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TO THE GLORY OF GOD
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Study No 10 GOD'S PEOPLE
Understanding God's People
THE BODY OF CHRIST
"And God has put all things under His (Jesus') feet and made
Him the supreme Head of the Church -- which is His BODY,
filled with Himself, the Author and Giver of everything,
everywhere." Ephesians 1:22,23. L.B.
Definition: The Body of Christ is that group of bloodwashed
Believers who have been joined to Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit and
are His Servants for the completion of the task of witness which He
began. Acts 1:8.
The Apostle Paul found it convenient to use the example of a body
to illustrate the function of the various members in the local group
of Believers. This group is more frequently referred to as the
Church. Jesus gave to the Believers the authority of His Name and the
Power of the Holy Spirit. Mark 16:17,18.
In this capacity the Church is acting on His behalf and in His
stead to the establishing of the Kingdom of God.
The many Believers (The Church) are united in this task, with each
person having a part to play and working as a Body of many members
(some seen, some unseen) with Jesus as the head.
Functioning In The Body Of Christ
From the beginning of time God has always desired to dwell with
His people in some tangible manner. In Genesis, He walked with Adam
in the garden, in the cool of the evening, talking and manifesting
Himself to them openly. When Sin came, because God is Holy and could
not fellowship with sin (even though He loved the sinner) He provided
other ways to have fellowship with the creation He loved so much.
A. The Altar
Firstly, fellowship was restored through the altars of sacrifice
where sin was covered by a substitutionary death of a spotless and
blameless animal. With the sin covered, God was able to commune
and enjoy fellowship with the sinner. By this method, God's
servants from Adam to Moses met with Him. Ex. 20:24.
B. The Tabernacle
God moved on from the Altar. He gave Moses the pattern for the
Tabernacle for the Wilderness wanderings of the Children of
Israel. This was a means whereby the Fullness of God could
tabernacle in the midst of His People. Much could be said over
this pattern. Every detail of construction was given so minutely
to Moses. The three stages of approach to the Shekinah Presence,
the pieces of furniture, and their measurements and order, all
have their significant application to God's redeemed people today.
God met with His people by means of the Tabernacle.
Order of Construction:
a. Moses received the pattern from God. Ex. 25:9 & 40. The
congregation of Israel is called the Church in the Wilderness,
Acts 7:38, of which Moses is a type of Christ Ex. 4:16.
b. God-gifted men received the pattern from Moses and formed the
Abiding place (Tabernacle) of God's presence and name. These
men miraculously made the Holy vessels which served the Lord
and were set apart for His service. Ex. 31:1-12.
Note: Bezaleel made the beautiful vessels of the Tabernacle
from the free will offering of the people Ex. 25:1-9.
c. Consider that in the Church in the Wilderness (the congregation
of Israel), there was Moses, the High Priest, priests, Levites,
Princes, the people -- One Body of many members. This Church
had its foundation in the call of Abraham and has survived
through the everlasting covenant Gen. 17:7.
C. The Temple
In the Promised Land, David sought to have fellowship with His God
continually, by means of a fixed abode for Him. God heard his
prayer, and the plan for the Temple was given. Another means for
God to dwell in the midst of His people and have fellowship with
them as in the beginning before man fell. Notice that in all
these plans from heaven, blood had to be connected with every one
of them. "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of
sins." David was not allowed to build the Temple because of his
wars. God wanted a peaceful man to build it. Solomon, the
fruitful, third King of United Israel did the building. Notice
that his was the third reign of 40 years, in succession. ie. 120
years. No doubt when wars and fighting cease amongst God's
people, the Temple will be built again. Read the Book of Haggai
in this connection.
Although David did not build the Temple he gathered much of the
material which was used by Solomon in the construction. Compare
this with the Ministries involved in the Samaritan Revival. Acts 8
Constructing the Temple
The material was collected and prepared in various places, away
from the site. The preparation work was done first. The stones
were hewn out, shaped and smoothed before being moved to the
Temple site. The work of preparation was perfect and nothing
needed to be done at the site except put everything in order. 1
Kings 6:7.
