The Life of the Church, The Body of Christ #1: Introduction

January 14th, 1996
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Summary

In this discourse, Stephen emphasizes the significance of the Church as the Body of Christ, which continues the work of Jesus after His ascension. He references the Book of Acts and the Gospel of Luke, highlighting that while Jesus began His ministry in an incarnated body, He now operates through the Church. The Church, conceived in God's mind before creation, is a mystical body formed by the Holy Spirit, embodying Christ's life and purpose. Stephen explains that the Church's success is measured by its alignment with God's divine concept, not by outward appearances. He draws parallels between the creation of man and the formation of the Church, illustrating that just as Eve was taken from Adam, the Church is formed from Christ's sacrifice. The Church's purpose is to manifest God's wisdom and glory, serving as a means to share in Christ's sufferings and glory. Stephen concludes by urging believers to seek a deeper understanding of the Church's divine concept, emphasizing the need for revelation to align the Church's life with God's intentions.

Outline of Main Points

  1. Introduction to the Book of Acts and Ephesians
  2. Jesus' ministry and the formation of the Church
  3. The Church as the Body of Christ
  4. Success of the Church measured by alignment with God's concept
  5. Creation of man as a type of the Church
  6. Purpose of the Church in manifesting God's wisdom
  7. Call for revelation to understand the Church's divine concept
Topics
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