The Body

On previous posts I have talked about plurality in the church. I will once again address this topic using another familiar passage. This is a passage that we all know, yet we don't always look at it from the standpoint of church leadership.

1 Corinthians 12
1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
We established in the church polity post that elders were to be elected by qualifications and were to serve by gifts. As we begin this chapter we will see that Paul tells the Corinthians that previously they had been "led" to dumb idols. This clues us in to the fact that Paul will be addressing the idea of how they should be "led".
3Wherefore 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 Paul is still referring to how they are being taught. In other words, if a teacher does not recognize that Jesus is Lord, he is not of God.
4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
Paul makes it clear that it is not the "style" of the ministry that evidences truth.
8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10To 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: 11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
I understand that their are differences of interpretation on this word severally. Personally I believe that Paul is saying "individually as he will". Having said that, I do believe that the Lord can and often does give people seversl gifts as he chooses.
12For 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.
Even Christ is part of three. The Trinity.
13For 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. 14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
Paul says all gifts need to be operational in the church.
18But now hath God set ( see verse 28) the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20But now are they many members, yet but one body.
Do not be misled here. He is not saying that there can only be one of each part. Parts make up the members. For the head to operate it needs many parts.
21And 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. 22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23And 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. 24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
If I haven't lost you yet, watch how he finishes out.
27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
As we get to the last four verses we should notice several things. First of all, the church is singular and the parts are plural. I know that some will argue for the "universal church" here, but I don't believe that arguement holds merit as we examine the context of the passage. For lack of a better illustration let me say this; Paul is comparing the church to a body, and the eyes are both in the head. You do not take an eye from one body and move it to another. You also won't find one eye in Florida and another in Iowa. God puts them in proximity.
Secondly, several of the gifts listed here have to do with leadership and let me reiterate, ALL are plural.
Finally, I'd like to point out the word "set" again. God put them where they're at. He doesn't say that we may need a transplant.
28And 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. 29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.

I do not want this post to be too didactic, so I am leaving a little for you to study out. I hope that you do that.
Until next time, Jon