Fitly Joined Together

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Fitly Joined Together

Eph 4:15  But speaking the TRUTH in LOVE, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

 

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

Oftentimes I am confronted with the idea that the flesh we have and live in is somehow not as bad as we would naturally believe. After all, it is the only one we have been given to live in and deal with.

 

It may seem strange that I would start off talking about this so bluntly, but I thought I would start off this study with sparking some fire under a topic that has been hot lately amongst the different email, phone and other exchanges between the body of Christ that fellowships at IWWB.

 

This topic came about from what I’ve noticed is a welcome topic that all of us enjoy speaking and one of which it is we are all gathering together today to talk about. That topic of course is Jesus Christ but specifically I would like to focus today on Jesus the Christ, a head and body.

 

In order to emphasis this important connection, I thought I would try and gather as much information from scripture as I could that would fit within an hour study and I quickly found out it just wasn’t going to happen.  However, I believe the Lord has blessed me with enough material to speak on to get all of our minds centered on what is being said as we study.

 

So, to get back to the topic at hand the study is titled, “Fitly Joined together”.  Of course, I got this title from Eph 4:16 as stated in part of this verse in the KJV version.  I found that the English standard version said it a little clearer.

 

Eph 4:16 ESV  from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is

equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

 

In this study today, I hope we can all gather a bit more understanding and knowledge about us all being fitly joined together that can be applied wisely during each day of our lives.

 

 

Increase of the body

 

In order for us to fully grasp what we are being told by Paul here in Ephesians we must of course adhere to the biblical doctrine of having one or two witnesses in order for a doctrine to be spiritually sound. That doctrine can be found true as seen in various scriptures including:

 

Deu 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

           

Mat 18:16  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

 

2Co 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

 

 

By taking Eph 4:15-16 and breaking them apart, we can start to glean a wonderful revelation taking place in what we are being told. In fact, Paul calls it a great mystery but we’ll get to that point in a few minutes Lord willing.

 

When we look at the greek word or words for the words that are in verse 16 as pertaining to the body we will quickly learn a very nice spiritual factoid.

 

The words in English in the KJV used as fitly joined together are very revealing and very interesting in that they are used slightly differently only in one other part of scripture as they were translated from the greek, and they come together to witness to a very profound Truth.

 

The body of Christ is very much a part of Jesus Christ by design and creation.

 

      G4883

συναρμολογεω

sunarmologeo

Total KJV Occurrences:6

fitly, 2

Eph_2:21, Eph_4:16

together, 2

Eph_2:21, Eph_4:16

framed, 1

Eph_2:21

joined, 1

Eph_4:16

 

Please bare with me as I am told by some that I can be a little long in the tooth when it comes to actually reading the scriptures and applying to the topic at hand. However, I rely only on what the Holy Spirit reveals to me about about scripture is being discussed and is at hand. Otherwise, everything else is only me.

 

Regarding this phrase look at what we see:

 

           Eph 2:18 KJV  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Eph 2:19 KJV  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Eph 2:20 KJV  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Eph 2:21 KJV  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Eph 2:22 KJV  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

 

Right here before we are told in Eph 4 that we are fitly joined together with our head, we are told that we are a being GROWN up as a holy temple IN HIM and then we see we are being fitly joined together:

 

Eph 4:15  But speaking the TRUTH in LOVE, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

 

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

Before we get too far, I want to ask a few questions to see if the rest of the premise of this topic will be off as introduced by me.

 

Everyone knows that there is a multi part member body that we physically see with one another. A heard and the rest of the limbs as it were. Of course we have arms and legs and such, but physically we know that science shows us that nothing moves in our body without the head first giving the instruction to do so, correct?

 

More specifically, we know that the BRAIN inside the head gives the electrical impulses for everything in our body to move first then it moves.

 

More to the point than that, I have heard and old saying stated that at first glance seems charming and innocent and I can’t say that it isn’t on the surface, but with further investigation it soon does stand well against the truth of the situation. The saying goes something like, “I am the head of the house, but my wife is the body that turns the head.”

