We use this phrase `the body of Christ,` but what does it actually mean.
This refers to true worshippers (John 4:23-24) true born again Christians through water and Holy Spirit baptisms becoming spiritually
integrated into Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit... becoming the temple of God with Jesus and the Father residing in us by the Holy Spirit:
the Body of Christ is the Spirit-filled church [Pentecost or Apostolic] we are members one with each other (brothers and sisters) by the
Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus. One body, no schisms = one original gospel = one Church as read and explained in Acts and the Epistles.
Hence the need to be charitable, kind, patient, loving, generous, supportive, considerate, visiting and given to hospitality...
Rom 12:4-10
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.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Ephesians 1:22-23
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Ephesians 2:5-6
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
this can only be accomplished by the indwelling Holy Spirit -
Ephesians 2:21-22
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
In whom ye also are builded together
for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:3-6
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Ephesians 5:29-30 Actually all of chapter 5 is worth reading for study
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Colossians 1:18
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 1:24-27
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake,
which is the church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
1Corinthians 12:3
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed:
and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
1Corinthians 12:12-14
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body,
being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free;
and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
1Co 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
1Corinthians 12:25-28
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles,
then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
