HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

The ancient city of Corinth was a melting pot of different people groups, religious ideals, and socioeconomic levels. Corinth was also a wealthy seaport city filled with idolatry because of the vast diversity of its population that came and went. Things were always changing in Corinth!

In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul addresses a big change in the church’s former life of idolatry to its new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is here that he points not just to the diversity of gifts that all believers have been given but emphasizes the strength that comes when those gifts are united together.

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. ¹³ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

Though we have all been given unique and individually assigned gifts, the reality is our gifts are part of a much bigger purpose. So, it should be that our prayers go beyond our individual needs to also pray for and focus on what God would have for His Church.

The power of Christ in a gathered community can be an awesome thing. A quickening presence somehow breaks down the isolation of our individual lives and unites us together in ways we could never imagine nor create on our own.

To be gathered or united means to look beyond our own agendas and recognize that God has brought us together for a far greater impact; that there is a miraculous power that comes from a unity of faith and spirit.

Like never before, we are living in a time where the world needs to see and encounter this power. So many people are experiencing defeat, suffering from hopelessness, and being divided by politics, race, and religious beliefs. And what the world needs is praying and united people who are filled with the Spirit and demonstrating the love of God in a powerful way!

Scriptures

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 

 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. ¹³ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. ¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many. ¹⁵ If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁶ And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? ¹⁸ But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. ¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where were the body? ²⁰ But now are they many members, yet but one body. ²¹ And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. ²² Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: ²³ And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. ²⁴ For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. ²⁵ That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. ²⁶ And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. ²⁷ Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Ephesians 4:1-4 

 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, ² With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; ³ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;