The body of Christ

[kejonn]

I would like to discuss the body of Christ (hereafter referred to as just “the Body”). I would also like us to consider what the Body is based on scriptural evidence, not some creed or man-made writings. I am a strong believer in basing what I believe upon prayer, opening myself up to the one who will “teach me all things”, and studying the Bible.

There is a reason for what I'm doing, and I think that if we can get a solid feel for what the Body is, we will open ourselves up to some greater truth. I'll start.

Romans 12:1-8
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;

7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;

8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

The above verses give us some idea about the Body. We know that the Body is made up of true believers, ones who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Verses 1-3 above give us some good advice in how we are to be true and effective representatives of the Body.

Verses 4-5 tell us that the Body is made up of many members and that each of the members have different functions, just as our own bodies have hands, feet, eyes, ears, etc. But note also that although each member has a different function, we are all one as the Body is the sum of its members. The last part is the best: we are all individually members of one another; that is, if functioning properly, we all carry out the Will of God in cooperation. Think of all the parts of your own body that must cooperate to carry out certain tasks in life.

The remaining verse quoted above give many examples of the various functions that are carried out by members of the Body. Again, the symbolism is strong, because we know that each part of our own body has a different function, and while all are not necessary to live, if any are removed, the body is not truly whole. So is the case with the Body — when one member falls away, the Body is hurt and must recover from the loss. But the perfection that comes from God allows this Body to heal quickly unlike our own physical body many times. This can occur more quickly if the rest of the Body seeks God's Will in moving forward in Him.

If you want to get a more extensive idea of the Body in relation to the verses listed above, read and study 1 Cor. 12.

Obviously, the most important part of our body is our head. The heart is also very important, but even our own body can survive if an unhealthy heart is replaced. Not so for the head. That is why the most important part of the Body, the head, is Christ.

Colossians 1:18 – He [Jesus] is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

At this point, I want to stop and point out something that may seem obvious to you, but others may not have thought of. Beyond what we see in the above verse, what enables Jesus to be part of the Body at all? What is the Body made of? It's members are of Man, just as Christ was Man, and the life force that indwells the Body is the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Body is still all of the same substance – Man suffused with the Holy Spirit.

Think further of what the head does. In our own bodies, what directs our various body parts? Is it not the head (the brain)? Therefore as the rest of our own bodies are directed by our heads, so should the Body be directed by Christ. Therefore we should seek the will of God through Christ. This relationship is seen below.

1 Corinthians 11:3– But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

Please meditate on this verse because I would like to bring it back up later to reveal something many may have overlooked before. I think the key to understanding a much debated topic on this board is understanding what the Body of Christ truly is and where the concept originated.

To close out this initial post, I want you to think on something. Remember when you were a child and played hiding games with your friends. Perhaps one of your friends hid behind a tree, but his hand was sticking out and you recognized it. “I see you” would be the words in your mind and perhaps out of your mouth. Did you truly see all of that person? No, but why did you say “I see you” then?

There can many extensions of this idea, one being that we, who are called by His name, are representatives of the Body of Christ. When someone observes what we do, what we say, they may get either a good or bad impression of the rest of the Body just based on us. Let's be careful that we do not harm the rest of the Body.

[NickHassan]

Hi KJ,
Entry into the Body of Christ is by faith, but faith alone is insufficient-even demons believe[Jas]. Without faith it is impossible to please God but Paul laid out the principles in Heb 6

“1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3And this will we do, if God permit.

4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,”

So to be a part of the Body requires that we partake of the Spirit of Christ which enlivens that Body.

Rom 8
“9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

Christ must be born into us as Spirit.
Gal 4
” 19My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, “

Likewise we must die and be buried with Christ in baptism to be able to join with him in his resurrection. We follow him.

Rom 6
” 3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: “

We must be clothed in Christ.

Gal 3
” 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Indeed to see and enter the kingdom we must go through the gate.
We must be born of water and the Spirit.

[kejonn]

Thanks Nick, sorry I created a new thread on the Body of Christ, but the other one seemed to be heading in a different direction than I wanted to move in so I did not want to tag on to it.

Quote (Nick Hassan @ July 05 2007,11:09)

Hi KJ,Entry into the Body of Christ is by faith, but faith alone is insufficient-even demons believe[Jas]. Without faith it is impossible to please God but Paul laid out the principles in Heb 6

Agreed, although I think most would know what faith was spoke of in relation to Christ as opposed to the demons merely believing. They believed in his existence but did not have faith in him as Lord and Savior.

Quote

So to be a part of the Body requires that we partake of the Spirit of Christ which enlivens that Body.

Amen. It is the Holy Spirit that infuses the Body with life.

Quote

Likewise we must die and be buried with Christ in baptism to be able to join with him in his resurrection. We follow him.

As we should. He is the Head, and just as members of your own body can only act upon what the head tells them to do, so must we act upon what our Head, Christ, tells us.

Quote

Indeed to see and enter the kingdom we must go through the gate. We must be born of water and the Spirit.

Just out of curiosity, what do you feel is the water above?

[NickHassan]

Hi KJ,
There is no salvation by faith alone in scripture or by accepting him as Lord and Saviour.
He is Lord and Saviour anyway but we must be reborn into him.

