther.
      2. Some wear the name of doctrines; e.g., the presbyterian form
         of government, the second advent of Christ.
      3. Some wear the name of various ordinances; e.g., Baptist.
      4. Some wear the name of the form or method of worship; e.g.,
         Methodist.
      5. Some wear the name of the universal nature of the church;
         e.g., Catholic.
      6. Some wear the name of the type of life Christians are to    
         live; e.g., Holinesss.
   D. We should not exalt the doctrine, ordinance, method, etc., over
      the giver of the doctrine, ordinance, method, etc.
      1. It is said that Alexander the Great offered the people of
         Ephesus all of the spoils of his eastern campaign if they
         would inscribe his name on the temple of Artemis. However,
         they refused to do so, stating that the temple had been
         dedicated to the goddess Artemis. They regarded it as her
         temple and they would not, therefore, allow a human name
         on it, no matter how great the name might be. They reasoned
         that it would dishonor Artemis if Alexander's name should be
         inscribed on the temple. 
         a. What a rebuke to people of today who place human
            names on that which they regard as the temple of God!

III. WHAT IT TAKES FOR ONE TO BE "OF CHRIST." Verses 13-17
   A. Paul showed that two things were necessary for one to be "of"
      Paul. (See chart below)
      1. Paul had to have been crucified for them.
      2. They must have been baptized in the name of Paul.
      3. Thus, they were not "of" Paul.
   B. To be "of" Christ:
      1. Christ had to have been crucified for them. Heb. 9:23-28; 1
         Pet. 2:21-25
      2. They must have been baptized in the name of Christ. Acts
         10:47-48; 2:38
      3. Thus, those not baptized in the name of Christ are not "of"
         Christ.
   C. From verse 17, the argument is made that baptism is not        
      essential to salvation.
      1. In verses 14-15, Paul thanked God that he had baptized only
         a few in Corinth lest anyone would say that he baptized in  
         his own name.
      2. We learn from verses 14-16 that the one who administers the
         baptism was not important. John 4:1-3
      3. In verse 17, Paul said, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, 
         but to preach the gospel.
         a. Preaching the gospel was his primary work, not to
            personally administer baptism.
         b. If baptism was not part of the gospel, it would be wrong
            for anyone to add it. Gal. 1:8-9; 2 John 9
      4. We ask: "What did Paul himself do?" Acts 22:16; 9:18 (See
         chart below)
         a. Also, "What did Paul teach elsewhere?" Gal. 3:26-27;
            Rom. 6:3-4

Concl.
   A. If all religious people would believe and obey what's in this
      passage, they would be united.
   B. It teaches:
      1. The importance of unity.
         a. Division is condemned. We are to be perfectly joined
            together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
      2. The evils of wearing human names.
         a. The wearing of human names divides religious people.
            Let us wear only the "new name" which the mouth of
            the Lord has named.
      3. What it takes for one to be "of" Christ.
         a. For one to be "of" Christ, Christ had to be crucified for
            him (which has been done) and he had to be baptized in
            the name of Christ.
         b. How about you? Are you "of" Christ? Why not be baptized  
            in the name of Christ?

Chart #1
The "New Name" is the name "Christian"

"Children (sons) of God" - Gen. 6:2; 1 John 3:1
"Brethren" - Psalm 133:1; Matt. 23:8
"Disciples" - Isa. 8:16; Matt. 5:1
"Saints" - Deut. 33:2; Acts 9:13
"Witnesses" - Isa. 43:10; Acts 5:32
"Christians" - Acts 11:26

Chart #2
The "New Name" from the "Mouth of the Lord"

Matt. 2:12 - "being divinely warned"
Matt. 2:22 - "being warned by God"
Luke 2:26 - "it had been revealed to him"
Acts 10:22 - "was divinely instructed by a holy angel"
Acts 11:26 - "were first called Christians in Antioch."
Rom. 7:3 - "she will be called an adulteress"
Heb. 8:5 - "as Moses was divinely instructed"
Heb. 11:7 - "By faith Noah, being divinely warned"
Heb. 12:25 - "Him who speaks from heaven"

Chart #3
To be "OF" Paul:

1.  Paul had to have been crucified for them.
2.  They must have been baptized in the name of Paul.
    Thus, they were not "of" Paul.

To be "OF" Christ:
1.  Christ had to have been crucified for them.
     Heb. 9:23-28; 1 Pet. 2:21-25
2.  They must have been baptized in the name of Christ.
    Acts 10:47-48; 2:38
    Thus, those not baptized in the name of Christ are      
       not "of" Christ.

Chart #4
What did Paul himself do?
Acts 22:16; Acts 9:18

What did Paul teach elsewhere?
Gal. 3:26-27; Rom. 6:3-4