Today’s selected reading continues in the first New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints. More specifically today’s passage is found in the first twenty-five verses of the fourteenth chapter. “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unkown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; Howe it in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unkown tongue ediifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all speak spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for great is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifiying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? For ye shall speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may except to the edifying of the church. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unkown tongue pray that he may interpret. For If I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? II will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily gavest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unkown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a. Sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: and thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth” (1 Corinthians 14:1-25).

 

            When you come to the fourteenth chapter of the first epistle written by the apostles Paul unto the Corinthian saints you will find the apostle Paul shifting gears from the language he used concerning spiritual gifts. If you begin reading with and from the twelfth chapter of this epistle you will find the apostle Paul beginning a powerful discourse within the epistle concerning spiritual gifts in the midst of the body—and not only spiritual gifts within the body but also the role, the operation and the function of the body. With this being said I continue to be absolutely gripped and captivated with the idea of the body of Christ as a puzzle which is comprised of many pieces—each with their own unique shape, size and part of the design imprinted on the front of it. If you have ever bought a puzzle you will note how the box contains a number of different pieces which are used to fit together that the picture displayed on the front of the box might be presented. What’s more is you will also recognize and understand that the only way for the picture that is on the front of the box to actually appear on your table, or desk or wherever else you decide to build the puzzle is if all the pieces are correctly placed together. Not only this but if there is any piece of the puzzle that is missing the picture might appear in some shape or form, however, that image would be entirely and altogether incomplete as there would be a whole in the image where that particular piece was supposed to go.

 

            This reality and concept of what I would call “missing pieces” is incredibly profound when you consider it in light of the spiritual body of Christ. I firmly believe that each and every one of have been uniquely shaped and designed to fit and be joined together with other members of the body. Much like an individual puzzle piece is designed to connect to a minimum of two other pieces so also are we designed to connected and be joined together with a minimum of two other members. With this being said we must also recognize and understand that not only has each and every one of us been uniquely shaped and designed to fit together with the other members of the body but we have all been imprinted with a portion of the image of the eternal and only begotten Son. It is indeed true that we have been created in the image and after the likeness of the living God, however, we have been changed, conformed and transformed into the image of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God. This is something we must needs recognize for I am absolutely convinced there is not a single person among us who has the full image of the eternal Son of God within and upon them. I am convinced that it is the spiritual body of Christ as a whole that bears the full image of the eternal and invisible Son of God who is the Head of the body. With this being said I firmly believe the only way for the full image of the eternal Son of the living God to be manifested in the midst of the earth is for the members of the body of Christ to not only come together but also to be joined together. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the fact that while each and every one of us have been given a small measure of the image of the invisible Son of God within and upon us it takes other members of the body of Christ coming and being joined together for that image to be fully realized and manifested in the midst of the earth.

 

            I sit here today thinking about and considering this and I am absolutely captivated with and by the incredible truth that we as the individual members of the body of Christ have indeed been uniquely formed and shaped that we might fit and be joined together with other members of the body. While it is indeed true that we have been called to be part of the corporate body of Christ and while it is indeed true that we have been called to be a part of the body of Christ I firmly believe that we have been called to be truly “connected” to a minimum of two other members within the body of Christ. If you take a look at a puzzle and the pieces contained within the box you will notice that no individual piece can nor does connect to any less than two other pieces. Each of the corner pieces can connect to two other pieces—either to the top or bottom of them or to the left or right of them. With this being said each of the other pieces connect to a minimum of three other pieces which when coming together help form and create the image which is presented on the box. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding us as the members of the body of Christ and how we have all been called and created to connect to at least two other members of the body of Christ. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth that each and every member of the body of Christ has been called to be part of the body of Christ as a whole, however, we have been designed to specifically connect to a specific few of the members of the body of Christ. I believe with everything inside of me that we have indeed and have in fact been called to be fitly joined together with other members of the body and that when we begin to come together as a whole the image and likeness of the invisible Son of God is indeed manifested in the midst of the earth. This is something we dare not and must not ignore for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding how we have indeed been formed and created to be a part of the spiritual body of Christ within the earth.

