Life in the Body

If one wishes to see glimpses of true life in the Body of Christ (The Church), one needs to look no further than the New Testament. I deliberately use the word “glimpses” because it is my belief that while the New Testament is indeed a treasure trove when it comes to examples of how we are to live as Christ followers and how we are to function as His Body, the glimpses we see are just that… glimpses… glimpses of an imperfect, yet beautiful bride.

There is not a 12 step recipe for healthy Church (at least not that I’ve found). Ultimately, we are not left to rely only upon these historical snap shots of the phenomenon that was the early Church, but we are also given the Spirit of Truth which resides in every follower of Jesus. And it is this Spirit which counsels us, guides us, comforts us, and instructs us. It is for that reason that we, as the Church, must be a people who not only know His written word, but who also know His voice (John 10:3-5)….His living word for today….for this moment….A voice which is not reserved only for the educated, professional minister….but available for all who call upon the name of the Lord.

It would seem that God could’ve just as easily given us a list or recipe to follow giving us the specific what, where, when, how, why, and who of Church rather than giving us only pictures, patterns, and principles. But that would be contrary to his nature as our Daily Bread; and it is this Bread that we must seek each day if we are to have any hope of staying on course. I share this as a reminder that the following is not a comprehensive recipe or a checklist. They are characteristics….glimpses of the early church and how they lived.

The Body is gifted and diverse: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NIV)

The members of the Body participate when the Body gathers: 1 Corinthians 14:26-33 (NIV)

The Body lives as priests (i.e. While there are clear roles {apostle, teacher, pastor, prophet, elder, etc} there is not a religious elite; that is the old order of things): 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

The Body lives in close, loving community: Acts 2:44 (NIV), Acts 2:46 (NIV), John 13:34-35 (NIV), Romans 12:10 (NIV)

The members of the Body grow… on purpose: Acts 2:42 (NIV), Romans 12:2 (NIV)

The Body goes (as sent ones): Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

The members of the Body are alive and bear good fruit: Matthew 21:19 (NIV), Luke 6:43 (NIV), John 15:1-17 (NIV)

The Body loves: Acts 2:45 (NIV), John 13:35 (NIV), 1 John 3:17 (NIV), Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV), Luke 10:25-28 (NIV), James 1:27 (NIV), James 1:22-25 (NIV), James 2:14-26 (NIV)

The Body proclaims: 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV), Matthew 10:7 (NIV), Acts 5:42 (NIV)

A healthy Body is admired: Acts 2:47 (NIV)