The Body of Christ: (3) When did the Body of Christ Start.

When did the Body of Christ Start.



Christ Ascended to the Father.


When Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father in glory, the Father gave Him all power and authority

`God....seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And he put all things under His feet,...` (Eph. 1: 20 & 21)


Although the Lord Jesus Christ has all power and authority He does not operate in His Kingship at this time, but concentrates as High Priest to His Body.
It is the Father who gives Jesus to be the Head of the `ekklesia`, which is His Body. The Ekklesia is a Greek word meaning `called out.` The believers are called out from
the other groups (Israel and the nations) and made into the Body of Christ.

`...and gave him to be head over all things to the `ekklesia` which is His Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. `(Eph. 1: 20 - 23)


Head - means the one who guides and directs the functioning of the Body.

`Christ, from whom the whole Body, joined and knit together by which every joint supplies.......causes the growth of the Body....in love.` (Eph. 4: 16)


This is a whole new group of people that had not been revealed previously. It meant that the Jews and Gentiles who believed in Jesus as Lord and Saviour, would become `one new man.` (Eph. 2: 15)



Christ sends His Holy Spirit.

To make His Body, Jesus sends His Holy Spirit to guide the believers into all the truth of Himself and His purposes.

`...when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.` (John 16: 13)


The Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost after Jesus` ascension.

`Now when the day of Pentecost was fully come ......they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.` (Acts 2: 4)


It is the truth of Christ that shapes a person`s character and brings them and the whole Body of Christ to maturity.



 
Back
Top