The only groups I have seen who make such statements are those who
emphasize autonomy to the point of negating community in a wider sense
than just "my local church."

I'm sorry, but I honestly see such devotees are part of a "I must be in
control" group.  They so have to make sure that no others could possibly
control them that they alter the simple meaning so as to suit their own
ends.

I once had a pastor start shouting at me when I managed a Christian
bookstore and I challenged him on this point.  It weren't pretty....almost
as bad as when the KJV only guy came into the store to buy "10 KJV Bibles
for a class of 3rd graders" to which I honestly but foolishly responded,
"Why?  They'll never be able to read them."

I find with such people you're further ahead to sell them what they want
and move them on their way AWAY from you and any other normal folk in your
vicinity as quickly as possible to try and control the Christ Repellent
damage.

Blessings,
Randy


> Gary,
>
> Is there any Scripture passage where the term "Body of Christ" is used to
> refer exclusively to a local fellowship of believers.
>
> There are some who interpret the term to only mean a local body of
> believers but I cannot see where it is used that way.  I do agree that the
> local church is a body in a sense, ... but is the term "Body of Christ"
> ever used to indicate a local church?
>
> In Col. 1:18, the term seems to me to indicate a singular "Body" of which
> Christ is the Head.
>
> Jerry
> "And as they were going out, behold, a dumb man, demon-possessed, was
> brought to Him. And after the demon was cast out, the dumb man spoke; and
> the multitudes marveled, saying, "Nothing like this was ever seen in
> Israel."" (Matt 9:32-33).
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Gary Webb
>   To: pastorsforum@...
>   Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 2:49 PM
>   Subject: Re: [PastorsForum] What Body and Which Church?
>
>
>   He is head of THE church.  There is only one bride, only one body.  The
> body may well be functionally diverse, but it is spiritually one.  It
> may be politically and structurally inconsistent, but it is still just
> one body.  We don't need to do as much looking at the body to decide if
> we are in the right one as we need to see who is the head.  If it isn't
> Jesus, then we're not in His church.  Otherwise, I don't know what you
> mean by the question.
>
>
>   GARY WEBB
>
>
>   From: Jerry Lewis
>   Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 8:53 AM
>   To: PastorsForum
>   Subject: [PastorsForum] What Body and Which Church?
>
>
>   Gentlemen,
>
>
>
>   In my devotions this morning I read about Christ and His Church.
>
>
>
>   When the Bible speaks of Christ as the Head of the body, the church,
> just exactly what body and which church is He the Head of?
>
>
>
>   Col 1:18
>
>   18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and
> the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have
> the supremacy.
>
>
>
>   Jerry
>
>   "And as they were going out, behold, a dumb man, demon-possessed, was
> brought to Him. And after the demon was cast out, the dumb man spoke;
> and the multitudes marveled, saying, "Nothing like this was ever seen in
> Israel."" (Matt 9:32-33).
>
>
>
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