Issues about 'The body of Christ'

Hey all,

It has been a long time since this page has been updated and I think you may notice some changes.  The creator of this site and I have been diving into scripture in a much different light lately than ever before.  This has resulted in some much changed viewpoints in us both.  So, with that said, don't be suprised if you see some things that seem to contradict things we once taught.  We don't need to be afraid to shift our stance, but rather be moved only by what we see Biblically.

The various positions in dispensationalism, seem to center their beliefs on two main points: What the mystery is, and when the body of Christ began.  What the mystery is, is well explained by our brother Wolf on the audio page with the topic: "Definition of the mystery".  Give it a listen, it is great!  The other, the body of Chrst, I would like to write a little bit about, and may in time give my own audio version of this study.  I have only dabbled with one study once.  So if I do another one, please be kind. :)  In this study I will start out with some of the things I believe to be facts and then finish off with some things that need more investigation, but are very interresting to think about and may spur you on to a different understanding.

"The body of Christ" as a group of believers, first starts to be mentioned of in 1 Cor 6 here:

1 Cor 6:15-17
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
(KJV)

Really, whenever you believe the body of Christ started (In Acts or Post Acts), the verse above is the essence of what the phrase means.  We collectively are now the physical manifestation of His body here on earth today.  That is why you see the relation of us to physical body parts in various places.  Now, what we hear is that in the later epistles of Paul, we are not compared that way, therefore it must be a different body.  For one thing, I have trouble understanding that logic, and have you ever checked that out with the heart of a Berean to see if that is true?  If not, take a look at this.

KJV-- member.

Now, before we get into the "Prison" era, here is another quote from 1 Cor:

1 Cor 12:12-14
12 For 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.
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.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
(KJV)

Notice the idea of oneness there. Without getting to far off track, notice whether they be Jew or Gentile, even at this time there was no difference "In Christ".  But the most interresting thing, is the idea of "Members" or body parts.  Now look at a couple of quotes from the great book of Ephesians:

Eph 4:22-25
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
(KJV)

Eph 5:30-32
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
(KJV)

If you have any type of Greek reference such as the Strong's dictionary, test this and you will see that even in a "Prison" book such as this, you can see the "Members" spoken of as body parts!  Interresting to say the least!

Bearing this all in mind about the "Members", the other argument about when the BOC started is that Christ is never mentioned as the "Head" in any of Paul's books written during the Acts period.  I believe, that with the information above and just a little bit more, this confusion should go away.  First of all, this idea or statement of Christ as the "Head" has to do with being the top or one in charge with authority.  I believe this can be used in the sense of a physical head attatched to a body.  Without ours how can we survive?  Or it can be used in the sense of a top authoritative leader.  When these Acts books of Paul's mention us being "Members" of Christ, what else could he be but the head?  And then there is this verse:

1 Cor 11:3
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
(KJV)

I don't see how we can dismiss this by saying it is speaking of body parts so it can't relate to our present day church.  Incorrect logic if you ask me.

The last argument that I know of says that, during the Acts period, these "Members" are not looked at as equal because each body part has a function, and one can be less "Comely" than another.  But in the post Acts books, they are all equal.  So this must be a different Church.  Again incorrect logic.  For this comparison, we need to turn to the same book of Ephesians and in chapter 4 again, we see this:

Eph 4:14-16
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
(KJV)

Not only does this have the idea of a physical body's "Joint", but each joint "Supplieth" only "According to" the "Measure of every part"!  So, we should be able to see that each part that forms a joint, supplies a different measure to the edifying of the whole.  Again, INTERRESTING!

Now all this may not be dabated by any "Acts 9'er", but here is somthing interresting on that.  Think also about the fact that we are also, in the same way as a body, called a building.  In this comparison, Christ is the foundation that everything is built upon.  That is where the idea of a "Cornerstone" comes in.  Here are some verses that reference this thought:

Eph 2:19-22
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
(KJV)

1 Cor 3:9-11
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
(KJV)

Now, with this thought in mind in both of these references, think on these verses:

Matt 16:16-18
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also 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.
(KJV)

Now most dispensationalists know that this "Rock" is the truth of what Peter was saying about Christ and that Christ is that rock.  Some religions would say that it is speaking of Peter, because his name means Rock.  But if you look at the context surrounding it and all the verses that speak of Christ being the Rock, foundation, and corner stone, you can see that most dispensationalists are correct.  But do we take it far enough?  Could this "Rock" be the same Christ that is our foundation today? Of course!!  Could that church be the same church as today?  You will have to decide that for yourselves, but I would say yes, judging from "Our apostle" Paul quoting the same things!!  Just because the directions for operation of that church change over time, we do not have the right to make divisions where they are not to be made.  I will close with a few verses on that note:

1 Cor 1:11-13
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
(KJV)

Study it out!

Paul

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