Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  2024  Day 90

March 30;        I Corinthians 12:12;        145/260;        ‘We Are Christ’

I Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

This verse is so vitally important to me and I believe it gives every member of the Body of Christ great dignity.  Jesus Christ ministered on this earth as a Man, empowered by the Holy Spirit, so that when He returned to heaven He could send the Holy Spirit to empower every Christian as He was empowered to minister.  As Christians, we have Jesus’ love in our spirits.  We have the fruit of the Spirit in our spirit.  The fruit enable us to duplicate the character of Jesus.  We have been given the Name of Jesus to use in prayer.  Again when baptized in the Holy Spirit, we are empowered by the same power Jesus ministered by.  We have the same commission to minister on the earth that Jesus had.  Now, ‘we are Jesus Christ’ on this earth, continuing His ministry.  This verse gives us additional insight into the truth that we are Jesus Christ on the earth.  A local church is made up on many individual Christians.  Each Christian has been given different talents and abilities by the Lord to minister with.  There is one or more Pastors to oversee the local church.  A quick, but by no means complete example of other members would be the Praise and Worship Team.  There are Ushers to see to it that the services are conducted decently and in order.  Members teach the children.  Members teach the youths.  Members greet, work behind the scenes fulfilling all kinds of various needs to help each service run smoothly.  I could go on and on.  Notice this verse teaches ‘so also is Christ,’  That means that whatever a member does he or she is not only representing Jesus Christ, but by courtesy, conduct and love is ‘Jesus Christ’ Every ‘job’ in church is vital and reflects Jesus.