09/30/2015 ONE BODY; MANY PARTS
I Corinthians 12: 1. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with CHRIST. For we were all baptized by one SPIRIT into one body…. [New International translation]
Scripture Discussed
Most scholars agree that 1 Corinthians is one of Paul’s letters (i.e., epistles) to the church in Corinth. It written to Sosthenes, whose name in Greek means “Safe in Strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:1) Sosthenes was the chief ruler of the synagogue in Corinth. He was a believer. (Act 18:17) Paul considered Sosthenes a brother.
1 Corinthians 12:1, discusses an often used analogy in the New Testament. The church is described as “the body” and CHRIST as “the head.” Believers are “the members” of the body. Just as the vine has many members or branches, so it is with “the body of CHRIST,” “the church.” CHRIST is the “THE TRUE VINE” (John 15). HE gives life to the church.
Although some Christians might confuse the bricks, wood and mortar of their physical churches with “the church of CHRIST,” Peter later explained that it is not the physical building that is important but rather “the living stones” (i.e., the men and women) inside these physical houses that actually make up the church. (1Peter 1:5) These individual “living stones,” make up “the spiritual body,” when they come together around the “PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE,” who is CHRIST.
Although, some may state that the Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic church, that their
“pastor” is the head of their individual church, or some might even believe that one church body is more important than another church body, Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 12 that there is really only “one body.” While GOD has given many individuals special abilities or “gifts,” the same HOLY SPIRIT is the source of them all. 1 Corinthians 12:4. The function of every member of the body is to help or serve the entire church. The function of each part is to function well and to be a source of strength and unity to the whole body.