“So we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and every one members one of another.”
Romans 12:5
“For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.”
Galatians 2:13 (LSV)
One of human nature’s great flaws is the tendency to take the path of least resistance. This has marred the precious Unity of His Spirit throughout the vast history of God’s people. It is a blemish and a contagion of great destruction, perpetuating division, animosity, and strife amongst God’s redeemed.
“doing nothing according to party spirit* or self-glory, but in humility,
esteeming one another as surpassing themselves”
Philippians 2:3 (LITV) (*proper Greek rendering)
Whenever and wherever His people consider the opinions of men more than they fear God, this malaise will continue to disrupt the Unity of His Spirit. That unity is the basis of His power and wonder in our midst. Peter’s influence was significant to such an extent that the word declares: “And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.” (Galatians 2:13)
“But when I saw that their conduct
was not in step with the truth of the gospel,
I said to Cephas before them all…”
Galatians 2:14 (LITV)
This is a great sin, and God’s estimation of its horror is hypocrisy. We see it manifested here in Peter, a beloved apostle of God. Had Paul not stood against this toxic error, it would have spread like a plague within the early church. At the very core of human nature lies a tribal ethos, an inherent need to be associated with something that distinguishes us from others.
This devilish wisdom is on full display across the divided and secularized church of our day. Paul, a great champion of truth, understood the linkage between God’s manifest presence and the Unity of His people.
We see him rebuking the Church (singular) at Corinth for their carnality and the growing dissent concerning God’s ministry that was given to “preserve” the unity of the Spirit!
Division Hinders the True Ministry of God
“And, brothers, I was not able to speak to you as to spiritual ones, but as to fleshly ones, as to babes in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, and not food, for you were not then able, for neither are you yet able now.”
1 Corinthians 3:1-2
Why was Paul not able to minister the strong meat of the Word? Because they were carnal, ascribing allegiance to men (and their schisms) rather than to God, from whom the whole Body (singular) is nourished (Colossians 2:19). When His people walk and identify themselves with a “party spirit” they are not capable of receiving the deeper truths of His Spirit. They may hear deeper truths, but will never enter into the truth and power of them. (“in hearing, they hear not.”)
May we read this prayerfully and allow the Spirit of God to invade, enlighten and impart His Word:
“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet NOW are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?”
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
To those with eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that longs for the Unity of His Spirit, there is a brokenness over the division of HIS BODY. In our day, we hear: I am a Baptist, a Pentecostal, or I follow this teacher or organization (and it may be good), or some prophet or apostle. Some even dare to say I am of Christ and do not need anyone else. All of this is carnal. Christ is ALL and in ALL.
To deny a brother or sister our fellowship (other than for overt and unrepentant sin) is to sin against God Himself. Acting according to a “party spirit” negates our responsibility for our obedience to Christ. It is to deny His Lordship. Peter was confronted in front of all because of Paul’s obedience to God. Such obedience freed him from the fear of men so that he could stem the tide of growing hypocrisy in their midst. How the church in our day needs such men who stand against this great evil!
“But when I saw that their conduct
was not in step with the truth of the gospel,
I said to Cephas before them all…”
Galatians 2:14
To walk and live in Christ will break every vestige and stain that would seek to contaminate our hearts from the tribal ethos of the “party spirit.”
Related Post: While Men Slept
“I can say, through the power of the Spirit, that wherever God can get a people that will come together in one accord and one mind in the Word of God, the baptism of the Holy Ghost will fall upon them, like as at Cornelius’ house.”
– William J. Seymour
Brian Troxel
When You Come Together …….. The Body Of Christ
1 Corinthians 14:26 NIV
What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be
done so that the church may be built up.
The Lord showed me a vision 02/26/2013 and in this vision I saw people gathered around an oval table. The table was low to the ground so that you had to sit on the floor. The people I saw sitting there around the table each had a piece of a puzzle. As they all worked together, the image on the puzzle began to take shape and when they were finished, the picture was of Jesus Christ. He was the center of the meeting. Each one had to do his part in finishing the puzzle and it was not left to one person to do the work of the group. This is how real relationships are built and what church done Jesus’ way should foster.
This is church.
The only reason for the gathering of believers was to re-assemble the body of Christ with each part, I.e., the foot, the hand, the eye, etc. doing its part so that the church, Christ’s body on earth may be edified and that Christ may be glorified.
They did not gather because of a charismatic leader, I.e., a pastor.
They didn’t gather because of church programs.
They didn’t gather because of the worship team
https://tpuccio.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/when-you-come-together-the-body-of-christ/