The Doctrine of the Body of Christ

1. The Birth of the Body

2. The Functioning Body

3. The Growing Body

4. The Sending Body

5. The Victorious Body

6. The Powerful Body

7. The Glorious Body

8. The Spiritual Body

9. The Eternal Body

10.The Heavenly Body

For the first time Lord Jesus proclaimed His vision (work) of building His (Body) Church in Matthew 16:18.

He commissioned His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations in Matthew 28:18-20.

But did not tell them to ' build' the Church! He made disciples who were taught, trained and prepared for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

They were with one accord- a kind of unity they had due to them having followed one Master and now having one purpose- to go and make disciples. Bu they needed something more than all the teachings and preparation by Jesus- they needed the power, the person and the presence of the Holy Spirit. So the 'cementing' agent that unified them in to One Body, is the Holy Spirit. Its like the Body becoming alive by the Spirit's entry. That's how the Body was born by the Holy Spirit, on the day of Pentecost according to Acts 2ch.

Till the coming of the Holy Spirit they were all individuals, as isolated disciples. That's why their names are mentioned in Acts 1:13. But after the Holy Spirit baptized them into one Body of Christ (1Corinthians 12:13) they became just believers, brethren, members of the Body- no longer any individuality or difference among them- they are all now one in Christ- Galatians 3:26-29.

Even the difference between the Jews & Gentiles- the enmity between the two was removed by the death of Jesus. But the reconciliation & unity into One new man was brought about by the Holy Spirit. Eph. 2:15 (13-22).

The disciples gathered in Jesus' name and filled with the Holy Spirit represent His Body.

So wherever two or three are gathered in His Name-will have Jesus in their midst-in the Holy Spirit, that makes the gathering the Body of Christ with all the authority, privileges and responsibilities given to the Body of Christ in His word.

In Ephesians, we have the Body as a whole and in 1 Corinthians, the local body, the gathering of God's people (disciples) in a local context, is the focus.

When the first batch of new converts were added on the day of Pentecost, they were baptized and were taught in the Church fellowship meetings, house to house gatherings. I.e. they were discipled as Jesus said(commanded) and Apostle Paul testified in Colossians 1:28-29.

Now after the Holy Spirit arrived and the (Church came in to existence) Body is born, and the New Testament is completed, the body is newly born in a local context, i.e. in an unreached area. By the preaching of the gospel the seed of the word is sown which when watered by the Holy Spirit brings conviction in the hearers converting them into 'born again' people and adds them into( baptizes) the Body of Christ. Thus born again believers are gathered by the inspiration/ motivation of the Holy Spirit as they obey the Scriptures, to worship the Lord in a particular locality. Then the Spirit of God begins to build such a newly born local body into maturity as they continue in studying the Word, in fellowship with one another, in breaking of bread (communion) & prayers and exercise God-given spiritual gifts for the mutual edification and service.

The basic foundational teaching comes from the apostles & prophets who themselves received the word from the Lord who is the Head and foundation for the Church. 1Crinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20.

The Holy Spirit makes each member active and sensitive to the authority of the head of the body, i.e. the Lord Jesus, by using the truth of the Word. Each member remains alive to respond rightly to the orders or commands of the head for the building up of the body (or for the proper functioning & growth of the body).

The unity brought about by the Holy Spirit must be guarded and maintained by all possible means and sincere efforts. Eph. 4:3.

It is possible to maintain the unity because of the Oneness in doctrine, faith and practice. Eph. 4:2-7.

Since the Body came into existence by the Holy Spirit, it is also a spiritual body. It is not worldly or physical. It is heavenly and not earthly. Yet, it exists on earth till the Lord takes it up when He comes again. (top)

The local church is the real manifestation of Christ's fullness in the world today. The Body of Christ functions under certain laws so as to grow to maturity. The functioning is aimed at maintaining the life of the Body and also to grow tot he fullness- to perfection as God purposed.

1. Taking responsibility: 1Cor.12: 15,16. You must function as you are and not as you prefer to be. We use what we have been given. Comparison is wrong. Fulfilling God-given ministry faithfully is important. Not coveting or desiring/ interfering with others work.

When we look at the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, we note that the one-talented brother burying his one talent is the danger. It is by functioning that we discover life. Using what God gives is essential.

