-17)Why were they divided?One possibility teachers and philosophers wanted to share their “wisdom”.Another - we naturally follow other peopleGravitate to those we better identity with; whose ministry we understandBegin following the messenger instead of the messageLeads to competition among the “leaders”The people of Chloe’s house were courageousThey openly called out the issue of division in the church to Paul and weren’t afraid of the attribution to them.Paul founded the church and Apollos followed him.  Peter may have never been to Corinth.Each had a different approach to their ministry of the Word.  However, they are “co-workers in God’s service” (1 Cor 3:9a)Baptism in that day was costly. The sinner who became a believer and was baptized cut themselves off from their old life; often rejected by their family and friends.It was a BIG life event that changed the trajectory of their lives.Paul isn’t diminishing this fact but putting it into perspective.It is wrong to use any man’s name with your baptism other than Jesus Christ.To do so creates divisions.Jesus did not baptize (John 4:1-2).  Could creating divisions be why?Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom (1:18-25)This sections contrasts God’s Word with man’s wisdom JewsEmphasized miraculous signsThey were looking for a conqueror to come in power and might to save them Saw the cross as weak.Couldn’t reconcile the old testament passages that describe the Messiah must suffer and die.The cross is a sign of power, “and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Cor 1:25b)GreeksEmphasized wisdomSaw no wisdom in the cross; saw the cross as foolish from a human point of view.Not seeing it from God’s point of view as His great plan of salvation.Paul asks the experts, teachers, and philosophers if in their studies have come to have a relationship with God.The answer is no.Yet God was pleased to save through the foolishness of what was being preached.  “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,” (1 Cor 1:25a)Those who believe experience the power and wisdom of the crossThose whom God has called, and who responded to the calling by faith, see that Christ of the cross is God’s power and wisdom.“We are called into fellowship because of our union with Jesus Christ; He died for us; we were baptized in His name; we are identified with His cross.” (Wiersbe Bible Commentary)This is the lens through which we should determine how we are to live and worship on earth.