CHAPTER THREE

THE LIVING IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

Scripture Reading: Eph. 5:23; Col. 3:4a, 11b; 1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 1:23; Phil. 3:14; Eph. 4:4a; 1 John 5:6; Phil. 4:12b; Rom. 15:13; 6:6; 8:13b; Gal. 5:24; Eph. 2:6a; Phil. 3:10a; 1 John 5:11-12; Rom. 9:11b; Gal. 2:16a; Phil. 1:19-21a; Rom. 12:5

OUTLINE

1. Taking Christ as its Head, life, content, principal object, center, and goal:
   1. As its Head, life, and content-Eph. 5:23; Col. 3:4a, 11b:
      1. Concerning Christ as the source and element of His Body.
      2. Referring to the origin and being of the Body of Christ.
   2. As its principal object, center, and goal-1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 1:23; Phil. 3:14:
      1. Concerning Christ as the meaning and expression of His Body.
      2. Referring to the capacity and function of the Body of Christ.
2. Having the Spirit as its essence and reality, and taking the Spirit as its secret and effectiveness:
   1. As its essence and reality-Eph. 4:4a; 1 John 5:6:
      1. Concerning the inward nature and the real outward state of the Body of Christ.
      2. Referring to the inward being and the outward manifestation of the Body of Christ.
   2. As its secret and effectiveness-Phil. 4:12b; Rom. 15:13:
      1. Concerning the skill and ability of the Body of Christ.
      2. Referring to the skillfulness and achievements of the Body of Christ.
3. Taking the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ as its regulation:
   1. Being regulated in the negative aspect by the crucifixion of Christ:
      1. Our crucifixion with Christ being an accomplished fact-realized through divine revelation-Rom. 6:6.
      2. Our crucifixion with Christ being the day-to-day experience that we that should have-enjoyed through the effectiveness of the Spirit-Rom. 8:13b; Gal. 5:24.
   2. Being regulated in the positive aspect by the resurrection of Christ:
      1. Our resurrection with Christ being an accomplished fact-Eph. 2:6a.
      2. Our resurrection with Christ being the day-to-day experience that we should have-Phil. 3:10a.
4. Taking life and the Body as the principle:
   1. Taking life as the principle:
      1. Taking the inward life of God, which is just Christ as the embodiment of God, as the principle-1 John 5:11-12.
      2. Not taking the outward conduct and morality of man as the principle-Rom. 9:11b; Gal. 2:16a.
   2. Taking the Body as the principle:
      1. Every member living Christ out by the Spirit of life-Phil. 1:19-21a.
      2. Living corporately and coordinating to live out the Body of Christ to be the fullness of Christ to express Him-Rom. 12:5; Eph. 1:23.