Compare: The work of preparing God's Temple (1 Peter 2:5) has been
going on for many years. Large foundation stones, beautiful
vessels, rich tapestry, polished timbrels have been in preparation
in various places (Denominations), but the cry of the Holy Spirit
is going out today and the material (people) is coming together
(unto the Lord Jesus). The foundation is laid. It is time for
the gifted men (gifts of men) to come forth and build on that
foundation. Today the Holy Spirit has transcended the
Denominational barriers and thousands of Believers of various
'tags' are coming together, unto the Lord to praise and worship
Him. God is not the Author of confusion. He has always had
Spiritual oversight in the Church and in the Body of Believers
today, unified by the experience of the Baptism with the Holy
Spirit the Lord Jesus will have Ministries to the Body of Christ.
Notice: Solomon's Temple was beautiful. At the dedication
service, 120 trumpeters blew a united note and the glory of God
fell and slew the Ministers of God. 2 Chron. 5:13,14. This Temple
was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. After the captivity the Temple
was rebuilt, God said of the Latter House, its Glory shall be
greater and it shall be a house of Peace. Hag. 2:9. Let us
rejoice for we shall be liviny stones in this latter house, shaped
after the pattern of the Chief Stone the builders rejected.
D. Jesus
God moved on from the Temple, He is always moving, as He is Light,
and if we do not move with Him, our light becomes darkness. This
time God came and dwelt with His people in a tabernacle made of
flesh and bone. "The Word was made flesh and dwelt (tabernacled
in the original) among us, and we beheld His glory ("Shekinah"),
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and
truth". John 1:14.
As before, there was no other access to the Father except through
the pattern laid down by God, for the period of time it was given
for, so when Jesus came, He said "No man cometh unto the Father
but by me."
It was useless an Israelite trying to get to God by means of his
own private altar, when the Tabernacle was there to be used.
Certainly God had given the Altar into the Tabernacle, and private
altars were no longer God's way. In the same way it was useless
trying to reach the Father through the Tabernacle when the Temple
stood there. God had moved on and He expected the people to move
on with Him.
When Jesus came, Temple worship ceased, and the Shekinah Presence
disappeared from the Holy of Holies, and abode in a temple not
made with hands. Jesus said "Destroy this Temple, and in three
days I will raise it up!" He was talking about the new temple
that God had moved on to. See Is. 66:3. Certainly God had
ordained sacrificing oxen and lambs, but now they were swallowed
up in the "Lamb of God", who was offered once and for all times,
Heb. 7:27. It is useless trying to reach God by sacrifices and
works today, for Jesus is the only Way and the only Door. Notice
again, that blood is involved.
Jesus had incorporated in Him, the pattern of the Altars, the
Tabernacle and the Temple and all were done away with, through
Him. He had God's presence and Name recorded in Him, just as all
the previous patterns had had. Note: Jesus set the pattern, yet
He was the pattern. He is the Apostle and High Priest of our
profession, Heb. 3:1. Jesus was the abiding place of God Col.
2:9, yet He fulfilled every area of Ministry to the people. Jesus
was taken up to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father.
How was God to dwell with His people now, and where was He to
record His Name and presence. How was He to produce a pattern
that would fully incorporate all the other patterns and also have
His Son, Jesus, as the Only Way and Door to Himself? The answer
to this is the church. This is God's latest pattern from heaven,
incorporating all that has gone before, and the present means of
communion with Him. The Church has the blood of Jesus. The name
of Jesus (that name which is above every name). The presence of
Jesus (The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus in the Church.
The Holy Spirit glorifies the Son and the Father is glorified in
the Son. John 16:13,14; John 14:13.
