St. Aidan's Anglican Church, Kansas City - Weekly Talks

As Paul addresses some of the problems with the church in Corinth, he is most concerned with how corporate worship is conducted. Is it a symphony of harmonizing parts for the common good? Does it build up all who are gathered? Temple – build up, edify: seven times (3, 4 (twice), 5, 12, 17, 26 Paul is using a metaphor related to building a temple, of building up the corporate Temple of the Holy Spirit, the Body of Jesus, Jesus himself being the True Temple. Peter uses the same metaphor: “You yourselves, like living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood…” I Pet. 2:5 As we consider prophecy and spiritual language (tongues), we need to hear Paul address how the church should function in worship so that all the gifts of the Spirit are offered FOR THE COMMON GOOD. "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” I Cor 12:7 In verse 2 forward, Paul clarifies the proper use of prophecy and tongues in public worship. As we make love our aim, the use of