"Who Caused The Division?"
Sometimes churches become divided. It can be caused by the wayward lives of non-disciplined members, innovations in worship or church organization, and a host of other things. There is always a question as to "Who caused the division?" There is nearly always charges and counter charges in regard to this question. How, then, may we correctly determine the answer to it?
In the Corinthian church we find division (1 Cor. 1:10-16). There were four groups — Paulicians, Apollonians, Cephians, and Christians. Who caused this division? Was it those who called themselves after Paul? after Peter? after Apollos? or after Christ ? It certainly was not those who called themselves after Christ! They had AUTHORITY for their action (Acts 4:12, 11:26, 26:28, 1 Pet. 4:16). But what authority did those have who called themselves after Paul, Peter, and Apollos? (1 Cor. 113). No, think again on this question, "Who caused Corinth's division; those who had authority, or those who had no authority?" The obvious answer is, "Those who had no authority — the Paulicians, Appollonians, and Cephians."
So it is today. In any division those who have authority — a "Thus saith the Lord" — established by direct command, approved example, or necessary inference are not guilty. The guilty party is always those who cannot establish such authority for their teaching or practice.