In 1Thessalonians 5: 14, it says, encourage the small-souled- i.e. the single-talented man.

According to Ephesians 4: 16, the fellowship is two-way. It is by receiving and giving, life to and from the body.

What is given to you? And are you faithful in sharing it and receiving life from the body? Are you slow and negligent?

2. Accepting limitations: 1Cor.12: 17-20. We are always to leave room for the functioning of others. You are not everything. Don't try to do everything and be everything yourself. No single-organ monopoly. No conformity but variety! Know your God-given ministry in the body and limit yourself to that. God bless you.

Are you crossing your limits? Are you in hurry? Do you allow and appreciate others' gifts and ministry in the body?

3. Esteeming others: 1Cor.12: 21-23. We must never seek to cut off another member. We need each other. Even the most weak and feeble brother has a place and function in the body. Phil.2: 3- esteem others better than yourself.

Do you despise the weaker brothers? Do you regard all with equal honor and offer encouragement?

4. Keeping the unity: 1Cor. 12: 24-25. We are resolutely to refuse schism. No divisions in the body. It is divine will. We need to be diligent to keep the unity. Eph.4: 3.

Each member in the body need to be aware of 'new life-consciousness' in the body.

Care, concern, interdependence, cooperation and coordination necessary for the proper functioning of the body.

God tempered the body so that each member is fitly joined together and compacted (suitably placed).

What are you doing to keep the unity of the body? Do you adjust and change yourself to fit into the church?

The functional lifeof the body is overseen by the leaders ordained by the Holy Spirit- so we have the Leadership in the Body.

The members fulfill their God-given roles and responsibilities and hence we have the Stewardship in the body.

Because of the 'life-consciousness' in the body, the commands of the Head are honoured and obeyed by each member in the body. So the life of the body is based on obedience and submission to the Lordship of Christ.

As the body functions, the needs of each member are met (fulfilled) and each member is also equipped for the ministry both in and out of the body.

The Serving Body: serving one another in the house of the Lord: Galatians 5:13; 1Cor.12; 1Cor. 14: 40.

6. Undivided service-by putting away all others: Matthew 4: 10 (Luke 16: 13); 1Samuel 7: 3; 2Chronicles 15: 15.

The motive or goal of the service is not self-appraisal or appreciation but the glory of God. The supplier, enabler and the resource is God Himself.

The oracles of God- to exhort, edify, comfort, encourage, rebuke or reprise, etc. With the ability of God meet the needs in the house of the Lord.

It is the expression and utilization of God-given gifts for His glory and in His body, not for personal gain or profit. But for the building up of His body.

It is the corrective action that a Church body must take to ensure order in the Body for representing Christ.

* Prayer is vital to church discipline. The end view is always restoration. It is not hatchet time: Gal. 6: 1; Eph. 4: 12.

*It is not Church's job to chastise or punish- this is God's business-only God can do it righteously.

1. Reconciliation attempts: Step 1. The individual attempt-privately: Mat.18:15."If they don't know, don't go".

2. Maximum disciplinary action:-excommunication from the fellowship of believers. Rom 16: 17; 1 Cor.5:11-13;

1.Is the one concerned wrong due to the fact of- insufficient instruction & knowledge (delusion): Ac. 18: 26.

2. Is the one concerned wrong due to the satanic origin and accompanied by practices and doctrines that

3. Is the one concerned influences other Christians and is causing destruction of their faith?: 2Tim 2: 18;

2Pet 2:1-3; Col. 2: 8. Bearing in mind the above, the scriptures teach us to-withdraw ourselves from such: 1Tim. 6: 5.

