I Corinthians 12

I Corinthians 12  Paul has addressed a lot of the issues that the church was facing, particularly the problems with divisions and disputes.  Here, he states, "But, brothers, I do not want you to go on being ignorant about the things of the Spirit."  This is a vital teaching for every one of us and for the church. 

The very first truth that we need to know is that the Holy Spirit speaks!  The idols that had led them astray before they became believers couldn't "speak at all."  Paul says,  but, the Holy Spirit of God speaks the Word of God. 

Paul teaches that it the Holy Spirit that enables us to say "Jesus is Lord" and that if we have the Spirit of God we will never say "Jesus is cursed."  The Spirit only speaks Truth and will always speak Words that will glorify the Father and the Son.  The church at Corinth needed to have this kind of discernment.. and so do we!

The second thing that Paul teaches about the Holy Spirit is that He gives gifts to the believers. ( v 4-11)

 He teaches that:

There are different gifts. 

They are spiritual gifts. 

They are all come from the "same Spirit"; are all meant for serving "the same Lord"; and are all the work of the "same God working them all in everyone."  (v4-6) 

All gifts are distributed as He chooses. 

And they are all given for the "common good". 

Although Paul gives many examples of these spiritual ( super -natural) gifts, he uses this teaching to emphasize a very important truth - That all believers are part of ONE body.. "For it was by one Spirit that we were all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free; and we were all given one Spirit to drink." v13   Paul teaches that:

The body is made up of many parts.

All parts are important. 

All parts depend on each other. 

Any missing parts diminish the whole body. 

"God arranged each of the parts in the body exactly as he wanted them." !!!

All parts are needed. 

"All the parts will be equally concerned for all the others"

"Now you together constitute the body of the Messiah, and individually you are parts of it." 

God directs the Body by providing gifts to the individual members and by also providing leaders and workers to the Body as a whole. Paul teaches us to seek "the better gifts"... but to know that the best gift of all is Love. 

Father in heaven,  thank You for making us parts in the Body of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  Thank You for working in us, equipping us for the service that You inspire us to do by the power of Your Spirit.  Have Your own way in each of us who call upon You that You might receive all glory and honor and blessing!  Unite our hearts together as one in Your Son.  We ask this in His powerful and precious name. Amen.