Giants of the Reformation (5)

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all… 1 Corinthians 12.7

Institutes of the Christian Religion
John Calvin (1509-1564)
“But a community is affirmed, such as Luke describes, in which the heart and soul of the multitude of believers are one; and such as Paul has in mind when he urges the Ephesians to be ‘one body and one Spirit, just as’ they ‘were called in one hope.’ If truly convinced that God is the common Father of all and Christ the common Head, being united in brother love, they cannot but share their benefits with one another.”

Our witness to the world begins in our relationships with our fellow church members. Life together in a local church affords many opportunities for identifying, nurturing, and employing spiritual gifts in service to one another. We are transformed into the image of Jesus Christ as we practice self-denial and cross-bearing, esteeming others better than ourselves, and using our gifts and opportunities to serve one another, encourage others in the faith, join to praise and thank the Lord, and share together in His Body and Blood. The more we do this – the more we actualize the unity we have in Christ – the greater is the likelihood that gifts for loving service will flow through our everyday lives as well. The church is the incubator of a witnessing way of life, through the shared benefits and ministries of its members. Where this is present, the Body of Christ will be visibly dispersed throughout the community, and not just when it assembles for worship.

What opportunities does your church provide for identifying and developing spiritual gifts, and then for putting them to use in serving your fellow church members? Are you making the most of these opportunities?

T. M. Moore

Mission Partners Outreach
The Lord calls all His sheep to live out their faith by being His witnesses; but being a witness for Christ doesn’t just happen. The flock of the Lord must be equipped for this calling, and Jesus has set shepherds over the flock to do that work. How can we equip the sheep to live for Christ and be His witnesses? Our Mission Partners Outreach provides the resources and framework for making witness-bearing disciples in your church. Want to learn how it works? Watch this brief video, then contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information. I will show you how to make this ministry work in your church.

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, John T. McNeill, ed., Ford Lewis Battles, tr. (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960), Vol. 2, Book IV, pp. 1012ff.