The Body of Christ
The Spirit Of Life In Christ Ministries believe that the Church is the Body of Christ expressed as the church individual, the church local, and the church universal and invisible (all saints of all places and all times united together under one Lord), and that the basis of our fellowship is in Jesus Christ, in the power of the Spirit. Ephesians 2:13-22; 4:3-6; I John 1:6-7 As such, we believe the church to be more than just a building or a gathering of people. It is a body living in relationship and harmony under the direction of the head, Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 6:15; II Corinthians 1:1; Romans 16:5; I Peter 2:4-5; Ephesians 2:19-22; I Corinthians 12:12-31; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:11-16. The local church is an expression of the community and fellowship of God.
Ephesians 2:13-22 NIV
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
In Ephesians 2:13-22, Paul explains how Christ has brought peace and unity between Jews and Gentiles. Through His sacrifice, Jesus has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, creating one new humanity. Believers are no longer strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone.
Ephesians 4:3-6 NIV
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:3-6 encourages believers to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. It highlights that there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
I John 1:6-7 NIV
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
These verses emphasize the importance of living in the light of truth and fellowship with God. If we claim to have fellowship with God but walk in darkness, we are not living by the truth. However, if we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin.
I Corinthians 6:15 NIV
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
This verse emphasizes the importance of honoring our bodies as parts of Christ.
II Corinthians 1:1 NIV
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia
II Corinthians 1:1 is the opening verse of the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. In this verse, Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and he mentions Timothy as his co-author. The letter is addressed to the church of God in Corinth and to all the holy people throughout Achaia. The verse sets the tone for the rest of the letter, where Paul addresses various issues within the Corinthian church, offers encouragement, and provides guidance on living a Christian life. It emphasizes Paul’s authority as an apostle and his close relationship with the believers in Corinth.
Romans 16:5 NIV
5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
Romans 16:5 in the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible is a greeting from Paul to the church that meets in the house of Priscilla and Aquila. It reads:
“Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.”
This verse highlights the importance of house churches in the early Christian community and acknowledges Epenetus as a significant figure in the spread of Christianity. It’s a beautiful reminder of the personal connections and the sense of community that were vital to the early church.
I Peter 2:4-5 NIV
The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- Living Stone: This refers to Jesus Christ, who is described as a “living Stone.” Though rejected by people, He is chosen and precious to God.
- Living Stones: Believers are compared to “living stones” who are being built into a spiritual house. This signifies that Christians are part of a spiritual community, with Jesus as the cornerstone.
- Holy Priesthood: Believers are called to be a holy priesthood, meaning they have a special role in offering spiritual sacrifices to God. These sacrifices are not physical but spiritual, such as acts of worship, service, and obedience.
This passage emphasizes the importance of Jesus as the foundation of the faith and the role of believers in building a spiritual community dedicated to God.
