Nullifying the Gospel's Saving Power

Splits in a church are usually caused by two things: differences over doctrinal issues or secondary issues such as disagreements about key personalities in the church. People have natural attachments to people who baptized them or have led them this to Christ. This is good, but also bad when it takes our focus off Jesus Christ.

Paul was sent to preach not to baptize. He was to preach the gospel in a clear, simple way, not by cleverness of speech that would nullify any saving effect of it. At Corinth others tried to preach the gospel with man's wisdom to make it more attractive, appealing, effective, less offensive. Neither the message or the method to preach the gospel is to be changed over the centuries or the cross of Christ will be made void. Even if you preach the gospel accurately you nullify it when you add man's wisdom. Upbeat messages of hope emphasizing self-help, with the gospel tacked on, because the Word of God is foolishness to those who are perishing are false.