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AN INTERACTIVE SUMMARY OF THE ROLE OF THE BODY OF CHRIST
The following paragraphs are presented as a summary of The Role of the Body of Christ. The review questions are designed to facilitate a clear comprehension of the thesis statements contained in that document. Click on the answer of your choice to determine the level of progress you are making in understanding the major points presented in this summary. For your convenience a link to the entire document is provided at the end of this lesson.
The Spirit of God is creating a body for Christ, for Messiah, for the One anointed with the oil of the Holy Spirit to bring deliverance to Israel and through Israel to the nations of the earth.
The gifts and ministries given by the ascended Christ are for the purpose of bringing the members of the Body of Christ to the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Today the Head is ready to be joined to the Body, and every member of the Body must learn total responsiveness to the Head.
When the Body has been prepared, the members of the Body will be raised from the dead and then be caught up in the air to be joined to the Head.
Then the entire Christ, Head and Body, will return to earth as an army, strong enough to drive all of Satan’s influence from the earth.
In this manner, justice will be brought to the nations of earth who have survived the Battle of Armageddon.
What we have just described is what John and Jesus preached when they announced the coming of the Kingdom of God, the doing of God’s will in the earth as it is in Heaven.
Now, let us reflect on the above just a bit.
Currently the idea of being saved, and of the Kingdom of God, is that we profess faith in Jesus Christ, are baptized in water, and when we die or are "raptured" we will enter eternal residence in the Paradise realm known to us as "Heaven."
The actual message of the Scriptures is that the Spirit of God is creating a Body for Christ so Christ—Head and Body—can return to earth and bring justice to the nations.
Review Question#1. Please click on the answer you think is correct.
What is the purpose of the gifts and ministries given by the ascended Christ?
a. to tell others about Jesus.
b. to bring the members of the Body of Christ to the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Today—right now—the Head, Jesus Christ, is requiring of us that we take a further step into Himself. We have been saved through the blood; we have been baptized by the Spirit. Now we must take a further step: we must tell the Lord that from this point forward in our life we are going to surrender all to Him and look to Him for every detail, every decision we make. He is to be our life from now on.
Our relationship to the Head must be developed each day. It is developed as we learn to keep looking to Christ for all that we do, from the moment we arise in the morning until we retire at night—and through the night should we be wakeful.
We are of no use to the Lord until we are totally responsive to the Head.
The Head, the Lord Jesus Christ, lives by hearing from the Father. He does nothing of Himself.
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. (John 5:30)
You would think the Lord Jesus is capable of doing many things on His own. He may be capable, but He does nothing except as the Father shows Him.
This is the way Jesus lives, moves, and has His Being, and this is the way we are to live, move, and have our being. We are to do nothing whatever apart from the Lord Jesus.
Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. (John 6:57)
We are to be crucified with Christ to the extent He is living in us. He must become our life if we are to return with Him.
Review Question #2. Please click on the answer you think is correct.
How is our relationship to the Head of the Body of Christ developed?
a. as we learn to keep looking to Christ for all that we do.
b. by using verses in the Bible as formulas so that God will do what we ask.
Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope. (Isaiah 42:1-4)
The Servant of the Lord is Messiah, Christ—Head and Body.
There are many tasks waiting to be performed in the earth, that cannot be performed except by Christ working through the responsive members of His Body.
Our job is to bring justice to the nations. The reason we have received the Spirit of God is that we might bring justice to the nations.
Think of the condition of the nations of the earth. Do you see justice or injustice?
The United Nation may seek justice, but it is not in man’s power to bring about justice. This is because the leaders are self-seeking, in most instances.
God desires that justice prevail among the nations. Therefore He is creating a great Servant who will install justice on the earth.
This is why you are being trained so carefully by the Lord. It is so He can use you to bring justice to the nations. Can you see from this how you are not qualified to return with the Lord until you are willing to surrender your own will that Christ’s will might be done in you? Can you understand why we must be brought to the stature of the fullness of Christ?
The world is not waiting for you or me. The world is waiting for Christ. The nations, as well as the Christians, would see Jesus. As long as we must follow our own desires, doing what we think is a good thing, the world will not see Jesus. They will not see Jesus until you and I are willing to cease from our own life and let Jesus live in us.
Review Question #3. Please click on the answer you think is correct.
Why have we received the Spirit of God?
a. to gain a reputation of being "spiritual."
b. that we might bring justice to the nations.
And provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3)
Before justice can be brought to the earth, God’s people must be delivered until they are oaks of righteousness. This program is taking place in our day, beginning with the members of the Body of Christ.
As soon as God’s people, Zion, have been made oaks of righteousness, they will set about to restore the chaotic conditions in the earth.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. (Isaiah 61:4)
God’s salvation is not directed toward bringing people to another place but to releasing them from their bondages.
I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, To open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. (Isaiah 42:6,7)
Can you see from the above passage that the Christian salvation is not directed toward movement to Heaven but toward release from bondage? We must learn to live by the Life of Christ until we are able to release people from bondage. The keys to open the chains, as well as to install them, have been given to the Church.
I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18)
Can you grasp what I am teaching? I believe it is important to understand salvation has to do with the transformation of people. Their entrance into an environmental paradise, which can be accomplished easily, is of no use until they themselves have been freed from bondage.
You could be put back in the original garden of Eden. But if you were still bound with fear, or unforgiveness, or hatred, or lust, or worry, or personal ambition, or thievery, or witchcraft, or a lying spirit, you would still be miserable.
Review Question #4. Please click on the answer you think is correct.
To what end is God’s salvation directed?
a. bringing people to another place.
b. releasing people from their bondages.
Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them. Let the desert and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops. Let them give glory to the LORD and proclaim his praise in the islands. (Isaiah 42:10-12)
You and I are being prepared to bring righteousness, peace, and joy to every person of the nations who is willing to accept the lordship of Jesus Christ. Let us therefore do all in our power to build up ourselves in the Head, and everyone who will listen to us. Give all diligence to this. Desire the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit so you can be built up and build up others. Put everything else in your life in second place.
This present world is passing away. The Kingdom of God is eternal. Those who are wise will "sell all," so to speak, and buy what Christ is offering.
We are not going to have forever to make up our mind. This is the hour of our visitation. It will pass all too quickly. The King is asking for your whole personality to use as He will. If you save your life you finally will lose everything. If you turn over your life to the Lord you will reap an eternal reward. You will keep your life and you will bring forth the image of Christ in yourself and in a multitude of others.
Eternity lies before you. You have but a brief time in this valley of the shadow of death we live in. By giving your all to Christ, learning to live in Him each day, you will reap grandeur beyond human comprehension.
But if you choose to live to yourself, just being a religious person, attending a Christian church supposing this will bring you to a wonderful world in the sky, you will die spiritually and reap corruption in the Day of Christ. Why? Because you have remained unchanged.
Review Question#5. Please click on the answer you think is correct.
What is the consequence of living to yourself and not giving your whole personality to the Lord for Him to use as He will?
a. to die spiritually and reap corruption in the Day of Christ.
b. since Jesus did it all we have little to be responsible for.
Return to Interactive Summary Study Series main page
Source Document:
The Role of the Body of Christ
Copyright © 2002 Trumpet Ministries, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
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