 

            The more I think about and consider the words which are found in these passages of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with just how unique this concept of a puzzle truly is for the body of Christ. There is a great need for us as the people of God to pay close attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the fact that we have indeed been uniquely shaped in such a way that we have been deliberately and purposely designed to be joined together with other members. Just as woman was taken from man to be joined together with and unto him so also have the members of the body been uniquely formed and fashioned that they might be joined together with other members of the spiritual body of Christ. This reality and concept of the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ is truly interesting when you think the about that each and every one of us have been called and created to connect to specific members of the body of Christ while at the same time being called to be members of the corporate body as a whole. Perhaps one of the single greatest truths we must needs recognize and understand when considering the reality of the spiritual body of Christ is that each and every one of us has been given a portion of the image of the invisible Son of the living God within and upon us. There is not a single member of the body of Christ who has been given a portion of the image of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God and hasn’t been called to be joined and connected together with other members of the spiritual body of Christ. With this being said I find it absolutely necessary to first and foremost call your attention to the words which are found in the fourth chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Ephesus. It is within this particular chapter and epistle the apostle Paul helps highlight and underscore the incredible reality of the body of Christ and how its members are designed to be uniquely compacted and joined together. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in this particular chapter beginning with the first and opening verse:

 

            “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all,a nd through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gifty of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and to the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:1-16).

 

            Please pay close attention o the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for within it the apostle Paul not only speaks of the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry but also for the edifying of the body of Christ. Moreover the apostle Paul also speaks of the members of the body of Christ coming in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Not only this but the apostle Paul also wrote that we ought to be no more children who are tossed to and fro and carried a bout with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness but might speak the truth in love and might grow up into him in all things. This would be followed by the apostle Paul also writing and declaring that the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies according to the effectual working in the measure of every part makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. There is a great need for us to recognize and understand the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for it brings us face to face with the tremendous reality that we have indeed been formed and created in such a unique way that we fit together with other members of the body of Christ. With this being said I continue to believe that we have been called to be members of the corporate body as a whole but we have been called to truly connect with specific members of the body of Christ. Each and every one of us has indeed been called to be a member of the body of Christ within the earth and each of us has been called to be such who help facilitate the image of the invisible and eternal Son of the living God within the earth. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful reality of how and what we have been called to within the earth.

 

            The reality and concept of the spiritual body of Christ as was evidenced in the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints is such which we must needs acknowledge within our own hearts and minds as we recognize that we have indeed been formed to be part of that body within the earth. It’s quite interesting that on the day of Pentecost there were about one-hundred and twenty members who were present in the upper room when the Holy Spirit was manifested, however, before the day was over there would be three thousand souls that would be added to their number. Pause for a moment and consider the fact that on the very first day of the formation of the spiritual body of Christ the number of members would swell to more than three thousand. This is something which rarely happens in our generation and is something which I have never seen in my lifetime. I have grown up in the church and have spent my entire life as part of the body of Christ and I have never seen nor witnessed three thousand souls believing and being baptized in a single day. On the day of Pentecost, however—after the apostle Paul had finished preaching—three thousand souls would believe and would be baptized and added to the number of those who were present in the upper room. On this particular day the spiritual body of Christ would experience such a wonderful and powerful shift in that three thousand souls would be joined together with the roughly one-hundred and twenty souls who were present in the upper room. If there is one thing this demonstrates and proves it’s that there is and there always has been room in the body of Christ for growth and for the addition of new members. We must needs recognize and understand that the spiritual body of Christ is indeed a living organism present within the earth that was designed to grow and to grow up into all things which the eternal and only begotten Son of the living has ordained and appointed for it. It was Jesus Himself who emphatically declared in Caesarea Philippi that He would build His church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it and it would be on the day of Pentecost when that building would first begin.

 

            This reality of the spiritual body of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God within the earth is something we must needs understand for Scripture makes it perfectly clear that each and every one of us has indeed been called to be those who are part and members of this body within the earth. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this and how absolutely incredible it truly is when the members of the spiritual body of Christ are indeed joined together as one in the body of Christ in the earth. There is something absolutely astonishing when brothers come together and dwell in unity and this is precisely what the psalmist in the Old Testament book of Psalms wrote. In the one-hundred and thirty-third chapter of the Old Testament book of the Psalms the psalmist emphatically declared how good and pleasant it was for brethren to dwell together in unity. Moreover David would go on to write how this unity of the brethren is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard—even Aaron’s beard—and went down to the skies of his garments. Not only this but David would also declare that this unity of the brethren was as the dew of Hermon and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion for it was there the LORD commanded the blessing—even life forevermore. Oh how absolutely wonderful and incredible this truly is when you take the time to think about it for it brings us face to face with the reality that we have indeed and have in fact been called to be those who not only join ourselves to the body of Christ but also those who become members of this spiritual body within the earth. I absolutely love how on the day of Pentecost it didn’t merely touch the one-hundred and twenty who were present in the upper room but it directly impacted and affected three thousand souls who would believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, would be baptized on that day and would be added to the number of those who were present in the upper room.

