Understanding the unity. 1Corinthians 12:1-13 Those saints in Corinth were gifted people. "You come behind in no gift." Each of us has been given ability from God the Holy Spirit as well as the Father and the Son, to do a work for God that is above our natural talents. Talent comes to us through the gene-pool usually and can be developed by training and practice. Spiritual gifts are given by God to us in order to meet the needs of others, and on occasion, needs to be "stirred up." The first eleven verses of this portion of scripture teaches us that there is one Spirit who dispenses many gifts. From verse twelve on to the end of the chapter the teaching has to do with the one body and many members.
The first three verses give some contrast between what the Corinthian believers left and where they were now; from mute idols to a living Holy Spirit within them; from “Jesus cursed” to “Jesus is Lord” by the work of the Holy Spirit. Then they are taught that even though there are a variety of spiritual gifts given to the believers, it is the same Spirit who gives them and coordinates their use. Believers also serve God in different activities but it is the same Lord whom we obey and serve. It is the same God who has designed the purpose and value of the diversity of gifts and abilities and uses them in a unified way.
The purpose of those gifts is for the common good of the Lord’s people so they can be built up in their faith and enabled to fulfill the needs of the work of an assembly. They are not given for selfish advantage. The variety of the gifts when used by the Lord’s people and controlled by the Holy Spirit for the sovereign purposes He knows are best, are effective when there is unity. Unity and diversity are all coordinated in the human body and in the same way in the body of Christ.
In this portion of scripture, we are given insight into how this works in the Body of Christ and how it works in the fellowship of believers in a local assembly. Eyesight doesn't happen by my developing it; it is inherent and complete by nature as God has made it, and now the eye in my body benefits my body and it is there without my effort. The same is true of every individual part of a body. That principle is in the Body of Christ and manifests itself through the believers in whatever locality they are found. In Corinth, the saints didn't seem to understand these gifts were valuable to the extent they benefited others. These gifts were not like childhood toys to play with and be proud of having. They had missed the whole point of God giving a variety of gifts.
In each place where we read of the giving of spiritual gifts: Romans 12, where God gives the gifts; 1Corinthians 12, where the holy Spirit gives the gifts and Ephesians 4 where the Lord Jesus gives the gifts, there is clearly shown the value of the gifts in promoting unity. Properly used gifts unify the work of the assembly and each one fills the role in which the gift is used, for the benefit of all. In each place, a diversity of gifts is given so we can see the benefit and far-reaching effects of the combination of gifts. Also, the value personally is obvious when maturity is exercised in using one's gift in the way and place God intends.
When we understand and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, that is a work of the Holy Spirit that unifies the people of God. The Spirit of God maintains self-control in each believer that blesses the whole body. Loss of control by even one believer negatively affects the purpose and function of the body in the same way it affects a physical body when one part goes out of control. It is the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God, the unity of divine Persons, that produces unity in the body of the saints who gather as a local testimony to God. The gifts that can bring great blessings can also cause great difficulties if they are used without being sensitive to others.
The rival use of gifts can cause division - and it happened in Corinth. Anyone can claim to speak for God. A test of "spirituals" is what a person has to say about the Lord Jesus Christ. Does that person acknowledge Jesus as Lord? What do they teach about the value and use of the gifts of others besides themselves? Do they depend on the same God to produce from them what He desires? It there a true desire to minister to the benefit of the body? Do they exalt their own gift and the importance of what they do?
It is God who is involved in giving the gifts, the use of the gifts, and the power of the gifts. The variety of gifts is needed, and most effective, when used in concert with other gifts to build up the Body of Christ and the people in the local assembly. The Head (Christ) of the Body knows how and where the contribution of each believer's gift can be used. Each of the three lists given has some of the same gifts identified. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers are mentioned specifically as gifts to the whole Body in Ephesians 4 and are used all over the world to further the work of God. Other gifts such as helps, government, ministry, and administration are able to be used for the benefit of the local assembly. Still, others are used to benefit individual believers.
These gifts are not evidence of the baptism of the Spirit. That work of God does not come from human effort or human choice. The Holy Spirit did that once-for-all baptism when the Church was formed and when we are saved by God's grace, we are immersed into that Body - we are a part of the great body of saints from Pentecost until the rapture of the Church. The way we know we have been baptized by the Spirit of God is there is a response within us that is life-changing. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold all things have become new." The person who used to curse and swear now sings praises to God and speaks with honor. The person who used to lie without the pricks of conscience now speaks the truth. The one who lived with unclean and impure habits is immediately conscious of what is right and wrong. In other words, the witness of the baptism of the Spirit is in us having been placed there by God apart from any decision on our part.
The filling of the Spirit has to do with our willingness to be controlled by the Spirit of God to serve God and do His will. We have a command regarding this filling. "Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit." When we recognize Jesus Christ as Lord, and yield our bodies to Him, we are in a condition and position to fulfill the work for Him that He gives us. That is where the use of the gifts comes in. This is in contrast to the baptism of the Spirit when we are made members of His Body because He has bought us with the price of His own blood - His life given for us. The gift of the Spirit and the baptism of the Spirit makes every Christian regardless of social status, gender, race, age, or degree of wealth, a member of Christ's Body. When Christ uses our bodies, He wants us to be filled with the Spirit and be ready to use the gifts God has given for faithful service to Him.
Spiritual things are hard to explain because they are not what is seen by the eyes. However, spiritual things are more important than sight for it is in the spiritual things our strength lies. We have read of the mind of believers who lived long before our time and those lessons learned from the word of God has to do with how our minds think. We read of the Spiritual Rock that followed the children of Israel and the people of God drank the water that flowed from it for many years. Spiritual meat has been discussed at great length because what we eat is what makes us fit to serve God. Whether it is manna or water or the way that we think, the spiritual needs of our life must be met.
When God by His choice, gave spiritual gifts, it was not that we might glory in them. Those spiritual gifts were given to make our life work fit so that through each one of the believers in diversity and unity, others will understand God’s story. I may not know all God wants me to do, but of this much, I am really sure; when God gives us gifts, there’s a work I know that He knows I can do for God’s glory. It is not for self or praise does God gift His own; it is for the saints and the body they’re given. For me not to use my gift and stay at home; I’ll lose out when giving an account up in heaven.