What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "How does 1 Corinthians 1:12–17 illustrate the absurdity of cliquishness around local leaders, and what solution does Paul offer?"
Answer
Paul illustrates the absurdity of cliquishness by pointing out that Christ is not divided and that human leaders were neither crucified nor baptized in their own name. This party formation stems from a fleshly heart and prejudice, with believers forgetting that servants such as Paul or Apollos are merely instruments commissioned by God.
Paul's solution is to shift the focus away from people and toward God, who alone is responsible for growth. He calls the congregation to unity in Christ so that they are firmly bound in the same spirit and judgment, since all gifts and servants ultimately belong to the believers, who in turn belong to Christ.
The Absurdity of Party Formation in Corinth
»In the early Christian church there were some who refused to acknowledge either Paul or Apollos, but claimed that Peter was their leader. ... To those who said, “I belong to Paul; and I to Apollos; and I to Cephas; and I to Christ,” the apostle asked, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name?” “No one should boast in men,” he pleaded. “For everything is yours—whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future; everything is yours; but you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”«
Human Servants as God's Instruments
»Paul had tried to impress upon his Corinthian brothers the fact that he and the servants associated with him were only people commissioned by God, to teach the truth that they were all involved in the same work and that they were equally dependent on God for the success of their labor. ... “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos? They are servants through whom you have become believers, just as the Lord has given each one. I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So it is neither the one who plants nor the one who waters, but God who gives the increase.”«
Call to Perfect Unity
»Paul spoke openly about the divisions that had arisen in the Corinthian congregation and urged the members to cease the quarrels. “But I exhort you, brothers,” he wrote, “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak in one accord and that there be no divisions among you; rather that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment.”«
Fleshly Mindset as the Cause of Division
»Paul writes to his Corinthian brothers: “You are still fleshly: For if envy, strife, and divisions are among you, are you not then fleshly and walking in a human way?” It is impossible for minds distracted by envy and strife to grasp the deep spiritual truths of God’s Word.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
