Unity and diversity in the body [1Corinthians 11:12-14]
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptised 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. And so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
As our two churches discover, especially this year, more of what it means to be a partnership, our prayers surrounding the image of the body is already giving rich insights into how God may be shaping our partnership:
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptised 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. And so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
As our two churches discover, especially this year, more of what it means to be a partnership, our prayers surrounding the image of the body is already giving rich insights into how God may be shaping our partnership:
- We considered the intricacy of a baby, created from an originating cell yet so complex and beautiful and certainly created and not random
- We connected this to our own place in the Body of Christ - none of us here by accident but by God's design, not simply by our random choice but by God going ahead of us, placing us where he chooses for our wellbeing and in order to serve those around us, with those around us.
- One of our pray-ers described football supporters on either side of the stadium - each calling out their left-hand/right-hand identity in the stands, but both supporting the same team.
- Another picture of all of us in a circle, each with a different perspective and postion, but with Christ at the centre, the focus on him, not our differences
- We were drawn to the Psalm 133 , reminded that the extravagent "oil of blessing" runs down beyond it's origins to flow out on the surrounding ground - a picture of God blessing more than just those who gather in our churches.
- How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard,down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life for evermore.
- How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard,down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life for evermore.
- We were reminded that our church denominations do not define the limits of belonging to God's people - each group should complement the other, not compete.
- We prayed for our worshiping life, thanking God for those who serve in different ways, and reminded of the contribution that the Apostle Paul called upon
- [1Cor 14:26] What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
- [1Cor 14:26] What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.