1 Corinthians 12:1-3
Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-3
Helpful Background Information:
In our sermon passage for the week, Mark 8:27-38, Peter confesses Jesus Christ to be the Messiah. As seen in the parallel Gospel texts, Matthew includes Jesus explaining to Peter that God the Father revealed this truth to him. A confession of faith is not the mere result of rationality alone, but is first and foremost a divine gift of grace.
In 1 Corinthians 12:1-3, the Apostle Paul strikes a similar note. After discussing the Lord’s Supper, Paul transitions to discuss the diversity of spiritual giftings. As the church in Corinth was made up of former pagans, the Corinthians were likely deficient when it came to understanding the most basic matters of spiritual discernment. Hence, Paul explains, “Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus is cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit.” Spiritual discernment begins by recognizing what comes from the Holy Spirit and what does not. If people are blaspheming the name of Christ, then that person does not have the Holy Spirit. But, if they do have the Holy Spirit, they will confess Christ as Lord and glorify him because the Holy Spirit always leads people to Christ’s Lordship.
From this verse, we see again that the ability to genuinely confess Christ as Lord is a gift that comes outside of ourselves. Believing in Jesus is a Trinitarian reality. The decision to reveal it to an individual is made by the Father, made possible by the Spirit, and the confession centers around Christ and his saving work.
Reflection Questions:
In Mark 8, Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah. How is Peter’s confession similar to what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 12:3?
Both passages show different members of the Trinity at work in salvation. How do you see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together in someone coming to faith?
Reflect on your own walk with the Lord. When did you first realize and truly believe that “Jesus is Lord”? In hindsight, how do you see the Holy Spirit at work in that moment?