F or the basis of our study today we look to the Word of God in First Corinthians, 12th chapter. From this portion of Scripture, the Apostle Paul speaks of the church as the body of Christ. Each believer, of course, is a member of that body. We also find in this chapter how the church is to func tion, the various ministries, how the ministries are to be organized, and what the purpose of each is to be. “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are dif ferences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all” (I Cor. 12:4- 7). Here the outward operation and the inward essence of the church are brought to light. The inward essence has to do with our faith and belief. The outward expression has to do with the operation or the administration of the church. As to our faith, we believe in one Spirit, one Lord, and one God. The Spirit of God makes possible the new birth and brings us eternal life. The Lord Jesus Christ makes salvation pos sible since He died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. In all of these things there is to be complete unity. As to the administration of the
church, one may do it in one way, an other in a different manner. In such things we can differ. The important thing in Christian experience is in recognizing the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the deity and Saviourhood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the sovereignty of God the Father. Verses 8 through 11 reveal how God, through His Spirit, has ordained vari ous gifts for the church. Among these there is the gift of tongues. But in understanding this gift, let us see that it is given by the Holy Spirit, and that it is not given as a sign of spiritual growth or blessing. It was given to carry out a given ministry as a mis sionary gift. Although there are seven or eight gifts listed in this portion of Scripture, not every believer is to possess them all. All the gifts are given to the church, but not all the gifts are given to every believer (v. 8). These gifts are distributed to all so that not all possess the same gifts. Understanding this, we see immediately that those who claim that everyone should possess the gift of tongues, are in error. Paul indicates in another portion that the gift of tongues is not even the best gift. Our next study will reveal that. (continued on next page) 7
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