I Corinthians 12

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit” (12:13). Paul explained to the diverse and sometimes chaotic Corinthian church that their unity was based on being part of Jesus’ Body, full of His Spirit.  People who declare “Jesus is Lord” (v3) – meaning we follow Jesus as Savior and King – are bound together in one purpose, and God gives us a variety of gifts “for the common good” (v7).

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (v27). In Christ we are neither identical nor independent, but instead valuable, interconnected members of one Body (v14-31).