Lesson 18: The Church — The Body of Christ

Introduction

You are now well advanced in this discipleship training. You have learned about the gospel, baptism, deliverance, growth in Christ, God's law and the design for man and woman. But something essential is still missing: the church. God has not saved you to go your way alone. He has saved you to be part of a family — His family. The church is the Body of Christ on earth, and you are a living part of it.

In this lesson we will discover what the church truly is according to God's Word. Not a building, not an institution, not a Sunday morning program — but a living, breathing body of believers who together follow Christ, love one another and serve the world.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.

1. Ekklesia: the called-out ones

The word translated in the New Testament as “church” is the Greek word ekklesia. This word literally means: “the called-out ones” — a gathering of people called out from somewhere. As believers, we have been called out of the world, out of darkness, out of the power of sin — and called into the light, into God's Kingdom, into communion with Christ and with one another.

Matthew 16:18 I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Jesus Himself builds His church! It is not our project, not our initiative — it is His work. And the gates of Hades will not prevail against her. What a promise! The church of Christ is invincible, because Christ Himself builds and protects her.

Notice the context of this verse: Peter had just confessed that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (verse 16). On that confession — on that rock of faith in Jesus as the Christ — Jesus builds His church. So the church is not built on Peter as a person, but on the confession that Jesus is the Christ. Everyone who shares this confession belongs to the church.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

What an identity! As the church we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. We are not just any group — we are God's possession, called out of darkness into His marvelous light. That is who you are as a member of the church of Christ.

2. The Body of Christ with many members

One of the most beautiful images that God's Word uses for the church is the image of a body. Paul develops this extensively in 1 Corinthians 12:

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.

1 Corinthians 12:15-20 If the foot would say, “Because I'm not the hand, I'm not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. If the ear would say, “Because I'm not the eye, I'm not part of the body,” it's not therefore not part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now they are many members, but one body.

1 Corinthians 12:25-27 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

This image also teaches us something about unity in diversity. We are not all the same, and that is precisely the intention. One has the gift of teaching, another of mercy, another of leadership, another of hospitality. All these different gifts are needed to let the body function in good health.

Paul writes in Romans about the diversity of gifts:

Romans 12:4-8 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us: if prophecy, let's prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; or service, let's give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Every member has received a gift of grace. You too! Maybe you already know which gift you have, maybe you are still discovering it. But God has not placed you in His body with empty hands. He has equipped you to serve. Discover your gift, develop it and put it to work for the building up of the body.

The question is not: “What can I get from the church?” but: “What can I give to the church?” When each member gives what it has received, the body functions as God intended: healthy, strong, growing and to the glory of Christ.

3. Christ as Head of the church

If the church is the body, then Christ is the Head. This is no symbolic language — it is reality. Christ is the leader, the ruler, the source of life for His church. No man, no minister, no pope, no apostle can take that position. Only Christ is the Head.

Ephesians 1:22-23 He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Colossians 1:18 He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Christ is the beginning, the First, the Head. Everything in the church must be subject to Him. That means that our gatherings, our teaching, our decisions, our mutual relationships — everything — must stand under His leadership. We do not ask: “What does the minister want?” or “What does the majority want?” but: “What does Christ want?”

Colossians 2:19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's growth.

When the church holds fast to Christ as Head, she grows in the way that God intended. When people take over the headship of Christ — through human traditions, hierarchies or power — the church becomes detached from her source and begins to wither.

4. The first church as example

In the book of Acts we get a beautiful picture of how the first church functioned. This is our model, our example, our standard:

Acts 2:42-47 They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together, and had all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.

What a picture! Let us list the characteristics of the first church:

• Steadfastness in the apostles' teaching — Teaching from God's Word was central.
• Fellowship — They shared their lives with each other, not just an hour on Sunday.
• Breaking of bread — They celebrated the Lord's Supper together, in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice.
• Prayers — They prayed together, fervently and persistently.
• Wonders and signs — God's power was visibly present.
• Sharing with one another — They cared for one another's needs, generously and selflessly.
• From house to house — They gathered in homes, not in large buildings.
• Joy and simplicity — It was no heavy religious program, but a joyful, simple community.
• Growth — The Lord added daily!

