Lesson 50: The Work of Becoming One Body

Scripture reading: 1 Cor. 12:12

1 Corinthians 12:12 NASB95

For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

Introduction

Just as we have hands, feet, eyes, nose, and a mouth in our body, each with its own function, God has given different members of the church to carry out various tasks.

1 Corinthians 12:4–6 NASB95

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

In this lesson, we will take a closer look at the topic that all the members are ultimately one body.

1. All members are one in Jesus

(1) There are many members, but the body is one.

There are many members in the body, but all the members must be unified as one.

1 Corinthians 12:12 NASB95

For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:20 NASB95

But now there are many members, but one body.

(2) There are many members, but if they all look to Jesus Christ, they are one.

Ephesians 4:4–6 NASB95

There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Only when the members follow Jesus and look to Him, they can become one in Him.

Romans 15:5–6 NASB95

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is a great sin to split into factions, form parties, or encourage division in the church

If like-minded people gather in the church to divide factions, form parties, and create divisions in order to gain their own interests, it is a great sin, destroying the unity of the church.

The apostle Paul even declared that those who form parties would not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:20–21 NASB95

idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

If we bite and devour one another in the church, we will eventually all perish together.

Galatians 5:15 NASB95

But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Jesus also said in Matt. 12:25

Matthew 12:25 NASB95

And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.

There can never be divisions in Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 1:10–13 NASB95

Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

There can never be any divisions in Jesus Christ. After all, strife is caused when you leave Jesus Christ, so believers should not follow people, but only follow Jesus Christ.

Conclusion: What is the foundation of our unity?

Jesus taught us that He and the Father are one, but this doesn’t mean they were Siamese twins, or that they were one and the same person. He was not pretending to pray to the Father. The Trinity is not like water that either appears as solid, liquid or gas. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And it is the tri-unity of God that is the foundation of our unity.

John 17:21 ESV

that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Each person of the Triune Godhead plays a unique function in their salvation that flows out of their personhood. The Father begets the Son, and so in the history of redemption the Father elects those who would be His sons.

John 10:29 NASB95

“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

And the different functions of each person of the Trinity is seen here in the opening passage in Ephesians.

The Father elects.

Ephesians 1:3–6 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

The Son saves.

Ephesians 1:7–10 ESV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

The Spirit seals.

Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

1 Peter 1:2 ESV

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.