THE COMPLETE BODY OF CHRIST
1 Corinthians 12:12 – 27
Introduction:
1. Several passages relate the fact of Jesus Christ being the HEAD of the BODY, the CHURCH. In proving this fact, examine the WHOLE CONTEXT of the passages, and not merely the verses or phrases that speak this singular fact! Doing so will help us understand the COMPLETENESS of the body, the church!
a. Ephesians 1:15- 23
b. Colossians 1: 9 – 29
c. Ephesians 5:22 – 33
d. Colossians 2: 8 - 19
2. In every case where the Scriptures speak of the church ENTIRE (whether in prophesy or in reality) they speak of the church in the SINGULAR form:
a. Kingdom
b. Body
c. Bride
d. House
e. Church
Distinction between the church ENTIRE, and, separate local works comes by observing the text wherein one finds the word “church” or “churches.”
a. Galatians 1: 1- 5
b. Revelation 1:10 – 20
c. Matthew 16:13 – 19
d. Acts
20:28 -- Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which
the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the
e.
Obviously, each local work, WHEN FOLLOWING PRECISELY THE LAW OF CHRIST, will find
unity with all other local works that follow the same precise law of Christ!
Together, these separate works (i.e. churches of Christ) combine to comprise
the
3. In this lesson, we shall study the church as this singular body; recognizing this LOCAL work is indeed a part of that body while in itself responsible for expressing the COMPLETENESS of the whole! Thus, if we are lacking, we need to fill that void. If we are more than the completeness of the body of Christ, we must deplete that excess from our existence. The completeness of the body of Christ does NOT pertain to “our body” – for it is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all. (Eph. 1:23)
I. UNIQUE ELEMENTS FOUND ONLY IN THE CHURCH
A. As stated, Ephesians and Colossians offer passages declaring Christ as THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH. Keeping these passages in context provides us proof of these SPIRITUAL items unique to the church!
B. LOVE, FAITH, PEACE, RECONCILIATION
1. Ephesians 1:15 – 16 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
2. Colossians 1:19 – 22 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
3. While we do not dispute the sincerity, absolute conviction, and confidence of various people in expressing what they believe is “love, faith, peace and reconciliation in Christ, we do question the RIGHTEOUSNESS of their sentiment!
a. Ephesians 4:4 – 6 – How many “beliefs” will this UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE permit?
b. While the LOVE of Christ, the ability to obtain FAITH, the desire for
PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, and certainly RECONCILIATION are available
to all men (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9, et al) how many ways of obtaining these
unique items did Christ approve? (John 14:6)
C. KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
1. Ephesians 1: 17 – 19 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
2. Colossians 1: 9 – 10 -- For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
a. STRENTHENED according to His glorious power!
b. WHAT is His glorious power?
i. “the hope of His calling” -- The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.
ii. “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” (Col. 1:23)
iii. Provides PATIENCE, LONGSUFFERING WITH JOYFULNESS (Col. 1:10 – 19)
3. While we do not dispute the sincerity, conviction, and confidence others have in their believing their knowledge, understanding, and wisdom are without error, unless these come from the GOSPEL ALONE, they are in error!
a. Galatians 1:6 – 10
b. Titus 1:3 – 4 -- As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
c. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 -- Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
d. Colossians 1:23 – 27 -- If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
D. REDEMPTION FROM SIN
1. Ephesians 1:3 – 14
2. Colossians 1: 9 – 17
3. Matthew 26:28; Romans 6:1-6; Matt. 28:19 – 20; Acts 2:38
4. To be baptized into Christ, is
to be baptized into His body, the church (1 Cor. 12:12 – 13 -- 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. 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.) Into the church is where the
Lord placed the saved. (Acts 2:47 -- And the Lord added to the church
daily such as should be saved.) Therefore, though we do not dispute the
sincerity, conviction or confidence of those who say they are
redeemed, the Scriptures show plainly redemption from sin comes ONLY
from the actions described above, and places such obedient souls ONLY in the
Lord’s church!
II. COMPRISED OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS, THE CHURCH IS WHERE WE ARE BROUGHT TOGETHER IN COMPLETE UNITY
A. Ephesians 4: 11 – 16
B. 2 Peter 1:3 – 4 -- Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
C. If we acknowledge God through Christ Jesus gave us “all things that pertain to life and godliness,” we must acknowledge these things are within the church and the description of these essentials is within the New Testament. Let us examine:
1. THE MEANS BY WHICH TO PROCLAIM THE WORD OF GOD
a. Eph. 4: 11 – 12
i. For the perfecting (NAS – “equipping”) of the saints – Eph. 6:10 – 20
ii. For the work of the ministry -- Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 1 Pet. 41- 11 -- As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
iii. For the edifying of the body of Christ -- 2Cor. 12:19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 1 Tim. 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Eph. 4:29 -- Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
2. THE MEANS OF PROPER GROWTH
a. Eph. 4: 13 – 16
i. A perfect man (body) – Col. 1:10; 1 Cor. 12:12
ii. The measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ – Eph. 1:22- 23
iii. No more children – 2 Pet. 3:18
iv. [Able] to speak the truth in love – Col. 4:6 -- Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
v. Grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ = GROW IN THE BODY OF CHRIST AS THE HEAD DICTATES OUR GROWTH!—Eph. 4:16
III. IT IS GOD’S HOUSE. HE DECLARES THE CONTENT!
A. 1 Timothy 3:14 – 16
B.
It is a SPIRITUAL house; therefore its content is SPIRITUAL
C. This eliminates the idea of the BUILDING being the church! The building and its contents are expedients by which we are able to keep the body comfortable that the MIND (soul, heart) might more readily worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Is a building and its content “required?” NO!! But, there is evidence they used such facilities for good. (Acts 20:7 – 12)
D. The content of this SPIRITUAL HOUSE are:
1. Us – 1 Peter 2: 1- 10
2. Worship (John 4:24)
a. Singing
b. Praying
c. Studying
d. Communion
e. Giving
3. His Word and none other – Galatians 1: 6 – 10
a. Plan of salvation
b. Ability of increasing faith
c. Requirements for heaven eternal
d. How to teach others this same truth!
IV. THE CHURCH IS THEN HIS COMPLETE BODY!
A. Ephesians 3: 8 – 21
B.
In order to be complete with Christ (