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Veteran Churches in Early Indiana History

The concept of the Church as the body of Christ is a foundational theological idea, deeply rooted in Pauline epistles and developed throughout Christian tradition. This metaphor emphasizes the intimate union between Christ and believers, portraying the Church not merely as an organization but as a living organism of which Christ is the head [1, 7].

The Apostle Paul frequently uses the imagery of the body to describe the Church, particularly in his letters to the Ephesians and Colossians. In Ephesians 5:30, for instance, the Church is described as being "of His flesh and of His bones," drawing a parallel to the creation of Eve from Adam's side (Genesis 2:23-24) [1]. This passage suggests a profound, almost physical, unity between Christ and the Church, where Christ "nourisheth and cherisheth the Church as being of one flesh with Him" [1]. The formation of Eve from Adam's deep sleep is seen as an emblem of Christ's death, which gave birth to the Church, His "Spouse" [1]. Similarly, Colossians 1:18 states that Christ "is the head of the body, the church" [2]. This headship implies Christ's authority and life-giving role, with the Church being dependent on Him for its existence and function [6].

Early Christian writers also embraced and expounded upon this understanding. Augustine, for example, articulated that the Church is Christ's body, and that "all those things which we read in the Holy Scriptures written, previous to the Lord's advent... were for this—namely, that His advent might be pressed upon the attention, and that the Church which was to be, should be intimated beforehand, that is to say, the people of God throughout all nations; which Church is His body" [7]. This patristic view underscores the pre-ordained nature of the Church and its essential connection to Christ's redemptive work. Ignatius of Antioch, writing to the Ephesians from Smyrna, also refers to the "harmony of God" among believers, implying a unified spiritual body [4].

The Reformed tradition, as seen in the works of John Calvin and Charles Hodge, further elaborates on the implications of the Church as the body of Christ. Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, frequently references Pauline texts to establish this doctrine, emphasizing the spiritual union believers have with Christ [6, 10, 11]. This union is not merely symbolic but involves a real participation in Christ's life and benefits. Charles Hodge, in his Systematic Theology, also extensively cites biblical passages from Ephesians, Colossians, and other epistles to support the understanding of the Church as Christ's body [2, 5]. Hodge's detailed scriptural references highlight the pervasive nature of this metaphor throughout the New Testament, reinforcing the idea that the Church's identity is inextricably linked to Christ [2, 5].

The Anglican tradition, as reflected in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, also implicitly affirms the Church's identity as a unified body, though it may not use the explicit "body of Christ" language in every article [8]. The emphasis on "All the Church Family" and "Holy Communion" within the Articles suggests a communal and unified understanding of believers, consistent with the broader Christian understanding of the Church as Christ's body [8]. The practice of Holy Communion itself, often referred to as "the Lord's Supper" or "breaking of bread," is seen as a continuation of an ordinance observed by the apostles, signifying the ongoing presence and benefits of Christ to His Church [9]. Even Luther, while differing on the precise nature of Christ's presence in the Eucharist, still acknowledged that the bread and wine are the body and blood of Christ, indicating a profound connection between Christ and the elements consumed by the Church [3].

The concept of the Church as the body of Christ also carries significant implications for ecclesiology, the study of the nature of the Church. It suggests that the Church is not a human institution but a divine one, animated and directed by Christ Himself. This understanding fosters a sense of interdependence among believers, as each member is a vital part of the whole, contributing to its overall health and function, much like different parts of a physical body [1]. The diversity of gifts and roles within the Church is thus seen as essential for its proper functioning, all under the headship of Christ [6]. This theological framework provides a basis for unity, mutual care, and shared purpose among Christians, as they are all united in Christ.