Many and varied are the modern ideas that are imagined in the Word
"church" so we must turn from the ideas and voices of man, to the
Word of God, to see what the Lord means by "The Church". His
interpretation is the only one that matters to the inquiring
Christian after all. What is the Church? What is its function?
Who runs it and who builds it? Let us examine the Scriptures and
see what they teach.
E. The Church
The original is "ecclesia" - "called out". Abraham was called out
of Babylon. The Children of Israel were called out of Egypt. Acts
7:38 etc. Notice that a building is not called out...but people
are. The Church is not made of natural wood and stone, but flesh
and blood. "Ye also as living stones are built up a spiritual
house..." 1 Pet. 2:5. When the meeting is over, the Church goes
home, and the wood and stone building stays on its section!
Unfortunately, today more time and labour is put into the material
edifice that men call the church, than is put into "called out"
men and women, that God calls the Church. "Where two or three are
gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst". His Name
and presence recorded, because this is the Church in session! The
Church began on the Day of Pentecost and in its normal, healthy
united condition, it is God's vessel to meet Mankind. Read John
17:21. Praise God, we shall be one. Eph. 3:10.
To join the Church, you must be added by the Lord. Acts 2:47.
Note verse 41. Believed..Baptised...Added to the Church! Many
people on our church membership rolls, will not be on God's roll.
An experience is needed. John 3:3 and 5. All must be born
again...first born. Heb. 12:23. Body, soul and spirit. 1 John
5:7-8.
The Epistles give us several similes for the Church, to help us
to understand her function. She is called...the Body of Christ
(with Christ as the Head) Eph. 1:22-23...a City, Matt. 5:14, and
Rev. 21:9-11. (This was the city whose builder and maker is God.
The city Abraham was looking for!). Branches of the Vine, 1 John
15, the Building of God, 1 Cor. 3:9; and a Brotherhood, Matt.
12:49-50. The church is to be changed into the Lord's image, 2
Cor. 3:18, Eph. 5:26,27, as it grows, Eph. 2:21.
Conditions Today
Everywhere we look, we see division, splits, and sects of all
kinds in the Christian ranks. These conditions confuse the
sinner, sicken the Christian and cause the weak members to
backslide. It is not God's will that there should be any schism
in the Body. Scripture supports this. 1 Cor. 12:25; 1 Cor. 1:10.
A schism is a division, and always manifests itself in some kind
of sectarianism, which Paul calls "carnality". 1 Cor.3:3. Strife
and wars come into our midst because of what we believe, instead
of whom we believe. Doctrinal differences cause fences to be put
up between God's sheep to segregate them into the variety of
Denominational groups that we have today. Each group hanging
tightly onto their little bit of light as if no other light
existed! However, when the Lord sends the floods of spiritual
rain, the fences will be washed away, and the pieces of light will
come together to form a rainbow of promise to the dying world. As
long as you have a desire to ask your brother which sect he
belongs to, you yourself are still sectarian! God deliver His
people from this carnality, for it is enmity towards Him, Rom.
8:6-7 and delays conversions. John 17:21.
A Denomination is usually formed by a revival of some truth,
gathering together a group of people who all see eye to eye.
These folk draw up a list of what they believe, and if you will
agree to their tenets of faith, you may become a member of their
group. Then when God sends more light to His people, the listed
tenets of faith do not allow for anything further from heaven and
so those people who accept the light from God, have to come out of
their group or Denomination, in order to walk in the light. This
is why we have so many Denominational groups today, all having
split off each other progressively as God has revealed further
truth. Each split off has made the same mistake as their parent,
in building their walls of beliefs, thus causing the next revival
to come outside the "walls". The Body of Christ has always been a
"come out" people, moving on with God. Each revival always finds
its most bitter enemies in the group that last had fresh light
from the Lord! It is interesting to see the three stages of a
group or denomination:
a) all for the glory of God.
b) for the sake of the movement itself.
c) for the political ambitions of the leaders!
