What Church is God's Church?

Body of Christ

Many different metaphors have been used in reference to the Christian church; with the term “Body of Christ” being the one most frequently used.  Not long ago as I thought about this, during a morning devotional period, it occurred to me to consider all this term might include.  It seems to me that it does a lot more than simply describe how all the individual parts of a body should work together to perform their tasks in the service of the whole body.  I believe this metaphor can be useful for understanding more than that.

Just as our own human body sometimes breaks down and parts fail (which results in a need for restoration and healing) the same can also be said of the church.  Consider for a moment what sorts of things cause dysfunction and disease within the physical body and what happens when the body does not function as it should?  Is dysfunction within the physical body similar in some ways to dysfunction within the church (the spiritual body)?

Why is the term, “Body of Christ” used?  There is much written on this topic and a Google search quickly came up with hundreds of references but the following link provides a very good summary from which many of the following points were taken:http://www.gotquestions.org/body-of-Christ.html#ixzz3FSmtMxrD

In the New Testament, there are a number of scripture references to the phrase, “the Body of Christ” and what it means:

“The phrase “the Body of Christ” is a common New Testament metaphor for the Church (all those who are truly saved). The Church is called “one body in Christ” in Romans 12:5, “one body” in 1 Corinthians 10:17, “the body of Christ” in 1 Corinthians 12:27 and Ephesians 4:12, and “the body” in Hebrews 13:3.  The Church is clearly equated with “the body” of Christ in Ephesians 5:23 and Colossians 1:24.”

The article goes on to list a number of facts as to why the Church may be called the Body of Christ:

“1) Members of the Body of Christ are joined to Christ in salvation (Ephesians 4:15-16).

2) Members of the Body of Christ follow Christ as their Head (Ephesians 1:22-23).

3) Members of the Body of Christ are the physical representation of Christ in this world. The Church is the organism through which Christ manifests His life to the world today.

4) Members of the Body of Christ are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9).

5) Members of the Body of Christ possess a diversity of gifts suited to particular functions (1 Corinthians 12:4-31). “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ” (verse 12).

6) Members of the Body of Christ share a common bond with all other Christians, regardless of background, race, or ministry. “There should be no division in the body, but . . . its parts should have equal concern for each other” (1 Corinthians 12:25).

7) Members of the Body of Christ are secure in their salvation (John 10:28-30). For a Christian to lose his salvation, God would have to perform an “amputation” on the Body of Christ!

8) Members of the Body of Christ partake of Christ’s death and resurrection (Colossians 2:12).

9) Members of the Body of Christ share Christ’s inheritance (Romans 8:17).

10) Members of the Body of Christ receive the gift of Christ’s righteousness (Romans 5:17).”

Taking all the above into consideration and moving forward with the “body” metaphor, a wonderful point is made...for if the body is healthy and functioning optimally, it can accomplish all it was designed and created to do.  Indeed, Psalm 139:14 speaks of the human body in the following manner: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  A truly complex and marvellous creation, each component of the body, down to the tiniest microscopic cell, reveals that it is fearfully and wonderfully made. 

Both the body and the church have the same creator and both (if/when functioning as they ought) reveal the One by whom we have been “fearfully and wonderfully” made.  However, we know that sometimes our bodies break down, dysfunction and suffer disease.  When this happens we not only cannot function optimally, sometimes we don't function at all.

One thing I strongly felt I needed to look at further is communication and what happens in the human body when communication is either interfered with or ceases altogether.  With a bit of searching I came across this quote from The University of Utah Health Sciences Center:

“The cells in our bodies are constantly sending out and receiving signals. But what if a cell fails to send out a signal at the proper time? Or what if a signal doesn't reach its target? What if a target cell does not respond to a signal, or a cell responds even though it has not received a signal? These are just a few ways in which cell communication can go wrong, resulting in disease. In fact, most diseases involve at least one breakdown in cell communication.” (emphasis added) http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cells/badcom/

Fascinating...this suggests that a breakdown in cellular communication is a factor behind most diseases.  Might the same be said about most of the dysfunction within the body of Christ (the church) as well?  Might the breakdown in communication be such a huge problem as to contribute to periods of dysfunction, stagnation and even worse, atrophy?  I believe these are certainly questions worthy of consideration.

While the church is made up of individuals and groupings of individuals, we’ve been given everything we need to come together as one body.  Consider points number 3 & 6 above:  (#3) “The Church is the organism through which Christ manifests His life to the world today.  And (#6) “Members of the Body of Christ share a common bond with all other Christians, regardless of background, race, or ministry. “There should be no division in the body, but . . . its parts should have equal concern for each other.”  Unfortunately, we have not been functioning as one body to manifest the life of Christ to the world; and it is here that we see some of the divisions and dysfunctions begin to emerge.

