The Distinction of Jesus Christ There is a "deeper life" available in Jesus Christ. There is great joy and spiritual success in a dedicated Christian life. Too many professing Christians are living in the shallow waters of religion instead of the glorious power of the Holy Ghost. Set your heart for the "Deeper Life."

The terms head, beginning, firstborn, which express the eminence of Christ in the new creation are terms which have had their birth in His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:22; Revelation 1:5; 3:14). Although the head, as venue of control of the body, was not unknown to first century medical writers, the Old Testament meaning of "chief" or "origin" is the sense of the word here. As the body of Christ (not 'body of Christians') the church is not merely a 'society', but is defined in terms of its organic communion with Christ. ⁽¹⁾ "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence," Colossians 1:18.

The Church is the place where the Lord meets with His children. Jesus established the Church, saying in Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." The phrase "in His name," means His people act to carry out His purposes and His glory. ⁽²⁾

The church is important. The importance of the church is not based primarily on what it does, but upon what it is. A right understanding of the nature of the church will give an honest Christian good reason to support their local church. Your church should be important to you because it is important to Christ. Your church attendance should be number one on your agenda !

The Bible declares in Ephesians 5:25, ". . . Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it." Paul used the Greek word "agape" here. It is the word used to describe the love of God for His only begotten Son, as shown in John 17:26. It is the word used to describe the essential nature of God as we see in I John 4:8, ". . . God is love." It exemplifies a deep and constant concern for the welfare of another. ⁽³⁾

Love is the demonstration of the unselfish devotion to the best interest of another. It reveals a readiness to serve another with no thought of personal profit. It is reasonable to think that Christians would love the Church as Christ does. ⁽⁴⁾

God absolutely desires a relationship with you. You are new born into a new family, the family of God! The communication lines are open to you to your Father and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ! ⁽⁵⁾

This new consecrated position, places you in new spiritual and physical status in this life because you have been given every spiritual blessing. Consider Ephesians 1:3, "Blessed be the God and Father of Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ." The wonderful thing about this is that God has all the power to change your condition. Let us examine II Peter 1:3: "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge to Him that hath called us to glory and virtue."

The work of our Lord frees you from the bondage of the law. If the humankind could have kept the law of God, He would not have had to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in your place! Note in Romans 7:4, "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."

Christ uses His Church as a place for you to learn the Word and the way to live for His glory. Since the Church is a divine institution, it was conceived in the mind and heart of God, in the endless ages of eternity past.

The true Church of Jesus Christ is powerful and nothing on this earth can destroy it; no weapon formed against it ever prospers. Whoever touches it, touches the apple of God's eye, for it is His dearest treasure, and His choicest gift to the world. Believers are baptized into Christ's body (the Church). ⁽⁶⁾ You can see this doctrine of His Church, I Corinthians 12:13, "For by one Spirit are we all are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jew or Gentile, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."

What does it symbolize to be baptized into Christ's body (The Church)? It places you into a spiritual union with Jesus. The Scripture denotes that you are actually immersed into Christ's death ( Romans 6:3) "Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death." This baptism is shown as a spiritual work of the Holy Spirit that causes a spiritual alliance with Christ.

Paul exhibits this for us in I Corinthians 12:13, "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." He shows it as an identification Christ's death, bringing spiritually blending with those who accept His sacrifice for them. A powerful Scripture showing this spiritual union is in Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

The Church was purchased with the precious blood of the Eternal Son of God. Therefore, the Church like Him is eternal. ⁽⁷⁾

United with Him in His resurrection, although the Church was in the mind and heart of God from all eternity, it is a New Testament institution. ⁽⁸⁾