YouTube: https://youtu.be/ea6Kzq5RyZM

Download Audio: https://od.lk/f/MV8yOTg2NjUzNjdf
Download Video: https://od.lk/f/MV8yOTg2NjQ5MjNf
Download PDF: https://od.lk/f/MV8yOTg2NjQ4NTJf

Priscilla: I Corinthians 12:12-31
The Unity of the Church

Dear God, my Beloved Father, I humbly offer You words of praise and gratitude for the new day You have bestowed upon me. I pray for the mercy of God to encompass me. I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in all truth as I read and contemplate the Word of God, so that I may carefully follow it every day.

Father, today I present to You my reflection on the unity within the Church, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.

12 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.

Verse 12: I understand that the body of each person is one, even though it consists of many parts. Similarly, the body of Christ, which is the Church, is the same. Although the Church consists of many individuals, it is one body because each person is a part of the body of Christ, with Christ as the head.

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.

Verse 13: I understand that all the people of God in the Church, each of whom was originally a sinner and lost, have equally received the salvation of Christ by the mercy of God. The people of God are integrated into the Church, united as one, regardless of their nationality or social status. They are of the same spirit, meaning they share the same mindset, understanding, and knowledge based on the Word of God. They are baptized into one body, meaning they are united with one another in Christ. They drank into one spirit, meaning they together received the new life given by God.

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?

Verses 14 to 16: I understand that the Apostle Paul used the analogy of the human body, which consists of various parts, to illustrate the unity of the people of God in the Church. In each body, each part has a distinct function that contributes to the overall functioning of the body. Similarly, every individual in the Church, as part of the people of God, has been granted specific gifts by the Holy Spirit to fulfill their unique roles, bringing common benefits to the Church. If anyone within the Church, for any reason, thinks that they do not belong to the Church, perhaps due to feelings of inferiority or thinking they are not as important as others, this does not change the truth that they are indeed part of the Church.

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.

Verses 17 to 20: I understand that the body must have different parts, as God has arranged them to form a complete body. The Church also has different tasks assigned by God to each person so that everyone can work together to fulfill the tasks entrusted to the Church by God.

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.

Verses 21 to 23: I understand that each part of the body is equally necessary. No part is more honorable than another. Even if a part is considered weaker, it is actually indispensable. Similarly, every person is necessary within the Church. No one is more honorable than another. The people of God must respect and obey one another. If anyone is weak in faith, stumbling, or physically weak, the people of God should care for them, comfort them, encourage them, and take care of them.

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.

Verses 24 to 26: I understand that, similar to the physical body, within the Church, if any brothers or sisters become deficient in their abilities to fulfill the tasks assigned to them by the Lord, then God has arranged for the entire Church to focus on caring for them, assisting them, and helping them to recover promptly. Or, if anyone is lacking in material possessions or experiencing harm and suffering on their body, other individuals should show sympathy, contribute support, provide aid, comfort, and care for the needy or injured member. If any brothers or sisters in Christ receive abundant grace, respect, and praise, then the entire Church rejoices together.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Verses 27 and 28: I understand that the Church is the body of Christ, and each person of God within the Church is a part of the local Church. God has established different positions within the Church. The Holy Spirit bestows gifts on each person according to His will. I understand the positions as follows:

The position of apostleship is to go everywhere, proclaiming the Good News to all people and planting local Churches.

The position of prophecy is to convey the will of God to others, rebuke the people of God for their sins, and call them to repentance.

The position of teaching is to preach and teach the Word of God to those who do not know the Lord, as well as to the people of God within the Church.

The position of working miracles is to perform signs and wonders to demonstrate the power of God.

The position of healing is to cure diseases in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, where the sick are healed instantly.

The position of helping others is to contribute financial resources, material possessions, and efforts to aid those who are in need or facing difficulties in life.

The position of leadership is to take responsibility and govern the Church, entrusted to bishops and elders within the Church.

The position of speaking in different languages is the ability to speak various human languages, with the interpretation provided by the speaker or someone else within the Church.

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Verses 29 to 31: I understand that each person within the Church receives different roles and responsibilities to participate in the building and development of the Church. Along with these assigned roles and responsibilities, each person also receives the necessary gifts to fulfill their responsibilities. The Apostle Paul advises the people of God to earnestly desire the most beneficial gifts, as the more people possess those gifts, the better the growth of the Church. I understand that the most beneficial gifts are accompanied by the roles listed at the forefront, such as the role of apostle, the role of prophet, and the role of teacher.

Father, I am grateful to You, for by Your mercy, I have been incorporated into the body of Christ and united with my brothers and sisters in the Church. I am thankful to the Holy Spirit, for He has bestowed upon me the gifts of proclaiming the Gospel and speaking prophecy, which benefit the Church. I humbly pray that You will preserve me and my brothers and sisters in the Church, helping each of us to be faithful in fulfilling our duties in the service of God. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Priscilla Christian Huynh
05/23/2023