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1 Corinthians 12-13
1 Corinthians 12-13
As we read chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians, I wanted to share a paragraph from a commentary that I have found helpful in my understanding of this book. I will add a few observations to this at the end.. Hugh
"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit" (1Cor. 12:13).
FOR – Verse 13 seems to be an explanation of how it is that "we all" become part of the one body, and (in the latter part of the verse) how it is that we have gifts that differ.
By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – "by one Spirit" evidently means "under His influence, under His direction, by His agency." Interpreting the Greek construction as being a "dative of agent," 12:13a says that under the influence of the Spirit, we (who are now Christians) were all led to the place where we were baptized (in water for the remission of sis) into the body of Christ. Because of the work of the Holy Spirit in conversion, we are members of the one body – the church. "We were baptized" – immersed! If the passage is dealing with how folk come to be members of the body of Christ in the first place, it seems likely that the "baptism" spoken of is the baptism in water as commanded in the Great commission. Other explanations of the possible meaning of this verse have been offered. Some think al converts experience a "baptism in the Spirit" that precedes and is different from baptism in water. Some, even, have mistakenly suggested that such a "baptism in the Spirit" makes immersion in water unnecessary. Some have insisted that "baptism in the Spirit" has reference to a post-conversion "deeper-life" experience. Since none of these alternatives is free of difficulties, so as to commend itself to our acceptance, we treat it as affirming that the Holy Spirit was active in the conversion of each of the Corinthian Christians, leading each of the converts to their faith and obedience in baptism in response to the preached Word. How shall we take the word "all" in both parts of this 13th verse? Does it speak of all the members of the church – Paul including himself? If we take "all" in a universal sense (meaning every last Christian) in verse 13a, can we take it any other way except universally in the latter part of the verse? "Into one body" means" so as to become one body." That all the converts might form "one body" was the goal of the Spirit's activity in their conversion. In 1:13ff, Paul has already appealed to the one baptism into Christ as pointing the Corinthians away from their factions and rivalries to the essential unity of believers in Christ. That's the point of this verse. Jews or Gentiles, bond or free, all alike are baptized into the one body. Would it be in error to say that without the one baptism in water (resulting from the Spirit's leading), a man is not part of the one body? We think not! (1 Corinthians A Commentary by Gareth L. Reese, pg. 441-443).
Such is in accord with the record of the beginnings of the church in Corinth. We read in Acts 18:8 that "Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized."
Such was the process that we see at the beginning of the book of Acts. Peter, under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, concluded his first sermon in Acts 2:36: "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
The response of the listeners was that "when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (vs. 37).
To this Peter responded by the Spirit: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself" (38-39).
To this instruction that was given by inspiration of the Spirit, "those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls". This then continued in the same way " And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved" (47).
Such is the one baptism (Eph. 4:4-6) of the great commission (Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 16:15-16).
Hugh DeLong