 

            If you want to truly gain a sense and understanding of what it looks like when brethren dwell together in unity and what the body of Christ should be like in the earth you need look no further than the second and fourth chapters of the New Testament book of Acts. I am absolutely convinced that if you want to truly get a powerful glimpse of what the spiritual body of Christ looks like and how it operates and functions within the earth there is a need to read the words which are found in there two chapters for within them the beloved physician Luke brings us face to face with the absolutely wonderful reality of the spiritual body of Christ in the city of Jerusalem where it was first conceived and brought into existence. I have long been completely and utterly fascinated with and by the words present in these passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful reality of how the body of Christ should move and operate in the earth and how the body of Christ operates with its own members. I am convinced that some of the most powerful imagery of the spiritual body of Christ and how it ought to function in the earth is found within these two chapters of the book of Acts. What’s more is I would also dare suggest that if you want to get an even greater understanding of how the body of Christ should operate and function within the earth you need look at and examine the upper room where the Lord and His disciples celebrated the Passover together. Moreover I would dare say that it is also necessary to consider the account of the two men who journeyed on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus whom Jesus not only met along the way but who also walked with them and agreed to enter into their home and abide with them. It would be there in the midst of the house where the Lord would take bread and after blessing it would break it and give it unto Cleopas and his companion. With this being said I would also suggest that we ought to consider the words which are found in the first chapter of the New Testament book of Acts concerning the days after Jesus’ resurrection leading up to His ascension and even the days after He ascended unto the right hand of the Father in heaven:

 

            “Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him,Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The master saith unto thee, WEhere is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelfth apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: for I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after the supper, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:7-20).

 

            “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with t hem. But their eyes were Holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and has not known the things which are come to pass there in these daysA? ND he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread” (Luke 24:13-35).

 

            “ANd as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat”? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. .And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:36-49).

 

            “And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen” (Luke 24:50-53).

 

            Consider now if you will the following words which are found in the New Testament book of Acts beginning with the first and opening verse of the first chapter concerning the beginning of the formation and creation of the spiritual body of Christ in the midst of the earth:

 

            “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that he though the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: and, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto those uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peer, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” (Acts 1:1-14).

 

            “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” (Acts 2:1-8).

 

            “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the LORD added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:37-47).

 

            “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:32-37).

 

            With each of these passages of Scripture having been brought to our attention it is now time that we return to the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints. If you take the time to read the words presented within this epistle you can and will find the whole epistle is centered around the reality of the spiritual body of Christ in the earth. The apostle Paul had labored for a year and a half in the city of Corinth helping to establish the body of Christ within the midst of that city. When we come to the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints we encounter the tremendous reality of how the body of Christ can indeed experience division, schisms, contention, strife and so much more in the midst of it. It is absolutely impossible to read the words presented within this epistle and not come face to face with the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the spiritual body of Christ and its’ manifestation in the midst of the earth. From the very first chapter of this particular epistle we are brought face to face with the demonstration and manifestation of the spiritual body of Christ in the midst of the earth and those things which could indeed destroy it from within—division, strife, contention, fornication, offense, bitterness, etc. As we come to the eleventh chapter of this epistle we find the apostle Paul calling and drawing their attention to one of the greatest demonstrations and manifestations of the spiritual body of Christ in the earth—namely partaking of the Lord’s supper together. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to just how absolutely critical and vital partaking of the Lord’s supper—and not only partaking of the Lord’s supper—but also the breaking of bread one with another truly is. There is something truly powerful about the brethren dwelling together in unity and giving themselves to the breaking of bread—regardless of whether it’s in a church building or even from house to house.

