Schism (σχίσμα)

Dictionary of Biblical Words:

See SCRIPTURE.—The general name for the sacred and inspired writings known to us as the Bible. They are referred to by the Lord in Matt. 21:42; 26:5442Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? (Matthew 21:42)
54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? (Matthew 26:54), &c., &c., and also by the Apostles, Rom. 1:2; 15:42(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) (Romans 1:2)
4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4). They are definitely said to be given by inspiration (2 Tim. 3:1616All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)), and are called the oracles of God (Rom. 3:22Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. (Romans 3:2)). They are able to make wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:1515And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15)), and are profitable for doctrine and practice (2 Tim. 3:16, 1716All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16‑17)); they are written for our instruction (Rom. 15:44For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)). Ignorance of them is a source of error (Matt. 22:2929Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29)). We understand them by the Spirit (John 16:1313Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13); 1 Cor. 2:10-1410But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:10‑14)). They are the resource in the last times (Acts 20:3232And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)). They are to be received with meekness (James 1:2121Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)) as the Word of God (1 Thess. 2:1313For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13)), searched daily (Acts 17:1111These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)), laid up in the heart (Deut. 2:1818Thou art to pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab, this day: (Deuteronomy 2:18)), obeyed (Matt. 12:2424But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. (Matthew 12:24); Luke 11:2828But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (Luke 11:28)) and used as a sword (Eph. 6:11, 1711Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17)).

Concise Bible Dictionary:

The word is rendered “divisions” in 1 Corinthians 1:1010Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10), etc., and refers to divisions caused by parties in the church. In view of the unity of the Spirit, schism cannot be regarded in any other light than as sin. The unity contemplated in the church was not merely that of being gathered together in assembly. The Corinthians were exhorted: “That ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions [schisms] among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:1010Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10); 1 Cor. 11:1818For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. (1 Corinthians 11:18); 1 Cor. 12:2525That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. (1 Corinthians 12:25)). The modern ideas of agreeing “to differ,” or of “unity only in essentials,” are not found in scripture, but the contrary. At Philippi the saints were exhorted to walk by the same rule, to mind the same thing; and then is added “If in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you” (Phil. 3:1515Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (Philippians 3:15)). The “unity of the Spirit” cannot be lightly disregarded. Christians are exhorted to use diligence to keep it in the uniting bond of peace (Eph. 4:33Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)). There are different lines of ministry, as is manifest in the apostles Paul and John, but all true ministry tends to one end—Christ; and hence such differences in no way clash with the unity of the Spirit. See HERESY.

From Anstey’s Doctrinal Definitions:

A “schism” is an inward split or rift among Christians (1 Cor. 11:1818For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. (1 Corinthians 11:18) – marginal reading in the KJV). Those involved in a schism will still meet outwardly with those with whom they differ, but probably unhappily (Rom. 16:1717Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Romans 16:17); 1 Cor. 1:10; 3:3; 11:1810Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10)
3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Corinthians 3:3)
18For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. (1 Corinthians 11:18)). This was the case with the Corinthians. The Apostle Paul warned them that if schisms existed, and were not dealt with and judged as evil, “there must also be heresies” that would grow out of those schisms (1 Cor. 11:18-1918For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (1 Corinthians 11:18‑19)). Hence, an inward split left unjudged will develop into an outward split. (See Heresy.)
In Romans 16:17,17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Romans 16:17) Paul says, “Mark them which cause divisions and offences [occasions of stumbling]” contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” This refers to those who cause these inward rifts among the saints. Those who “cause” divisions are the leaders or instigators, not those who simply follow in a movement. Thus, we are to distinguish the leaders from those led astray in these issues. We are to “avoid” the leaders, but reach out and try to help those who are being drawn away in a divisive movement.
Paul says that the means by which these divisive workers get a following is through “good words and fair speeches,” and the kind of people who are deceived by them are those who are “simple” and “unsuspecting” (Rom. 16:1818For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:18)). Absalom is a type of a divisive man in the assembly (2 Sam. 15-18). He drew ones after himself, who “in their simplicity,” “knew not anything” (2 Sam. 15:1111And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. (2 Samuel 15:11)). His method was to agree with those who had a complaint, and to kiss them. The result was that he “stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (2 Sam. 15:1-61And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. (2 Samuel 15:1‑6)). The forming of his party didn’t happen overnight; it took “four years” (2 Sam. 15:77And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron. (2 Samuel 15:7)). (The KJV says “forty,” but it is apparently a Hebrew copyist’s mistake.) Slowly but surely, Absalom swung many in Israel after himself and the result was division in Israel.