The church is divided with many denominations and sects.  Some of the differences and divisions are based on different interpretations and views on points of doctrine.  Even within individual denominations there are further differences in beliefs, values or interpretations.  It is my view that too much energy is spent focusing on and arguing differences – the things that divide rather than the things that unite.  To be completely free of such differences we would have to have perfect knowledge, and understanding plus perfect wisdom to be able to always apply (that perfect knowledge) with grace and discernment.  We simply don’t possess that kind of perfection but we do have God’s word and the gift of His Holy Spirit who indwells us and guides us to the truth.

I’m going to guess that in the early church when thousands came to Christ daily, and committed their hearts and lives to Him, they were probably not scholars given to heated debate on obscure theological points.  The message was simple (and remains so) accept the Lord Jesus Christ, the risen Saviour and you will be saved.  Indeed, Paul’s letters to the early church help pinpoint dangers and early divisions caused when attempts were made to add to that simple message with conflicting doctrinal views and rules.  An example of such a divisive issue, in the early Christian church, was circumcision which is addressed in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. 

I came out of a tradition that believed differences were important…important enough to jeopardize one’s salvation.  Believing we were right and that all other denominations were misguided, our mission seemed to be promoting the “rightness” of our cause and correcting the doctrines and beliefs of other ‘well-meaning but mistaken’ churches.  While many of the folks crossing our path each day may have known little to nothing about Jesus, far too much effort got invested in trying to polish the Christianity of others.  From talking to friends raised in other traditions, I’ve come to realize that my experience was not unique.

Ultimately, rather than contribute to building unity within the “body of Christ,” focusing on differences only served to strengthen the divisions.  I wonder now if this exercise of “who’s right,” (while resisting efforts to come together, fellowship and communicate) isn’t perhaps one of the devils greatest strategies for slowing (even derailing) the growth of the church.  Just thinking out loud here...but this could, of course, equate in some ways to the manner in which disease disrupts communication within the physical body.  We do know the devil is a great deceiver and seeks to sow the seeds of discontent and strife wherever he can.

Thinking along this line for a moment…there is a parable found in Matthew 13: 24-30 I would like to look at because I think it applies.  “The Message” records it as follows:

“God’s kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn. When the first green shoots appeared and the grain began to form, the thistles showed up, too.

“The farmhands came to the farmer and said, ‘Master, that was clean seed you planted, wasn’t it? Where did these thistles come from?’

“He answered, ‘Some enemy did this.’

“The farmhands asked, ‘Should we weed out the thistles?’

“He said, ‘No, if you weed the thistles, you’ll pull up the wheat, too. Let them grow together until harvest time. Then I’ll instruct the harvesters to pull up the thistles and tie them in bundles for the fire, then gather the wheat and put it in the barn.’”

When I consider the above, I am struck with the idea that the grain was not defined by what field it grew in AND different plants can all grow in the same field.  The time for separating the crop comes at the end and will be determined by what “fruit” if any will be produced by the plant.  Applying this to my own life, I am a Christian – not because of what church I have chosen to worship and fellowship in – and the final outcome to my life will not be determined by my having chosen the right denomination.  The scripture says (in Matthew 7: 20) “So then, you will know them by their fruits.”

Now when I speak of different views, ideas and divisions, I want to be clear that I’m not opposed to healthy discussion and sharing of thoughts and convictions.  I also believe there are certain fundamental or core beliefs that make one a Christian – make us each a part of that larger body.  I also believe that if we come together to pray, read the Bible and study together (with an open heart and mind) that we will be guided by the Holy Spirit.  He will guide each of us to that part of “the Body” where we need to be, doing whatever we need to do.

While I tend to associate more with those with whom I have much in common, I discovered a long time ago that if I waited until I found a group with whom I was in 100% agreement, I’d be an awfully lonely person.  I know I’m not alone in this.  None of us are perfect and no group (made up of imperfect people) is perfect or has the complete (perfect) picture - instead we are instructed to “seek” Him.  I wonder if in seeking we might not be something like the Bereans spoken of in Acts 17 who searched the scriptures daily seeking truth.  Note: it does not say they had daily, unanimous agreement – just that they came together, searched the scriptures with an open mind and sought truth.

Finally, rather than separating from other Christians with whom I might have a disagreement and essentially worshipping and studying as a church of one (the ultimate division and separation from the body) I believe it important to come together with other Christians regularly and often.  We are directed in Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”  May God bless us all as we seek Him.