Agreeing to Disagree?

1 Corinthians 1:10

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no division among you, but that you be united in the same mind and same judgement.

According to this passage, unity is a command of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul throws in some more force to his already authoritative words by adding by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It's almost like he is saying, "hey, let me remind you who I am sent on behalf of. You better listen up!" 

What is the issue here? What is Paul's concern?

1. They must agree. 

2. There was to be no division. 

3. They were to be united in mind and judgement.

What can we infer from those three commands?

1. They did not agree.

2. There was division.

3. They were not united in mind and judgement.

This is further supported in verse 11, For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. The issue was that some people constructed the false assumption, which was Apollos, Paul and Cephas (Peter)all taught different doctrines. Therefore, some Corinthians went off into different directions claiming different teachers as their leader. Some people even sought to top everybody off and say, I follow Christ. 

Well, it's quite obvious from this passage of Scripture that we are not to be "people groupies," but rather, look unto God instead of the man sent by God. But something that gets very often over looked is the fist three commands to agree, not divide and be united in mind and judgement. 

Yet, vast amounts of Churches and Para-Church groups seek to rally believers of diverse or undefined doctrinal positions in the name of unity. Another common trend is the belief that doctrine really does not matter that much in the first place. Yet Paul says we must agree and not only agree but be of the same mind. 

I submit to the reader that the cry of "mixed doctrine for Jesus," is not a Christian position and has no place in biblical evangelism or missions. If we are to be an exploding force in the world, we must be united doctrinally. Therefore, away with all the talks of agreeing to disagree. Let us have no part in this fad of confusion. May we stand in the battle bonded with our brothers by the Scripture, and wield the truth with love while the troops gather in line!