Divided Believers Cannot Mature in Christ

[Aaron56]

Corinth was a large city in Greece. In the first century, perhaps 200,000 people lived there. When Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth some scholars estimate that there were around 150 ekklesia at that time.

In his first letter to the Corinthian Church Paul wrote the following:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

I've heard some preachers claim this passage is a de facto standard for for the gospel message "So," they conclude, "I will preach nothing but Christ and Him crucified."

On the surface this seems humble. And to people receiving such a message it probably won't be challenged, but the reason Paul limited his preaching thus was not because of humility but because of carnality on the part of the Corinthian believers.

When he wrote this to the Corinthians:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

He continued with this:

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory..."

So, to paraphrase what Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers: "I preached Christ and Him crucified when I was with you, BUT we (apostles) have a different message for the mature."

If we keep reading his letter to the Corinthian believers we find the evidence of their immaturity:

"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal."

There is a lot of discussion about whether or not a believer can be "carnal" and still be a believer. Here, carnality is about being focused on the flesh. When someone first comes to Christ he or she is carnal. Much like a baby is concerned for his comfort, whether or not his belly is full, etc. the Corinthian church was comprised of believers still in infancy in their walk with Christ.

And to be sure: It is not shameful to be a new believer in Christ and to be carnal. In fact, it should be expected. It is shameful, however, to remain carnal. A believer in Christ should put into practice what they are taught so that they mature in their walk with the Lord. This is the meaning of Hebrews 5:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are mature, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Paul wrote about a "solid food" message for the mature to the same Corinthian church:

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature..."

It's not that the milk of the Word is bad. On the contrary: babes in Christ need milk. Milk, however, does not produce maturity and keeps believers "unskilled int he word of righteousness".

Now, let's look at further evidence why the Corinthian believers remained "carnal" and unable to partake of the solid food of the word, which leads back to the title of this thread...

"For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

So what do envy, strife, and divisions look like among the church?

Paul continues:

"For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?"

This is actually a book-end to something Paul wrote earlier in the letter:

"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?"

Even among such a small number of believers there were divisions: groups claiming they were distinct from other groups.

Out of this carnality grew denominationalism: dividing the Body of Christ into distinct sects. The only Biblical example of church division in the Body of Christ is by geography.

Today, when you say you are:
Baptist
Church of Christ
Church of God
Pentecostal
Anabaptist
Roman Catholic
Lutheran
Mennonite
Non-denominational
Charismatic
Apostolic
Easter Orthodox
Bible-Believing
Evangelical
etc, etc, etc

..you declare your own immaturity and continue in it.

When you go to places that support such divisions you invest in a system that keeps the ekklesia immature.

On this board, members' obsession with topics like KJV-only, grace, free-will, politics, the rapture, baptisms, etc. are proofs that many remain babes in Christ even after many years "in the church".

It's shameful to remain carnal. And as long as you invest in divisions among the church you will not mature.

I know there are those among you who have practiced what you have been given by the Lord and are mature in Him.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Aaron56

 

[Jimbone]

Corinth was a large city in Greece. In the first century, perhaps 200,000 people lived there. When Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth some scholars estimate that there were around 150 ekklesia at that time.

In his first letter to the Corinthian Church Paul wrote the following:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

I've heard some preachers claim this passage is a de facto standard for for the gospel message "So," they conclude, "I will preach nothing but Christ and Him crucified."

On the surface this seems humble. And to people receiving such a message it probably won't be challenged, but the reason Paul limited his preaching thus was not because of humility but because of carnality on the part of the Corinthian believers.

When he wrote this to the Corinthians:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

He continued with this:

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory..."

So, to paraphrase what Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers: "I preached Christ and Him crucified when I was with you, BUT we (apostles) have a different message for the mature."

If we keep reading his letter to the Corinthian believers we find the evidence of their immaturity:

"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal."

