Are factions that follow "Christ only" a bad thing?

1 Corinthians 1:11-13 says: "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?"

He seems to lump together those who say they follow Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and Christ. Paul, Apollos and Cephas I can understand. But why would it be a bad thing to follow Christ? There are many factions today who say they follow Christ alone. Is that a bad thing? If so, why?

John 14:6
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Why would it be a bad thing to follow Christ? Did Jesus, son of GOD, the Messiah not say amongst other things;

Joh 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Joh 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Joh 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Joh 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Joh 10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Joh 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Joh 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Joh 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Joh 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Joh 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, thereye may be also.
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Joh 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Joh 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thouthen, Shew us the Father?
Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Joh 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greaterworks than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Joh 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Joh 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yetpresent with you.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Joh 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
Joh 14:29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
Joh 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
Joh 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Peace.

JF

The issue was not who they were following but how the believers created factions. This is the origin of denominationalism.

I wonder what role personal preference plays in the formation of factions and denominations. I don't think that rightly dividing of the Word of Truth is as complicated as people like to pretend it is. Perhaps our carnal nature just wants to make wiggle room for its own likes and dislikes.

2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

I have a feeling you might know what is at the origin of denominationalism?

Peace,

JF

Yes. And it will come back again in full display: lawlessness. Not the absence of law but the place where each person does what is right by his own judgement. When people believe they are sovereign over their own lives then they will not submit to the Spirit of God and especially not to those who the Spirit sends to them. This is anti-Christ. Not just that it is evil, but more so that it rejects that Jesus Christ has come into the flesh of men. By this error Christ becomes a doctrine and not a dwelling place of God in the earth as His flesh and bones.

brother he’s saying there’s no one else to follow but Christ he’s addressing thy arguing in thy church precisely because some were saying “ I’m of Paul “ I’m of Apollos “ and yet others were saying I’m of Christ “ it’s not Paul commending then but explaining I’m Paul I’m not the one who saves you Apollos can’t save you your not baptized in my name are you ?

it’s a rebuke saying to follow anyone but Christ is foolishness and that thy res no difference of you heard oaul preach Apollos Peter Jesus ot doesn’t matter there’s only one shepherd that his sheep follow Paul and Apollos are both of those sheep who follow Christ

see it’s Paul rebuking then for arguing about such ridiculous things

“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? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:1-5‬ ‭

He’s saying what is Paul’s name ? What is Apollos name ? He says more beforehand

“Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; ( Peter) and I of Christ.

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:12-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the mat verse proves the church consisted of people who were converted by Paul and Peter and others the one church

it’s Paul rebuking the idea of following he or Apollos rather than Christ or praising his name rather than Christs he goes on wuote a bit about it actually but his point is being a “Paulian” or “appolosian “ wouldn’t save anyone to exalt either of their names or doctrines it’s all about Jesus if one is converted by Paul one of Jesus servants and witnesses of the gospel ot doesn’t change even one thing from those converted by Peter Apollos Timothy john whoever

Christ is the head of the church and his word is our doctrine is Paul’s point we’re followers of Christ even when Paul blesses he’s then to follow him he makes the point “ follow me because I’m following Christ “


“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

paul is claiming to be a good example of Jesus disciples which he is as are the rest of the apostles

Paul’s point is it’s foolishness to follow anyone but Jesus the savior and lord

That makes sense actually.

So true, so true!,

Peace be with you always.

JF

Amen brother ! But until the law culminates the gospel can’t begin to accept the gospel brings us out from under the hammer of the law

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it’s not a Matter of creating our own judgements but a matter of moving from Moses judgements the Old Testament given under wrath against sin to condemned sinners

Into the judgements of Christ those of God for eternity to sinners willing to repent

your right the knowledge of good and evil makes man think we get to determine what is good and what is evil

biblically Moses isn’t our judge nor his law but Christs law the gospel is our guide and law

we just convert from this Moses judgement

“And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭21:23-25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

equal revenge for an offense to Jesus Christs judgements


“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:


but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:38-39‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus is literally quoting Moses law and saying “ but I’m telling you the opposite “
“The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? ( Deuteronomy 24:1-5)

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:3-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the reason I quoted this part is to highlight if they obeyed Moses word about marrow he and divorce it would cause then to be adulterers because Moses allowed divorce for any reason nd he allowed marriage to others after divorce for any reason Jesus is saying “ that’s adultery “

Until Moses law ends Christs law can’t exist is my point the “ you have heard it was said long ago ( by Moses ) but I’m telling you this other dofferent thing even the ten commandments themselves are actually revealed in Christ and not in Moses

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery exodus 20:14)

but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:27-28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus is speaking spiritually the hinge hat will actually keep us from the commission of the sin , commiting adultery physically is what Moses forbade but they still committed adultery

what Jesus is teaching us how to never commit adultery , sexual transgression has roots lust in our heart and mind Jesus is calling our attention inward where tv roots exist so we can chop the roots off then the fruit is never going to happen

the le rwason men commit adultery or fornications is lust in Thier mind and heart if we don’t allow
Lust to dwell on Gods temple by his spirit ( our mind and heart ) we are never going to have any motivation to commit any sexual sin including adultery or fornication

Jesus words set us free from anyone needing to tell us “ don’t commit adultery “ we wouldn’t because we follow Christs command the spiritual commands

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:63‬ ‭

if we follow that spirit we will overcome the flesh transgressions

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, ( instruction )

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”( result )
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if we follow this command the spiritual one regarding our inner workings

“but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”


We will never have occasion to transgress the commandment

Thou shalt not commit adultery:

Jesus judgements are purely Gods judgements no angelic unforgiving ordination , no Moses the mediator to hard hearted sinners no sinful leviticle priesthood no animal sacrifices that impure and remind us of sin…..

everything has shifted from earth and it’s law to heaven and his law