The picture of the church in 1 Corinthians 12 is quite startling. We are shown not only the intended unity of the church but also the place of the Holy Spirit in its work and in its very existence. Paul describes the body as made up of many members, but “to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Each one – not just the pastor or elders – everyone. No believer is on a higher spiritual level than another. The pastor “class” is not an indication of spiritual superiority. With God there is no distinction between priest and laity, for the Holy Spirit is with each person. He may operate though in a multitude of different ways though we all have the same anointing, if we are anointed at all. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Corinthians 12:13).
The church wants no dead limbs, no feet going to sleep, but everyone alive with the life of the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that makes the body, bringing together its living elements; what is needed is for the whole body to work together and move together in the same direction. The church is God’s dynamic force on earth. We are told about “the unity of the Spirit.” We are responsible for preserving the unity but the Holy Spirit is the unifying element. He holds us together – if we want to be together.
From Reinhard Bonnke
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