The Church, Jesus body?

W2L

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This scripture got me thinking. Any insight into the church as the Lords body, or this scripture, is welcome, and im looking for a deeper understanding, thank you.

Ephesians 1:22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
 
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Dave-W

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1 Cor 12
12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.
 
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Dave L

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This scripture got me thinking. Any insight into the church as the Lords body, or this scripture, is welcome, and im looking for a deeper understanding, thank you.

Ephesians 1:22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18)
 
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Tree of Life

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The "body of Christ" language is a metaphor that has much to teach us but also should not be taken too literally.

As a metaphor, it communicates our relationship to Christ - he is the head and we are the body. He cares for his own body and nourishes it. What has happened to the head will also happen to the body. As a metaphor it also communicates our relationship to one another - we are individual members and we are connected to one another, each having a different purpose but also contributing to the larger whole.

I've also seen people take this language much too literally and suggest that the church is God because it is the body of Christ (who is God). Yes we are the body of Christ, but we are not Jesus himself. We are only his body in a metaphorical sense. I think the Roman Church has generally made too much of this metaphor and it is reflected in their high view of the RCC. They believe that the church is infallible because it is the body of Christ. But this error is not exclusive to Romanism.
 
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W2L

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The "body of Christ" language is a metaphor that has much to teach us but also should not be taken too literally.

As a metaphor, it communicates our relationship to Christ - he is the head and we are the body. He cares for his own body and nourishes it. What has happened to the head will also happen to the body. As a metaphor it also communicates our relationship to one another - we are individual members and we are connected to one another, each having a different purpose but also contributing to the larger whole.

I've also seen people take this language much too literally and suggest that the church is God because it is the body of Christ (who is God). Yes we are the body of Christ, but we are not Jesus himself. We are only his body in a metaphorical sense. I think the Roman Church has generally made too much of this metaphor and it is reflected in their high view of the RCC. They believe that the church is infallible because it is the body of Christ. But this error is not exclusive to Romanism.
Of course a person isn't actually a foot or hand. However the idea that we are part of Christ, is that literal? If so how? It seems mysterious. Paul spoke briefly about it but not enough in the writings we have. Maybe there is a reason for that which we are not aware.
 
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Deborah D

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Of course a person isn't actually a foot or hand. However the idea that we are part of Christ, is that literal? If so how? It seems mysterious. Paul spoke briefly about it but not enough in the writings we have. Maybe there is a reason for that which we are not aware.
Hi, W2L,

I don't believe Paul is saying that we are part of Christ. We are IN Christ, and He is IN us, but we remain distinct from Him. Paul talked about the union of marriage representing our union with Christ. A married couple is in union as they become one flesh, but they are not a part of each other, and they don't lose their distinct identities as individuals....
 
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W2L

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Hi, W2L,

I don't believe Paul is saying that we are part of Christ. We are IN Christ, and He is IN us, but we remain distinct from Him. Paul talked about the union of marriage representing our union with Christ. A married couple is in union as they become one flesh, but they are not a part of each other, and they don't lose their distinct identities as individuals....
That sounds right.
 
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eleos1954

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This scripture got me thinking. Any insight into the church as the Lords body, or this scripture, is welcome, and im looking for a deeper understanding, thank you.

Ephesians 1:22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

The church is/are the "called out ones", believers whom God calls out from the world and into His eternal kingdom.

Strongs
1577 ekklēsía(from 1537 /ek, "out from and to" and 2564 /kaléō, "to call") – properly, people called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the Church (the mystical body of Christ) – i.e. the universal (total) body of believers whom God calls out from the world and into His eternal kingdom.

The body of us in Him, and Him in us until He returns is spiritual. When he returns the spiritual and the physical will unite and we will be one with Him (all in all).... just as He (Jesus) is one with the Father we shall also be.

1 Corinthians 6:17
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.

1 John 3

2Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.

When He appears, we will be in His physical presence with a physical body as well as being one with Him spiritually ... in complete harmony with Him ... all in all. We will all have the same perfect, loving, intimate relationship with the Father and with Jesus and among all in His kingdom.

John 17:21
English Standard Version
21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

and someday we will be all in all - one. Pretty amazing!

Thank you Jesus! Amen
 
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Tree of Life

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Of course a person isn't actually a foot or hand. However the idea that we are part of Christ, is that literal? If so how? It seems mysterious. Paul spoke briefly about it but not enough in the writings we have. Maybe there is a reason for that which we are not aware.

It is not literal. We are not literally Jesus' foot or kidney. In a metaphorical and mystical sense we are members of his body, united to him in life and in death and nourished and cared for by him.
 
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Carl Emerson

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Col:1

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.

This is an absolute gem of a verse. Not so well known, I guess.

Herein we have the foundation of intercession.

The sufferings of Christ on the cross are being experienced by His faithful for the Body, but this process is not complete until His return.

So we enter into that suffering, each in part, but contributing to the whole healing of His Body, the true Church.
 
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1am3laine

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This scripture got me thinking. Any insight into the church as the Lords body, or this scripture, is welcome, and im looking for a deeper understanding, thank you.

Ephesians 1:22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 explains how we are literally the body of Christ.
Jesus of course is the Head.
Still, we can do nothing outside of Him. John 15:1-7
 
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LoveofTruth

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This scripture got me thinking. Any insight into the church as the Lords body, or this scripture, is welcome, and im looking for a deeper understanding, thank you.

Ephesians 1:22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Jesus Christ is the head of the church and effectually in every part to edify the body.

But mutual edification in Christ when we gather together is often hindered in many assemblies even though the Lord commands it, consider

Ephesians 4:15. 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.”

1 Corinthians 14:26. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.27. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.28. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.29. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.30. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.31. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.32. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.33. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.34. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.35. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.36. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?37. If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.38. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.”

Romans 12:3. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.4. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
 
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We are only his body in a metaphorical sense. I think the Roman Church has generally made too much of this metaphor and it is reflected in their high view of the RCC. They believe that the church is infallible because it is the body of Christ.
Actually, I agree with everything you have said in this thread. I just want to correct one misconception. We do not see the church as infallible because it is God or connect infallibility to the body of Christ as people called out. We see the church as being promised infallibility by Christ when he said that the gates of hell will not prevail against it and when he gave the disciples the Holy Spirit and said that it would lead them into all truth. Only God can be the source of infallibility and we see the Holy Spirit as the protector, the comforter, and the counselor of the Body of Christ to insure this body does not fall into error.
 
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Grip Docility

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This scripture got me thinking. Any insight into the church as the Lords body, or this scripture, is welcome, and im looking for a deeper understanding, thank you.

Ephesians 1:22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

 
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Grip Docility

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This scripture got me thinking. Any insight into the church as the Lords body, or this scripture, is welcome, and im looking for a deeper understanding, thank you.

Ephesians 1:22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

 
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