There is a lot of discussion about whether or not a believer can be "carnal" and still be a believer. Here, carnality is about being focused on the flesh. When someone first comes to Christ he or she is carnal. Much like a baby is concerned for his comfort, whether or not his belly is full, etc. the Corinthian church was comprised of believers still in infancy in their walk with Christ.

And to be sure: It is not shameful to be a new believer in Christ and to be carnal. In fact, it should be expected. It is shameful, however, to remain carnal. A believer in Christ should put into practice what they are taught so that they mature in their walk with the Lord. This is the meaning of Hebrews 5:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are mature, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Paul wrote about a "solid food" message for the mature to the same Corinthian church:

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature..."

It's not that the milk of the Word is bad. On the contrary: babes in Christ need milk. Milk, however, does not produce maturity and keeps believers "unskilled int he word of righteousness".

Now, let's look at further evidence why the Corinthian believers remained "carnal" and unable to partake of the solid food of the word, which leads back to the title of this thread...

"For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

So what do envy, strife, and divisions look like among the church?

Paul continues:

"For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?"

This is actually a book-end to something Paul wrote earlier in the letter:

"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?"

Even among such a small number of believers there were divisions: groups claiming they were distinct from other groups.

Out of this carnality grew denominationalism: dividing the Body of Christ into distinct sects. The only Biblical example of church division in the Body of Christ is by geography.

Today, when you say you are:
Baptist
Church of Christ
Church of God
Pentecostal
Anabaptist
Roman Catholic
Lutheran
Mennonite
Non-denominational
Charismatic
Apostolic
Easter Orthodox
Bible-Believing
Evangelical
etc, etc, etc

..you declare your own immaturity and continue in it.

When you go to places that support such divisions you invest in a system that keeps the ekklesia immature.

On this board, members' obsession with topics like KJV-only, grace, free-will, politics, the rapture, baptisms, etc. are proofs that many remain babes in Christ even after many years "in the church".

It's shameful to remain carnal. And as long as you invest in divisions among the church you will not mature.

I know there are those among you who have practiced what you have been given by the Lord and are mature in Him.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Aaron56

Thank goodness we had you come and clear that all up. I think we'll be good now.

 

[homwardbound]

Thanks for the post Aaron56. as we each grow in truth given by Fathe Rin risen son to us all, me at least, I get this thank you

 

[Aaron56]

Thank goodness we had you come and clear that all up. I think we'll be good now.

Hmm. I didn't expect that from you.

 

[Blain]

Corinth was a large city in Greece. In the first century, perhaps 200,000 people lived there. When Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth some scholars estimate that there were around 150 ekklesia at that time.

In his first letter to the Corinthian Church Paul wrote the following:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

I've heard some preachers claim this passage is a de facto standard for for the gospel message "So," they conclude, "I will preach nothing but Christ and Him crucified."

On the surface this seems humble. And to people receiving such a message it probably won't be challenged, but the reason Paul limited his preaching thus was not because of humility but because of carnality on the part of the Corinthian believers.

When he wrote this to the Corinthians:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

He continued with this:

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory..."

So, to paraphrase what Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers: "I preached Christ and Him crucified when I was with you, BUT we (apostles) have a different message for the mature."

If we keep reading his letter to the Corinthian believers we find the evidence of their immaturity:

"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal."

There is a lot of discussion about whether or not a believer can be "carnal" and still be a believer. Here, carnality is about being focused on the flesh. When someone first comes to Christ he or she is carnal. Much like a baby is concerned for his comfort, whether or not his belly is full, etc. the Corinthian church was comprised of believers still in infancy in their walk with Christ.

And to be sure: It is not shameful to be a new believer in Christ and to be carnal. In fact, it should be expected. It is shameful, however, to remain carnal. A believer in Christ should put into practice what they are taught so that they mature in their walk with the Lord. This is the meaning of Hebrews 5:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are mature, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Paul wrote about a "solid food" message for the mature to the same Corinthian church:

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature..."