In the beginning of the Church, after the Day of Pentecost, there
was one unity of many members, with Christ as the Head, all living
in one accord, because of the Apostles doctrine. Acts 2:41-47.
(Compare 2 Chron. 5:13-14, and Ps. 133:1-2). How far from this,
we are today! How can we get back to the pattern? Through a
restoration of the God given ministries.
Ephesians chapter 4, verses 11-13, tells us that there is only one
way to perfect the Church - that is through the five ministries
listed. Apostles and Prophets for the foundational work, Eph.
2:20, Evangelists to propagate the good news, Teachers to teach
the Apostles' Doctrine, and Pastors to feed and lead the sheep.
These ministries must be God-given and set. Not according to our
systems today, where we vote and choose ourselves. Can you
imagine Moses being voted into office, or Joshua, Gideon, David?
Imagine Paul being voted into the Apostleship! These men were
set of God, and not of man, and their ministries made room for
them. These men were taken from their fishing nets, their seat of
custom, or other occupations and spent a number of years being
taught of the Lord.
There is no Bible teaching against Bible Colleges, in fact the
only references are for it. However, there must be places which
develop the minister to have a sense of dependency on God and
sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Man made leaders of the Church
will produce only death and confusion and God will judge them.
Jer. 2:8, 12:10, 10:21, 23:1-5.
Because of such false leaders, the latter rain is suspended. Jer.
3:1-3. However, the Lord has promised to give us pastors after
his own heart. Jer. 3:15-17. Even though such men and women may
have studied at a Bible College, their message will be direct from
the Lord and will not be man produced. Notice how a man-taught
vessel will say "someone has said", while a Spirit-taught vessel
will say "I say unto you".
We find Teachers today, teaching from books, instead of teaching
from the Word of God, and the more uninteresting and dry he is,
the greater "teacher" he is considered to be! How contrary this
is to the Bible pattern, where the greatest teacher - Jesus
Himself - gave the deepest teachings in language that a child
could understand. You can be sure that something is wrong with
the "teacher" when what he is giving is "too deep for anyone to
understand!" The wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err in
the true path of the Lord. Like Eve in the Garden, we find
Ministers after knowledge of the senses, instead of knowledge
of the spiritual. Dan. 11:32.
Satan would blind peoples eyes to the need of God-given
ministries for the Church, and say "these things are not for
today". The body of Christ must be a ministering Body, with every
individual member doing their part, and giving their piece towards
the whole, that all may be edified and built up. Just as in our
physical bodies, every cell has a job to perform, so in the Body
of Christ everyone (from the Elder to the new convert) has a job
or ministry to perform! Read 1 Cor. 12:14-31. Everyone has a
ministry to perform and it is their duty to God, to perform it,
that all may be blessed. Rom. 12:4-8. There is judgement, to
those who bury their ministry, and won't function in the body, as
there cannot be a perfect Body until every joint supplies, and
every cell co-ordinates. Note Luke 19:11-26, and Matt. 25:14-30.
Buried Talents! Each one of us needs to know what our ministry
is, so that we can "wait upon it", and make "full proof" of it, in
the assembly.
Do you know what your ministry is? Ask the Lord to show you, that
you may be a blessing to all of God's people everywhere as you
function in your correct place, instead of being an awkward fit,
in somebody else's place! The Lord is the author and finisher of
our faith, and in the same way, he is the Author and Finisher of
our ministries. He does not give you a ministry that you can not
do, or a function that makes you wonder continually if you are in
the will of God. He see to it, that you KNOW your place, and are
happy and contented in it! Prophecy is good to confirm your
ministry, but when it conflicts with your inward convictions, that
you believe are from God, then you have a right to question the
prophecies. God's callings are His enablings, and He is not the
author of confusion! If you do not know your place in the Body,
perhaps God will reveal it to you, as you meditate and pray over
these studies, and let the Holy Spirit speak to you, with that
still small voice, in the inner man.
END of STUDY TEN