But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. – 1 Corinthians 12:18-20

Notes:

In the passage above, the Holy Spirit gives us an analogy of the Church being like a human body, having different functions, and as Jesus being the Head.  Before defining what the church is, it is important to understand what it is not.  It is not an organization, a club, or a humanitarian non-profit group.  The church is not a building that you attend or go to, but rather, is something that you are.  The word “church” is derived from the Greek word “Ekklēsía”, which means “the called out ones.” The members of the Body are not placed into positions, because positions have hierarchy (different levels of power and authority), but rather, are placed into functions.  As a hand cannot function without a wrist, each member of the body needs one another in order to function properly.  We cannot train ourselves into these functions either.  One cannot go to seminary for pastoral training and expect to “place himself” as a pastor in the Body.  As the scripture says above, it is God that places the members into the body as He desires, and He is one that determines our callings and elections.  

The Body can be generally defined by an organism that contains all that have been washed in the blood of the lamb and that will rise on resurrection day.  As Jesus’ physical body rose from the dead, so His spiritual body (the Church) shall also rise.  

Willing to Take the Challenge?

If you are a part of the body of Christ, being placed in it by the Holy Spirit when you were cleansed and forgiven of your sins, then