“Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular” (I Cor. 12:27).
The most wonderful truth in all the Word of God is that which concerns the
relationship between Christ and the Church of This Dispensation, called “His Body.”...
...WHEN DID THE BODY BEGIN?
The Body of Christ had its historical beginning with Paul, before he wrote his first epistle.
That it began with Paul, not with Peter or before, is evident from several important facts:
First, as we have seen, the Body is not mentioned anywhere in the Scriptures until we come to the writings of Paul, and it is the great subject of his epistles.
Second, the Body of Christ is a joint Body, composed of Jewish and Gentile believers alike, with no difference, positionally, between them.
“That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs [joint-heirs], and of the
same Body [of a joint-Body], and partakers [joint-partakers] of
His promise in Christ by The Gospel” (Eph. 3:6).
“For By One Spirit are we all Baptized Into One Body, whether we be
Jews or Gentiles…” (I Cor. 12:13).
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of
you as have been Baptized Into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither
Jew nor Greek…for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26-28).
same Body [of a joint-Body], and partakers [joint-partakers] of
His promise in Christ by The Gospel” (Eph. 3:6).
“For By One Spirit are we all Baptized Into One Body, whether we be
Jews or Gentiles…” (I Cor. 12:13).
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of
you as have been Baptized Into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither
Jew nor Greek…for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26-28).
This is very different from the program of prophecy and the so-called “great
commission” in which Israel is given precedence over the Gentiles
(See Isa. 60:1-3; Zech. 8:13,23; Luke_24:47; Acts_3:25,26).
Third, the Body is made up of reconciled Jews and Gentiles as we have seen
from Ephesians_2:16. Now we cannot reconcile friends. Reconciliation postulates
alienation. This is why the message of reconciliation was not preached, nor the
Body formed, until God had begun to set Israel aside along with the Gentiles.
“The casting away of them” opened the way for “the reconciling of the world”
(Rom. 11:15). Nor is there any indication of the setting aside of Israel until
Paul is raised up.
Fourth, Paul distinctly states, By The Spirit, that the Body of Christ is a “new man” and
a “new creation.”
“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though
we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we
Him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature
[Gr. there is A NEW CREATION]: old things are passed away; behold,
all things are become new” (II Cor. 5:16,17).
“For He is our peace, Who hath made both one, and hath broken down
the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in His flesh
the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;
for to Make In Himself of twain ONE NEW MAN, so making peace”
(Eph. 2:14,15).
we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we
Him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature
[Gr. there is A NEW CREATION]: old things are passed away; behold,
all things are become new” (II Cor. 5:16,17).
“For He is our peace, Who hath made both one, and hath broken down
the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in His flesh
the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;
for to Make In Himself of twain ONE NEW MAN, so making peace”
(Eph. 2:14,15).
This “new creation” and “new man” stand in contrast to Adam and the old creation.
Having concluded all in unbelief, God now Offers to take the fallen sons of Adam and
Make them a new creation in Christ.
Fifth, the Apostle further states that God’s purpose concerning the formation of the
Body of Christ was kept a secret until revealed through him.
“Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in The Mystery
of Christ, Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men,
as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets By The Spirit”
(Eph. 3:4,5).
“[His Body, Ver. 24] whereof I am made a minister, according to The
Dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God;
“Even The Mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations,
but now is made manifest to His saints” (Col. 1:24-26).
of Christ, Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men,
as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets By The Spirit”
(Eph. 3:4,5).
“[His Body, Ver. 24] whereof I am made a minister, according to The
Dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God;
“Even The Mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations,
but now is made manifest to His saints” (Col. 1:24-26).
That the Body had its beginning before Paul wrote his first epistle is also
evident, from the fact that he speaks of it in his early epistles as having
already been brought into existence and refers to The Mystery as having
already been revealed.
(See, as to the Body: Rom. 12:4,5; I Cor. 6:15; 10:17; 12:12,13,27.
As to the mystery: Rom. 2:16; 16:25; I Cor. 2:7)." (CR Stam)
FULL study: Christ And His Body
GRACE And Peace...
