Preview: The history and reason for the name of the Church God gave us.
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:1-21.
Memory Verse: I Corinthians 12:27.
1. What did the Lord promise through Isaiah's prophecy? Isaiah 62:2.
2. What did the Lord further promise? Isaiah 56:5.
3. What is the new name for the people of God? I Corinthians 12:27.
4. When do we become affiliated and connected with the Body of Christ? I Corinthians 12:13.
5. How did Paul illustrate our connection with the Body of Jesus? Ephesians 5:30-32.
6. What composes the Body of Christ? I Corinthians 12:14.
Note: We have now discovered the secret of the new name for the people of God, an everlasting name that shall not be cut off, the Body of Christ.
7. In which manner did the people of God become the Body of Christ? Acts 20:28.
Note: Jesus bought the Church of God with His blood. If He purchased it, it existed before He bought it. This may be new to many. Let us search the Scriptures for this mystery.
8. Was Jesus with the Church in the wilderness? Acts 7:37-38.
Note: By this Scripture we find the Church was in existence in the day of Moses. The Devil had captured the Church. Jesus purchased it with His own blood. After He bought the Church, it became the Body of Christ and members in particular.
9. On what foundation did Jesus place the Church? Ephesians 2:20.
Note: Notice carefully that the Church was built upon the apostles and the prophets. Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone. This truly is marvelous. The Church was never founded upon the apostles until Jesus placed it there. The Church was never founded upon the prophets and Jesus, until He died upon the cross. Therefore, it is entitled to the new name, “Body of Christ”; an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.
10. Who stations members in the body? I Corinthians 12:18.
11. How should our lives be spent if we abide in the Body of Christ? I John 2:6.
12. How should the members of our own body be used for Christ? Romans 6:12-13.
Note: If we are bought by the blood of Christ, we will not allow our bodies to give in to the temptations of the flesh.
13. Can a Christian love God and love the world both? I John 2:15.
14. How only can a child of God overcome the world? I John 5:4.
15. What are we told about associating ourselves with those who do not walk obediently in the gospel? II Thessalonians 3:14-15.
16. What are we told about keeping the company of sinners? I Corinthians 5:11-13.
17. How many foundations can be laid? I Corinthians 3:11.
Note: Jesus has laid the foundation. The Church was bought by Jesus. It was Jesus that named the Church, a name which cannot be cut off, a foundation which cannot be destroyed; a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name “Body of Christ.”
18. Has the cornerstone been tried? Isaiah 28:16.
19. Who is the head of the Church, the Body of Christ? Colossians 1:18.
20. Who is the doorkeeper? John 10:7-9.
21. What will the Son, Jesus, become to His body, the Church which He purchased? Isaiah 62:4 (last part) and Isaiah 62:5.
22. When will the wedding take place? Revelation 19:7-9.
Note: In summary, Jesus bought the Church of God. He cleansed it with His own blood. He placed it upon a new foundation, the apostles and the prophets with Himself as the chief cornerstone. He is coming to marry His own body (the Church) of which He is the head. He has given it a new name, the Body of Christ; a name it never knew before. The wedding will take place when Jesus comes. His saints will be pure and white, without spot and without a wrinkle. He has placed every member in the Church as it pleased Him. The only member who will be placed in the body by Jesus is he who is living without sin. Glory to God.