The Church as the Body of Christ

CHURCH ARTICLE | Shane Carrington | Sulfer Springs, Texas

My body used to be a well-oiled machine. I could run for miles, play full-court basketball with men half my age every week, and grasp and hold almost anything with my hands. Then I turned 50. My well-oiled machine has become somewhat rusty and creaky. This maturing body sometimes hurts and disappoints, but such is the nature of aging.

The body of Christ, on the other hand, grows stronger, more vibrant, and better equipped for the will of God regardless of how long we live in this world. This makes the “body of Christ” one of the powerful metaphors for the people connected to Jesus by faith.

Church = body; Body = Church

In Christ, God calls us many things. In Acts 11:26 alone, we are “the church,” “the disciples,” and “Christians.” As Paul wrote, the Father “put all things under His [Christ’s, sc] feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph. 1:22,23). And, “Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23). So the body of Christ is the church and vice-versa, and the church/body of Christ is the family of God (i.e., the body composed of God’s saved people).

Further, the Holy Spirit describes our connectedness both to Christ and one another by using the metaphor of “body.”

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. 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. 1 Corinthians 12:12,13

There is a lot going on there that we will not address, but as the universal body of Christ, we are in unity with both Jesus and one another. Just as your body works together with your head (mind, will, etc.) for the good of your physical body, as disciples of King Jesus, we are to work together in harmony with His will to further His work. Working well with our fellow disciples in Christ is integral to unity (read 1 Cor. 12:14-21). In fact, rather than competing with one another in the body of Christ, we honor the unique work each of us does for the good of the entire body (1 Cor. 12:22-26): “that the members may have the same care for one another” (1 Cor. 12:25b). Indeed, “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it” (1 Cor. 12:27). Paul develops this by discussing how each different body part has a unique function, yet they complement one another.

This passage emphasizes the universal body/church of Christ. But the practicalities of the body of Christ primarily reveal themselves in how a local body in Christ interacts with itself. Paul makes this point as he describes worship assemblies of the congregation in Corinth (1 Cor. 14).

• “Therefore if the whole church [local congregation, sc] assembles together…” (1 Cor. 12:23)
• “…When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” (1 Cor. 12:26)
• “…if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church [local church worship assembly, sc]…” (1 Cor. 12:28)

How we interact with one another as a local congregation has great importance!

The Body of Christ is…

This powerful metaphor of “the body of Christ” resonates with us all. Your physical, human body wonderfully illustrates the strengths and weaknesses evident in the body of Christ. We need Jesus, our Head! We need each other as fellow members of the body of Christ! We only grow well spiritually with both! In this article, let’s focus on the local congregation (like Paul did in 1 Cor. 14), emphasizing four aspects of our relationship as a local body in Christ. The local body is…

1. Stabilizing. A local congregation provides godly structure for each member. Just as the human body’s skeletal system stabilizes the entire human body, God designed the local congregation as a spiritually stabilizing force for each member.

Elders who shepherd (1 Pet. 5:1-4), deacons who serve (1 Tim. 3:8-13), and members who work together (Phil. 1:1; 1 Cor. 12-14; Eph. 4:15,16) provide structure and momentum for the stability of the body.

Working together in harmony with God’s design for the local body further provides stability. As we function under godly leadership, we participate in evangelism, edification (including worship), and giving alms to needy saints. Participating in these activities together further stabilizes us spiritually.

2. Family. Family intimacy and spiritual kinship form vital aspects of a local congregation. A local church differs greatly from your favorite convenience store or fast-food restaurant. Rather than participating only if we can “have it your way,” a local congregation is described as “the household [family, sc] of God” (1 Tim. 3:15). As such, God desires a local congregation to provide what all godly family provides:

• An atmosphere of belonging. Whether husband, wife, parent, or child, a family belongs together (Col. 3:18-21). Being invested in one another as God wills is vital to both physical and spiritual family. “I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to your before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God…” (1 Tim. 3:14,15). In 1 Timothy, Paul wrote the carefully crafted will of God for the atmosphere that should exist in a local congregation (elders, deacons, etc., 1 Tim. 3). We belong together; we need each other.
• A spirit of unity. Being in Christ provides a sense of spiritual unity. But as in the human body, in the local body of Christians, the different body parts must work together for a common goal (1 Cor. 12; 14). Eyes, ears, etc. are all necessary, and each must realize this and act accordingly. Complementary body parts work in harmony toward the well being of the body. Each local congregation must follow this same pattern. We belong together; we need each other.
• A sense of meaning. In a God-centered nuclear family, husband and wife are “one flesh” (Matt. 19:5), and the “children are a gift [heritage, NKJV] of the LORD” (Ps. 127:3). Consequently, they each draw some sense of meaning from their relationships with one another. Being a member of a local congregation for an extended period does the same. “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit” (1 Pet. 3:8). What a comfort it is knowing fellow Christians well and loving each other in this way. We belong together; we need each other.

3. Strengthening. One of the key words describing the work of disciples among one another — including in worship assemblies — is edification (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 14; etc.). Like in an earthly family, disciples are to strengthen one another. Everyone should be involved: “from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body of the building up of itself in love” (Eph. 4:16). Elders (Eph. 4:11, “pastors”), deacons (1 Tim. 3:8ff), teachers and preachers (Eph. 4:11), and the entire body (Eph. 4:16) have vital roles in this work. Participating in our worship assemblies, Bible classes, etc. makes each individual — and consequently, all who are willing — stronger in Christ. None of us grows as well in isolation.
4. Restorative. Randal, one of my good friends, developed colon cancer, which spread to his liver before he even knew he had polyps. Over a few months, he had chemo and two major surgeries on his liver to remove significant portions of it — before they could even operate on his colon! Fortunately, the liver regenerates, and his did. Recently he was able to have the diseased portion of his colon removed, so hopefully, he will now be in remission!

The human body is, within parameters, restorative. When you get sick, the body begins working to heal you. In cases of body trauma, other body parts work more vigorously for the good of the body. What a blessing!

The body of Christ is the same. Withdrawing from a rebellious member is to protect the local body from their influence. “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven…” (1 Cor. 5:6,7). But that same action is also an attempt to restore them to the Lord and the body of Christ. “…deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Cor. 5:5). It is to destroy (urge him to repent of) his “flesh” (carnal/sinful activities) so that his soul/spirit might meet the Lord in peace at the judgment. God designed the human body “fearfully and wonderfully” (Ps. 139:14), and He also designed the body of Christ in amazing fashion.

Conclusion

The human body grows weary with time and begins to falter. The body of Christ, on the other hand, is ever-renewing — designed to strengthen us in Christ throughout our days. What a blessing it is to be in fellowship with Him and other members of His body. May we respond well to Him and one another as part of His body now. Then we can one day live with Him in eternity.

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October 2020 | GROW magazine