Each part of the body depends on the rest for its well-being, and there are no useless organs. There is quantitative and qualitative growth when believers discover and actively use their spiritual gifts. In this analogy, each Christian has been given a special function to perform and the ability to fulfill it in a way that will benefit the other members. 1:18), and believers are the individual members or components. Christ is the head, the ruler of the body (Eph. All believers have been baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ (1 Cor. Paul's metaphor for the church could not be more appropriate, because both the universal church (all believers) and the local church (geographically localized groups of believers) are unities which are built out of diverse elements. The three major New Testament lists of the gifts are all introduced by a description of the unity and diversity in the body of Christ. But the most frequently used metaphor for this new creation is the body of Christ (see Rom. This organism is also called a holy temple in Ephesians 2:20-22 and 1 Peter 2:4-5, and believers are its living stones. By virtue of both adoption and new birth, we have become sons and daughters of God. In Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 4:4-7, and Ephesians 2:19, it is described as a spiritual household or family. This organism consists of all those who have received the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. When the Holy Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, a new organism was created. Diversity and Unity in the Body of Christ We will also see how to discover and develop spiritual gifts and consider the danger of their abuse and directions for their use. In this booklet, we will look at the definition, design, desirability, and description of the gifts of the Spirit. The central thrust of your ministry depends on the spiritual gifts you have received. Every Christian is really a minister with a unique contribution to make to the body of Christ. God has given each believer a combination of opportunities and gifts that is perfectly suited to his or her situation in life. This material has been adapted from the Spirit-filled Spirituality facet in my book, Conformed to His Image.
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