1 Corinthians 12:7-21

For Reading and Meditation:     Zechariah 4:1-14

Having followed the experience of the psalmist, who was saved from a spiritual fall by thinking of his brethren, we now ask ourselves: What does all this have to say to us? I think the answer to that question must be this: to stand is more important than to understand. We said a few days ago that the psalmist took...

The church occupies a place of tremendous importance in the mind of Christ, and it should be extremely important in our estimation as well.

We sense its importance by the prominent space it occupies in the New Testament. Also it claimed a significant place in the ministry of the apostles. Paul, for instance, spoke of his twofold ministry - to preach the Gospel and to declare the truth of the church (Ephesians 3:8-9). The apostles spoke of...

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey?One and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills… The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. § As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. § It is required in stewards that one be found faithful. § For everyone to whom much is given,...

He is the head of the body, the church. § Head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. § We are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.A body You have prepared for Me. § Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.They were Yours, You gave them to Me. § He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world....

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. § That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our...

Azmaveth the son of Adiel was over the king’s treasuries; and Jehonathan … was over the storehouses … Ezri … was over those who did the work of the field for tilling the ground … Shimei … was over the vineyards … All these were the officials over King David’s property.God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues … One and the same Spirit works all these...

  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27).

The Holy Spirit baptizes us into the Lord Jesus, and fills us with Him.

"The one spiritual baptism positions the believer in Christ' (