5. The breaking of bread — the Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper (or: the breaking of bread) is one of the most central practices in the life of the church. Jesus Himself instituted it on the evening before His crucifixion:

Luke 22:19-20 He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

The Lord's Supper is a remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The bread refers to His body, broken for us. The wine refers to His blood, shed for us. Every time we break the bread together and drink the cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He returns. It is a powerful moment of worship, gratitude and fellowship.

1 Corinthians 11:27-29 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord's cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn't discern the Lord's body.

The Lord's Supper is holy. We do not partake casually — we first examine ourselves. Is there unconfessed sin in my life? Do I have a conflict with a brother or sister that I need to resolve? Am I living in obedience to Christ? This is a moment of honest self-examination, not to keep us away from the table, but to draw us near with a pure heart.

In the first church, the bread was broken as part of a common meal. It was no formal ritual in a church building, but an intimate gathering around the table in someone's home. They ate together, shared bread and wine, and remembered what Jesus had done for them. It was a moment of deep fellowship — with Christ and with one another.

How often should you celebrate the Lord's Supper? God's Word gives no fixed frequency. Paul says: “As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup” — it can be daily, weekly or monthly. The most important thing is that it happens regularly and with seriousness. The first Christians broke bread daily (Acts 2:46). That may inspire us not to neglect the Lord's Supper.

Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day; and continued his speech until midnight.

6. Elders and deacons

Although Christ is the Head of the church, He uses people to provide practical leadership. The New Testament knows two kinds of leaders in the local church: elders (also called overseers or shepherds) and deacons.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 This is a faithful saying: someone who seeks to be an overseer desires a good work. The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; (but if a man doesn't know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?) not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Titus 1:5-9 I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him.

1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12-13 Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. Let them also first be tested; then let them serve if they are blameless. Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Notice how high the bar is set for leaders in the church. It is not about education, eloquence or charisma — it is about character. An elder must be without reproach, faithful in his marriage, temperate, hospitable, able to teach and lead his own family well. A deacon must be reverent, trustworthy and tested. These are not positions of power, but positions of service.

7. The fivefold ministry

In addition to elders and deacons, Paul describes in Ephesians 4 five ministries that Christ has given to His church to equip her:

Ephesians 4:11-13 He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

These five ministries — apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers — are not titles to put on a business card. They are functions, gifts of Christ to His church. They have a clear purpose: to equip the saints for service, so that the whole body is built up.

• Apostles — Sent ones who plant new churches and lay foundations.
• Prophets — People who pass on God's voice to the church, encouraging and correcting.
• Evangelists — Proclaimers of the good news, who stir up the fire of evangelism.
• Shepherds — Soul-carers who feed, protect and care for the flock.
• Teachers — Instructors who explain and apply the Word of God.

These ministries are not intended to make the church dependent on leaders. The goal is in fact the opposite: to equip the saints, so that each member can serve. A good leader makes himself unnecessary by training and equipping others.

Ephesians 4:14-16 that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ; from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.

The end goal is that the whole church grows up into Christ — not dependent on one leader, but each member actively serving and growing. The fivefold ministry exists to make that possible: to so equip believers that they themselves can do the work of the ministry. That is what it means to take the priesthood of all believers seriously.

In many churches one person does almost everything: preaching, pastoral care, organization, evangelism. But that is not the biblical model. The biblical model is that the leaders equip the church, so that each member functions. Not one sheep that feeds all the other sheep, but a shepherd who teaches the sheep to graze themselves.

8. Mutual building up and love

The church is not a place where you go as a consumer to “get” something. It is a community where you give and receive, where you build up and are built up, where you love and are loved.

Hebrews 10:24-25 Let's consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.

