Pastor Rockwell / THE WHOLE BODY, THE CHURCH, FITLY JOINED TOGETHER

Pastor Jerry Rockwell

 

THE WHOLE BODY, THE CHURCH, FITLY JOINED TOGETHER

Ephesians 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Introduction: This lesson is about the “Body of Christ,” which is the church. To begin, we must lay some groundwork to understand the subject. We should know that the church is also called the “body of Christ.” It says in 1 Corinthians 12:27 (KJV) Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. This will be studied later. The title of this lesson is from Ephesians 4:16 (KJV) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. The phrase “the whole body fitly joined together and compacted” is the subject to be explored, so we can understand the makeup of the church as the “body of Christ” and how is designed to function. 

  1. WE ARE TO GROW UP INTO CHRIST, Ephesians 4:15. This is about learning to function in the “body of Christ” and learn the relationship between believers as we learn to be “joined together.” The best way to understand this principle is to examine what the Bible says about the church and spiritual gifts. This means we need to see what the other passages say about the operation of the “body of Christ,” the church. Another witness to this subject is in Romans 12:4-5 (KJV) 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. There is another aspect of the church, and it’s function as the “bride of Christ.” This is understood by an examination of and why the church is called the “body of Christ.” It says in 2 Corinthians 11:2 (KJV) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. This is also emphasized after the “judgment seat of Christ” (the place for rewards, 1 Cor. 2:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10) when Jesus will return to this earth and there will be a marriage in Jerusalem (Rev. 19:7-9). 

The church, as the “body of Christ” and the “bride of Christ” and this brings a great deal of responsibility and reward. We, as believers, are part of the church, the body of Christ. We are the representative of the Lord Jesus Christ on the earth today and have a great responsibility in representing our Saviour and Lord as well as the one we will be joined to His church as our “husband” (2 Cor. 11:2). With this understanding it is important to understand how the church is to function today. We have seen in Ephesians 4 that we are to be in “unity of the faith” (Eph. 4:12-14). We must learn to understand and apply to our life and function as part of the “body of Christ.” 

The following study is about “spiritual gifts” in the New Testament. There is a variety of spiritual gifts given to believers and listed in the Bible. The manifestation and distribution of spiritual gifts are limited to the New Testament. Bill Hendricks, son of Howard Hendricks, made an observation about spiritual gifts and said, 

“In the New Testament passages we have lists of gifts, and none of these lists are identical, which should be our first clue that the lists are not exhaustive—they’re suggestive.” 

This is not the standard view of the spiritual gifts listed in the three sections of the New Testament which are Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. These have been examined briefly in an earlier study where we looked at the two types of spiritual gifts, “temporary and permanent.” This view of Mr. Hendricks is not the standard position of spiritual gifts. The New Testament list can be considered as “exhaustive” since they are presented in the Bible canon which is closed. Mr. Hendrick’s view is a bit dangerous since it leaves the door open for other gifts not listed in the Bible. There seems to be a tendency to assume that a person can develop a spiritual gift that is not supported by the Bible. This view leaves it up to the prolific development of gifts that are not biblical. The Charismatics have already ventured into this area with supposed spiritual activities not supported by scripture. With the advent of the “Pentecostal Movement,” and “Charismatic Movement” the issue has been exacerbated, and confusion has reigned. 

