1 Corinthians 12:1-31

The Body of Christ

From the very beginning the Apostle Paul had a special revelation about the Body of Christ. As he was on the road to Damascus, on his way to arrest and persecute believers, he had a vision of Jesus who asked him, "Why do you persecute me?"

In this passage Paul goes into his most lengthly discourse concerning the Body of Christ.

Here are four bullet points:

• Different parts of the body have different “gift” but they all work in concert under the direction of the Holy Spirit. I used to think that all believers had all the gifts but that is not what Paul is saying. If any one believer had all ofd the gifts what need would they have for the rest of the body? 

• It doesn't matter what role we are called to play, every believer is a part of the body. You may think that your gift isn’t important or that you are of little value, but that cannot be true. You are a part of the body and you are needed.

• No part can say to another part, “I don't need you.” You may think that your gifts are greater than someone else’s and that you are of great value to the body. That’s a little weird but some do indeed feel that way. Don’t look down on others. “High Church Liturgical” you need the backwoods “Holy Rollers”. High energy “Charismatics” you need those mainstreamers you call the “Chosen Frozen”. It’s true! The Bible says you need them. 

• Those parts we think are “weaker” are indispensable and should be given special consideration. At various times in history different segments of the body have been considered the "weaker" parts. These have generally included: children, women, the poor, the not obviously talented, etc. Note that Paul does not say they are weaker but that they seem to be weaker. In fact they are essential.

If we could just learn these simple truths about the Body of Christ we would be well on the way to loving each other, converting the world, and pleasing God.