1 Corinthians 12:1-20
Q.1. What spiritual matters was Paul addressing in these next chapters? What changes when a person comes from darkness to light? How do we show that Jesus is our Lord? – (1 Cor.12:1-3)
Paul went on to teach about spiritual matters. The context suggests that he was referring to the gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows. However, he first addressed the bizarre non-Christian practices of the mystery religions that seemed to have crept into the church. Paul strongly denounced those who accepted without question the validity of ecstatic utterances that claimed to be from the Spirit of God. Utterances that denied that Jesus is Lord, actually implied that Jesus was accursed. Those who have come out of darkness and into the light will turn from their previous erroneous views of Christ. They will instead make Him Lord in word and deed – Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.12:3). We are to test the spirits, to see whether they are from God (1 Jn.4:1-3). [NOTE: Satan always attacks the person of Christ. It is possible that the curser of Christ was a Gentile claiming to be a Christian but holding to a philosophy that all matter was evil, including the human Jesus. Gnostics often claimed that the Christ spirit left the human Jesus before He died, and this would mean that Jesus died a cursed death as a mere man – The Macarthur Bible Commentary – page 1591].
Q.2. How unique are the ways in which we express our spiritual gifts? Who decides which gifts we display? Why are spiritual gifts given? Are they given to everyone? – (1 Cor.12:4-11)
There are varieties of gifts, ministries, and outcomes – some are constantly on display, and others just for particular circumstances (1 Cor.12:4-6, 8-10). All the gifts are unique. Even the single gift of preaching expresses itself very differently in each person. We can’t boast about these gifts, because – to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Cor.12:7). They are given – to each one (1 Cor.12:7). Gifts are given by the triune God, as He desires, and come from – the same Spirit … the same Lord … the same God … But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills (1 Cor.12:4-6, 11). They are not given for show, but to benefit the other members of the body of Christ.
Q.3. Why should we strive for oneness in the use of the gifts? Is it possible for a believer not to be baptized by the Spirit? Does everyone have the same gifts? Why is that so? – (1 Cor.12:12-20)
Paul made much of the need for oneness in the body of Christ. Just as Christ is one with the Godhead, so we as many members are to strive to be one (1 Cor.12:12). Paul reminded the Corinthian church that regardless of nationality or background, – For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit (1 Cor.12:13). We cannot be part of the body, without this baptism of the Spirit. Those not born of the Spirit do not belong to God at all (1 Cor.12:13 c.f. Jn.1:12-13; 3:3-6; Rom.8:9). Paul then pointed out that regardless of a person’s gift, he or she belongs to the body of Christ. He illustrated this with the different functions that different organs perform in the human body (1 Cor.12:14-17). The reason we have different gifts, is because – God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired (1 Cor.12:18). As in the human body, there are many members, yet just one body (1 Cor.12:20). We should value all believers, for the way God has decided for them to contribute to the effectiveness of the body.