The Apostle Paul likens the Church to the human body, and describes “all things” as being under the “feet” of our Lord Jesus — completely subject to his dominion.
Paul also refers to Jesus as the “head” over the church — its supreme authority. When “the body of Christ, which is the church” obeys the instructions of its Head its enemies come “under its feet” — it overrules its enemies. Paul’s figurative words express powerful realities.
The displacement of Christ’s authority over his Church by other religious heads has resulted in confusion and uncertainty, which in turn has brought disunity to his body and resulted in the inability to bring its enemies into submission to its Lord. If the local church is to regain its place these things must be restored. Once they are, it will again be the self-sustaining body it was in the time of the first apostles.
This may seem too idealistic to be realistic, but restoration has to start somewhere – and the proper function of the Church is clearly the place to begin.
The ultimate expression of Christ’s authority is expressed in his dominion. A healthy body is responsive, but a dysfunctional body is unable to respond to directions from its head. So, with this in mind, we’ll examine the local church of today by checking it against the following scriptural Facts Sheet:
1. Every one of us has a part to play in the church (Ephesians 4:7). We are not meant to be onlookers but participants.
2. Ascension gift ministries prepare us for the part we are to play (Ephesians 4:11). The ascended Jesus “gave” apostles and prophets to the church (which distinguishes New Testament prophets from Old Testament prophets), and evangelists, pastors and teachers, as well.
3. These ministries equip, mend, restore and perfect God’s people — not just some but all — for the work of the ministry The comma after “saints” in the KJV has caused Christians to wrongly think that ministry is reserved for the clergy alone.
4. The goal of these ministries is to bring believers into (a) the unity of the faith. (Note “the” (definite article. It refers not to individual faith but to the Christian faith as a whole; (b) spiritual maturity; (c) the knowledge of the Son of God (who he is and what he does); (d) Christ’s full moral and spiritual stature; and (e) doctrinal stability (Ephesians 4:13-14).
5. Spiritual growth takes place upwardly, into the authority of the Head. Full submission of the members of the body to the supreme authority of its head, Jesus Christ, is required for it to come into proper working order (Ephesians 4:15).
6. The body functions as instructions from the Head proceed downwards (Ephesians 4:16).
7. Growth and development then take place naturally, as members of the body work together in unity (Ephesians 4:16). Each “joint” must be connected for the body to work as it should. Members ‘out of joint’ with one another will cause the body pain). The body of Christ is anatomical in the sense of its doctrinal structure, and a sound knowledge of the Scriptures helps it to see where its varied parts belong.
However, the body of Christ is also physiological, in that it responds to its Head, which then causes its members to function effectively.
The anatomy of an undamaged dead body may cause it to look alive, and a doctrinal autopsy may be needed to establish Cause of Death. Some energetic church bodies have about as much structure as a jellyfish.
Every local church should work at being a self-sustaining body, each part of which responds to instructions that come down from the Head. It then grows upward into maturity and effectiveness. This interactive unity of purpose results in its enemies coming “under its feet” — into absolute subjection to the dominion of Jesus, its Ruling Head. The Apostle Paul’s choice of the body as a metaphor is Divinely inspired. It is also practical because each one of us lives in one, and over time has learned how it works, not only anatomically but also physiologically.
What a wonderful creation the body is! And what a wonderful new creation the church body is! We should each care for it as much as the physical body, seeing it not only as a whole but seeing each member as being necessary for the church body’s overall health and wellbeing.