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"By one Spirit..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:13

THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Paul knew that there were few who fully appreciated the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This lack of knowledge and understanding would be detrimental in more ways than one. Thus, he sought to teach about the ministry of the Spirit of God in the following text.

“For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body-
whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-
and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 12:13

1. “For by one Spirit”

a) The word “one” underscores the idea of “oneness”.

b) One Spirit strengthens even more the idea of “oneness”.

c) We are reminded of what Paul wrote to the Ephesians to emphasise “oneness”.

“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope
of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and
Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Ephesians 4:3-6

2. We were baptised into one body

a) This is a reference to our being spiritually baptised.

i) The moment a person is genuinely converted he is baptised into the body of Christ.

ii) He becomes a child of God through faith and a member of God’s household.

b) The physical expression of baptism:

i) This is a public expression of a true personal faith in Christ Jesus.

ii) Through public baptism the individual declares his faith in Christ.

3. No ethnic or social distinctions in Christ

a) Ethnic distinctions (Jews/ Greeks)

b) Social distinctions (Slave/Free)

4. And have been made to drink into one Spirit

a) The figure of “drinking” represents:

i) Food and drink for sustenance.

ii) Water (so obvious it is not stated) represents life.

b) The Spirit of God brings about regeneration and revival.

c) His ministry in us can cause us to flow with rivers of living water (John 7:37-39).