하나님께 가까이 함이 내게 복이라(시편73:28)

1 Corinthians 12

This chapter dealing with the Holy Spirt who makes each part of the church to come together so that all become one by the calling.

With the Holy Spirit no one may call Jesus one to be cursed. Without Holy Spirit, no one may call Jesus as the Lord. This is the reason why the sin blaspheming the Holy Spirit never be forgiven but becomes eternal sin (cf. Mark 3).

All are different in the gifts but one in formation of the church. The spiritual gifts are coming from above so that no one may boast himself/herself. Paul takes an example from body. Hand cannot criticize foot for not being hand. Ear cannot dismiss eyes. If one part suffers, all the body suffer.

The Corinthians has a number of strives within the church, like the debates on spiritual gifts. Paul said that they are different but nit any of them be wrong.

An intertextuality interpreter may find Ephesians 4:1-6, where Paul insisted the church in Ephesus that the Holy Spirit is one, and the calling is also one in peace so that we all need to keep what the Holy Spirit made one in harmony.

Just as Paul taught husband and wife makes one unified family, so that one is head and the other body, he now is teaching each member with spiritual gift makes the church united in the Holy Spirit. Back to the home, we cannot find any discriminators between genders but harmony like orchestra playing wonderful music with different musical instruments.

In the church, one teaches, one heals, one prophesies, and one serves. We all need look for better spiritual gift: the love. This will be dealt in the following chapter: 1 Corinthians 13.

In the sharing, Joshua spoke of equality of each of the members in the church. Dorthy questioned of speaking of things of future in name of prophecy. Billy spoke each gift is one that comes from above, not that of one’s acquiring. No reason for any boasting! Prophecy is not speaking of future, which power is not given to human beings, but deliver the words given to us. About speaking tongues and prophecy, we will deal with in 1 Corinthians 14.

What is important in times of turmoils with chaotic situations is to keep spiritual routine. We the Christians need to stand still under the hands of the Almighty God. Psalm 23 writes: the Lord is my Shepherd, and I shall not in want. Even though we walk in the valley under the shadow of death we fear nothing, because the Lord is with us.

May God bless all of you, walking with the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!