PICL UNIT #14
Body Ministry
Understanding the doctrine of body ministry contributes to making the average Christian life exciting! It is not uncommon for a believer to think that only Pastors, Elders and Deacons are to be involved in ministry, but that is not what the Bible teaches.
In this brief study, you will learn four great truths about body ministry:
1. Every Christian should be a minister
2. Every Christian has a ministry
3. Every ministry is important
4. Every ministry is dependent on another
Body ministry is simply when a portion of the body of Christ ministers to (serves) a portion of the body of Christ. Body ministry is realized when the body of Christ ministers to itself under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Although the term “body ministry” is not found in the Bible, the concept is found throughout the New Testament.
The church (the body of Christ) is likened to a human body.
* 1 Corinthians 12:4-28
* Colossians 1:24
* Colossians 2:19
According to the above Scriptures, the following points can be made:
* Something from the Holy Spirit can be seen in each believer to help everyone.
* It is the Holy Spirit who decides which spiritual gift to give each person.
* A person’s body is only one thing, but it has many parts. Yes, there are many parts to a body, but all those parts make only one body. The body of Christ is like that too.
* If each part of the body were the same part, there would be no body. But God (in His wisdom) places the parts in the body as He wants them.
* God wanted the different parts within His body to care the same for each other.
* The whole body must depend on Christ and, because of Him, all the parts of the body care for each other and help each other. This strengthens the body and holds it together. And so, the body grows in the way God wants.
Because each member of the body of Christ has a ministry, we are all called to minister.
* 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
* Romans 5:1-2
* Galations 6:2
* 1 Corinthians 11:17-20
* Ephesians 4:11-13
According to the above Scriptures, the following statements can be made:
* God gave each of us the ministry of bringing others into a peace with Him.
* The stronger in faith are called to minister to the weaker in faith.
* Each member of the body of Christ is called to help each other with one another’s troubles.
* Each Christian needs to be prepared for works of service (ministry).
The doctrine of body ministry speaks of being connected and commitment of one to another. It also speaks of involvement.