That is a popular myth.

Acts 8
” 36And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”

Acts 10
“46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”

Acts 22
” 16And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. “

[kejonn]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ July 05 2007,11:26)

Hi KJ, There is no salvation by faith alone in scripture or by accepting him as Lord and Saviour. He is Lord and Saviour anyway but we must be reborn into him. That is a popular myth. Acts 8 ” 36And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” Acts 10 “46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” Acts 22 ” 16And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. “

Nick,

Popular myth, perhaps. But it depends on you viewpoint. If someone is truly your lord, then you serve him and seek to please him. You don't just say it and believe it, but you also live it. That is why it can be summarized as such.

The subject of water baptism is not directly related to this thread so it can be discussed elsewhere.

Thanks.

[NickHassan]

Hi KJ,
Christ mentioned those who call on him as ” Lord, Lord, ..”
but he does not know them, and calls them workers of iniquity.
It matters that he knows us.

[kejonn]

Nick,
Yes, But what exactly does calling him “Lord, Lord” mean in this context? I can call someone lord but not honor him, serve him, and seek to please him. I think that is where the rubber meets the road.

John 14:21 – “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”

1 Corinthians 8:3 – but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

[NickHassan]

Hi KJ,
You quote the words of Jesus
“John 14:21 – “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”

So to obey his commands we need to be born again. He told us we must and that is a command.
He too said
” seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God…” and he is the gate and the gatekeeper
so coming in repentant faith to Christ to be reborn is top priority.

The only Way to the father is through the Son.
He is the mediator.
We waste our time trying to cut out the middle man.

[NickHassan]

Hi KJ,
The powers of Christ come from the Spirit of Christ and all in the Body should be active in their particular endowment of gifts. All should also manifest the kindly fruits of the Spirit seen in Christ.

1Cor 12
1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

2Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14For the body is not one member, but many.

15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.'
Gal 5
” 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. “

[NickHassan]

Quote (kejonn @ July 05 2007,10:53)

I would like to discuss the body of Christ (hereafter referred to as just “the Body”). I would also like us to consider what the Body is based on scriptural evidence, not some creed or man-made writings. I am a strong believer in basing what I believe upon prayer, opening myself up to the one who will “teach me all things”, and studying the Bible. There is a reason for what I'm doing, and I think that if we can get a solid feel for what the Body is, we will open ourselves up to some greater truth. I'll start. Romans 12:1-8 1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. The above verses give us some idea about the Body. We know that the Body is made up of true believers, ones who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Verses 1-3 above give us some good advice in how we are to be true and effective representatives of the Body. Verses 4-5 tell us that the Body is made up of many members and that each of the members have different functions, just as our own bodies have hands, feet, eyes, ears, etc. But note also that although each member has a different function, we are all one as the Body is the sum of its members. The last part is the best: we are all individually members of one another; that is, if functioning properly, we all carry out the Will of God in cooperation. Think of all the parts of your own body that must cooperate to carry out certain tasks in life. The remaining verse quoted above give many examples of the various functions that are carried out by members of the Body. Again, the symbolism is strong, because we know that each part of our own body has a different function, and while all are not necessary to live, if any are removed, the body is not truly whole. So is the case with the Body — when one member falls away, the Body is hurt and must recover from the loss. But the perfection that comes from God allows this Body to heal quickly unlike our own physical body many times. This can occur more quickly if the rest of the Body seeks God's Will in moving forward in Him. If you want to get a more extensive idea of the Body in relation to the verses listed above, read and study 1 Cor. 12. Obviously, the most important part of our body is our head. The heart is also very important, but even our own body can survive if an unhealthy heart is replaced. Not so for the head. That is why the most important part of the Body, the head, is Christ. Colossians 1:18 – He [Jesus] is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. At this point, I want to stop and point out something that may seem obvious to you, but others may not have thought of. Beyond what we see in the above verse, what enables Jesus to be part of the Body at all? What is the Body made of? It's members are of Man, just as Christ was Man, and the life force that indwells the Body is the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Body is still all of the same substance – Man suffused with the Holy Spirit. Think further of what the head does. In our own bodies, what directs  our various body parts? Is it not the head (the brain)? Therefore as the rest of our own bodies are directed by our heads, so should the Body be directed by Christ. Therefore we should seek the will of God through Christ. This relationship is seen below. 1 Corinthians 11:3– But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. Please meditate on this verse because I would like to bring it back up later to reveal something many may have overlooked before. I think the key to understanding a much debated topic on this board is understanding what the Body of Christ truly is and where the concept originated. To close out this initial post, I want you to think on something. Remember when you were a child and played hiding games with your friends. Perhaps one of your friends hid behind a tree, but his hand was sticking out and you recognized it. “I see you” would be the words in your mind and perhaps out of your mouth. Did you truly see all of that person? No, but why did you say “I see you” then? There can many extensions of this idea, one being that we, who are called by His name, are representatives of the Body of Christ. When someone observes what we do, what we say, they may get either a good or bad impression of the rest of the Body just based on us. Let's be careful that we do not harm the rest of the Body.

Hi Kj,
Is Christ still your head?

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