Sources

  1. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:30: For--Greek, "Because" (Co1 6:15). Christ nourisheth and cherisheth the Church as being of one flesh with Him. Translate, "Because we are members of His body (His literal body), being OF His flesh and of His bones" [ALFORD] (Gen 2:23-24). The Greek expresses, "Being formed out of" or "of the substance of His flesh." Adam's deep sleep, wherein Eve was formed from out of his opened side, is an emblem of Christ's death, which was the birth of the Spouse, the Church. Joh 12:24; Joh 19:34-35, to which Eph 5:25-27 allude, as implying atonement by His blood”
  2. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 98: 3:8 3:9 3:9 3:9 3:20 3:20 3:21 3:21 4:11 4:18 Colossians 1:18 1:20 1:27 1:27 2:10 2:10 2:12 2:14 2:16 2:19 2:19 3:3 3:4 3:4 3:4 3:10 3:20 1871 1 Thessalonians 1:10 2:10 2:19 3:13 4:15-17 4:15-17 4:16 5:1 5:2 5:23 14:4 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 1:7 1:7-10 1:7-10 1:7-10 1:9 2 2:1-3 2:1-17 2:1-17 2:1-17 2:2 2:4 2:7 3:6 1 Timothy 1:12 2:4 2:4 2:5 2:6 3:2 3:2 3:2 3:2 3:16 3:16 3:16 4:1 4:3 5:14 6:14 2 Timothy 1:10 1:12 3:15 3:16 3:17 4:1 4:8 Titus 1:5 1:6 1:6 1:6 2:13 2:14 2:14 3:5 3:5 3:5 3:5 3:5 3:5 3:10 Hebrews 1:1-14 1:3 1:3 2:1-18 2:4 2:4 2:”
  3. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 71: taken and broken; and therefore it was the bread which He affirmed was, either literally or figuratively, his body. Lutherans themselves cannot avoid saying and admitting that the bread in the Lord’s Supper is the body of Christ. Thus Luther ( Larger Catechism , v. 12, 13; Hase, Libri Symbolici , p. 554) tells his catechumen to say, “Though infinite myriads of devils and all fanatics should impudently demand, How bread and wine can be the body and blood of Christ? I know that all spirits and all learned men put together have not as much i”
  4. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. XV.--SALUTATIONS.: The Ephesians from Smyrna(whence I also write to you), who are here for the glory of God, as ye also are, who have in all things refreshed me, salute you, along with Polycarp, the bishop of the Smyrnaeans. The rest of the Churches, in honour of Jesus Christ, also salute you. Fare ye well in the harmony of God, ye who have obtained the inseparable Spirit, who is Jesus Christ. The Ephesians from Smyrna(whence I also write to you), who are here for the glory of God, as ye also are, who hav”
  5. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 98: 5:9 5:9 5:10 5:10 5:12 5:12-21 5:12-21 5:16 5:16 5:17 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:21 6:1-8 6:1-23 6:1-23 6:3 6:3 6:3 6:4-10 6:5 6:8 6:14 6:14 6:14 6:14 7:1 7:1 7:1-6 7:1-25 7:2 7:2 7:3 7:3 7:4 7:4 7:4 7:4-6 7:4-6 7:6 7:7 7:7 7:7 7:7 7:7-25 7:7-25 7:12 7:14 7:24 7:33 7:34 8:1-39 8:3 8:9-11 8:9-11 8:10 8:11 8:12 8:16 8:16 8:17 8:17 8:19-21 8:19-23 8:21 8:25 8:30 8:33 8:34 8:34 9:1-33 9:4 9:4 9:4 9:8 9:8 10:3 10:3 10:4 10:8 10:9 10:9 10:10 10:10 10:10 10:11-15 10:14 10:14 10:15 11:1-36 11:6 11:11 11:11 ”
  6. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 109: 4:5-6 4:6 4:11 4:12 4:18 Colossians 1:2-3 1:4 1:5 1:5 1:9-10 1:12 1:13 1:14 1:14 1:14 1:14 1:15 1:15 1:15 1:15 1:15 1:16 1:16 1:16-18 1:17 1:18 1:19-20 1:20 1:20 1:21 1:21-22 1:24 1:24 1:26 1:26 1:26 2:2 2:3 2:3 2:3 2:3 2:3 2:10 2:11 2:12 2:12 2:13-14 2:14 2:14 2:14-15 2:16 2:16-17 2:17 2:17 2:17 2:19 2:20 2:20-21 2:23 2:23 3:1 3:1 3:1-2 3:2 3:3 3:3 3:4 3:5 3:6 3:10 3:10 3:11 3:14 3:14 3:14 3:16 3:19 3:24 3:25 4:3 4:17 1 Thessalonians 1:5 2:13 2:18 2:20 3:5 3:12 3:13 4:3 4:4 4:5 4:7 4:7 4:15 4:16 4:16 4:16-17 5:2 5:9 5:17-18 5:19 ”
