The Church and The Body of Christ

[John I Morris]

I already have come to my decision, but do you believe that the Church and the Body of Christ are the same thing? Why or why not please? More research can't hurt. It is an interesting subject, be kind to people who do not agree with you. Thank ahead of time.

 

[agedman]

The word "body" is used both as figuratively and as literally.

As an assembly, the church represents Christ. The members of the church reflect the gifts of which the ministry is complete. This is as if the literal physical body of Christ were present (as it was and will be) on the earth. All that Christ represented in the physical ministry, He bestows upon individuals in the assembly and as a collective they figuratively display the body of Christ.

Therefore, figuratively when the body of Christ is mentioned as the church, it is the assembly in this current form and use.

However, the assembly is presented to God as the Bride of Christ. As such, the physical presence of the Son is no longer figuratively represented, because the groom is with the bride in a literal meaning. Once the members of the body are transformed into their glorious form (for it does not appear what we shall be but we shall be like Him) the "body of Christ" is not mentioned, but the Bride of Christ.

 

[Reformed]

I think scripture speaks to this:

Ephesians 1:22-23 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

 

[MB]

I already have come to my decision, but do you believe that the Church and the Body of Christ are the same thing? Why or why not please? More research can't hurt. It is an interesting subject, be kind to people who do not agree with you. Thank ahead of time.

I believe that all who are truly saved are the body of Christ. There are many Churches and not all of them truly represent the body of Christ..Some IMHO don't even know Christ
MB