The Living Word (Lesson 5)

The Role of the Body

When Christ suffered on the cross to secure our redemption, he was doing more than securing the benefits of salvation for individuals who would believe in him. Christ’s work does not end with changing individual persons. It has a goal beyond that. An eternal purpose of forging one new man Eph. 2:14-22, an indivisibly united body of which he is the head Eph. 1:22,23; Col. 1:18, a spotless bride to worship him in perfect love for eternity Eph. 5:25-27; Rev. 19:6-9. Christianity is not an individualistic experience, and Christian bible study cannot be individualistic. We are all growing up together into a mature man. I can never reach the goal for which we are striving through mere personal bible study. Neither can any other believer, but each one needs the others in growth and learning. This “big-picture-Christianity” is essential to keep in mind as we approach the issue of bible study.

This leads us to the question of the nature and identity of the church “which is his body”, as well as that of the local church. Simply stated, the body of Christ is all believers from all epochs of history eternally united in Christ, with a common goal of worshipping him in unity forever Eph. 3:4-11,21; Rev. 5:9,10. A proper understanding of the nature and importance of this universal, time-transcending commonality leads in turn to a somewhat different understanding of the local church than many in Baptist circles have today. True local churches are united in Christ in a vastly more significant manner than they are divided. Their division is simply necessitated by unavoidable constraints of time and space. Their unity transcends all “local church sovereignty” which many so ardently contend for. In reality, a local church is merely a specific manifestation of the body of Christ, sharing a commonality in time and geographical location which it is unable to share with the entire body until the eschatological (i.e. happening in the end times) unification of all believers in a common space-time venue (i.e. at the same time and place). Hence, the recognition of the “local church” is only a logistical division, necessary because of the finite viewpoint of man, which is unable to embrace the vision of the entire body at the same level of immediacy. These local congregations are members of the entire body of Christ, not “little bodies” in themselves Eph. 4:4. Therefore, when Paul addresses local churches, he commonly recognizes them simply as those who are in Christ, who are together in a specific location Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:1; Phil. 1:1, etc.. It is vital that we keep this universal unity of believers in mind as we grow in the scriptures, and that we let that understanding shape our approach to study.

This vision of the local church has clear implications for how we should study the word. Consider the following propositions, and how they relate to our approaches to bible study.

  1. The church is not a democracy (a common error of local churches in America).
    • My study and growth in doctrine should be aided, protected and supported by those whom God has placed as spiritual authorities over me in his church Acts 20:28; 1 Pt. 5:2,3; Heb. 13:7,17.
  2. The church is not an autocracy (the error of the Catholic and Orthodox churches, for example).
    • My study and growth in doctrine is something in which I am actively involved, having both the right and responsibility of persuading my own conscience from scriptures of the truth or error of what I am being taught Acts 17:11.
  3. But the church is a body, with Christ as its head.
    • My true nourishment and support as I grow in knowledge can only come from my vital connection with our Head, Christ Jesus Eph. 4:15,16; Col. 2:19.
  4. Scripture is given for the mutual benefit and sustenance of the body.
    • My study should benefit others 2 Tim. 2:2
    • The study of others should benefit me Heb. 13:7; Eph. 4:11-15
    • The result should be doctrinal unity Phil. 1:27; 2:2, 4:2
    • This should foster a spirit of urgency and inter-dependence, as we pursue growth in grace.

When we have this attitude in our approach to bible study, what are the results? I have listed two, specifically, but I am sure that I have left unspoken many more benefits than these. The following, however, I consider particularly clear and vital in our quest for doctrinal maturity.

Humility in interpretation

  1. Care for the growth of the body over individual advancement Phil. 2:1-4; 1 Cor. 1:10; 8:1
  2. Recognize that our understanding is limited 1 Cor. 13:8-13; 2 Pet. 3:16
  3. Realize that true understanding comes only from the Spirit 1 Jn. 2:27; Eph. 1:17,18
  4. Understand that the same Spirit is in the process of teaching all believers, historical and modern; and therefore, that we can benefit from their spoken or written insights Eph. 4:2-6

Peace in the body

  1. Individual peace is necessary to live by faith Rom. 14:5,23
  2. Knowledge must instruct that peace Prov. 3:13,17; Jm. 1:5; Heb. 10:22
  3. The results of true knowledge instructing individual peace is body-wide peace and doctrinal unity Col. 3:15,16

A Case Study: the Jerusalem Council Acts 15

When a doctrinal dispute divided the early church (vs. 5), the response was:

  1. In humility
    • They all met together (6,22)
    • They gave instruction for the good of the members (19,28)
  2. To seek peace
    • From the Holy Spirit (28)
    • Through scripture (14-18)
  3. To result in unity (22,28)

Study Questions:

  1. Does thinking of the church as all believers from all times joined together to worship Christ have any effect on how we study the bible? If so, what?

  2. Does thinking of the church as a body, with Christ as the Head and believers as members, have any effect on how we study the Bible? If so, what?

  3. God made us as believers dependent on each other as we join together in the fight for faith. How does this affect the importance of my individual bible study? If I neglect to study the word, am I only hurting myself?

  4. What are the purposes of corporate bible study? Are they primarily man-centered or Christ-centered?

  5. What should knowing the purposes of bible study do to quarrels and arguments over doctrinal matters? Do we have any examples in scripture of doctrinal divisions, and how mature servants of God dealt with them? Where?

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