Bible Studies

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“He did this to prepare all God’s people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ. And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God; we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ’s full stature.” – Ephesians 4:12-13 (GNB).

It is often typical in our Christian journey to ponder on the necessity of partaking in church. Bearing in mind that our salvation is a personal experience and our relationship with God can be individual, how then significant or imperative is it to be part of the gathering of believers? Would it be wholesome to skip the part where we fellowship with one another, as long as we are in the faith? Apostle Paul tells us about the importance of the church (or the body of Christ, as he puts it), as it concerns our individual and collective faith.

When we become a part of God’s family, He does not desert us out here or leaves us to fend for ourselves (as most reptile species would their young) till Christ’s return. But like a diligent farmer would care for a sprouting seedling in the nursery, God tends and nurtures us every step of the way as we blossom to maturity in Christ. It is God’s desire that we are complete in Him and He executes this through the church. The church can be likened to a refinery which converts raw material and enhances crude articles into optimal products of value. Just like the refining of sugar beets and cane into the pure crystallized sugar that we all like, or the refining of gold into the highly desired pure and glittery form, every component of this process plays a significant role in order to achieve the ultimate aspiration. And in the process, they function effectively in the purpose for which they are intended.

Without the body of Christ, we cannot be fully equipped to function in the manifestation of all of God’s wonderful plans for us. Only when the early church recognized that they were one body in Christ, then were they empowered to do the great exploits we read about in the scriptures! As a result of this unanimity, the gospel spread across boundaries and there was a great increase in faith among the early apostles. Each one was equipped to function in grace and this made the church as a body to expand and flourish in faith.

Every time believers are united in worship, there is a release of divine proficiency that is designed to equip and edify one another, and vanquish all infirmities. This is demonstrated through the spiritual gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit. The bible admonishes us not to neglect the fellowship among brethren (Hebrews 10:24-25) and emphasizes on its pleasantness before God (Psalm 133:1). Paul lists a few of the ways (1 Corinthians 12:27-28) in which these gifts of the Spirit are manifested – evangelism, preaching, teaching, healing, prophecy, encouragement, counsel, miracles, great faith. He also indicates that there are many other spiritual gifts that (even though considered insignificant) are highly regarded by God. (1 Corinthians 12:22-25) Through all of this, God reaches out to the deepest parts of our existence (Hebrews 4:12) and calls forth things of eternity, so that we become more like His son, Jesus Christ. In this process, we are not only recipients, but also instruments through which other believers are edified (Proverbs 27:17).

Any responsibility (passive or active) in the body of Christ is a function of the divine gift apportioned to us (Ephesians 4:7, 11). And regardless of how minor it may seem, it is meant for the perfecting of the saints (Ephesians 4:12). The bible reminds us that all spiritual gifts and services rendered are of equal importance and from the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). In the times of frailty or vulnerability, God has provided a solace and fortress in the body of Christ – a place where iron sharpens iron.

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