The Body of Christ

Christ Jesus our Lord is . . .

  The Head of the church. He gives life and direction to the body. He brings unity and cohesion to the body of believers.

  Ephesians 1:22–23 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Without vital connection to Him in cooperation with the other members of the body there cannot be health and growth of the church. The church can only function in accord with Christ as its Head when each part is corporately using its giftedness to encourage, build up, and provide for the advancement of the gospel.

  1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the authority and determines the parameters of our fellowship and frequency. Coming together for preaching, teaching and prayer are non-negotiables for the body. A body that is dismembered is ineffective and greatly impaired.  

  Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
We cannot live out our Christian existence without the church (people of God) that He has bought and established under His guidance and for His purposes. Within the confines of our gathering together, there is a clear and undeniable expression of love for Christ and His people that is known to all.

1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.