-By Dr.Sumeet Manakan J
Part 2 – The Church is a Body
In Part 1 in this series of “Understanding Church”, I shared on how the Church is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, the Rock. In Part 2, we will focus on the Church that functions as a corporate body of like-minded and like-purposed Believers.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” – 1 Corinthians 12:27
The most prominent New Testament metaphor for the Church is Christ’s body. Every believer is a part of that body—different roles, one mission, with Christ as the Head.
“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” – Colossians 1:18
Just as the human body is interconnected, with every part functioning together, so is the Church. Therefore, it is important to understand that the Church is not about an individual with a revelation working in isolation. It is a collective force—a corporate body—working in tandem for the glory of God.
The primary objective of the Church is to emphasize unity in diversity, interdependence among believers, and Christ’s active leadership.
This perfect example is demonstrated in the life of the early Church in the Book of Acts. Believers in Acts 2 shared everything—they ate together, prayed together, and cared for one another like family. They had all things in common—even their resources and finances.
“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” – Ephesians 2:19
In Acts 2, the early Church had no cathedral, no choir robes, no fancy lighting—yet they had power. They prayed, broke bread, shared with one another, and the world saw Jesus through them.
Paul calls the Church the “Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Imagine this: Christ is the Head, and we are His hands and feet. That means when the Church moves, Christ moves in the earth.
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” – Ephesians 4:4–6
Illustration
Think of a coal from a fire. As long as it remains in the pile, it burns brightly. But if you take it out and leave it alone, it cools and dies quickly. The Church is that fire—together, we burn hotter and brighter. Alone, our flame grows weak.
The Mission of the Church
This body of believers—the Church—has a mission: to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Amen!
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. – Matthew 28:19–20
In Part 3 of this series, we will discuss on the Church as the “Bride of Christ”.
