BODY
What Is the Body of Christ?
The term "body" is used in Scripture in both literal and figurative sense.
Literal user of the body
In a literal sense, the term "body" in Scripture refers to the physical "tabernacle" in which the spirit of man dwells (2 Cor. 5:1ff). This human body was fashioned on the sixth day of the creation week from the dust of the ground (Gen. 2:7; Eccl. 12:7; 1 Cor. 15:47).
Our bodies are magnificently designed structures that bear witness to their divine creator (Psa. 139:14; 1 Cor. 12:18). To suggest that they developed from the blind forces of nature by evolutionary processes defies all logic.
The future resurrection of the body in a different form (cf. 1 Cor. 15:35-58; 1 John 3:1-3) is a fundamental Bible truth that should fill us with hope and anticipation (Dan. 12:2; Jn. 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Phil. 3:21; Heb. 6:2).
Figurative use of the body
Frequently, the word "body" is used symbolically for the church. At the point of baptism, one enters the "body" (1 Cor. 12:13). That "body" consists of many members, yet it is one in its essential composition (1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:4).
The expression "one body" is the equivalent of "one church" (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18, 24). While many individual congregations make up that one body (Rev. 1:4), the modern idea of many denominations, each teaching divergent doctrines, manifests an apostasy from gospel truth.
The imagery of the body further suggests that all direction to the members is directed by its head -- Christ (Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18). Moreover, if the body is to function as God intended, unity among its members must prevail (cf. 1 Cor. 12:12ff).
Literal user of the body
In a literal sense, the term "body" in Scripture refers to the physical "tabernacle" in which the spirit of man dwells (2 Cor. 5:1ff). This human body was fashioned on the sixth day of the creation week from the dust of the ground (Gen. 2:7; Eccl. 12:7; 1 Cor. 15:47).
Our bodies are magnificently designed structures that bear witness to their divine creator (Psa. 139:14; 1 Cor. 12:18). To suggest that they developed from the blind forces of nature by evolutionary processes defies all logic.
The future resurrection of the body in a different form (cf. 1 Cor. 15:35-58; 1 John 3:1-3) is a fundamental Bible truth that should fill us with hope and anticipation (Dan. 12:2; Jn. 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Phil. 3:21; Heb. 6:2).
Figurative use of the body
Frequently, the word "body" is used symbolically for the church. At the point of baptism, one enters the "body" (1 Cor. 12:13). That "body" consists of many members, yet it is one in its essential composition (1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:4).
The expression "one body" is the equivalent of "one church" (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18, 24). While many individual congregations make up that one body (Rev. 1:4), the modern idea of many denominations, each teaching divergent doctrines, manifests an apostasy from gospel truth.
The imagery of the body further suggests that all direction to the members is directed by its head -- Christ (Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18). Moreover, if the body is to function as God intended, unity among its members must prevail (cf. 1 Cor. 12:12ff).
