Second:  the term means the Church. The whole Church, worldwide, made up of believers everywhere, is His Body.

Eph. 1:22 - 23 "...the church, which is his body..."

Last, it means the entire family of believers including all those who have gone before and those who shall yet be born into the Kingdom. This is called the "mystical" Body of Christ and is referred to in Heb. 12:1, 22 - 23.

In this study I am speaking of the Church when I use the term, "the Body of Christ". It is the Church which Jesus died to save. It is the Church which is His bride. It is the Church which He is coming after. The Church is very dear to Him. So much so that when you touch the Church, you touch Him. On the road to Damascus Saul (later called "Paul") was knocked to the ground and heard the Lord asking him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME?" I added the emphasis - the point being that Jesus did not say, "Why are you persecuting the Church? - which is what he was doing. The clear lesson is this: When you touch the Church, you touch Jesus!

Which Church?

Quite often church people get into "discussions" as to which Church is the "right" one. That is, which Church is God's favorite. Which one is more close to what He originally had in mind. Before we answer that though let us establish just who owns the Church.

Matt. 16:18b "..I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Here Jesus is speaking and He says that the Church is His! The way many people act (including but not limited to preachers) you would think the Church belonged to them! They get offended by many things, cause problems, stir up trouble over how things are done in the Church and generally act like it belongs to them. I have seen people act almost satanically simply because a decision was made or something purchased that did not fit with their idea of how it should be! (The subtle motive behind this is the same one the serpent used with Eve, "You can know right and wrong.")

If the Church belongs to Jesus, then He is One who is in charge of it. Instead of egos getting involved (like: "Well I have had University-level training on this and THIS is how it should be done!") all the Body should be in prayer and seeking what Jesus wants done! This would eliminate many of the Church fights, arguments and other troubles that often happen.

You may say, "OK pastor, but which Church in my town should I attend?" "Which one is the one Jesus calls His?" From the Bible, as far as I can tell (and my knowledge is limited) the Lord only sees one Church in each town.   His Church.

"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth..." I Cor. 1:2

"..unto the church of the Thessalonians..." I Thess. 1:1

If you search out the New Testament you will find that whenever Paul is writing to a city, he addresses the church which is in that city. Whenever he writing to a country or state, he addresses the churches in that state or country. This seems to indicate that God sees one Church in a locality. It is made up of people who are His and who may meet in different locations in that city!  They may call themselves by different names just like the believers did in Corinth.  There some said they were followers of Paul, some said they were followers of Apollos, some said they followed Peter while others claimed only to follow Christ.  (I Cor. 1:12)   Today we would put it this way; "...some follow Luther, and some Calvin, and others follow Wesley....".  However, all are followers of Jesus and if they love Him, have repented and received Him, then all are part of THE CHURCH.  And Paul in his letter to the Corinthians made it clear that majoring in earthly leaders is childish.   Jesus is the Head of the Church!

In the Book of Romans Paul wrote to certain individuals and said,"...greet the church that is in their house..." Rom.16:5

This greeting is repeated several times in the New Testament, indicating that while there is only one Church in a location, it meets in various places and often calls itself by different names.

Review

So we have seen that the Church belongs to Jesus, He is the Head of it. The Church is called "The Body of Christ". God sees one Church, the body of people who belong to Jesus, acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior, and have received Him. And when we touch the Church we touch Jesus.

If you will carry that thought and pause here to read carefully I Cor. 11:29 - 30 it will be helpful. As you read these short verses, remember who and what the Body of Christ is.

The parts of the "local Body of Christ" (those members in a locality) are supposed to represent the whole. Just as your body has differences in it, so too the Body of Christ. For instance, the left side of your face is different than the right side. Your right foot is a different size (ever so slightly) than the left foot.   So too the Body of Christ.  These differences are not to be points of contention but should instead show Gods unique, varied and widespread love. All Churches are not supposed to be alike!  Each is called to a slightly different mission in the overall plan of God to reach the world with the message of His love.

The Body of Christ, under the Head (Jesus) is supposed to be working together in order to bring the message of God's love to the world.  Instead many times we see a spirit of competition, trying to out-do each other rather than trying to build one another up.  That kind of attitude is wrong and often devilish.  The Church is work together, helping itself.

        "...Christ, ..... is the Head of His body, the church.  Under his direction the
        whole body is fitted together perfectly, and each part in its own special way
        helps the other parts, so that the whole body is healthy, and growing and full
         of love."                                                                                                    Eph. 4:16

The opposite of "healthy" and "growing" and "full of love" is found in I Cor. 11:30 where those who do not properly discern the Body of Christ are described as being "weak" and "sickly" and some even died prematurely!   Again, the cause of this is explicitly told us to be "..not discerning the Lord's body.." (v. 29)   If the Church will not properly discern the Lord's Body, judgment falls.  We bring it upon ourselves.    The whole point is to get us to discern the Body of Christ, repent, ask for forgiveness and grow up in Him. 

If we will judge ourselves and repent of sinning against the Body of Christ we can experience a great outpouring of God's Spirit.  We can know Jesus in power and glory and have His presence manifested in our midst again.   Let us not partake of anything that is against His Body.   It is time for the world to see that we are One in Him.  I challenge you to NEVER receive an accusation, gripe, gossip, complaint, or negative word against any other group of God's people or their leaders.  If a negative report comes your way and you are not part of the problem or part of the solution, DO NOT RECEIVE IT!  Cover one another with LOVE!!