Functioning Together as the Body of Christ
Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that the followers of Jesus as Lord are collectively the members of the Body of Christ: “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. 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." (Romans 12:4-8, NIV translation) Christ is simply the Greek word for Messiah, which means the “anointed one” or King. When we trust in Messiah Jesus as our Lord, we are spiritually placed into the Messiah. The New Testament calls this being “in Christ.” We sh