4. Public confession & exposure: is hurtful to all and so not to be allowed. Eph. 5: 3.

5. who takes the initiative?- the elders: Titus 1: 9; The spiritually mature: Galatians 6:1. (top)

III. The Growing Body: The growth and expansion of the Church was prophesied in the O.T.

*In the book of Acts we notice the following aspects of growth in the early church:

1. Growing up: 2: 42- by being together, learning and individually growing spiritually- Col.2: 7.

2. Growing together: 2: 44- by sharing, relating, participating, as a body corporately-Col.2: 7.

3. Growing out: 2: 47-by witnessing by life and word, to the world , by serving, etc. Col.2: 7.

4. Growing more: 5: 14-by maturity, fruit-bearing, power manifestation, revival- Col.2: 7; Ps.92:14.

5. Growing steadfastly: 6:1-by discipling others, establishing, expanding multiplication: Jn.15: 2,5,8.

1. In behavior and conduct: 1Cor. 13:11- outward life in the assembly and outside world.

2. In understanding deeper truths: 1 Cor. 14: 20- in the attitude towards God's Word.

3. In applying to higher lifestyle: Heb. 5: 14- mature behavior, spiritually experienced.

4.In speech & communication of truth: eph. 4: 15 25, 29-30; Ja.3: 2.- in relation to others.

5. In experiencing and expressing divine love: eph. 3:17-19; 1Thess. 3: 12.- in the practical life.

7. By adding good qualities constantly: 2pe. 1: 5-8. Character changes to be continuous.

8. In the grace & knowledge of Lord Jesus: 2Pe. 3:18; 2 Tim. 2:1; Phil. 3:10. More dependant on God.

9. In faith & love: 2Thess. 1: 3; eph. 4: 13; Jude 3. Conviction/ obedience/practice.

10. In bearing fruit: Jn. 15: 16; 2Cor. 9:10. Serving, ministering, winning souls.

11. In giving to the Lord & His work: Ac. 11: 29; 2Cor. 8: 7(1-3).-liberality, amount, qality giving.

12. In every good work: 2Cor. 9: 8; Eph. 2:10; 2Ti. 2: 21. Bldg up lives, available, useful, prepare, ready.

-number increased by faith:4: 4- believed when Peter & John preached- persecuted.

-priests joined the disciples: 6:7- due to proper order in administration & functions.

-encouraged by the Holy Spirit: 9: 31- when the persecutor & troublemaker removed.

In the Biblically history, we notice that God directly calls and chooses whom He wills both in the O.T. as well as N.T.

In the N.T the Lord Jesus had many disciples and out of whom, one day, He called separately and individually 12, to be His 'Apostles'. They were called to be 'sent out'. To fulfill His mission of spreading the good news and establishing His Kingdom.

Lk 9: 2-6,10; Jn 20: 21; Mk 16: 15, 20; Lk 24: 48, 49, 10: 1-12, 17; Mat. 28: 16-20; Mark 3: 13-19.

Now after the Church came into being, the Lord delegated this authority to make disciples and send them out.

However, each one will be called by God Himself for a specific ministry, as the Holy Spirit bestows particular gift.

The Church releases such whom the Lord called for His work by recognizing their calling & gifts, as the Holy Spirit reveals to the Church, to fulfill those ministries God wants them to do.

We note here, that there was no another parallel or middle agency to do this work of choosing or sending workers in to His harvest field. It is the God-given responsibility and privilege of the Church.

Though each disciple (member in the local Church) is a witness to Christ in the world, yet God calls a few with a specific ministry to build His Kingdom and to represent Him in the world, to go out and be instrumental in planting churches.

Acts 13 narrates the story of the 'sending body': Here the whole work of calling, choosing, gifting, involving, separating, sending, guiding & providing for all their needs is done by the Holy Spirit as the local Church submits to the leading of the Holy Spirit and acts accordingly.

1.Called & Chosen by God: Ac. 13:2. E. g. : Paul- 9:15; Rom. 1:1; 1Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:15,16.

3. Involved actively in the Church prior to the sending out: 9:19-20, 29, 11:26,30; 13: 1-2;1Tim.1:5-6.

4. Separated by the Holy Spirit: 13: 2; Gal.1:15; 2Tim. 2:21-22; Isaiah 49: 1,2; Jer.1:5.

5. Sent out by the Holy Spirit through the Church: 13: 3-4, 15: 40, 14:26; Rom. 10:15; 1Cor.1:17.

7. Supported & cared for by the Lord's people: Rom. 8:32; 1Cor. 9:4-14; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 3:20; Phil. 4:12-19; 1Tim.5:18.

1. From Acts 13, we understand that the local Church is authorized and is the only place where workers were made and sent out into the world for the work of the Lord as and when they're called by the Lord.