 

            As you come to the eleventh and twelfth chapters of this first epistle written by the apostle Paul written unto the Corinthian saints you will find him writing and speaking of divisions which were present among them and how they did a great disservice to each other when they gathered together—not for the better but for the worse. The apostle Paul wrote how there were divisions among them because when they gathered together they completely and utterly disregarded each other as each would take unto themselves their own supper thus causing some to be drunken and others to go hungry. The apostle Paul wrote this epistle to bring correction and rebuke to these dear saints of the living God that they might recognize how they ought to live in unity and fellowship one with another. When you come to the twelfth chapter of this epistle you will find the apostle Paul writing concerning spiritual gifts, however, he would also speak of their former manner when they were carried away with dumb idols as they were led. The apostle Paul goes on to declare that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed and no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost. The apostle Paul then goes on to write of the diversities of the gifts but the same Spirit and differences of administrations but the same God which works all in all. Moreover the apostle Paul goes on to write how the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal and then describes the spiritual gifts which are given by the Spirit of the living God. I am convinced the words which the apostle Paul wrote in this passage of Scripture concerning the spiritual gifts is something which must needs be recognized and understood for it demonstrates that each and every member of the spiritual body of Christ has something they have been endowed with by and from the Spirit of the eternal and living God.

 

            When I read the words present within the twelfth chapter of this epistle—not only am I struck with the fact that each and every one of us has our own unique place within the body of Christ but each and every one of us has been given a spiritual gift and measure of the Spirit with which we contribute to the body of Christ. If I take the time to read the words presented in the twelfth chapter of this first epistle written by the apostle Paul I am not only struck with the fact that each and every one of us has our own place within the spiritual body of Christ but each and every one of us has been given a measure of the Spirit whereby we are able to contribute to the edification of the body.  If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand it’s that the spiritual body of Christ is comprised of many members and each member is uniquely shaped that they might find their place within the spiritual body of Christ.  This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful reality of how each and every one of us has our divinely ordained and appointed place specifically chosen by the divine will of the living God. Each and every member of the spiritual body of Christ has indeed been given their own unique place within the body of Christ that no one else can fill. It must needs be understood that there is absolutely no one else who can take the place within the spiritual body of Christ you yourself have been specifically chosen and appointed by the living God to occupy. I firmly believe that each and every one of us who believes in the Lord and each and every one of us who names the name of the Lord Jesus has been given a unique place within the spiritual body of Christ and have been ordained and appointed to occupy that place specifically set apart for us. There is not a single member of the body of Christ who has not only been called to be a part of the spiritual body of Christ but who hasn’t also been given a specific place within the body of Christ specifically ordained and appointed for them by the living and eternal God.

 

            The more I read the words which are found in the twelfth chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints the more I am brought face to face with the tremendous reality that each and every one of us has been called to be members of the spiritual body of Christ. Even if you yourself are not presently calling upon the name of the Lord and have not believed yet you have been called to have a place within the spiritual body of Christ. Just because there are those among us outside of and apart from the spiritual body of Christ who don’t believe on the name of the Lord Jesus and who aren’t naming the name of the Lord Jesus doesn’t mean they don’t have an open invitation to become a part of the spiritual body of Christ with the Lord as the Head. With this being said I find it absolutely incredible when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture that not only has each and every one of us been given a specific place within the body of Christ but each and every one of us has something to offer the body. It is absolutely impossible to read the words found in this passage of Scripture and not encounter and come face to face with the tremendous truth that we have not each been uniquely gifted that we might indeed offer something unto the body of Christ. You cannot convince me that each and every member of the spiritual body of Christ has not been gifted with a spiritual gift and measure of the Spirit whereby they can not only glorify and honor God but also contribute to the spiritual body as a whole. We dare not and must not think that it is only apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers who have been specifically called and chosen by the living God to contribute to the edification, the perfecting and the growing up of the spiritual body of Christ.

 

            If apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers were the only ones who were ordained and appointed by the living God to help facilitate the growth of the spiritual body of Christ then each and every one of us would be and has been called to be such within the body of Christ. With this being said I find it absolutely necessary to declare unto you that you do not have to be a pastor, or a teacher, or an evangelist, nor a prophet or apostle to be used within the spiritual body of Christ. That which we find in the opening verses of the twelfth chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul demonstrates and proves that each and every one of us has been given a measure of the Spirit whereby we are able to contribute to the edification of the spiritual body of Christ. What’s more is if there is one thing this passage demonstrates and reveals it’s that the spiritual body of Christ is diverse and different within itself and one of the realities that makes the spiritual body work so well is its diversity the differences among its members. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for just as there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit so also are there diversities of the members of the spiritual body of Christ but the same body and the same Lord over the body. I find it absolutely incredible to read the words presented in the twelfth chapter of this epistle for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the members of the body of Christ and how each and every member has been given a portion of the Spirit. What’s more is not only has each and every member been given a measure of the Holy Spirit but they have also been given a measure of the image of the person of Jesus Christ who is the head. With this being said it must be understood that it’s only when we come together as the spiritual body of Christ as a whole we are able to accomplish and fulfill that for which we have indeed and have in fact been called to do within the earth.

