Text: Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 1:22-23, 4:4; Col 1:18
Memory Verse : "And He is the Head of the Body, the church: who is the Beginning, the Firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence." Col 1:18
Lesson Contents
In this study, when we talk about the Church, we are not looking at it in a locality, but in a universality context. We are considering the Church not a church. The Church is the complement of the Head, even Messiah Yeshua, who is in Heaven. The Body is completed with the Head and vice versa.
There is only one Body
We are reminded of the account of Achan in the book of Yehoshua (Joshua). There, Israel suffered a defeat at Ai. We know that Achan took of the accursed thing. The Lord said in Jos 7: 11a "Israel hath sinned". As we study the book of Exodus, we learn that on the breastplate of the high priest there are 12 stones, each representing one of the 12 tribes of Israel. In 1 Kg 18, when challenging the prophets of Baal, Elijah took 12 stones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, for the construction of the altar. When we come to the New Testament, we read in 1 Cor 12:12 "For as the body is one ..... all the members .... are one body: so also is Messiah. The Church was one at Pentecost and it will be one in glory. Since we are part of that Body, our Believer's conduct is important as it reflects and affects the Body.
Messiah Yeshua is the Head of the Body
Scripture gives us 3 spheres whereby the Headship of the Adonai Yeshua Messiah is portrayed.
- He is the head of all principality and power Col. 2:10
- He is the head of every man 1 Cor. 11:3
- He is the head of the body, the Church Col 1:18
What does it mean that Messiah Yeshua is the head of the Church?
First of all it means that He has absolute sovereign control over the Church. He directs, leads, guides and equips the Church. Secondly, the Body gets it life from the head. He is our resource and apart from Him we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). Lastly, He cares for His Body, the Church. He provides for her edification and growth (Eph 4:16)
Members of the Body
All believers are the members of that Body. This Body consists of saints from the time of Pentacost to the time of caught up. And as the Body of Messiah on earth, we function in a way, on behalf of Messiah here. It is interesting to note at this juncture that an assembly should be the expression of what is universal. So the Adonai calls us in to an active role in the assembly that we are in. We will consider some aspects of this
- Every member has a function to do or a role to perform. This is a God given responsibility in the body.
- Every member has a God given ability. We are all not called to be evangelists. God in His wisdom has given the right gift to each believer and it is his/her duty to use it for the growth of the Body.
- There should be unity among all believers just as there is unity and accord in the God-Head. The Body should likewise be united in its purpose.
- Every member is essential. Whatever the work we do in the Body, we need to know that we are doing it for Messiah whether regardless of it is a big or small thing as perceived by others.
- Every member is inter-dependent. In 1 Cor 12:21, the Word of God plainly states how one member of the physical body is dependent on the other and it should be more so for the members of the Body of Messiah Yeshua.
Distinction between the Body and the assembly
We have already stated that the Body stands for the Church universal and the assembly speaks of the local church. We need to look further to see the distinction between the Body and the assembly.
Body/Church Universal
Assembly/Local Church
Admission
- At conversion
The moment we trust in the Lord, a miraculous thing happens to us, the Holy Spirit places us into the body of Messiah. We are convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit, converted by the same Spirit and then we are baptised into the Body of Messiah by the same Spirit. 1 Cor 12:13 "For 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."
- On water baptism
Baptism is the identification with the Lord in His death, burial and resurrection. It is also the public testimony of the person that he believes in the Lord as Saviour The practice of baptism as a key factor for reception into the fellowship of the Local assembly is outlined and patterned after Acts chapter 2:41,42. One needs to remember that baptism does not save and only believing in the Lord as the only Saviour saves us.
Unbelievers
- Not included
This is clear that only true believers are part of the Body of the Messiah. God is omniscient and He knows who are those that belong to Him.
- Unbelievers may be present
Even though the elders of the local assembly are given the discernment they are not omniscient and only the Lord knows those who are truly saved and in the assembly fellowship. The Ruah HaKodesh writing through John in 1 John 2:19 exposes such unbelievers. "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."
Unity
- Perfect
Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
- Would have differences
1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
What about different Denominations?
This teaching does not appear in the Bible at all. There is no mention of denominations or interdenominational groups in Scripture. We need to note that in Acts, once the person believes in the Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach he/she is immediately added to the Church, the body of Messiah, with Him as the Head. Acts 2:47 " Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved." Indeed there are many local assemblies of believers in the New Testament, which differ by their location and not by their belief. So we can see that denominations are basically man-made and not decreed by God. Even when sects started in the Corinthian assembly, the apostle Shaul in his first letter to that assembly quickly denounced it. A. P. Gibbs in his booklet "Introduction to the study of Church Truth" wrote: "The fact is that denominationalism, as such, is a virtual denial of the unity of the body of the Messiah, that G_d has made, and which each Believer is urged to keep "in the bond of peace." (Eph. 4:4-6). Pride of denomination has no place in the Holy Scriptures. "
Questions:
Does the Church of Christ imply the universal aspect of the Church, and the title Church of God the local aspect? Give reasons.
What is the purpose of the Body of Christ i.e. the Church here on earth?
Life Application
What do you think are your roles and responsibilities in the Body of Christ?
A.P. Gibbs - Introduction to a Study of Church Truth {available online at http://www.iserv.net/~tkoets/church.htm}
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