"CHURCH ~ THE BODY OF CHRIST"

Every true follower of Jesus becomes a member of the universal and eternal body of Christ. This body or church is not a building, denomination or institution. It is a living and active organism made up of different members, fully dependent on the "head", which is the Lord Jesus. Because Christ is no longer on earth in a visable way, the church is to represent Him so the world will come to know and understand what his purpose here on earth was all about.

"Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead, and set hm at His own right hand in the heavenly places. For above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all." Ephesians 1:20-23 (KJV) "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20 (KJV) The First Epistle of Peter 2:5 says: "Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." The overall design is a spiritual house, which describes the nature of the body of Christ ~ a house in which God dwells. The material used to build the house is presented as lively (living) stones. Christ is also described as a living stone in our bibles.

"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of
glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, AND GIVETH GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." 1Peter 5:1-5 (KJV)

Elders and leaders play a vital role in leading and protecting young Christians. Peter challenged the elders to be good shepherds of their churches, just as Christ was a good shepherd with his disciples. He urged elders to look out for struggling Christians as shepherds
would for lost sheep."And I say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18 (KJV)

The rock, or foundation of the church is the confession and doctrine of the apostles, which became normative for the true church. The "gates of hell shall not prevail" can be better understood as meaning, "shall not stand against." While Jesus' resurrection will certainly
overcome the sting of death, it will also enable His church to aggressively and offensively attack the gates of hell, by snatching out victims from darkness into His glorious Kingdom of light.

Application: Baptized into Christ's body, we each have been given the Holy Spirit, who endows us with gifts to be used for the good of the whole church. It is important that we complete the picture of Christ as we take our place in the pew!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us, as baptized members of Your Son's body, to work together for the good of Your church. Lord, strengthen our hands and hearts, and make our faith stronger so that we may contribute to the building up of Your body, the church. In Jesus'
Precious Name we pray, Amen.