It's not that the milk of the Word is bad. On the contrary: babes in Christ need milk. Milk, however, does not produce maturity and keeps believers "unskilled int he word of righteousness".

Now, let's look at further evidence why the Corinthian believers remained "carnal" and unable to partake of the solid food of the word, which leads back to the title of this thread...

"For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

So what do envy, strife, and divisions look like among the church?

Paul continues:

"For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?"

This is actually a book-end to something Paul wrote earlier in the letter:

"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?"

Even among such a small number of believers there were divisions: groups claiming they were distinct from other groups.

Out of this carnality grew denominationalism: dividing the Body of Christ into distinct sects. The only Biblical example of church division in the Body of Christ is by geography.

Today, when you say you are:
Baptist
Church of Christ
Church of God
Pentecostal
Anabaptist
Roman Catholic
Lutheran
Mennonite
Non-denominational
Charismatic
Apostolic
Easter Orthodox
Bible-Believing
Evangelical
etc, etc, etc

..you declare your own immaturity and continue in it.

When you go to places that support such divisions you invest in a system that keeps the ekklesia immature.

On this board, members' obsession with topics like KJV-only, grace, free-will, politics, the rapture, baptisms, etc. are proofs that many remain babes in Christ even after many years "in the church".

It's shameful to remain carnal. And as long as you invest in divisions among the church you will not mature.

I know there are those among you who have practiced what you have been given by the Lord and are mature in Him.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Aaron56

I have to say very impressive

 

[wattie]

Corinth was a large city in Greece. In the first century, perhaps 200,000 people lived there. When Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth some scholars estimate that there were around 150 ekklesia at that time.

In his first letter to the Corinthian Church Paul wrote the following:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

I've heard some preachers claim this passage is a de facto standard for for the gospel message "So," they conclude, "I will preach nothing but Christ and Him crucified."

On the surface this seems humble. And to people receiving such a message it probably won't be challenged, but the reason Paul limited his preaching thus was not because of humility but because of carnality on the part of the Corinthian believers.

When he wrote this to the Corinthians:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

He continued with this:

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory..."

So, to paraphrase what Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers: "I preached Christ and Him crucified when I was with you, BUT we (apostles) have a different message for the mature."

If we keep reading his letter to the Corinthian believers we find the evidence of their immaturity:

"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal."

There is a lot of discussion about whether or not a believer can be "carnal" and still be a believer. Here, carnality is about being focused on the flesh. When someone first comes to Christ he or she is carnal. Much like a baby is concerned for his comfort, whether or not his belly is full, etc. the Corinthian church was comprised of believers still in infancy in their walk with Christ.

And to be sure: It is not shameful to be a new believer in Christ and to be carnal. In fact, it should be expected. It is shameful, however, to remain carnal. A believer in Christ should put into practice what they are taught so that they mature in their walk with the Lord. This is the meaning of Hebrews 5:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are mature, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Paul wrote about a "solid food" message for the mature to the same Corinthian church:

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature..."

It's not that the milk of the Word is bad. On the contrary: babes in Christ need milk. Milk, however, does not produce maturity and keeps believers "unskilled int he word of righteousness".

Now, let's look at further evidence why the Corinthian believers remained "carnal" and unable to partake of the solid food of the word, which leads back to the title of this thread...

"For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

So what do envy, strife, and divisions look like among the church?

Paul continues:

"For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?"

This is actually a book-end to something Paul wrote earlier in the letter:

"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?"

Even among such a small number of believers there were divisions: groups claiming they were distinct from other groups.

Out of this carnality grew denominationalism: dividing the Body of Christ into distinct sects. The only Biblical example of church division in the Body of Christ is by geography.

Today, when you say you are:
Baptist
Church of Christ
Church of God
Pentecostal
Anabaptist
Roman Catholic
Lutheran
Mennonite
Non-denominational
Charismatic
Apostolic
Easter Orthodox
Bible-Believing
Evangelical
etc, etc, etc

..you declare your own immaturity and continue in it.

