In the dispensation of grace, God is building a new creature called the Body of Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

This is the basis on which a distinction should be made between the Body of Christ and Israel. Israel is not a new thing, and therefore the Body of Christ cannot be Israel.

Amongst other differences, in the Body of Christ the old testament distinction between Jew and Gentile is removed:

1 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Ephesians 2:14 (KJV) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Christ is the head of the Body

In like manner as a kingdom has a King, so a body has a head:

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, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Colossians 1:18a (KJV) And he is the head of the body, the church:

Every saved person is a saint…

Romans 1:7a (KJV) To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:

…and every saint is a member of the Body:

Romans 12:5 (KJV) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

The first into the body

Paul was the first person saved into the Body of Christ:

1 Timothy 1:16 (KJV) Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

The salvation of Paul (by grace and irrespective of his works) is the pattern for all believers today.

The book of Acts records the transition from the prophecy programme into the dispensation of the grace of God and the building of the church, the body of Christ.

The church today

There are three ‘churches’ identified in scripture:

• Israel in the wilderness

Acts 7:38 (KJV) This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

• The church at Jerusalem (the kingdom church/Peter’s group)

Acts 8:1 (KJV) And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

• The church, the body of Christ

Colossians 1:18a (KJV) And he is the head of the body, the church:

Right division of the word of truth brings an understanding that it is the church, the body of Christ which is the church for this age.