Membership in the True Body

12Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by^c one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)

Thoughts: The idea of membership gets its true beginning in this passage.  Scholars say that the word "membership" was rare before this.  The idea is that we who believe are members of the body of Christ- we belong together and we belong to Christ.  It is not an institutionalization thing- it is a way to publicly and openly have our lives reflect our hearts.  When we are baptized, we are initiated.  Baptism is like the invisible tattoo that we have been affected by faith.  Paul is also emphasizing the "oneness" of the church.  The true church, the invisible church is made up of those who truly believe.  It is not a matter of which denomination you are of- such things are human and frail constructs.  Baptism is not to a denomination- it is to Christ- and there is a unity that transcends denominations, church walls, and petty statements.  Denominations may fail, but the kingdom of God will never fail.  The true body is not made up of one part or even many parts- not even a 1.2 million part.  The true body of Christ is made up of all parts that believe and show that belief in baptism.  Baptism and joining the church is an automatic sign of unity.  So if a Jew joins with particular beliefs and a Gentile joins with a different set of beliefs there is still is unity (vs. 13).  If there are people with different political or economic beliefs there is oneness too (slave or free- vs. 13).  I would hope that if there are cultural differences and perspectives that the faith could transcend these too.  Membership is important.  It means you belong- not just to each other or to the Church- but to Christ.  To neglect or forsake membership means to neglect or forsake your family, the children of Christ.  But despite our choices, we can never be un-baptized.  The faith has always affected us- whether we claim it or not.  The Lord wants us to claim our faith and to stay united despite the unbelief and ideologies who would love to see us divided.  Churches may be divided, and denominations may be broken but the body of Christ is never truly divided. Once you have drunk of the true Spirit you cannot un-drink it (13).   Christ is never divided.  Christ prayed that we would be one (Jn. 17).  Being truly a member of the body- a bodypart of the body- should inspire us to play our part- fulfill our role, and use our particular gifts to build up and encourage the body more than seek to be encouraged ourselves.   

Prayers: Lord, give me grace to value my being part of your body- a member for you.