CHAPTER ONE

THE ORIGIN OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

Scripture Reading: Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:15; John 1:12-13; 1 Pet. 1:2a; Luke 15:8, 17; John 16:8-11; 3:5-6; Rom. 8:19; 1 Cor. 6:15; 12:27; Col. 3:4a; 1 John 1:2; 5:11-12; John 3:36a; Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 12:13a; Col. 2:9; John 1:14a; Heb. 2:14a, 17-18; John 14:16-17; 7:39; Rev. 22:17a; 1 Cor. 15:3-4, 45b; John 15:1, 5; 17:21a, 23a

OUTLINE

1. God the Father being the believers’ source-Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:15:
   1. Who are begotten of God the Father-John 1:13.
   2. Who become the children of God the Father-John 1:12.
2. God the Spirit sanctifying and regenerating the ones selected and predestinated by God the Father:
   1. Sanctifying them-1 Pet. 1:2a:
      1. Enlightening and seeking them-Luke 15:8, 17.
      2. Convicting the enlightened ones-John 16:8-11.
   2. Regenerating them-John 3:5-6:
      1. To be the sons of God-Rom. 8:19.
      2. To be the members of Christ-1 Cor. 6:15; 12:27.
3. God the Son being life to the regenerated ones-Col. 3:4a:
   1. For the members of Christ to receive the uncreated and eternal life of God-1 John 1:2; 5:11-12; John 3:36a.
   2. Bringing the members of Christ into an organic union with the Triune God-Matt. 28:19.
4. The Father, the Son, and the Spirit becoming the consummated Spirit who baptizes the members of Christ into the unique Body of Christ-1 Cor. 12:13a:
   1. The Father being embodied in the Son-Col. 2:9:
      1. Passing through incarnation-John 1:14a; Heb. 2:14a.
      2. Experiencing human life-Heb. 2:17-18.
   2. The Son realized as the Spirit-John 14:16-17:
      1. The Spirit being the consummated Spirit-John 7:39.
      2. The Spirit being the ultimate consummation of the Triune God-Rev. 22:17a:
         1. Having passed through death and resurrection-1 Cor. 15:3-4.
         2. Becoming the all-inclusive, life-giving, indwelling, and compound Spirit-1 Cor. 15:45b.
   3. Baptizing all the sanctified and regenerated ones into the Body of Christ-1 Cor. 12:13a:
      1. Baptizing the regenerated ones into the Triune God-Matt. 28:19.
      2. Making them one with the Triune God to be the Body of Christ-John 17:21a, 23a.