Dividing or Uniting the Body
Pastor Eric Chan
“22 But the other woman said, “No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours.” The first said, “No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine.” Thus they spoke before the king. 23 Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’” 24 And the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought before the king. 25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” 26 Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.”
27 Then the king answered and said, “Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.” 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.”
This passage records a fascinating incident that happened shortly after Solomon was made king of Israel. Two women came before the king with two babies - one dead and one alive - and both claimed that the surviving baby was theirs. King Solomon, who was gifted with wisdom, asked for a sword to cut the living baby in two so that each woman could claim their half. The immediate reactions of the two women to the appalling command revealed the true mother and exposed the false.
Early on in my Christian journey, I heard an unusual application of this passage that I remember to this day. A bible teacher related this passage to an incident that happened in his church. A decision needed to be made regarding some differences that had emerged over time. One group, under the influence of some leaders, was very forceful in its demands. The other group, led by another shepherd, was certain about their convictions too. But as the differences continued, the first group was unyielding - to the point of willingly splitting the church if their specific demands were not met. The second leader, upon realising the potential damage if they continued on this trajectory, communicated his willingness to negotiate. One group was willing to "divide the baby" while the other would rather suffer loss than see the "baby" hurt. Those who observed the two groups were eventually able to discern between those who were serving their own agenda and a true shepherd who was concerned about the well-being of the body. While the second leader's response may not apply in every situation (the apostles dealt aggressively with certain heresies, for example), it does offer us wisdom when dealing with many situations related to church unity.
The early church was formed amid tensions that were irreconcilable without Christ. Society was much more stratified than today. There was a small number of politicians and aristocrats at the top, supported by those who served their needs. About 85 percent of the population consisted of the working poor - day labourers and slaves - and those who were considered "expendables" (widows, orphans, prisoners and those with disabilities). These people eked out their survival from day to day and there was limited social mobility. Furthermore, there were cultural, historical and religious differences among those who lived under Roman rule.
Yet, the gospel of Christ brought people from different socio-economic, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds together to worship and to fellowship. It is little wonder then that many New Testament letters by the apostles addressed tensions and divisions that emerged among the new believers.
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The early church was formed amid tensions that were irreconcilable without Christ.
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How is the church supposed to stay united and grow into what God intended for her to be? Paul gives us some good reminders in his letter to the Ephesians. He wrote:
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Ephesians 4:1-6
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
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Paul first clarified the things that held the church in unity. He reminded them of their common calling in Christ and the qualities they needed to exhibit: humility, gentleness, patience, long-suffering and an eagerness to maintain unity. He then went on to describe seven "ones" in verses 4 and 5: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one Father. These are foundational issues that all believers are to agree on. In other words, despite the differences among them, they had to remember that they were "one body" because they held fast to these same beliefs.
From verse 7 onwards, Paul began to explore the differences among them, which served to strengthen the church:
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Ephesians 4:7; 11-14
7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift... And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
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Paul's point was that Christ had gifted believers differently for the benefit of the entire body. The five-fold ministries serve to equip the saints for ministry and to build up the body of Christ, so that the church would grow in her maturity, knowledge of God and Christlikeness. They also play a role in guarding the church from false doctrine and harm (4:14). Notice that the goal here isn't about a particular ministry or person, but about the common good of the body. The diversity of gifts was meant to be used sacrificially for the sake of the body. Paul himself stood as an example for the Ephesian believers in this passage. The great apostle was himself imprisoned "for the Lord" as he wrote this letter (4:1).
My point here is that we can't focus on Ephesians 4:7-14 without first understanding Ephesians 4:1-6. Many writers and leaders emphasise the gifts of God, the authority of ministry offices and the expression of personal talents without understanding the unity of the church. Many of these - who may be very gifted - find themselves "out of joint" and unaccountable to other leaders in the body, and they influence those who follow them to do the same. Many unknowingly subscribe to a very individualistic view of the Christian faith. Therefore gifting is prized above character, self-actualization is prized above sacrificial service, and personal destiny is prized above the common good and mutual submission - all while using the name of Christ. They have forgotten that Paul, probably the most gifted leader in the early church, wrote the letter of Ephesians to plead for unity in the church, even as he suffered in chains.
How then should we live? Firstly, let us remember God's intention for the oneness and unity of the church. The differences and tensions from our diverse backgrounds can only be reconciled through our common belief in Christ and through following His example of humility. Secondly, use our gifts and talents for the benefit and strengthening of Christ's body. Employ your talents in cooperation with the rest of the body, knowing your contribution complements the gifts of others. Thirdly, let us always work to preserve the unity of the body, rather than "divide the baby." May God's church mature and truly reflect the glory of our God!