How is the Body of Christ Formed.
Christ is Lord and Saviour.
`If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.` (Rom. 10: 9)
When a person repents of their sin and confesses that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour, then they will be saved from judgment to come. The Holy Spirit then places them in the Body alongside others.
` God has set the members, each one of them, in the Body just as He pleased.` (1 Cor. 12: 18)
The new believer is like a `babe` and needs to grow by having his mind renewed.
`As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby...` ( 1Peter 2: 1 - 3)
As the believer grows they are then able to discern what is of God and what are false teachings. The believer knows God`s word and is not swayed by error.
`Solid food belongs to those of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their sense exercised to discern both good (of God) and evil (not of God). (Heb. 5: 12 - 14)
Christ gives His Divine Nature.
The Lord gives His Divine Nature to every believer. This is `love` the giving of oneself instead of the human selfishness. Christ`s Divine nature consists of - faithfulness, truthfulness, tender compassion, gentleness, humbleness, graciousness etc.
As the believer makes the right decisions daily these qualities will change their behaviour, plus affect those around them.
`.....you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.` (2 Peter 1: 2 - 4)
People will either be drawn by the `fragrance` of life or be repelled as they turn away. (2 Cor. 2: 15 & 16)
Christ also has given gifts and ministries by the Holy Spirit, which help build up the Body. (1 Cor. 15, Eph. 4: 11 & 12) These are recognised by their behaviour.
`We were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother....we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.` (2 Thess. 2: 7 - 11)
Christ is Lord and Saviour.
`If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.` (Rom. 10: 9)
When a person repents of their sin and confesses that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour, then they will be saved from judgment to come. The Holy Spirit then places them in the Body alongside others.
` God has set the members, each one of them, in the Body just as He pleased.` (1 Cor. 12: 18)
The new believer is like a `babe` and needs to grow by having his mind renewed.
`As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby...` ( 1Peter 2: 1 - 3)
As the believer grows they are then able to discern what is of God and what are false teachings. The believer knows God`s word and is not swayed by error.
`Solid food belongs to those of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their sense exercised to discern both good (of God) and evil (not of God). (Heb. 5: 12 - 14)
Christ gives His Divine Nature.
The Lord gives His Divine Nature to every believer. This is `love` the giving of oneself instead of the human selfishness. Christ`s Divine nature consists of - faithfulness, truthfulness, tender compassion, gentleness, humbleness, graciousness etc.
As the believer makes the right decisions daily these qualities will change their behaviour, plus affect those around them.
`.....you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.` (2 Peter 1: 2 - 4)
People will either be drawn by the `fragrance` of life or be repelled as they turn away. (2 Cor. 2: 15 & 16)
Christ also has given gifts and ministries by the Holy Spirit, which help build up the Body. (1 Cor. 15, Eph. 4: 11 & 12) These are recognised by their behaviour.
`We were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother....we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.` (2 Thess. 2: 7 - 11)