2. The local church only obeyed the voice of the Spirit and released them into the ministry- freed them from the Church responsibilities.

3. There was no middle agency/association through which workers were sent for the ministry.

4. The workers went out of the Church into the world to preach the gospel and then to teach the word and make disciples. Then they ordained elders for the new churches.

5. There was responsibility and accountability on the part of workers to report back to the sending church. The sending church also was responsible to take care of the support of the workers and also help the new churches planted through them.

6. There was special revelation by the Spirit to separate and send those particular workers among others. The church just recognized this voice and responded. Thee was no election or any other man made qualifying criteria for selecting and sending workers.

7. Much prayer and fasting went before and while sending them out- speaks of their utter dependence upon the Lord.

8. The local church elders laid their hands on the workers and sent them out. The laying on of hands shows their recognizing, identifying with and supporting them in the work.

9. The Church and the Spirit were totally in agreement and one in accord and so what Church did was as good as done by the Spirit.- approved by the heavenly authority.

10. Prior to leaving, they had no idea or details of their plan, mission etc. They were totally dependent upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit and willingly obeyed His commands. Of course, later on, they also responded to the calls, invitations by other people to preach at some places. But they were very sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. Hallelujah! (top)

V. The Victorious Body: Mat. 16: 18; Eph. 6:11-13.. the Lord Jesus said that the power of the hades (hell) shall not prevail against the Church which He builds on the Rock- Himself.

*The attack by the death- the power of the hades- to destroy the Church, can not succeed. The Lord promised victory. Over what and how the body of Christ becomes victorious? Against:

1. People's opposition: Jn 15:18-19; Ac.4:3,4,18,21, 6:10, 9:15-6, 13:6-8-11;2Tim. 3:8-9, 4:14-17.

3. Persecution: Jn15: 18-21 16:33; Ac 7:55-60, 8:3-4, 9:4-6, 13:51-52, 14:19-22; 1cor.4:11-13;

6. Problems of life: Jn 16: 22, 16:33; 2Cor.1:3-5,911, 4:8-10, 16-18; 1cor. 10:13; Ja.1:2; 1Pe. 1:6; 1Jn 4:4.

3. The Possibility because of the true foundation on the Rock: Lk. 6: 48; 1cor.3:11-12; Eph 2:20.

5. The Presence of Jesus: Ac. 4:13; Jn 15:4; Mk 16:20; Mat 28:20; Ac 18:9,10, 23:11.

Today, the Church all over the world is marching on in spite of so many obstacles, hindrances and oppositions. It is going from victory to victory. No forces on earth can prevail against the victorious march and expansion of the Body of Christ.

The Lord Jesus gave 'authority' to His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations-preach and do miracles, etc.

The Holy Spirit filled them with 'power' to fulfill what the Lord has commissioned them to do.

So this is how the body becomes powerful and manifests its authority/power through the following:

1. To bind and loose: to stop and release: for the building up of the Lord's Kingdom. To bind the evil forces and release the spiritual power/ ministries for God's glory.

The 'keys' speak of opening, beginning, authority, and starting something newly etc. Given to peter (and to all) to lead many into the Kingdom.

1. The Preplanned Purpose: Eph. 1:4; Rom 8:29. Before the foundation of the world.

3. The Present Position: Eph. 2:6; Col.2:10; Rom 8:30. Seated in heavenly places.

5. The Progressive Process: eph. 5:26; 2cor. :18; Rom 8:17; 1Pe. 4:13; 2Cor. 4:17. From glory to glory.

6. The Perfect Posture: eph. 4:13; Phil.3:21; 1Jn 3:2-3; Col. 3:4. Completion of glory-become like Him.

7. The Promised Presentation: Eph. 5:27; Jude 24; Rev. 21:1-2-7,9-14,18-27. Before Him on the final day.

VIII. The Spiritual Body: The essential nature of the body of Christ is spiritual.

According to Eph. 2:15, the Lord Jesus by His death on the cross abolished the enmity between the Jews and Gentiles and made them into one 'new man'- that is a new spiritual man- the church.

So the body of Christ is a spiritual body in contrast to that which is physical, social, earthly or of human creation.

First of all, the Body of Christ is spiritual because the members who make it are born not of blood, not of the will of man, nor of the will of the flesh but of God who is Spirit. Jn 1:13, 4:24. And what is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.

