by Timothy W. Burnett
This basically covers the essence of mankind's condition, which is to be rebellious against God's will and bound to illness and death. It was al borne in the body of Jesus Christ. Guess what? God refers to His church as the same body.
God put all things under the feet of Jesus Christ and made him to be the head over all to the church, which is his body. That's what it says in Ephesians 1:22-23. The church of God is the body of Christ. The word "church" is used in the context of the dynamics of the assembly of believing Christians. Jesus Christ is the head over the church. In our bodies, the head is what determines what the body does. So also does Jesus Christ lead the way in the church. That's the way God designed it.
Jesus Christ is the head of the church and the savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23). How was Jesus the savior? He trusted his Father to raise him from the dead unto everlasting life. Now people in the church can get saved unto everlasting life in heaven when they begin to spiritually call upon the name of the Lord. The first example of people becoming alive unto righteousness and getting saved is found in Acts 2:4.
1Corinthians chapter 12 helps to understand better the dynamics of the church with Christ as the head. Every member is uniquely important in the body and should not be looked upon as unnecessary. This is God's opinion. Even the least favored saints must be highly regarded by other members. This is not about letting somebody go without timely loving reproof, but about how we regard each other in the body of Christ.
The church of God was sanctified not by our own works or actions, but by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for al (Hebrews 10:10). This was a one time sacrifice that brings dynamic results for all who believe that God raised the same Jesus from the dead making him Lord (Romans 10:9-10).
The church of God is made up of the body of Jesus Christ with all the members designed to work in perfect synchronization under the head which is Jesus Christ our Lord.
You want to know God's opinion about the body of Christ? See 1Peter 2:9-11, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God. Which did not obtain mercy [in the past], but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved..."
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