1Corinthians 12:1-13 UNDERSTANDING THE UNITY Those saints in Corinth were gifted people. "You come behind in no gift." Each of us has been given the 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 usually comes to us through the gene pool and can be developed through training and practice. Spiritual gifts are given by God to us to meet the needs of others and, on occasion, need to be "stirred up." In this portion of scripture, we are given insight into how this works in the Body of Christ and in the fellowship of believers in a local assembly. Eyesight doesn't come from my developing it; it is inherent and complete by nature, as God has made it. 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 that these gifts were valuable to the extent that 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 the 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, the diversity of gifts is given so we can see the benefits and far-reaching effects of their combination. 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, which blesses the whole body. Loss of control by even one believer undermines the body's purpose and function, just as it does 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 used without sensitivity 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? Is 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 includes some of the same gifts. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers are specifically mentioned as gifts to the whole Body in Ephesians 4 and are used worldwide to further God's work. Other gifts, such as help, governments, ministry, and administration, can 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. We know we have been baptized by the Spirit of God through a life-changing response within us. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things are 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 lives 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 concerns our willingness to be controlled by the Spirit of God so that we may 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 make 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.