 

            I read the words presented in the twelfth chapter of this first epistle written by the apostle Paul and I am confronted with the fact that each and every one of us has been given our own unique place within the body of Christ and each and every one of us has been given a measure of the Spirit whereby we are able to minister to the body. I do not believe that any member of the spiritual body of Christ does not have their own unique place within the body nor do I believe that any member of the spiritual body of Christ has not been uniquely gifted to minister within and unto the body as a whole. There have been countless leaders, pastors and ministers within many of our churches who would like many to believe that unless they are a deacon, or an elder, or in some position of leadership there is no place within the body of Christ. There are men and women who have indeed been led to believe that they have no place within the body of Christ and have nothing to contribute if they are not singing on the worship team, part of the prayer team, a Sunday school teacher, a deacon or elder and the like. The truth of the matter is that each and every one of us has something to offer the spiritual body of Christ simply based on the fact that there are diversities of the gifts of the Spirit. What’s more is the Spirit distributes those gifts to each and every member according as He sees fit and determines. Much like the parable Jesus gave concerning the talents each and every member of the spiritual body of Christ has indeed been given a measure according to several ability. If you are a part of the spiritual body of Christ you have indeed been given a degree and measure of the Holy Spirit and have been uniquely gifted by the eternal Spirit of the living God. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for I am convinced that not only must we discover our unique place within the body of Christ but we must also discern and come to recognize the spiritual gift(s) given to us by the eternal Spirit of the living God.

 

            I sit here today thinking about this and how absolutely incredible it is and I am brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the need for men and women within the body of Christ to recognize and understand that they have a specific place among the members of the body. There is a unique place within the body of Christ for each and every one of us and we must through prayer and fellowship with the Spirit and the eternal and only begotten Son of God recognize and understand where that place is. Each and every one of us has in fact been called to occupy a very specific place in the body of Christ and have been called to be those who are joined together to those members we have been called to be joined together with. I believe that as members of the body of Christ we have been given a measure of the Spirit, we have been imprinted with a measure of the image of Christ, we have a unique place within the body of Christ that only we can occupy, we have been given spiritual gifts that demonstrate and show how we have indeed and have in fact been given a place in the body whereby we might contribute. There is not a doubt in my mind that each and every one of us has indeed and has in fact been granted a wonderful place within the body of Christ that only we can occupy. There is absolutely no one else who can occupy the place I have been ordained to have within the spiritual body of Christ and I cannot occupy that place another has been ordained and appointed to occupy within the spiritual body of Christ. There is a great need for men and women to truly recognize and understand the place they have been given within the spiritual body of Christ—and not only to understand the place they have been given within the spiritual body of Christ but also the gift(s) they have been given by the Sprit. It is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the opening verses of the twelfth chapter for they demonstrate that each of us has been uniquely gifted by the Spirit that we might effectively minister unto the members of the body:

 

            “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

 

            It is in the first eleven verses of the twelfth chapter we encounter and are brought face to face with the differences and diversities of the gifts of the Spirit and how the Spirit gives unto each member of the body of Christ as He will. It is the Spirit who gives gifts unto the members of the body of Christ—and not gifts for themselves only that they might hide and hoard them but that they might use them among and within the spiritual body of Christ. If the Spirit has indeed endowed you with spiritual gifts then it indicates you have been given the ability to minister within and among the spiritual body of Christ. We must never let anyone ever make us think or believe that we somehow have no place in the spiritual body of Christ and have not been given a degree and measure of the body of Christ. Each and every one of us has been given a unique place within the spiritual body of Christ which we must needs recognize and discern that we might fulfill that for which we have been called to in this life. Each and every one of us must get alone with God in the secret closet of prayer that we might indeed discern what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of the Father which is in heaven. Each and every one of us must needs understand and recognize that gift or those gifts we have been given by the Spirit that we might not only find our place in the body of Christ but also that we might contribute to the body of Christ. There is not a doubt in my mind that each and every one of us has indeed been called to occupy our own unique place within the body of Christ and has been called to contribute to the body of Christ in a way that only we can according to the working of the Spirit that is present and manifested within us. There is a great need for each of the individual members of the body of Christ to recognize and pay close attention to this for it’s not enough to merely be a member of the body of Christ for with our being a member of the body of Christ we must also occupy that place specifically ordained and appointed for us and contribute to the body in the way that only we can. Having said this I invite you to consider the following words which are found in this particular chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul beginning with the twelfth verse:

 

            “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. 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. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 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? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now after they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say not the hand, I have non need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 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. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

 

            Pay close attention to what the apostle Paul wrote in this passage for the apostle Paul emphatically declared that God has set the members every one of them in the body AS IT HATH PLEASED HIM. Please do not ignore and glance over this for it is the living and eternal God that has ordained and appointed your place within the body of Christ. It is the living God who has given you your place within the body of Christ and it is the living God who must needs show you where that place is. There is no one else who can show you where your place within the body of Christ is outside of and apart from the living and eternal God and we as the saints of God must needs recognize the great need to get alone with the living God and ask Him where he would have us in the midst of the spiritual body of Christ. The apostle Paul made it perfectly clear that each and every one of us has indeed been given a place whereby we are to occupy the body of Christ and that place was specifically ordained and chosen by the God of heaven and earth. The apostle Paul held no punches when writing the words found in this epistle and carefully declared that it is the living God who has chosen our place within the body of Christ and there it is the living God who must needs show us where and what that place is. What’s more is the apostle Paul declares that as the body is one and has many members and all the members of that one body are one body so also is Christ. The apostle Paul declares that by one Spirit were we all baptized into one body—whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free—and we have all been made to drink into that one Spirit. The spiritual body of Christ is not one member but many members of the body and each individual member of the body of Christ has indeed been granted their own unique place specifically ordained and appointed by the living God.

 

            With all of this being said we must needs understand that in the final verses of this epistle the apostles Paul goes on to speak how God had set some in the church—first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, then helps, then governments, diversities of tongues and the like. What the apostle Paul says next is truly astonishing when you take the time to think about it for the apostle Paul goes on to ask if all were apostles or if all were prophets or teachers? The apostle Paul clearly demonstrates the undeniable truth that while it is indeed true that the living God has ordained and appointed apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers and pastors in the midst of the body of Christ that isn’t the only thing he has ordained and appointed unto and for the church. The apostle Paul goes on to write and declare that there are gifts of healings, miracles, helps, governments, diversities of tongues and the like—each with their own unique place within the body of Christ. This is something we must needs recognize when coming to the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of this epistle for within it the apostle Paul goes on to describe and declare that we must needs covet earnestly the best gifts and yet how there is a better way. While it is indeed true that we have indeed been given a degree and measure of the Spirit we must needs recognize that our place within the body of Christ and any contribution we make or think we make is absolutely meaningless without and apart from love. The apostle Paul emphatically declares in the thirteenth chapter that the greatest of all things in the spiritual body of Christ is indeed love for it is love from which everything flows and must flow. At the very heart of all administrations, all governments, all offices, all functions and roles in the spiritual body of Christ is our ability to move and operate in love. At the very heart of our place in the body of Christ and at the very heart of our moving and operating in gifts is indeed love as we have indeed and have in fact been called to love. It is with this being said I leave you with the following words the apostle Paul wrote in the thirteenth chapter of this epistle concerning love and it’s role and place within the body of Christ:

 

            “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have n to charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth my nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which I s perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to fade; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).

 

            With all of this being said it is absolutely necessary that we recognize the words which are found in the fourteenth chapter of this epistle for it’s in the fourteenth chapter where the apostle Paul highlights and underscores the benefit of the body as it pertains to speaking with tongues and prophesying. The apostle Paul compared and contrasted both speaking with other tongues and prophesying and sought to bring the Corinthian congregation to the place where they not only recognized that love must needs motivate everything they do in the midst of the body of Christ but everything they do must be for the edification of the body of Christ. It is indeed true that we must needs minister before and unto the living God when we enter into the house of the Lord. It is in fact true that the single greatest being we minister to is indeed the true and living God, however, we must needs recognize that when we gather together in the body of Christ we are not to look out for ourselves but must look our for others. That which we find in the fourteenth chapter of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul is a powerful description of the fact that we as the saints of God and members of the body of Christ must needs be those who understand that we have been given a place within the body of Christ that we might occupy what has been ordained and appointed for us and might move and operate in the gift(s) given unto us that the whole body might be edified, might be perfect and might grow up into everything ordained and appointed by the living and eternal God.