When you go to places that support such divisions you invest in a system that keeps the ekklesia immature.

On this board, members' obsession with topics like KJV-only, grace, free-will, politics, the rapture, baptisms, etc. are proofs that many remain babes in Christ even after many years "in the church".

It's shameful to remain carnal. And as long as you invest in divisions among the church you will not mature.

I know there are those among you who have practiced what you have been given by the Lord and are mature in Him.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Aaron56

There are essentials in doctrine though that affect salvation.

Baptism fo salvation is no secondary issue. It's the difference between biblical Christianity and a cult or cult-like belief.

So to see real biblical Christianity..it's going to be rare..its going to be a seperate ecclessia from the rest.

Unity in the body of Christ..is unity in a local NT church. Not unity across all redeemed.

Unity across all redeemed is a logistical nightmare and won't happen until New Jerusalem in heaven.

 

[GWH]

Corinth was a large city in Greece. In the first century, perhaps 200,000 people lived there. When Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth some scholars estimate that there were around 150 ekklesia at that time.

In his first letter to the Corinthian Church Paul wrote the following:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

I've heard some preachers claim this passage is a de facto standard for for the gospel message "So," they conclude, "I will preach nothing but Christ and Him crucified."

On the surface this seems humble. And to people receiving such a message it probably won't be challenged, but the reason Paul limited his preaching thus was not because of humility but because of carnality on the part of the Corinthian believers.

When he wrote this to the Corinthians:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

He continued with this:

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory..."

So, to paraphrase what Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers: "I preached Christ and Him crucified when I was with you, BUT we (apostles) have a different message for the mature."

If we keep reading his letter to the Corinthian believers we find the evidence of their immaturity:

"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal."

There is a lot of discussion about whether or not a believer can be "carnal" and still be a believer. Here, carnality is about being focused on the flesh. When someone first comes to Christ he or she is carnal. Much like a baby is concerned for his comfort, whether or not his belly is full, etc. the Corinthian church was comprised of believers still in infancy in their walk with Christ.

And to be sure: It is not shameful to be a new believer in Christ and to be carnal. In fact, it should be expected. It is shameful, however, to remain carnal. A believer in Christ should put into practice what they are taught so that they mature in their walk with the Lord. This is the meaning of Hebrews 5:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are mature, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Paul wrote about a "solid food" message for the mature to the same Corinthian church:

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature..."

It's not that the milk of the Word is bad. On the contrary: babes in Christ need milk. Milk, however, does not produce maturity and keeps believers "unskilled int he word of righteousness".

Now, let's look at further evidence why the Corinthian believers remained "carnal" and unable to partake of the solid food of the word, which leads back to the title of this thread...

"For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

So what do envy, strife, and divisions look like among the church?

Paul continues:

"For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?"

This is actually a book-end to something Paul wrote earlier in the letter:

"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?"

Even among such a small number of believers there were divisions: groups claiming they were distinct from other groups.

Out of this carnality grew denominationalism: dividing the Body of Christ into distinct sects. The only Biblical example of church division in the Body of Christ is by geography.

Today, when you say you are:
Baptist
Church of Christ
Church of God
Pentecostal
Anabaptist
Roman Catholic
Lutheran
Mennonite
Non-denominational
Charismatic
Apostolic
Easter Orthodox
Bible-Believing
Evangelical
etc, etc, etc

..you declare your own immaturity and continue in it.

When you go to places that support such divisions you invest in a system that keeps the ekklesia immature.

On this board, members' obsession with topics like KJV-only, grace, free-will, politics, the rapture, baptisms, etc. are proofs that many remain babes in Christ even after many years "in the church".

It's shameful to remain carnal. And as long as you invest in divisions among the church you will not mature.

I know there are those among you who have practiced what you have been given by the Lord and are mature in Him.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Aaron56

Amen!

