“Now YOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, and each one of you is a member of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27) Paul explains it like this to the Romans “For as in one human body we have many members, and the members DO NOT all have the same function, so we, though many, are ONE BODY IN CHRIST, and INDIVIDUALLY MEMBERS one of another.” (Romans 12:4-5)
There was a lot of confusion about the “unity of the faith,” so Paul teaches, “We will no longer be babies in the faith. We won’t be like ships TOSSED AROUND by the waves. We won’t be BLOWN HERE AND THERE by every NEW TEACHING. We won’t be blown around by the cleverness and tricks of people who try to HIDE THEIR EVIL PLANS. Instead, we will SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE. We will grow up into Christ in every way. HE IS THE HEAD. He makes the whole body GROW AND BUILD ITSELF UP in love. Under the control of Christ, EACH PART OF THE BODY does its work. It SUPPORTS THE OTHER PARTS. In that way, the body is JOINED AND HELD TOGETHER by BUILDING IT’S SELF–UP IN LOVE.” (Ephesians 4:14-16)
“Christ is the HEAD OF THE CHURCH: and He is the savior of the body. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also LOVED THE CHURCH, and GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That HE MIGHT PRESENT IT TO HIMSELF A GLORIOUS CHURCH, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH.” (Ephesians 5:23-27)
“THEREFORE, TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES, TO SHEPHERD THE CHURCH OF GOD WHICH JESUS PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD.” (Acts 20:28)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham