What kind of people besides pagan Corinthians were in the Corinthian church?
Besides pagan Corinthians, the Corinthian assembly included Jews. These were Jews whose hearts and eyes God had opened to the gospel of grace, who had come out of Judaism and become believers, yet they remained Jews and were members of the Corinthian assembly.
Les teaches that besides pagan Corinthians, the Corinthian church included Jews. He notes there was also a group in the Corinthian assembly still hanging on to Peter, which shows Jewish believers were present. These Jews had been opened by God to the gospel of grace and had come out of Judaism, yet they were believers and members of the Corinthian assembly. Les also explains Paul's background: he had persecuted early Jewish believers, was saved by grace on the road to Damascus, and received revelations of the doctrines of grace over what Les thinks was about three years. Because Paul told the world they were not under the law, did not have to circumcise their children, keep the law, go to the temple, or sacrifice animals, religious Jews thought he was nuts.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
what was one of the big problems in the Corinthian church?
One major problem was divisions among the believers. Some claimed allegiance to Paul, others preferred Peter, and still others rejected Paul's authority, insisting they would follow Jesus' words instead. This factionalism threatened unity and required Paul to defend his apostolic authority.
Who were the Jewish members of the Corinthian assembly?
The Jewish members of the Corinthian assembly were Jews whom God had opened their hearts and eyes to the gospel of grace. They had come out of Judaism and were believers in the Corinthian assembly, yet they remained Jews. Some were still clinging to Peter, indicating their Jewish background.
How many divisions or factions were there in the Corinthian church?
There were four distinct divisions or factions in the Corinthian church. Some members followed Peter, others followed Paul, and others followed Apollos. A fourth distinct group existed as well, making four divisions in that local assembly, though the fourth faction is not named in the provided excerpt.
More Questions
What were the different factions causing division in the Corinthian church?
In the Corinthian divisions there were three factions — those who followed Paul, those who followed Apollos, and those who said 'we follow Christ' — and the 'Christ' group was simply another faction.
What was the division in the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 1:12?
In 1 Corinthians 1:12, the Corinthian congregation was divided into factions saying 'I am of Paul,' 'I am of Apollos,' 'I am of Peter (Cephas),' and 'I am of Christ.'
How many divisions were in the Corinthian church and who did each group follow?
The church at Corinth was split into four distinct divisions — those who followed Paul, those who followed Peter, those who followed Apollos, and those who followed Christ.
What divisions existed in the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 1:12?
In 1 Corinthians 1:12 the congregation at Corinth was divided into factions — every one of them said 'I am of Paul,' another said 'I am of Apollos,' others said 'I am of Peter,' and still others said 'I am of Christ' — and this is the opposition Paul was up against.