SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 12
SPIRITUAL GIFTS (vs. 1-11)
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
The manifestation of the Spirit gives each one different gifts: (vs. 7-11)
- Knowledge
- Faith
- Healing
- Miraculous powers
- Prophecy
- Distinguishing between spirits
- Speaking in different kinds of tongues
- Interpretation of tongues.
ONE BODY, MANY PARTS (vs. 12-31)
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
The body is composed of many parts – foot, hand, ear, eye, nose – and each cannot say that it does not belong to part of a body. God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
Every part has its own function and those parts which seem to be weaker are indispensable. God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body. Each part should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
You are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it. In the church, God has appointed the following:
- Apostles
- Prophets
- Teachers
- Healers
- Helpers
- Administrators
- Linguist
THOUGHTS:
The Spiritual gifts given to each person by the Holy Spirit are special abilities that are to be used to minister to the needs of the body of believers. There are many different gifts and some have more than one gift. But one gift is not superior to another. All spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit with the purpose to build up Christ’s body, the church.
The issue of spiritual gifts was splitting the Corinthian church instead of unifying it. Spiritual gifts had become symbols of spiritual power, causing rivalries and jealousy. We must remember that the purpose of spiritual gift is to help the church function more effectively. If we use our gifts our own way without being sensitive to others, we are destroying the church. We must never use our gifts as a means to manipulate others or serve our own self-interest.
Paul compared the body of Christ to a human body. Each part has a specific function that is necessary to the body as a whole. The parts are different for a purpose and they must work together. Christians must not be proud of their abilities nor compare with one another. Instead, they should use their different gifts together to spread the Gospel and win souls to Christ.
All believers are baptized by one Holy Spirit into one body of believers, the church. When we become a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us, and we are born into God’s family. As members of God’s family, we have different interests and gifts, but we are united by the Spirit into one spiritual body. Each member should not look down on those who seem unimportant and we should not be jealous of others who have more visible gifts. Instead, we should encourage each other to use our gifts.
As one body, we should comfort those who are suffering in sorrow and rejoice with those who are happy. We need to get involved in the lives of others as a good testimony to the unbelievers.