THE PROBLEM OF DIVISION IN THE CORINTHIANS CHURCH
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
There has been a debate on the contribution (or lack of it) of European Christian Missionaries to the development and self-understanding of Africans since the publication of the book, the mission on Trial (1977). Some acute observers of the history of ideas have recently reopened the same debate on a local level with particular reference to the Church in Nigeria. A quarter years after the first centenary of the coming of the first missionary heralds of the Gospel in Eastern Nigerian in 1885 is a landmark. In the history of the universal Church, it is a brief period. In the history of evangelization in the Eastern part of Nigeria, it is a vital period. The faltering steps of early days have gradually given way to a robust and fast-growing community of faith, with elements of joys and sorrows, problems and plans, the successes and failures. It helps us to understand better the growth of social, intellectual, political and material development brought to the people of the area by this Church. But the study will focus on the division in the Corinthian church.
The problem of division in the Corinthian church is a significant issue that has been extensively studied in biblical scholarship. The divisions within the Corinthian church, as depicted in the New Testament, particularly in the First Epistle to the Corinthians, have been a subject of much debate and interpretation (Murphy-O’Connor, 1996). The church, founded by the Apostle Paul, was plagued by internal strife and disagreements, which Paul addressed in his letters. The divisions were primarily based on loyalty to different Christian leaders, including Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and even Christ (1 Corinthians 1:12).
The divisions within the Corinthian church were not merely about leadership preferences but also reflected deeper theological and socio-economic differences. Thiselton (2000) argues that the divisions were rooted in differing understandings of the gospel and its implications for Christian life. Some Corinthians, influenced by the prevailing Hellenistic culture, sought wisdom and status, leading to a form of Christian elitism that undermined the unity of the church. This was further exacerbated by socio-economic disparities within the congregation, with wealthier members marginalizing poorer ones during communal meals (1 Corinthians 11:17-22).
The problem of division in the Corinthian church also had significant implications for its worship practices. According to Hays (1997), the divisions disrupted the communal nature of the Lord’s Supper, turning it into an occasion for demonstrating status and privilege. Furthermore, the Corinthians’ use of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues, became a source of contention and division, as some members used these gifts to assert their superiority over others (1 Corinthians 14).
Paul’s response to the divisions in the Corinthian church provides valuable insights into early Christian understandings of church unity and diversity. Paul urged the Corinthians to maintain unity in the midst of their diversity, emphasizing their common identity in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10). He also critiqued their worldly values and practices, calling them to embody the wisdom of the cross, which subverts worldly notions of status and honor (Fee, 1987).
However, the effectiveness of Paul’s response to the Corinthian divisions is a matter of debate. While some scholars, like Winter (2001), argue that Paul’s letters had a unifying effect on the Corinthian church, others, like Martin (1995), suggest that the divisions persisted, reflecting the ongoing struggle to define Christian identity and practice in a diverse and pluralistic context.
In conclusion, the problem of division in the Corinthian church is a complex issue that reflects the challenges of maintaining unity in a diverse community. It provides valuable insights into the struggles and dynamics of the early Christian church, and continues to resonate with contemporary Christian communities facing similar issues of division and diversity. Thus, church is the internal religious fellowship or participation of sharing in the benefits of a relationship with Christ, yet manifesting itself at times in a physical expression through the Body of Christ. Schmitz cites homothumadon as being infused with ”to getherness”, such as is evidenced in the visible, inner unity of a group faced by a common duty or danger; it is a unity, or unanimity, not embracing a personal agenda, “but on a cause greater than the individual” (Schmitz 1986:908-909).
1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
The problem of church division has been the most discussed topic among brethrens and other researchers. The issues of church division have become a clog on the wheel of unity among churches. This issue has been long going on in the churches; we can see the story of Paul. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus, primarily to address questions and problems within the congregation which had come to his attention. He had three sources of information. One was the servants of a certain Chloe who informed Paul of serious divisions within the congregation (1:11–12). The Corinthian were treating their Christian leaders like the popular Greek sophists, pitting their favorite “wisdom teacher” against the others. Paul addressed the problem of the Corinthian wisdom speculation in chapters 1-4. Chloe’s servants may also have informed Paul of the disunity and abuse of the Lord’s Supper (11:17–22). We know nothing of Chloe. She may or may not have been a Christian. Some of her servants were, and they were Paul’s informants. We do not know where they resided, whether they were Corinthians who had traveled to Ephesus or Ephesians who had visited Corinth. They probably represented the lower social strata of the congregation and felt particularly victimized by the disunity. It is to this regard that the stud desired to examine the problem of division in the Corinthian church using the ASSEMBLIES OF GOD’S CHURCH in Mbaitoli, Imo State as the case study.
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The main aim of the research work is examine the problem of division in the Corinthians church. Other specific objectives of the study are:
- to determine the relationship between the theological teachings of Churches and church unity in the Corinthian church in Mbaitoli
- to determine the causes of division in the Corinthian church in Mbaitoli
- to determine the effect of division on the Corinthian church in Mbaitoli, Imo State
- to examine the doctrine of the Assemblies Of God’s Church in Mbaitoli, Imo State
- to proffer solution to the above stated problem
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives. The research questions for the study are:
- What is the relationship between the theological teachings of Churches and church unity in the Corinthian church in Mbaitoli?
- What are the causes of division in the Corinthian church in Mbaitoli?
- What is the effect of division on the Corinthian church in Mbaitoli, Imo State?
- What are the doctrines of the Assemblies Of God’s Church in Mbaitoli, Imo State?
1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis 1
H0: there is no significant relationship between the theological teachings of Churches and church unity in the Corinthian church in Mbaitoli
H1: there is significant relationship between the theological teachings of Churches and church unity in the Corinthian church in Mbaitoli
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
The study on the problem of division in the Corinthians church will be of immense benefit to the Assemblies Of God’s Church, Mbaitoli local government of Imo state and other researchers that desire to carry out similar research on the above topic as the findings of the study will educate the above population on theological teachings of the Assemblies Of God’s Churches and the Church unity in Mbaitoli, Imo state, the factors that Cause Divisions in Churches, and effects of divisions on Churches. Finally the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge in this field of study and provide a basis for further research
1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY
The study on the problem of division in the Corinthians church will be limited to the Assemblies Of God’s Church in Mbaitoli, Imo State. The study will cover on theological teachings of the Assemblies Of God’s Churches and the Church unity in Mbaitoli, Imo state, the factors that Cause Divisions in Churches, and effects of divisions on Churches
1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY
Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS/ACRONYMS
Division: disagreement between two or more groups, typically producing tension or hostility
Churches: a building used for public Christian worship.
Christian: a person who has received Christian baptism or is a believer in Jesus Christ and his teachings.
Unity: the state of being united or joined as a whole.
Disunity: disagreement and division within a group
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