THE BODY OF CHRISTThe purpose of these studies is to return to God's plan for the local assembly. We do not suggest that we have all the answers, but it is clear that today's typical church is not what God planned for the body of Christ on earth. All assembly members have a function to perform, a God given ministry. In many churches the members are pew sitters, spectators doing little for Christ the Boss of the church. Their lives do not reveal the power of the Holy Spirit, nor a prayer answering God, nor a changed lifestyle. They live like those in the world. This should not be!
THE ASSEMBLY - A DEFINITION: God desires His work on earth to be accomplished through the members of the body of Christ, the assembly. Although, there are many Christian organizations existing outside of the local churches, these were not a part of God's original plan to develop mature Christians and evangelize the world. Some of these organizations are very helpful, for they are doing the work the church should be doing and isn't. Others have been started with good intentions, but they are using man's methods, power and abilities, not God's, therefore, they achieve very little for Him. Then some exist only to express the founder's desire for power, honor, and glory. But God's plan is for His work to be accomplished through the members of the local assemblies, not through organizations and ministries outside of the assembly. What does God expect of His church? In the first place the "church" is not a building but a gathering of people, an assembly. Where they meet is not important. But that they do meet is most important, for here is where Christ carries out His work on earth. The assembly is the various parts of Christ's body meeting together for mutual help, encouragement, and reinforcement for growing into Christian maturity. Also all the parts working together reach out to hurting and discouraged people, bringing them healing and salvation through Christ our Healer and Savior. The members of Christ's assembly, His body on earth, are people who believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and have turned their lives over to Him. They have changed lives, for the Holy Spirit is living within them. He is changing their lives from one of sin to one of holiness. They have put off the old body of sin and are producing the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. God's purpose for the assembly of Christ on earth is to reveal His love for mankind and His power, glory, and honor. God has the power to save the greatest sinner. He has the power to change a miserable, hateful, human being into a loving child of God who loves his enemies and is willing to help them. He has the power to answer prayer in supernatural ways and the power to take weak timid people and make them into courageous bold servants for His work on earth. For though there are things that are called "gods," whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many "gods" and many "lords;" yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him. 1 Corinthians 8:5,6 WEB
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