The Body of Christ is the unique, spiritual organism that God is forming during this present Dispensation of the Grace of God (also called the Dispensation of the Mystery/ Church Age).

It is not the same as the nation of Israel or the prophetic kingdom program promised in the Old Testament. It is a new creation a “one new man” where believing Jews and Gentiles are joined together on equal ground in Christ (Romans 3:10), apart from the Law, with a heavenly hope and calling.

This truth was a mystery (a secret) hidden in God from before the foundation of the world and was first revealed by the risen, ascended Lord Jesus Christ to the Apostle Paul. The Mystery Revealed to Paul:

“If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery… That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.”

— Ephesians 3:2-3, 6 KJV

When did the Body of Christ start?

This has always been a great debate as to when the Body of Christ started. Using right division of Scripture, I will make a bold statement: The Body of Christ began with the salvation and commission of the Apostle Paul (around Acts 9), when God set aside Israel’s prophetic program temporarily and ushered in the Dispensation of Grace (found in Romans 11).

It consists of all who trust the Gospel of the Grace of God (Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection), both Jew and Gentile, without distinction. Prior to Paul’s commission, the phrase, doctrine, or mention of the Body of Christ did not exist. We only find the teaching of the Body of Christ in the Pauline epistles. We can make direct application outside of the epistles, but the direct doctrine is found in Paul’s epistles.

When we study the phrase “Body of Christ,” there are other phrases that the Bible uses to describe the Body of Christ. Phrases like “New Man,” “His Body,” and “Church.” Looking at the various references, we can gather that the meaning of the Body of Christ is this: Those who have received the gospel for this dispensation are the believers who will be a part of the Body of Christ.

Colossians 3:10 KJV “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”

Ephesians 4:24 KJV “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

Ephesians 2:15 KJV “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.”

The Body of Christ

We were able to define what the body of Christ is and when the body of Christ started.

Ephesians 5:30 KJV “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.”

Colossians 1:24 KJV “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church.”

Important descriptions of the Body of Christ:

Unity and Oneness

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” — 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 KJV

We Are the Body

“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” — 1 Corinthians 12:27 KJV

Many Members, One Body in Christ

“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” — Romans 12:4-5 KJV

Christ as Head

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” — Colossians 1:18 KJV

The Church as His Body

“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” — Ephesians 1:22-23 KJV

The Body of Christ is not a building, a denomination, or an organization. It is a living spiritual body. Christ is the Head. Believers (Jews and Gentiles alike) are the members. The Holy Spirit baptizes every believer who believes the gospel message of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ into this one Body the moment they trust Christ as Saviour. Every member has a unique function and is needed for the Body to grow and function properly.

It is the Church the one spiritual body of which the risen Lord Jesus Christ is the Head, and all who have trusted Him are living members. As the Scripture says, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:27). “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13). In this present dispensation of grace, God has made us stewards of the mysteries revealed to the Apostle Paul. Therefore, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2).

The Body of Christ is the unique spiritual organism formed by God in this present Dispensation of Grace. It is the Church of which the risen Lord Jesus Christ is the Head, and all who have trusted the Gospel of His death, burial, and resurrection are living members.

This Body is distinct from Israel and was revealed as a mystery to the Apostle Paul. As members of this one Body, we are called to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God. We must rightly divide the Word of truth, preach the Gospel of Grace, fulfill the ministry of reconciliation, and warn every man while there is still time.

May every believer take seriously the solemn charge given to us:

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” — 1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV

Let us therefore walk worthy of our calling, serve one another in love, and labor diligently as ambassadors for Christ in this present age of grace. The night is coming when no man can work. Now is the accepted time. Now is the day of salvation.