CHAPTER THREE

THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST BY THE GROWTH IN LIFE

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Scripture Reading: John 1:1-2, 29; 3:14, 5; 1:32, 12-13; 6:57b-58a; 7:37-39; 20:22; Rev. 2:7b, 17b; 22:2

OUTLINE

1. The believers' growth in life unveiled in the writings of John:
1. Its source:
1. The eternal Word—God in eternity—John 1:1-2; 1 John 1:1.
2. In whom is life—John 1:4a; 1 John 1:2.
2. Its base:
1. The redemption of Christ as the Lamb of God—John 1:29.
2. The termination by the crucifixion of Christ in the likeness of the serpent—John 3:14.
3. The regeneration of the Spirit as the dove—John 3:5; 1:32:
1. To produce the children of God with the right of the divine life—John 1:12.
2. Born of God, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man—John 1:13.
4. The eternal life of God, the uncreated life, the indestructible life—John 3:15; 1 John 1:2.
5. God dwelling in us—1 John 3:24; 4:13.
6. The seed of God abiding in us—1 John 3:9.
7. The destruction of the works of the devil and the casting out of him as the ruler of the world—1 John 3:8; John 12:31b.
8. The judgment on the world—John 12:31a.
3. Its way:
1. By eating Christ:
1. As the living bread from heaven embodied in His words of eternal life—John 6:57b-58a, 51, 68.
2. As the tree of life—Rev. 2:7b; 22:2.
3. As the hidden manna—Rev. 2:17b.
2. By drinking Christ:
1. As the life-giving Spirit—John 7:37-39.
2. As the water of life—John 4:10, 14; Rev. 21:6b; 22:17b.
3. By breathing Christ as the spiritual breath—John 20:22.
4. Its progression:
1. As the young children:
1. Who know the Father—1 John 2:13c.
2. Who have received the anointing to know all things—1 John 2:18-27.
2. Growing into the young men:
1. Who are strong in the word of God—1 John 2:14b.
2. Who have overcome the evil one—1 John 2:13b, 14c.
3. Who do not love the world nor the things in the world—1 John 2:15-17.
3. As the young men growing into the fathers, who know Him—Christ, who is from the beginning—1 John 2:13a, 14a.
5. For the transformation into white stones:
1. Justified and approved by the Lord—Rev. 2:17b.
2. For the building of God, signified by the pillars as parts of the building of God—the New Jerusalem—Rev. 3:12:
1. Firstly in the millennium in the initial stage—Rev. 2:7; 3:12.
2. Lastly in the new heaven and new earth in its ultimate consummation—Rev. 21:1-3.
6. Growth in the divine life for transformation being vital for the building up of the Body of Christ today.