THE CHURCH IN A CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY (29)

 The Defender of Faith

What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?  

1 Corinthians 1:12-13

Apostle Paul wasn't just a preacher of the good news but he was a defender, contender, and apologist of the Christian faith.

Undoubtedly, Paul was greatly helped by God. He was the least of all the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9) but he laboured more than them all—a case which he attributed to God's grace: "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me." 1 Corinthians 15:10.

As a result of his immeasurable exploits (one instance is when he went to heaven and heard language that cannot be related to men—2 Corinthians 12:1-5), church members became divided over who should enjoy their loyalty and attention. Some went for him, others for Apollos and Cephas, and even Christ was placed by the side. Some saw Paul as the foremost. Others decided for Cephas, and some for others. These positions kept the church and the brethren divided along varied interests and preferences.

This disheartening news was brought to Paul's attention. And his response was simple and blunt: "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" 1 Cor. 1:13. This response settled the tense division and shut the mouth of the devil forever. Paul could not watch the church divided because men needed to praise him and be his adored disciples. He just didn't want men who take glory in another man.

Unfortunately, however, this case has been brought back to life in today's church. Churches and members now fight over their leaders who are assumed to be supposedly superior to the others. As if this is not enough, brethren now trade words over the air when they perceive a brother from another denomination correcting or assessing their perceived 'demigod' spiritual leader.

Brethren dissipate their energy, money, time, and God's bestowed resources in defending their leaders and attacking anyone with a perceived threat to their master. Over the air and by other means, brethren now defend their pastors more than they invest in showing and defending the cause of Christ before others. "How can you talk to my pastor like that? He is my hero. I can't just watch anyone bringing him down." Brethren have broken decorum, removed the ancient landmarks, and lost sense of respect for elders when it comes to defending their superior leaders. This is so seriously disheartening.

I have been inundated with several audio-visual clips and blogs of brothers and sisters trading words over the air in strict defence of their master. And most unfortunately, the mixed multitudes (today's bloggers) are profiting immensely from this perverse situation.

The Hindu, the Muslim, and the traditionalist are rapidly spreading everywhere, undermining the sanctity of Christ's Sonship. But the chosen ones who have been appointed to respond and contend earnestly for the faith are busy defending their pastors and physically assaulting anyone who dares say anything perceived to be wrong about these leaders. It is difficult to reason how we find ourselves in this mess.

The unhappy story of the riotous act of the Israelites in Numbers 16 is a great example relating to our present serious case. The Lord had just caused Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and two hundred and fifty (250) prominent leaders of Israel to die in an unusual manner because they rebelled against the Lord. But what was the response of the congregation to this punishment? "But on the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, 'You have killed the people of the Lord.'" Num. 16:41. Ha! Quite unfortunate—the known rebels had suddenly become saints: the Lord's people. If the Lord had allowed them, they could have idolized these evil men and turned them into heroes and gods to be worshipped.

This is the generation we are living in. We would rather idolize our leaders and subject the love and teachings of Christ to cremation. If Apostle Paul had lived in our generation, he would have been battered, beaten, and ostracized by brethren for criticizing Peter: "When Peter came to Antioch, I told him face to face that he was wrong." Gal. 2:11.

Oh Apostle Paul, thank God you're not doing this in our time. Else, you would have suffered irreparable damage to your personality and perhaps been physically assaulted.

Fortunately, the Early Church Fathers got it right. They would not allow their person, fame, and men's applause to destroy the purpose of God for the church. They humbly accepted corrections from one another and would do everything to stop members comparing them with others. They protected the sanctity of the church and the name of Christ with all their lives.

We can't do less today. May our leaders rise and stop these charlatans turning the church of God into a corridor of fights and throwing themselves into the limelight by profiting from our divisions.

Our leaders have the duty to silence these 'Ephraimite cakes'—brethren, stop their noises and irreverent engagement with other brethren in defending them and their supposedly esteemed names. This will help us remain focused and able to fight the fiery darts of the enemies.

Peter Abdul-Razaq OLAYINKA

A Serving Missionary with Living Grace Christian Missions, Ilara.  

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