James Street Church of Christ

So Also Is Christ

By Scott Klaft

Looking to stem the tide of religious ignorance and division, the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about the miraculous gifts around which they had been dividing:

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” (1st Corinthians 12:12)

Expanding on the parallels, Paul makes the point that each body part is important, fulfilling its function, even when it seems that some body parts are more vulnerable, less attractive, or not openly honored. God has designed, and positioned “the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him” (12:18 ).

The absurd notion that each body part could be an eye, and maintain the useful function of being a body (12:19), is so ridiculous so as not to require explanation. It is unfortunate that the parallel is not clearly understood that “so also is [the body of] Christ”. We cannot all be the “apostles… prophets… evangelists… pastors… [or] teachers”; which is why “some” were given shortly after the Lord ascended to His throne (cf. Ephesians 4:8-11), while others may have been something else to the body of Christ (cf. 1st Corinthians 12:28-30).

That notwithstanding, each body part must perform its function, or it begins to wither and die. There was a purpose for those miraculous gifts, and there was a purpose to those miraculous functions.

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” (Ephesians 4:14, 15)

Each part working together allows the body to perform its function healthfully, and growing up, developing into spiritual maturity (cf. 1st Corinthians 13:11). But this only works when all body parts are working in the good works God has designed the body to accomplish:

“...which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:15, 16)

Are we to say that because we are not the ‘preacher’, we have nothing to contribute to the advancement of the cause of the body? Are we to say that because what we do is less glamorous, we are not going to do anything at all?

“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1st Corinthians 12:27). There is much work to be done, and few enough members of the body to do it. Every last seemingly insignificant thing you can contribute is absolutely necessary, appreciated, and encouraging to every other body part that is trying so hard to get the job done.

What are you contributing? What function do you provide? What would you do if a member of your body just stopped doing anything your head told it to do? Be careful that the Great Physician does not find a need to become the Great Surgeon in order to remove your part of the body lest it infect the other parts (cf. Mark 9:43-48 ).

But what if you are not yet a part of the body? Fear not, friends; He is able to “graft” us in as if we had always been there (cf. Romans 11:24). All we have to do is come to Him on His terms (cf. Acts 2:38 ), and find your function in the body, being obedient to the Head (cf. Hebrews 5:8, 9, Colossians 1:18 ). Then, let’s be about our Father’s business; “for so also is Christ.”