Where “rightly dividing the Word of truth” (2Tim.2:15) is concerned, the members of “His body” are a group of people, of which each one holds a part or several parts of a jig-saw puzzle, that the Lord’s Spirit can put together… by Revelation of His Spirit unto each one.

For His body to function in and by His life the Lord has made a way for “His body” to grow in the grace and “knowledge of the riches of the inheritance that is (of Christ) IN the saints.” (cf. Eph 1:16-18). The Lord has set in His body mature grown-up members, who being equal with all its members, occupy the family functions of: apostles (sent ones), prophets, shepherds, forth-speakers, elders, and teachers who serve to build up the body in the knowledge of the doctrinal truths… that the body members are safe and secure in God’s love, grace and eternal care.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting (completion) of the saints, for (them to do) the work of the ministry, for the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ:

He also has given evangelist (e.g. Billy Graham) to preach the gospel of salvation in Christ, that as many as He has “foreknown” (Rom 8:29a) will soon be saved and added to “His body” that one day soon will be complete at the rapture of His body to meet Him in the clouds and to ever be with him in heaven. (1Thes 4:13-18, 1Cor 5:1b)

This is so the body itself then may do the work of… edifying itself in love.

Ephesians 4:16 (KJV) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

1 Corinthians 14:26 (KJV) How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

When the members gather in an open meeting of His body of believers, they can function, bringing the tithe of their harvest of ‘the riches of Christ’ to the gathering of the “body of Christ” so that all may be fed by seeing truth lived out, demonstrated, that they may grow in their love and trust in Him.

In a typical open meeting gathering…

• One body member may see and share that God’s love and grace must be received by faith; being the key elements of our salvation accomplished by the cross.
• One may see clearly that the so-called “Great Commission” was a Kingdom commission for Israel and not for the “body of Christ.”
• One may see and share that in their suffering He was with them, and that they have learned to trust Him more and more.
• Another may see that the “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5 MUST be the DIVINE baptism by the Spirit that places each believer into Christ, making believers “one in Christ.”
• Another may see that the Romans 6:3-4 baptism is the very same “one baptism” and that it does not contain one drop of water.
• Another may see that Paul’s apostleship was wholly distinct from that of the Twelve.
• Another may see that the Christian’s position is spiritual and heavenly in character.
• Another may see that the Body of Christ, the Church of today, was never prophesied — and that it did not begin at Pentecost with Peter and the eleven, but later, with Paul.

But while each sees some component part of Paul’s “Mystery” gospel, Satan has used tradition, hierarchical structure and law to blind His body. The result is that confusion continues to prevail and they still have a puzzle instead of a picture.

But Paul gives us the proper picture metaphorically.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (KJV) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

If only the church today would see the new and living way of “the body of Christ,” governed by Him as the living and directing “head of the body,” they would be able to put the pieces together!

Ephesians 1:22-23 (KJV) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in (you) all.
Ephesians 5:30 (KJV) For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

It is then that a clear picture of the living church emerges as some would see the fruit of “the Revelation of The Mystery”… of Christ alive in His body members. Thus in this “the Dispensation of the Grace of God,” believers should continually hear “The Preaching of Jesus Christ According to The ‘Revelation of the Mystery” (Rom. 16:25).