 

[GWH]

There are essentials in doctrine though that affect salvation.

Baptism fo salvation is no secondary issue. It's the difference between biblical Christianity and a cult or cult-like belief.

So to see real biblical Christianity..it's going to be rare..its going to be a seperate ecclessia from the rest.

Unity in the body of Christ..is unity in a local NT church. Not unity across all redeemed.

Unity across all redeemed is a logistical nightmare and won't happen until New Jerusalem in heaven.

Although neither individual nor corporate perfection will happen until in heaven, they are the goals GW commands/teaches us to strive for (PHP 3:12-21).

 

[Brasspen]

This is a very good. I tried contacting the local churches all around me, but they ignored me. Now I am not so sad about it. What I was wanting for a church to help me, grow, and deliverance. I had questions I wanted to talk about. Each one, preaches a different doctrine now that I think about it. Which is a reason for the division.

Thank you, because I had made plans to make my own church. Now, I, Start over. I think you just ended a conflict in me.

 

[Brasspen]

I now have a question. What are we supposed to do about this problem?

 

[Kroogz]

Corinth was a large city in Greece. In the first century, perhaps 200,000 people lived there. When Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth some scholars estimate that there were around 150 ekklesia at that time.

In his first letter to the Corinthian Church Paul wrote the following:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

I've heard some preachers claim this passage is a de facto standard for for the gospel message "So," they conclude, "I will preach nothing but Christ and Him crucified."

On the surface this seems humble. And to people receiving such a message it probably won't be challenged, but the reason Paul limited his preaching thus was not because of humility but because of carnality on the part of the Corinthian believers.

When he wrote this to the Corinthians:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

He continued with this:

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory..."

So, to paraphrase what Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers: "I preached Christ and Him crucified when I was with you, BUT we (apostles) have a different message for the mature."

If we keep reading his letter to the Corinthian believers we find the evidence of their immaturity:

"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal."

There is a lot of discussion about whether or not a believer can be "carnal" and still be a believer. Here, carnality is about being focused on the flesh. When someone first comes to Christ he or she is carnal. Much like a baby is concerned for his comfort, whether or not his belly is full, etc. the Corinthian church was comprised of believers still in infancy in their walk with Christ.

And to be sure: It is not shameful to be a new believer in Christ and to be carnal. In fact, it should be expected. It is shameful, however, to remain carnal. A believer in Christ should put into practice what they are taught so that they mature in their walk with the Lord. This is the meaning of Hebrews 5:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are mature, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Paul wrote about a "solid food" message for the mature to the same Corinthian church:

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature..."

It's not that the milk of the Word is bad. On the contrary: babes in Christ need milk. Milk, however, does not produce maturity and keeps believers "unskilled int he word of righteousness".

Now, let's look at further evidence why the Corinthian believers remained "carnal" and unable to partake of the solid food of the word, which leads back to the title of this thread...

"For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

So what do envy, strife, and divisions look like among the church?

Paul continues:

"For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?"

This is actually a book-end to something Paul wrote earlier in the letter:

"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?"

Even among such a small number of believers there were divisions: groups claiming they were distinct from other groups.

Out of this carnality grew denominationalism: dividing the Body of Christ into distinct sects. The only Biblical example of church division in the Body of Christ is by geography.

Today, when you say you are:
Baptist
Church of Christ
Church of God
Pentecostal
Anabaptist
Roman Catholic
Lutheran
Mennonite
Non-denominational
Charismatic
Apostolic
Easter Orthodox
Bible-Believing
Evangelical
etc, etc, etc

..you declare your own immaturity and continue in it.

When you go to places that support such divisions you invest in a system that keeps the ekklesia immature.

On this board, members' obsession with topics like KJV-only, grace, free-will, politics, the rapture, baptisms, etc. are proofs that many remain babes in Christ even after many years "in the church".

It's shameful to remain carnal. And as long as you invest in divisions among the church you will not mature.

I know there are those among you who have practiced what you have been given by the Lord and are mature in Him.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Aaron56

Salvation and eternal security is the milk of the word. Christ and Him crucified.

If one is forever stuck in the milk, there is no meat.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ~~Saved.

NEVER PERISH~~Eternal security.

If these are not believed and taken to heart....One remains carnal and Christ crucified is set on repeat. A broken record UNTIL it is believed,metabolized and applied to one's life.

 

[HeIsHere]

Salvation and eternal security is the milk of the word. Christ and Him crucified.

If one is forever stuck in the milk, there is no meat.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ~~Saved.

NEVER PERISH~~Eternal security.

If these are not believed and taken to heart....One remains carnal and Christ crucified is set on repeat. A broken record UNTIL it is believed,metabolized and applied to one's life.

Amen and Amen!

I was thinking exactly along these lines since I first read the opening post earlier today.

There is nothing more to say, you have nailed perfectly.

Salvation and eternal security is the milk of the word. 🏆🏆

I can understand, sometimes as a newer Christian it may take some time to understand and absorb this fundamental truth, but after it has been presented over and over again and people still deny, I usually come to a certain conclusion, sadly.

 

[GWH]

There are essentials in doctrine though that affect salvation.

Baptism fo salvation is no secondary issue. It's the difference between biblical Christianity and a cult or cult-like belief.

So to see real biblical Christianity..it's going to be rare..its going to be a seperate ecclessia from the rest.

Unity in the body of Christ..is unity in a local NT church. Not unity across all redeemed.

Unity across all redeemed is a logistical nightmare and won't happen until New Jerusalem in heaven.

The kerygma/GRFS should be every Christian’s creed, and only belief in this crucial truth should be viewed as a test for orthodoxy or heresy. As Paul wrote in Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Conversely, judgments concerning a person’s spiritual orientation or ultimate destiny should not be made on the basis of didachaic or secondary doctrines. (If any judgment is made, it should begin with a self-examination per MT 7:1&5, 2CR 13:5-8).

A major reason many Christians throughout history have not manifested the love and unity of God’s Spirit (EPH 4:3) as well as they should is because of failure to realize this truth. If they did, it would free them to speak honestly and fellowship without becoming unduly upset about relatively minor issues. They would receive God’s blessing as peacemakers, who draw inclusive circles around people based on the kerygma rather than denominational lines between them due to didachaic differences. Jesus prayed for spiritual unity (cf. JN 17:20-23, “May they be one…”).

The normative way of stating the kerygma/GRFS in the NT is “Accept Christ Jesus as Lord” (as in 2CR 4:5 & CL 2:6). The main points of Christian orthodoxy implicit in this statement can be explained or elaborated as follows:

1. There is a/one all-loving and just Lord or God (DT 6:4, JN 3:16, 2THS 1:6), who is both able (2TM 1:12) and willing (1TM 2:3-4) to provide all morally accountable human beings salvation or heaven—a wonderful life full of love, joy and peace forever.
2. Human beings are selfish or sinful (RM 3:23, 2TM 3:2-4, CL 3:5), miserable (GL 5:19-21), and hopeless (EPH 2:12) or hell-bound at the judgment (MT 23:33 & 25:46) when they reject God’s salvation (JN 3:18, RM 2:5-11).
3. Jesus is God’s Messiah/Christ and incarnate Son, the way that God has chosen (JN 3:16, ACTS 16:30-31, PHP 2:9-11) of providing salvation by means of his atoning death on the cross for the payment of the penalty for the sins of humanity (RM 3:22-25 & 5:9-11), followed by his resurrection to reign in heaven (1CR 15:14-28).
4. Thus, every person who hears the NT Gospel needs to repent and accept God’s justification in Jesus as Christ/Messiah the Lord or Supreme Commander (LK 2:11, JN 14:6, ACTS 16:31), which means trying to obey His commandment to love one another (MT 22:37-40, JN 13:35, RM 13:9)—forever (MT 10:22, PS 113:2).
5. Then God’s Holy Spirit will establish a saving relationship with those who freely accept Him (RV 3:20) that will eventually achieve heaven when by means of persevering in learning Truth/God’s Word/sanctification everyone cooperates fully with His will (JN 14:6, 17&26, RM 8:6-17, GL 6:7-9, EPH 1:13-14, HB 10:36, 12:1, JM 1:2-4).

