The Identity of the Body of Christ: A Biblical Examination and Word Study of the Body of Christ

by John Uit de Flesch

The essence of their contention is that the laws of language would be violated if one should apply the word church to anything other than a congregation of religious people who convene in one specific locality.

The approach of this work revolves around the Biblical term “Body of Christ”. Paul clearly equates the Body of Christ with the Church in Ephesians 1:22-23 and Colossians 1:18.10

If the Body really is a local assembly, it can be verified by what the Scripture says about the Body itself.12

Christ, as Head of the Body, is the Source of all the Body, has preeminence over the Body, and exercises authority over it. One important truth that flows out of Christ’s headship is the direct connection between Christ as Head and each member.

Not only does the Body consist of many members, but a great diversity exists amongst these members. Paul stresses the differences between members in no less than three passages. This is an important point for him. Not only is this a Biblical teaching, but it perfectly mirrors the obvious differences present in the human body’s members.

This passage is teaching that believing Jews and Gentiles no longer have reason to be at odds. Christ has removed the sources of the tension, being made the ultimate Sacrifice for sins. “Reconciled to God” also equals reconciled to one another. Now the Gentiles are fellow-citizens and family members of God (v. 19). They are built upon the apostles, prophets, and Christ Himself, just as believing Jews are.

The Spirit of God used the phrase “one body” in the Scriptures seven times in reference to the Body of Christ. The term “bodies of Christ” never one time appears in the Scriptures.

The headship of Christ over His Body also communicates the singularity of the Body of Christ. There is one head, Jesus Christ. There is also one Body to which this Head is connected.

The final understanding of the Body must include the idea that there is only one Body of Christ in Scripture. This idea is supported by the clear declarations of Scripture, the exclusive use of the singular, the exclusive use of the definite construction, and the singularity of the Headship of Christ.

Throughout the verse preceding and the following verses, Paul labels the believing Jews and Gentiles of Ephesus in other terms. These terms are either synonymous to or parallel with their position in the Body of Christ. They are called “one new man” (v. 15), “fellowcitizens” and “of the household of God” (v. 19), “an holy temple” (v. 21), and “an habitation of God” (v. 22). These labels and positions must be either physical or spiritual. Clearly, the new man spoke of is not literal or physical, but spiritual in nature. The other labels also clearly fall into the spiritual category. Labeling the Body of Christ as physical, while in the midst of such a context, is to deny the obvious.

Since “we” must refer to Paul and the Corinthians, the nature of the Body must be something that transcends locality.55

The headship of Christ is also highly instructive in revealing the nature of the Body of Christ. How does Christ as Head interact with His Body? Is it a physical interaction or a spiritual one? Is Christ physically present with His Body? The physical body of Christ is in Heaven, with no organic connection to the rest of the Body. He leads it through spiritual influence, not through physical means. Describing the Body of Christ as a physical entity, while leaving Christ as a spiritual Head, can only cause confusion regarding how the two relate.

Just as much as Christ is joined unto us, we are joined unto Christ. The Holy Spirit is the connector within the Body of Christ. The Body, as a whole, is not connected physically, but by means of the Spirit of God. Through him we are connected to Christ the Head, and also to other members of the Body.

Those who are Spirit-baptized are part of this Body, while those who have never been Spirit-baptized, even if they are believers, are not a part of Christ’s Body. Abraham, Moses, and even John the Baptist do not qualify for membership in Christ’s Body. It is this characteristic of the Body which reveals the beginning point of the Body. The Body could not have existed until Spirit-baptism began—at Pentecost.

Therefore, the Body of Christ is the entire company of the saved who are or were alive at any point between the day of Pentecost and the day of the Rapture. This Body consists of many members all connected to the same Head, Jesus Christ. (It does parallel the human body.) These members are diverse, consisting of Jew and Gentile. Furthermore, the members depend on one another and relate to one another in the present day. God’s Word is clear that there is only one Body of Christ. God the Spirit permanently gifts the members for service to the rest of the Body. The different members of the Body are not necessarily connected physically, but maintain a spiritual unity through their connection to Christ. Each member was baptized into Christ by the means of the Spirit of God at his conversion. Thus, the members are in Christ. Each born again person is a member.

The first major religious authority on earth was the priestly class of Israel.85 After the ascension of Christ,86 this religious authority was transferred to a new entity, the Church.

Christ’s Body is literally the presence of Christ. Wherever believers are present, there is Christ also present. This takes place through His indwelling Holy Spirit.

The truths of the Body permeate local church doctrine. If represented by a diagram, the Body would be one large circle, with true local assemblies composing many small circles within the Body.104 Many truths of the Body relate to relationships and doctrines for the local assembly.

The truths that flow from a proper understanding of the Body also moderate a pastor’s view of himself. He can be delivered from an inflated view of his own position. Rather than an earthly head of a Body of Christ, he is one of thousands of elders given the task of serving Christ’s people. His role is to draw people to Christ, not to himself.112 Although he has a special position of leadership, he has no more acceptance within the Body than anyone else. He must seek the Head’s leadership for himself, as well as his local assembly.

There is equality and diversity within the Body, therefore it ought to be present in the local assembly as well. The excusing mentality that says, “Blacks can reach blacks,” or “Whites get along with whites best” is a rejection of vital Body truths. The assembly is meant to be united by the deepest bond available—Christ.

A person who plans to maintain a permanent condition of being apart from a pastor is rejecting the sanctifying power of a pastoral relationship.

The spiritual snobbery of elitism and independent Christianity is abolished when a Biblical understanding of the Body of Christ is accepted. Christians need other Christians with whom to grow, change, and serve.

Clearly, this church is a church whether completely assembled or not. Their identity as a church extends to the people, not simply to a location or time of assembly.