THE BODY OF CHRIST
THE BEGINNING -
LESSON 1.
Before we begin, we should introduce a couple of specific points for the purpose of establishing the proper attitude and plan for this lesson.
First, the meaning of the word church as used in scripture has a very simple and often misunderstood meaning; “The Called Out”; from the Greek, ‘Ekklesia' – and means ‘a gathering', ‘an assembly'. In its individual sense, it has no special meaning other than the definition and reference to any gathering or assembly. To you and me, the definition is enhanced by its relationship to Christ, as in [called out] of the world and into a relationship with God through Christ (Acts 26:17-18; 1 Peter 1:22-25; 2:9).
The English word church has its origins in a different Greek word, ‘Kuriakos', which means ‘belonging to the Lord'. Although this word is accurate by its basic meaning, it is not what the Apostles and prophets of the New Testament were emphasizing in their instruction. If we could learn to put [The Called Out] everywhere the word church appears, we would be less likely to develop the misconceptions of the church that most have today (including the institutional view).
Because the understanding of most people concerning the idea of the church has morphed into an earthly style organization, [The Called Out] has failed to achieve the nature the Lord truly intended for them to have.
So, because of this fact, second; we are going to focus on the most descriptive term used in scripture in reference to [The Called Out] of Christ – “The Body of Christ”. It is in the very nature of a human body, that every single person understands and comprehends, that the Lord's wisdom for His body is truly revealed. A body only has one Head, is directed by that single Head, can only go and do what the Head instructs it to do, each part of the body is vital to accomplish what the Head instructs it to do, it is only called by one name, etc… This understanding will be the focus of this study.
The Body in Purpose.
[The Called Out] was the eternal purpose of God. It was not a substitute for something else God intended to set up. The existence of [The Called Out] stands as the testimony of God's eternal wisdom and purpose in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 3:10-11 “to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church [The Called Out] to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord”
As God's manifold wisdom from the beginning of time was revealed in types, shadows, and promises; Paul will refer to the purpose of God in Christ as a “mystery” kept silent from prior generations or only given in glimpses of hope; but being revealed through the work of the Apostles and prophets of the New Testament.
Ephesians 3:1-7 “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men , as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.”
See also: Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Ephesians 1:7-10; Colossians 1:25-27.
Universally, all of these passages demonstrate that God only revealed in types, shadows, and promises His great purpose in Christ Jesus. Only glimpses were given for the purpose of hope; however, you and me as the body of Christ, [The Called Out] have these types, shadows, and promises and actual sight, note Peter's words to those who make up the body of Christ:
1 Peter 1:10-12 “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.”
[Remember, He is the Savior of the Body! – Ephesians 5:23]
Since the Old Testament was a mystery concerning everything that God purposed in the body of Christ, those who lived under it developed many misconceptions concerning what God purposed and showed glimpses of. This would lead many to fail to see the Lord as the promised Messiah, reject both Him and His kingdom, and never truly comprehend the nature of the kingdom of promise.
Because of this, much of what was to be revealed concerning the kingdom – body of Christ, could not be truly revealed until it was established in power. Jesus even said that there was much He could not tell His own disciples prior to the coming of the kingdom, as they were neither ready or would they understand – see: John 16:12, 25.
Even after the kingdom would come, some would still struggle to understand:
Acts 8:30-35
“So Philip ran to him, and
heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what
you are reading?”
31
And he said, “How can I,
unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with
him. 32
The place in the
Scripture which he read was this:
“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its
shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
33
In His humiliation His
justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His
life is taken from the earth.”
34
So the eunuch answered Philip
and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or
of some other man?”
35
Then Philip opened his mouth,
and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.”
Some would never understand!
Romans 10:1-4 “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
It is important to note that this ignorance that leads to the rejection of God's righteousness is self-imposed. The Apostle Paul was sure, beyond any doubt, that the power of God unto salvation was in the Gospel (the mystery being revealed), to every single person. Since Christ is the Savior of the body, it is given then that the understanding of the body of Christ was likewise comprehendible to all that look to the Gospel's doctrine, which is Christ's doctrine.
- God only speaks to us now through Christ, Hebrews 1:1-2.
- We cannot know God or the Son if we do not adhere to the doctrine of Christ, 2 John 9.
- If anyone teaches anything else other than what has been delivered or preached (the mystery revealed), let them be accursed by God, Galatians 1:6-9.
Summary
God's purpose for the salvation of mankind, which He purposed in Christ Jesus, was [The Called Out]. Those that make up and constitute the body of Christ. It is the mystery completely revealed to the entire world by its very existence. The body of Christ is literally “the fullness of Him who fills all in all” – Ephesians 1:23.
Next: “The Body in Promise”