This verse contains three powerful instructions: (1) consider one another, (2) provoke one another to love and good works, and (3) do not forsake the assembling together. Church life is not an option for the serious Christian — it is a necessity. You need the church, and the church needs you.

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let's love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.

1 John 4:11-12 Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.

The love of God becomes visible in the mutual love of believers. When the world sees how Christians love one another, they see something of God Himself. Jesus said it this way:

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Love is the mark of recognition of the church. Not our theology, not our songs, not our buildings — but our love for one another. If that love is missing, the heart of the gospel is missing.

That mutual love expresses itself in very practical things. Paul describes it this way:

Romans 12:9-13 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another; not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.

Unhypocritical love, tender brotherly affection, honor, hospitality, sharing in one another's needs — that is church life as God intended it. It is not theory, it is practice. It is not something you feel, it is something you do. You call someone when you know they are going through a hard time. You bring a meal to a sick family. You offer to help with a move. You listen when someone needs to unburden their heart. That is church.

9. Church discipline

Love without truth is not love. Sometimes it is necessary in the church to correct, admonish and even discipline. Jesus Himself gave a clear procedure for this:

Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn't listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.”

There are three steps: (1) go privately to the person, (2) if that does not help, take witnesses with you, (3) if that does not help, involve the church. The goal of discipline is always restoration, never humiliation. It is about winning back the brother or sister, not about shaming him or her.

Galatians 6:1 Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted.

Discipline must always happen in a spirit of gentleness, not in pride or self-satisfaction. We are all sinners who live by grace. But that does not mean we should tolerate sin in the church. True love speaks the truth, even when it hurts.

10. The church gathers in homes

In the New Testament, believers gathered in homes. There were no church buildings, no cathedrals, no megachurches. The church was a house community, small, intimate and personal.

Acts 2:46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart.

Romans 16:5 Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.

Paul greets in several places “the church in the house of...” (see also 1 Corinthians 16:19, Colossians 4:15, Philemon 1:2). The church was not bound to a building. She was bound to Christ and to one another. Where two or three gather in His name, there He is in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20).

The simplicity of the first church is something we may long for. No complicated structures, no expensive buildings, no professional shows — but simple, sincere community around Christ and His Word. That is the heart of being church.

11. Not bound to a building or institution

One of the greatest misunderstandings about the church is that it is equated with a denomination, a building or an organization. But the church of Christ is no institution — it is a living organism. It is the gathering of all born-again believers, everywhere in the world, in all times.

Acts 17:24 The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn't dwell in temples made with hands.

God does not dwell in buildings — He dwells in people. His temple is not of stone, but of living stones:

1 Peter 2:5 You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

You are a living stone! Together with other believers you are being built up into a spiritual house. It is not about the building where you gather, but about the spiritual house you form together. Whether you sit with three people in a living room or with three hundred in a hall — if Christ is the Head and His Spirit has the leadership, then that is church.

Therefore never be discouraged if you do not have a large group, no own building, no professional music band. The first church had none of that — and she changed the world. For the power lies not in the organization, but in the presence of the living God.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.

Two or three! That is the minimum for a church experience. You do not need a hundred people, no large building, no extensive program. Where two or three believers gather in Jesus' name, there He is present. That is church. It is not about the form, but about the content: Christ in the center, His Word as foundation, His Spirit as leadership, and His love as the mark.

Church history shows that the church was strongest in times of persecution, when believers gathered in small groups in homes, basements and caves. And she was often weakest in times of prosperity, when large cathedrals and institutions took the place of the living community. That may give us pause for thought. It is not about the building — it is about the people. It is not about the program — it is about the presence of God.

Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

You are being built together for a habitation of God! Not the stone building is God's temple — you are, together with your fellow believers. What an honor, what a responsibility, what a privilege to together be God's dwelling place on earth.

Bible verses to memorize

Memorize the following three texts. Write them down, carry them with you, and repeat them regularly: