The Corinthian Christians were divided over a number of issues. One of them was faction in the church caused by different groups – the parties of Apollos, Cephas (Peter), Paul and Christ Himself.
Paul’s ministry was mainly to the Gentiles while that of Peter was to the Jews. The party of Peter were the traditionalists who preferred a leader who had walked and talked with Christ during His earthly ministry. Some questioned Paul’s apostleship and rejected him. Apollos was an Alexandrian Jew, an eloquent man with profound understanding of the Scriptures (Acts 18:24 ). He was particularly effective among the Jews in Corinth with his Christian apologetics (Acts 18: 28 ). The more educated Corinthians preferred his polished eloquence in preaching. The party of Jesus did not wish to be associated with any leaders except Christ, but apparently included some who attempted to use their Christian liberty to justify their sins (1 Cor 6:12 ).
Both Paul and Apollos were fervent in spirit and diligent in the preaching and teaching of the gospel. They possessed different spiritual gifts and talents and both were called by the Lord to fulfil the Great Commission in Asia and Europe under the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Their mission was to preach Christ and Him crucified. Both were ordained by God for different purposes: where Paul planted and Apollos watered, it would be God who gave the increase (1 Cor 3:6 ). He that plants and another that waters are integral to the yielding of fruits. This will require working together in unity and harmony, and not in competition or opposition: ‘Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one’ (1Cor 3:8 ) for they were labourers together with God and fellow labourers (1 Cor 3:9 ). As there was already faction in the church, Apollos did not return to Corinth to help in the ministry so as not to intensify the controversy (1 Cor 16:12 ).
Paul and Peter also co-laboured together. After Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, he was alone with God in Arabia for some time before he became acquainted with Peter in Jerusalem (Gal 1:17-18 ). Both had high regard for each other. Peter addressed Paul as his beloved brother and endorsed the apostolical authority of Paul’s epistles as on equal standing with other Scriptures (2 Pet 3: 15-16 ). However, Paul did not hesitate to rebuke Peter when the latter compromised on church doctrine by his inconsistent stand on the gospel of grace. Peter had withdrawn himself from a meal fellowship with uncircumcised Gentile believers when confronted by some traditionalist Hebrew Christians (Gal 2:11-13 ).
God has raised men from different backgrounds and blessed them with diverse spiritual gifts to be church leaders. In the Corinthian church, before the New Testament was completed, some were blessed with the ability of healing; others, the gift of speaking in languages (tongues) and interpreting languages; and yet some, the ability to proclaim new revelations from God (1 Cor 12: 10 ). Moreover, God sees fit also to grant bestowments of varying degrees even of the same spiritual gift: some with five, some two, while others, one in proportion, according to His will. In this divine arrangement, none should consider himself more important than the others (1 Cor 12: 14-20 ). Rather, all should respect each other, bear one another’s burden and have mutual dependence on one another (1 Cor 12: 21-26 ). It is the diversity and the unity of gifts given by God to church leaders that has enabled the gospel to be proclaimed far and wide unto Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world in the apostolic age.
Though it is imperative that there should not be room at all for doctrinal compromise, it is incumbent on church leaders to exercise vigilance against the sin of spiritual pride. However successful a particular ministry may be, no leader is to lay claim that he alone possesses that area of ministry and the followers that make up the group. To do so would be carnal and differs not at all with the ways of the world. All faithful and true servants of the Lord would do well to remember that Christ alone is the head of the church. No human leader must usurp His position . It behoves us to remember that church leaders are merely instruments raised by God for His own purpose and glory. The power of the gospel and the success of any and every ministry belong to God, for His glory and not to any leader within the church ( 2 Cor 4:7 ).
In the same tenor, members of the church should not cause division or schism in the church by their preference for certain leaders because of the latter’s specific spiritual gifts. Believers should be reminded that leaders are not perfect, even as the prophets of old like Elijah and Moses were of like passion as we are (Js 5: 17 ). Indeed, church leaders would appreciate all the encouragements they can receive to aid them in their diverse ministries. God in His wisdom and for His purpose, gives to every man or leader different talents and gifts or even the same talents but in different proportions. No man is thus qualified to draw any conclusions based on comparisons of the capabilities of the leaders. To do so would be using a carnal yardstick to assess spiritual matters. This would eventually provide an avenue for the attacks of the evil one who will be quick to use such opportunity to cause competition, rivalry and opposition among the leaders.
As the Church of Jesus Christ, all should intercede for the leaders before the throne of grace daily, that they co-labour with one another faithfully in brotherly love and mutual encouragement, having unity of mind, heart and purpose, fervent in spirit, stedfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord as we see His Coming again fast approaching. Amen.