Paul’s Teachings, Spiritual Gifts, and the Organization of the Body of Christ Church

The Apostle Paul, separated from the 12 apostles by God in Acts 13, was given the Gospel of Grace (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and the doctrine for the Body of Christ. His teachings reveal how salvation is by grace through faith, the purpose of spiritual gifts, and how the church should function while awaiting the Rapture.

  1. Salvation by Grace Through Faith Alone

Paul preached that salvation is received by believing in the finished work of Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection:

  • 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 – “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Nothing else saves. Works, the Law, and religious rituals cannot add to what Christ has finished:

  • Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
  • Romans 3:28 – “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

The moment we believe, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit:

  • Ephesians 1:13 – “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”

  1. The Role of Spiritual Gifts in the Church

Paul affirms that spiritual gifts are real, given by God, and should be desired for the edification of the church. While they will cease for individuals at different times in life, they remain available to the Body of Christ as a whole.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 – “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. [6] And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. [7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

The most excellent way to exercise gifts is through charity (love):

  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 – “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. [2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

Paul says to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy, for edification:

  • 1 Corinthians 14:1 – “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”

However, all things must be done in order:

  • 1 Corinthians 14:40 – “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

  1. The Organization of the Body of Christ Church

The Body of Christ is not a building but a living organism with Christ as the Head (Ephesians 1:22-23). Paul outlines church leadership, member roles, and how worship should be conducted.

A. Leadership in the Church

Paul teaches that bishops (overseers) and deacons must be qualified and grounded in sound doctrine:

  • 1 Timothy 3:1-2 – “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. [2] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”

Elders must be able to refute false teachers:

      •     Titus 1:9 – “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”

  1. The Role of Spiritual Gifts in the Church

Paul affirms that spiritual gifts are real, given by God, and should be desired for the edification of the church. While they will cease for individuals at different times in life, they remain available to the Body of Christ as a whole.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 – “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. [6] And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. [7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

The most excellent way to exercise gifts is through charity (love):

  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 – “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. [2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

Paul says to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy, for edification:

  • 1 Corinthians 14:1 – “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”

However, all things must be done in order:

  • 1 Corinthians 14:40 – “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

  1. The Organization of the Body of Christ Church

The Body of Christ is not a building but a living organism with Christ as the Head (Ephesians 1:22-23). Paul outlines church leadership, member roles, and how worship should be conducted.

B. The Role of Every Member

Every believer has a role in the Body of Christ:

  • Romans 12:4-5 – “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: [5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
  • Ephesians 4:11-13 – “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”

Paul calls believers to study and rightly divide the Word:

  • 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

    C. Worship and the Lord’s Supper

Paul instructs believers to gather for:

  • Preaching and Teaching (2 Timothy 4:2)
  • Edification and Encouragement (Colossians 3:16)
  • Prayer and Thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
  • The Lord’s Supper ( 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

Paul emphasizes the proper observance of the Lord’s Supper:

  • 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: [24] And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. [25] After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. [26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”

This is not for forgiveness of sins, but a remembrance of Christ’s finished work.

  1. Stirring Up the Gift of the Holy Spirit While Awaiting the Rapture

Paul calls believers to stir up the Holy Spirit for revival, to stand firm in sound doctrine and be ambassadors for Christ while awaiting our blessed hope, the Rapture:

  • 2 Timothy 1:6-7 – “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. [7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
  • Titus 2:13 – “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Paul warns that believers should not be caught off guard:

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 – “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. [5] Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”

Conclusion

The Body of Christ is to function as a Spirit-filled assembly, united in grace, faith, and truth. We are saved by believing the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), we grow by rightly dividing the Word, and we serve until Christ returns.

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