After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 18:1-4)
When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:5-11)
Paul had spent a good amount of time in Corinth, a year and six months, reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath, and then finally starting a church at the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. We need to understand the importance of Corinth. "Corinth was an important city in the Roman providence. It was situated along a major trade route and had a thriving economy. During the first century, it was on of the largest cities in the Roman Empire and by the end of the second century it had become one of the richest cities in the world. It was a strategic center of influence for the gospel since travelers would come from every nation to the city, and after hearing the gospel could carry it to all parts of the world." (Strong's Study Bible)
"However, Corinth was one of the most wicked cities of ancient times. Immorality, unscrupulous business dealings and pagan practices abounded. Of the scores of heathen religions that were practiced in the city, the most well-known was the worship of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. The temple of Aphrodite stood on the most prominent point in the city, and housed one thousand 'temple prostitutes'. Three years after Paul had left Corinth, he received a letter for the household of Chloe concerning the bad conduct of some in the church. Many of the members had recently been converted from paganism and were having difficulty breaking habits of their former lifestyles." (Strong's Study Bible) In this letter, Paul addressed ALL of the moral issues that we as Christians still have to overcome today.
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 1:1-3)
I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (I Corinthians 1:4-9)
As Paul did in all his letters to the churches, he always acknowledged that they are what they profess to be, just as he is, a Christian, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, so that you come short in no gift; and that they are to stay faithful to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, because God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. We have all we need to live a successful Christian life, regardless of the environment we are in, because we are filled with God's Holy Spirit. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 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.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (I Corinthians 1:10-13)
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. (I Corinthians 1:14-17)
The problem these new converts were having is very similar to a problem that exists today. People are so caught up in denominations; "I'm a Baptist," or "I'm an Episcopalian," or "I'm a Methodist," or "I'm an Apostolic," or "I'm a Adventist," or "I'm a WHATEVER!" The only thing that matters is, I AM A CHRISTIAN! And as the Apostle Peter made very clear when the church began, Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39)
Repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ; that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek [non-Jew], for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13)
God doesn't care what church we go to, as long as its foundation is the Word of God, Christ Jesus. He doesn't care what nationality we are, because we all were created by Him, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. And as Paul was trying to explain, I thank God that I baptized none ... in my own name. We are all one in Christ Jesus, because all of us who are Christians were baptized in His Name, not any other man's name. The "church" is not a denomination or a building, but it is all of us who believe in Christ Jesus. Therefore, regardless of what denomination we prefer to attend, we should all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
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