 

[Kroogz]

There are essentials in doctrine though that affect salvation.

Baptism fo salvation is no secondary issue. It's the difference between biblical Christianity and a cult or cult-like belief.

So to see real biblical Christianity..it's going to be rare..its going to be a seperate ecclessia from the rest.

Unity in the body of Christ..is unity in a local NT church. Not unity across all redeemed.

Unity across all redeemed is a logistical nightmare and won't happen until New Jerusalem in heaven.

Good post. True bible doctrine and true fellowship is rejected by the majority.

The majority think fellowship is getting together at a church potluck and having conversations about kids, family matters, work and "this isn't gossip but......"

 

[wattie]

Good post. True bible doctrine and true fellowship is rejected by the majority.

The majority think fellowship is getting together at a church potluck and having conversations about kids, family matters, work and "this isn't gossip but......"

Yes, I go to a Fellowship Bible Baptist church funnily enough.

What irks me though, is water baptism for salvation seems to be getting more popular. It's a real spanner in the works, because the salvation is about something the person does rather than about trusting in Jesus.

Instead of responding to the question, why should you get into heaven with..

Because Jesus saved me when I believed in Him.

It'll be because I got baptized. Or because I go to church, or because i'm a good person.

'I' have no redemptive remit in being human. Nothing 'I' can do to gain salvation from my behaviour.

 

[GWH]

Yes, I go to a Fellowship Bible Baptist church funnily enough.

What irks me though, is water baptism for salvation seems to be getting more popular. It's a real spanner in the works, because the salvation is about something the person does rather than about trusting in Jesus.

Instead of responding to the question, why should you get into heaven with..

Because Jesus saved me when I believed in Him.

It'll be because I got baptized. Or because I go to church, or because i'm a good person.

'I' have no redemptive remit in being human. Nothing 'I' can do to gain salvation from my behaviour.

Well, feel free to utilize Lesson 2 in our website <truthseekersfellowship.com>
for help with explaining to your fellow church members the kerygma and proper or
biblical relationship between Spirit and water baptism.
(Your fellow Bible Baptist, GWH :^)

 

[HeIsHere]

Yes, I go to a Fellowship Bible Baptist church funnily enough.

What irks me though, is water baptism for salvation seems to be getting more popular. It's a real spanner in the works, because the salvation is about something the person does rather than about trusting in Jesus.

Instead of responding to the question, why should you get into heaven with..

Because Jesus saved me when I believed in Him.

It'll be because I got baptized. Or because I go to church, or because i'm a good person.

'I' have no redemptive remit in being human. Nothing 'I' can do to gain salvation from my behaviour.

I was not really aware of this whole baptismal doctrine until recently with a certain thread.

It seems it is the same straddling of the lanes, the thinking is >>> it does not save, but it saves.

And if you do not have this deep understanding of baptism and its necessity, well you may not be saved.
Only the thief on the cross got a pass.
Funny how that works.

 

[Brasspen]

Keep in mind that the thief went to heaven just like that. No baptism, no receiving holy spirit. He only did one thing. Asked Jesus.

 

[HeIsHere]

Keep in mind that the thief went to heaven just like that. No baptism, no receiving holy spirit. He only did one thing. Asked Jesus.

Yes true, He believed in Christ Jesus.

 

[ThereRoseaLamb]

Wow, I thought that said "divorced believers" and came to see what was goin' on. I think I need glasses.