The Third Tent (cont.)

[HKHaugan]

As we have said there are three tents, the individual physical body, the gathered believers and the Body of Christ.  This third tent transcends the other two and is the standard by which their authenticity is measured.  So whether it be a denomination, a prayer group, a house church or any gathering of believers its purpose, structure and activity find their definition in the Body of Christ as illustrated in Scripture.

 

In the last segment we looked at the conception of the Body of Christ, the real church, as the moment Jesus blessed Peter’s faithful response.  That was the supernatural moment when eternity and the present met and the moment upon which He would build His Body of believers.  That moment when time was absorbed by eternity would crystallize the way each lost and drifting image of God would be recovered and restored to their eternal Father in Heaven.  They would recognize in their mind, realize in their heart and respond by faith in their spirit that Jesus is God the Son and be born spiritually.  This is how we become part of the Body of Christ, the family of God. 

 

Then, in His last words in Matthew, Jesus gives the Apostles three things, two commands and a promise. Make disciples for Him, teach them everything He commands and He will be with them to the end of the age (28:18-20). 

 

Paul follows with the way to become a disciple and part of God’s eternal family. “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved (Rom.10:8-10 NIV).”  He goes on to say, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (Rom.12:4-5 NIV).”

 

Paul then gives the structure for the Body of believers.  “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully (Rom.12:6-8 NIV).”  He gives other passages from 1Cor.12 and Eph.4 to show the unique spiritual gifts that make the Body of Christ a spiritual Body and family where believers are spiritual brothers and sisters ministering to one another. 

 

There is also a new understanding of the spiritual atmosphere in which they are breathing.  That atmosphere is grace, the spiritual oxygen of the spiritually reborn children of God.  Grace is God’s loving acceptance ministered through the Holy Spirit.  He is the constant personal provision not only binding the Body together but giving each believer the internal guidance system enabling them to grow into and share the unique love of God.  The Spirit’s fruit are the elements of grace. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal.5:22-23 NIV).”

 

Paul spells out how love is practiced.  “Love must be sincere, hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:   “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink Breathing in the atmosphere of grace is spelled out, “Love must be sincere. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom.12:9-21 NIV).”

 

So believers are no longer just flesh and blood people.  They realize something entirely new. They are reversing what they were by the world’s standards.  They are first spiritual beings who are now having a human experience.  Their identity as individuals has changed from lonely afraid self-conscious beings locked in a physical body to spiritually gifted children of God and younger brothers and sisters of Jesus, God the Son.  Their relationship with God has been restored and elevated.  Now they know who they are, who they are in relationship to other believers, who they are in the world and who they are forever.  Their identity is spiritual, relational and eternal.

 

This understanding of receiving Jesus as personal Lord and Savior making us part of God’s spiritual and eternal family, the Body of Christ, is the substance of salvation.  This is straight from His Word as we have seen.  Again, this is the definition, the structure, purpose and mission for which Jesus has called the the third tent, the Body of Christ, into existence.