It is not a social Institution, created by man for the welfare of man's earthly life and society's development. Though these are good works and may be the result of the fruit of the Spirit produced through the members of the body.

" One Spirit worketh in and through all, by the gifts of grace given to the members and by One spirit are all baptized into one body and have been made to drink into one Spirit." 1Cor. 12: 11-13.

There is the unity of the Spirit which is stronger and divine and more intimate than the social relationships in the world.

Apostle Paul condemning the divisions in the Corinthian Church, admonishes them by reminding them of the spiritual milk he used to nourish them so that they should become spiritual rather than carnal. It appears they forgot the spiritual foundation laid by Paul for the spiritual body of Christ to be built with quality materials of high worth and lasting value. In contrast, they were so limited in their understanding an so carnal in their practice of the truth that they brought the ' denominationalism' and 'groupism' and 'personality cult' into their gatherings. To turn them back to the spiritual principles, apostle Paul describes so beautifully and metaphorically, the foundation, the materials to be used and the actual building of the body of Christ- the Church in 1Corinthians ch 3.

Though he is referring to the church in a local context in 1 cor.3, it is worth noting the principles involved in founding and building the spiritual body of Christ.

Apostle Peter also gives us the same principle in 1 Peter 2, where he speaks of the believers as the living stones being built into a spiritual house to offer spiritual sacrifices. 1Peter 2:5.

In Eph. 2:22, we find the building to be the habitation of God through the Holy Spirit.

In Eph. 3:17, Paul's prayer was for God's people to experience such intimate, in-depth and abundant fellowship of the Spirit, that he speaks of it as ' that Christ may dwell in you richly'.

The Holy Spirit becomes the controlling and influencing person in the personal and corporate life of the believers as they are continuously filled with the Spirit. Eph. 5:18.

Hence the body of Christ is spiritual because of the Lordship of the Spirit who gives them liberty to walk in the light and enables them to fulfill the law of Christ.

The activity and growth of the body of Christ involves constant battle with the spiritual forces of the enemy. So the spiritual body is given the whole armor of God- the spiritual weapons: Eph. 6:10-18. It is a spiritual battle on a higher level and so the weapons must not be physical nor carnal, but mighty and powerful, to pull down the strongholds of the enemy according to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

The body of Christ is formed by the spirit, indwelt by the Spirit, empowered and controlled by the Spirit and is also changed from glory to glory in to the same image and likeness of Christ, her Head, and so the body of Christ is spiritual.

IX. The Eternal Body: In the letter to the Ephesians, the eternal existence of the body is clearly written.

In contrast to the temporal, corruptible, and that which passes away. The body of Christ is eternal in its existence.

The Church's work is eternal in the sight of God, as God is working from eternity.

Christ is in the Church, revealing Himself to the world- bringing all things into His oneness.

Eve before the fall was uniquely typical of the Church of Christ. God had the church in mind in eternity.

After the rapture, meeting with the head, the body of Christ will be with Him forever. Rev. 22:5; 1Thess. 4:17.

The hope of the church is to be with Christ in eternity. Eph. 1: 18- to know the hope of the calling.

Let our eyes be on that which is of eternal and not on the temporal, perishable, corruptible and that which fadeth away- the worldly institutions or man-made systems. Let us not be limited in our vision and hope.

Lift up your eyes and see the invisible which are eternal. 2corinthians 4:16-18. That's the body! Hallelujah!

Each one in the body possessed eternal life by faith in Christ and make the eternal body.

The little flock- His Church, to receive the Kingdom. His Kingdom has no end: Lk1:32-33; Dan. 2:44,7:14,27; Heb1:8.

X. The Heavenly Body: In contrast to that which is earthly, from this world and of this world.

3. they(disciples not of the world, even as I am (Jesus) not of the world: Jn 17:14,16.

5. in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom: Eph. 3:10.

The place of blessing where the Church is seated, standing, life and ministry, warfare- everything is in the heavens and from the heaven. (Eph. 1:3,20, 2:6, 3:10, 4:8-12, 6:12). It must never become earthbound.

May we see and rise to those spiritual heights to see this truth of the heavenly body of Christ. Amen! (Top)