CHAPTER FIVE

IN THE BUILDING UP
OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

Scripture Reading: Eph. 1:22-23; Rom. 12:5; Eph. 4:15-16; Col. 2:19; Eph. 4:12; 1 Cor. 3:12; Eph. 3:9; 1:10

OUTLINE

1. The Body of Christ, as the church of God, being an organism like the human body—Eph. 1:22-23:
   1. Constituted with all the living members of Christ—Rom. 12:5.
   2. Needing to grow for its building up.
2. The growth of the Body of Christ:
   1. Through the members growing into the Head, Christ, in all things by holding to truth in love—Eph. 4:15.
   2. Out from the Head, Christ, all the Body causes its growth—Eph. 4:16.
   3. With the growth of God—Col. 2:19b.
3. The building up of the Body of Christ:
   1. By the Body's growth:
      1. By its members being perfected to do the work of the New Testament ministry—the building up of the Body of Christ—Eph. 4:12.
      2. In the life of God—Col. 2:19.
      3. In the process of transformation—1 Cor. 3:12.
   2. By the building up of itself:
      1. By being joined together through every joint of the rich supply—Eph. 4:16b.
      2. By being knit together through the operation in the measure of each one part—Eph. 4:16b.
      3. In love—Eph. 4:16c.
4. The fulfillment of the eternal economy of God—Eph. 3:9; 1:10:
   1. By carrying out the New Testament ministry—Eph. 4:12.
   2. To complete the building up of the church for the consummation of the New Jerusalem.