  7. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 3.--OF THE FULL NARRATION TO BE EMPLOYED IN CATECHISING. (part 2): instructing by our utterance to be moved(8) toward the same, and guided in that direction. And, in truth, for no other reason were all those things which we read in the Holy Scriptures written, previous to the Lord's advent, but for this,--namely, that His advent might be pressed upon the attention, and that the 286 Church which was to be, should be intimated beforehand, that is to say, the people of God throughout all nations; which Church is His body, wherewith also are uni”
  8. Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), 1. Morning Praise: 1. Morning Praise 10. Light to the World: Holy Communion in Epiphany 11. In Penitence and Faith: a Service in Lent 12. Christ is Risen: a Service in Easter 2. For all the Church Family 3. An Evening Service of the Word 4. Christ is our Peace 5. The Lord is Here 6. This is our Story 7. Believe and Trust: Holy Communion with Baptism 8. Come, Lord Jesus: Holy Communion in Advent 9. Peace to God’s People: Holy Communion during the Christmas Season All Creation Worships (Holy Communion) Introduction Special Days and Occasions The”
  9. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 68: the eats of men; and the communication of the benefits of that death to his people, necessarily assumes that it is to be observed so long as Christ, in the visible manifestation of his person, is absent from his Church. (3.) That the Apostles so understood the command of Christ is plain from their continuing to observe this ordinance to which such frequent reference is made in their writings, under the designations, “breaking of bread,” “the Lord’s Supper,” and “The Lord’s table.” (4.) The uniform practice of the Church on this subject ad”
  10. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 109: 2:19 2:21 2:24 4:3 4:6 4:8 4:11-12 4:14 5:12 5:12 5:13 5:14 5:15 5:16 5:16 5:16 5:17-18 1 Peter 1:2 1:2 1:2 1:3 1:5 1:5 1:9 1:11 1:12 1:12 1:15 1:16 1:18-19 1:18-19 1:19 1:19-20 1:20 1:21 1:21 1:21 1:21 1:22 1:23 1:23 1:23 2:5 2:9 2:9 2:9 2:13 2:17 2:17 2:18 2:24 2:24 2:24 2:24 2:24 2:25 2:25 3:18 3:19 3:21 3:21 3:21 3:21 3:21 3:21 4:3 4:3 4:8 4:8 4:11 4:11 4:14 4:17 5:1 5:2 5:2 5:3 5:5 5:6 5:7 5:8 5:8 5:9 2 Peter 1:4 1:4 1:4 1:5 1:13-14 1:14 1:14 1:19 2:1 2:4 2:4 3:4 3:8 3:9 3:16 11:9 1 John 1:1 1:7 1:7 1:7 1:9 1:9 1:10 2:1 2:1 2”
  11. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 109: 3:6 3:7 3:8 3:14 3:17 3:18 3:18 3:18 4:4 4:4 4:4 4:4 4:6 4:6 4:6 4:7 4:7 4:8 4:8-9 4:10 4:10 4:10 4:13 4:16 5:1 5:2 5:4 5:5 5:6 5:6 5:6 5:6 5:6-7 5:6-7 5:10 5:10 5:10 5:10 5:18 5:18 5:18-19 5:18-21 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:19-20 5:19-21 5:20 5:20 5:20-21 5:21 5:21 5:21 5:21 5:21 5:21 5:21 6:7-8 6:8 6:16 6:16 6:16 7:1 7:1 7:1 7:1 7:2 7:2 7:10 7:10 8:16-17 9:6 9:7 10:4 10:4-5 10:4-6 10:8 11:2 11:14 11:14 12:2 12:7 12:7 12:8-9 12:9 12:21 13:4 13:4 13:4 13:5 13:13 Galatians 1:1 1:6 1:8 1:18 1:18 2:1-2 2:3 2:3-5 2:6 2:8 2:9 2:11 2:14 2:16 2:19”
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