Hi Mary Jay. As you know, we don't align in our understanding of the Scriptures, but thought to address this one post from you as an example.
In answer to your question, I exist as a physical person, now saved & revived by the Blood of Christ & His Spirit, joined to the Body of Christ. Am I "the BODY of Christ?" NO. My understanding of the Scriptures is that the Body of Christ is the Church ( Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18,24). So, I'm not the Body, Christ is; I am a part of that Body, the parts of which comprise the Church ( Romans 12:4,5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14). There can only be one Body, or else, if each member is the Body of Christ, then Christ is no longer the Head of His Church but the Head of each person. And though 1 Corinthians 11:3 states, "...that the head of every man is Christ...", this verse speaks about the position, in the spiritual realm & of the Church presenting before God, of woman to the man, of man to Christ & of Christ to God.
So with Galatians 2:20, my understanding of "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me...", is that my life that I now live is not my own (my ownership), but belongs to Christ (His ownership) with Christ (by His Spirit) Who now lives in me. This is a personal relationship with the risen Christ, with Whom all others who completely identify with Him, also enjoy. Thus together we form His Church, which is His Body; so the individual can never be Christ's Body - only His Church can be, which is the collection of believers.
Do you exist, other than being the BODY of Christ?
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I (as the body) live, yet NOT I, but CHRIST ......
this mystery... HIDDEN from the foundation of the world
In answer to your question, I exist as a physical person, now saved & revived by the Blood of Christ & His Spirit, joined to the Body of Christ. Am I "the BODY of Christ?" NO. My understanding of the Scriptures is that the Body of Christ is the Church ( Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18,24). So, I'm not the Body, Christ is; I am a part of that Body, the parts of which comprise the Church ( Romans 12:4,5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14). There can only be one Body, or else, if each member is the Body of Christ, then Christ is no longer the Head of His Church but the Head of each person. And though 1 Corinthians 11:3 states, "...that the head of every man is Christ...", this verse speaks about the position, in the spiritual realm & of the Church presenting before God, of woman to the man, of man to Christ & of Christ to God.
So with Galatians 2:20, my understanding of "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me...", is that my life that I now live is not my own (my ownership), but belongs to Christ (His ownership) with Christ (by His Spirit) Who now lives in me. This is a personal relationship with the risen Christ, with Whom all others who completely identify with Him, also enjoy. Thus together we form His Church, which is His Body; so the individual can never be Christ's Body - only His Church can be, which is the collection of believers.
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