  1. WE, “The church,” ARE TO BE “FITLY JOINED TOGETHER” AND COMPACTED, Ephesians 4:16 (KJV) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Keep this in mind throughout this study. The verse begins with “From whom. . .” The verse prior to this is vs. 15 containing the antecedent is “Christ” which is the last word of that verse. The subject of the church as the body of Christ is a major theme of the Apostle Paul. This verse is calling attention to the connection of the church and Christ. It is expanded on in Colossians 2:19 (KJV) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Connect this verse with what is said in Colossians 2:9-10 (KJV) 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. [Emphasis added.] This verse points out what has been designated for the Lord Jesus Christ as “King of kings, and Lord of lords” which is emphasized in 1 Timothy 6:14-15 (KJV) 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. This principle is significant, even in the current period of the church age and will be manifested in the Millennium (Rev. 20) and eternity. Colossians 2:19 (listed above) capitalizes the word “Head” and refers to Christ. Then vs. 10 calls attention to the relationship of the Head and “ye” (the body, the church) are “complete in him.” It is appropriate to take note that in our “physical body,” the “head” is the control center, and the body functions as the head gives instructions. Christ is the “Head” of the church, and we are “members” and are to function as Christ instructs us. That makes the word of God a very vital part of the function of the church, His body. It is not a coincidence that Jesus, the Head, is also called the “Word” in John 1:1, 14; 1 John 1:1; 5:7; Revelation 19:13. Jesus, as the “Head,” has the directive of the “Word,” so the body is able to function properly. It is important that we analyze all that is in this verse. Next, note the phrase “fitly joined together and compacted” (vs. 16). The first three words “fitly joined together” has the meaning of “closely framed together as in building a house. Add the word “compacted” and it adds a dimension of a brick  wall where the bricks are attached with mortar. Now note the phrase “by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part” (vs. 16) is an indication the parts are to be connected to the point that they work together. This leads us to the next point.
  1. “The “whole body.” That would include everyone who is saved. You have an important function in the body of Christ, the church. Look again at Ephesians 4:13 (KJV) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Unity is the key to having a church functioning as it should. That takes us to 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Paul is comparing the church (“the body of Christ,” Rom. 7:4; 1 Cor. 10:16; Eph. 4:12) with our physical body. It is “one” unit, no schisms unless there is an amputation. It is “one” (1 Cor. 12:12). It has “many members” (1 Cor. 12:14). From vss. 15-23 the text points out several parts and their function. There is the “foot” (vs. 14-15), the “ear” (vs.16), the “eye” (vs. 16b-17a, 21), the “hearing” (vss. 16-17), the “hand” (vs. 21). It is interesting how the text points out that one member cannot say that they are not part of the body because they are not as significant of another member. Every member is necessary for the body to function correctly.  
  1. There must be “unity of the faith.” That is one of the vital matters in the church. The point being made is that the church to function the way God directed, there must be “unity” of what the church believes. Many have split over Bible doctrine.
  2. There must be “knowledge of the Son of God.” The believer and the church must know Jesus Christ, the Son of God. There must be a belief in Him as “God in the flesh” (John 1:1, 14). Look at Ephesians 1:17 (KJV) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. This verse is part of Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus. It would be good if we prayed for this for ourselves. It was pointed out when studying Ephesians 3:19 that “to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” This should be every Christian’s goal, “be filled with all the fulness of God.”
  1. “[W]hich every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part,” (Eph. 4:16). This section of vs. 16 explains how the body should function. When “every joint” works together efficiently with “every part”, it provides an “increase” of the whole. These two phrases indicate the function we looked at in 1 Corinthians 12 about the physical body and how it functions. They speak of harmony in the body. The word “measure” is found two other times in this chapter of Ephesians. They are Ephesians 4:7 (KJV) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Every believer has at least one “gift of Christ.” Remember, a gift is the enablement by God to function in the body as that gift will build (edify) the believers in the church. The second time the word “measure” occurs is Ephesians 4:13 (KJV) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. The goal is “perfect man” meaning the “mature” believer. That comes when “unity” is obtained “of the knowledge of the Son of God.” In other words, to obtain maturity as a believer, you need to promote “unity of the faith,” which is all believing the same doctrine found in the Bible. This comes by “the knowledge of the Son of God.” It means that we need to know as much about the Lord Jesus Christ as our heart and mind can comprehend. The better you know Christ, the better you will promote “unity” and attain maturity by becoming “the perfect man.” How mature are you in your “knowledge of the Son of God?” Seeing as “unity” (Eph. 4:13) is one of the major goals of the church, the body of Christ, we should want to know more about the Saviour, Jesus Christ. The third “measure” is in Ephesians 4:16. The last part of this verse is what we will focus on, “. . . according to the effectual working in the measure of every part.” This statement indicates that “every part” (of the body means each spiritual gift). Did you ever think that when God put in 1 Corinthians 12 the analogy of the physical body, that would be a picture of how the “body of Christ” should function? We know from our physical body that when one part begins to malfunction, the rest of the body is very much aware of that problem. Can I ask a hard question? Are you a part of the “body of Christ” that is not functioning as God intended you to be?