The “one body”— its Head, the Lord Jesus Christ in glory—the members, true Christians on earth indwelt of the Spirit.
This Body is formed by the Spirit, all the members are thereby united to Christ in glory and to one another on earth. “By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body (whether Jew or Gentile, whether bond or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:1313For 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 12:13)). Not only “baptized,” or made part of this body by the Holy Spirit, but also “drinking” of the living fountain which springeth up unto everlasting life (John 4:1414But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)).
“Now are they many members, yet but one body” (1 Cor. 12:2020But now are they many members, yet but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:20)). One member cannot say to another, “I have no need of thee” (vs. 21). Each member has its place in the body—the place where God hath set it, “as it has pleased Him” (vs. 18).
Let us ever remember that this Body is not merely an assemblage of believers, bound together by common ties, nor even the entire company of believers as such, it is more than that, for it is the Body of Christ. How that truth applied in the soul by the Holy Spirit lifts us far above all thoughts of man’s blessing and what might suit redeemed men; it gives Christ His true place both in the individual and the collective blessing. The Body is Christ’s. He is the Head. Every believer sealed by the Spirit is a member—the members are many, and their functions are diverse. To each a gift of the Spirit is given. “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” “He divideth to every man severally as He will” (vers. 7, it; compare Eph. 4:77But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (Ephesians 4:7)).
God is sovereign in the Church (as in everything). “Who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou did’st not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:77For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7)). The members “which seem to be more feeble are necessary,” those “which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor.” “God hath tempered the body together... that there should be no schism in the body; that the members should have the same care one for another” (vers. 21-26). Such is the body in its unity. Gifts differ according to the grace given to each (Rom. 12:5-85So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:5‑8)). There is no question of equality, according to human, socialist, or radical ideas of it. Objects of the same grace redeemed by the same precious blood, one Saviour and Lord, one God and Father, one Spirit; each perfectly blessed, each made partaker of the divine nature, each to be perfectly conformed to the image of His dear Son.
Yet gifts differ, as we have seen, though all are conducive to the edification of the body. The gifts are gifts of grace, unmerited favor of Him who is Sovereign. “To one is given, by the Spirit, the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith... to another prophecy,” &c. (vers. 8-10). “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. Are all apostles? are all teachers?” &c. (vers. 28, 29).
Some of these gifts have remained in the Church from the beginning, others are no longer given, though He who gives the gifts is ever in the Church (Eph. 2:22, 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:1313For 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 12:13); John 16:16, 1716A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? (John 16:16‑17), &c.). There are no more apostles, they founded the Church (1 Cor. 3:1010According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (1 Corinthians 3:10); Eph. 2:2020And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:20)); they communicated and completed the Word of God (Acts 15:77And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. (Acts 15:7); John 15:2727And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:27); Col. 1:2525Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; (Colossians 1:25)). Their personal service is ended, though their ministry is secured to us till the end, by means of the written Word. Prophets can no longer claim to reveal new truth, but those that use the Word “to edification, exhortation, and comfort,” are so denominated (1 Cor. 14:3, 293But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. (1 Corinthians 14:3)
29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. (1 Corinthians 14:29)). “Tongues,” “miracles” are no longer distributed. They served at the beginning to confirm publicly the mission of the apostles and the testimony of the Church (1 Cor. 1:6, 7, 14:22; 2 Cor. 12:1212Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (2 Corinthians 12:12); Acts 2:4, 6, 10:46). In the present state of the Church, gifts of power would ill accord With the ruin and disorder which reign throughout Christendom. Evangelists are still sent forth by the exalted Head. Pastors and teachers too. Ephesians 4. speaks of those gifts whose ministry goes on till Christ shall come (vers. 10-13). We have the ministry of the foundation gifts (Eph. 2:2020And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:20)), apostles and prophets; and the bodily presence of evangelists, pastors, and teachers. How few, alas! in one sense they are, for “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:36-3836But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; 38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:36‑38)).
Let me ask you, and myself too, beloved brethren, if we, members one of another, have an equal care one for another? Jealousy and want of zeal are foxes which spoil the grapes (Song of Sol. 2:1515Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. (Song of Solomon 2:15)). Jealousy must disappear if we have in our hearts and consciences a real sense of the sovereignty of the Lord, as regards the place in the body of each member, and as regards the gift He chooses to give to each. If all our sources are in Him, if we hold fast the Head, we shall become willing, happy channels of communication in His body (Col. 2:1919And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. (Colossians 2:19)). Instead of seeking organized help from our fellow-members to carry on the special service or work the Lord has committed to each one of us, dear brethren, we shall be content to be used of Him according to the measure of His grace to us, while we gladly enjoy the communion of the saints in the path of faith.
Let us remember, too, that as the unity of the Body is not formed by us, neither can we break it. It is entirely formed and maintained by the Holy Spirit. What we are exhorted to do is to “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit; in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:33Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)). Our privilege and our duty is to act according to that unity which the Spirit has formed; to have our thoughts and conduct formed and guided by the truth of the one body and one Spirit; to allow nothing which is contrary to the blessed, practical, present truth concerning the Body and its glorious Head.
Sometimes earnest Christians fear to diminish their usefulness, and to shut themselves off from their fellow believers. It is well to remember that the only really large ground practically for the Church of God on the earth, is that of the one Body. The path of faithfulness will be narrow, for so many, alas! prefer to enclose themselves within human barriers and to turn aside from the fullness of the truth; but on true Church ground alone is it possible to have the heart fully enlarged (2 Cor. 6:12, 1312Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. 13Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged. (2 Corinthians 6:12‑13)), and to comprise in faith all those who are Christ’s. Only there can all the truth be maintained.
The gifts of grace are distributed by the Spirit, their exercise should be in full dependence on the Lord; the operation, the effect produced, is of God. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4,64Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:4)
6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (1 Corinthians 12:6). May we therefore, brethren, be diligent to use the gift in dependence on our Lord, knowing that God worketh all in all.
How sweet to hear the Lord’s word of commendation to His servants at His coming, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matt. 25:21, 2321His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:21)
23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:23)). May they be addressed to you and me, dear fellow-pilgrim!
We are “members” not of any local assembly, but of the one Body; there is, however, a true expression of the one Body shown in the local gathering of believers who meet to break bread together at the Lord’s Table, and in whose midst the Lord is present. Thus we read in Corinthians 10:16, “For we being many are one bread, one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread.” It is also written in this epistle (12:27), “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” Locally the Corinthians were such, but not to the exclusion of all other saints on earth. This truth is guarded by the epistle being addressed not merely “to the Church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints,” for with them are associated “all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” (1:2).