(1Co 12:12) “For 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. (13)  For 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.”  Whether by ignorance, neglect, or unbelief, this is probably the most overlooked passages of Scripture. We do not hold each other up as vitally important to each other and the work of the local church.

(1Co 12:11) “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”  Here it is revealed that the Spirit of God is not a force, but a Person. He has volition; a will exercised to give us what He sees we or the church needs.

(1Co 12:10) “To 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:”  The Book of Acts Chapter Two reveals tongues are known languages. They were given for the purpose of speaking to the Jew. The Jew was to recognize God’s Word as being fulfilled. Yet God knew they would not obey it: (1Co_14:21) “In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. (22)  Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:” So, in reality it was for condemnation of rejecting His Word – His Son.

(1Co 12:10) “To 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:”  This was the instruction, verbal epistles needed, for there was no New Testament in that day. Once they had the completed New Testament, given by the Holy Ghost, this “gift” was removed.

(1Co 12:10) “To 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:”  The continuation of miracles from the time of Jesus was a testimony unto the resurrection of Christ. It was  sign to the Jew that this One Who performed miracles and was crucified, now continued to live. This was what was preached: “He Who died in payment for our sins is alive! God the Father raised Him from the dead! He is indeed the Christ.”

(1Co 12:9) “To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;”  There are “gifts” which we no longer see today. Yes, I know there are those who are said to have these, but they are not like those of the early saints. Healing is not today upon one who does not have faith; or immediate and full. Yes, God does heal at times, but on His Own and not through a human instrument.

(1Co 12:9) “To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;”   Why have certain gifts ceased? Because their whole purpose was as a sign to the Jewish nation (Jn 4:48; 10:38; 1 Cor 14:42); that which was prophesized in Scripture (Is 35:4-5; 42:6-7). After the destruction of Jerusalem and the nation scattered, these signs ceased.

(1Co 12:8) “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;”  The Book of James tells us wisdom is something the Lord would like to give to every saved person. Proverbs tells us the same. I believe wisdom is the ability to see the end result of a decision.

(1Co 12:7) “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” “Withal”: for all. He Who loves man enough to bear their sins on a cross, now lives inside those who are Born Again, spiritually made alive, saved. He does so in the person of the Holy Spirit. His person in us gives us abilities (gifts), not for self, but for ministry to others. He lives, works, using our minds, ears, mouth, hands, and feet.

(1Co 12:6) “And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”  The Holy Spirit knows just what we, and the church for that matter, need. So, He gives us the abilities needed for that work. He even moves us from place to place to fit us where we can be best used. To God be the glory!