 

Almost.

 

Again, the brain INSIDE the head tells the neck and the rest of the muscular system to respond and then it does. It’s kind of one of those things we look for spiritually when we are trying to skirt around what scripture clearly teaches us and that is foremost what this topic I about.

 

See, the hard- nosed truth is that the brain tells the body what to do and doesn’t ask the body’s opinion. Right about now you might be wondering where I am going with this and I will tell you just where I am going and what I am meaning to say. That is exactly what it sounds like when you read it yourself and hear me teach it.

 

The head is first, foremost preeminent and takes its orders the same way. Spiritually, the MIND of Christ, the Will of God directed via the Father of us all, directs its FITLY JOINED TOGETHER body and everything is harmonious and as it should be.

 

But what if that so called body isn’t operating as such? As we are about to see, we are told all around these verses what is a dysfunctional body and what is truly the body of Christ. For sure, there is only one true bride, one true body…. one faith, one baptism…simply one.

 

 

Who had made both One

So, we have this Truth starting to reveal itself but what exactly does it mean? After all, Paul thinks it’s so important that the shear revealing of it is amazingly miraculous, AND IT IS!

In Eph 2, we see this:

 

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Eph 2:17  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

 

We are told right here in Eph 2 that Christ has done something FIRST. In truth, Christ first died on the cross so that we could do so as well not instead of us doing it…after all we are His body, no?

 

Let me ask this plainly. If Christ is the head of His body, and He was the first to die to usher in the rest of His church, was He the first to be born and when did that happen?

 

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

 

            G4416

πρωτοτοκος

pro totokos

Total KJV Occurrences:10

firstborn, 7

Mat_1:25, Luk_2:7, Rom_8:29, Col_1:15, Col_1:18, Heb_11:28, Heb_12:23

begotten, 1

Rev_1:5

first, 1

Rev_1:5(2)

firstbegotten, 1

Heb_1:5-6(2)

 

Mat 1:25  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

 

Luk 2:7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

 

Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

 

Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

 

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

 

And just to get this right, I want to read a few verses around the new place this is found it really put this all in context:

 

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Heb 1:4  Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Heb 1:5  For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Heb 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

Heb 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

 

And finally we have a great witness to what we are starting to see fitly joined and concreted together:

 

Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 

Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

 

 

In the Beginning

 

 

Just to show how intertwined we are all to the Truth we are seeing here; let us start from the beginning, after all that is where God the Father started.

 

G746

αρχη

arche

Total KJV Occurrences:59

beginning, 39

Mat_19:4, Mat_24:8 (2), Mat_24:21, Mar_1:1, Mar_10:6, Mar_13:19, Luk_1:2, Joh_1:1-2 (2), Joh_2:11, Joh_6:64, Joh_8:25, Joh_8:44, Joh_15:27, Joh_16:4, Phi_4:15 (2), Col_1:18, 2Th_2:13, Heb_1:10, Heb_3:14, Heb_7:3, 2Pe_3:4, 1Jn_1:1,1Jn_2:7 (2), 1Jn_2:13-14 (2), 1Jn_2:24 (2), 1Jn_3:8, 1Jn_3:11, 2Jn_1:5-6 (2), Rev_1:8, Rev_3:14, Rev_21:6, Rev_22:13

principalities, 6

Rom_8:38, Eph_3:10, Eph_6:12, Col_1:16, Col_2:15, Tit_3:1

first, 4

Act_26:4, Heb_2:3, Heb_5:12, Jdg_1:6

corners, 2

Act_10:11, Act_11:5

principality, 2

Eph_1:21, Col_2:10

began, 1

Heb_2:3

beginnings, 1

Mar_13:8

magistrates, 1

Luk_12:11

power, 1

Luk_20:20

principles, 1

Heb_6:1

rule, 1

1Co_15:24

 

If we read the above verses, we can clearly see that Christ is associated with the beginning as He Himself says He is THE BEGINNING.

 

But why oh why are you making a point of this Steven? Maybe there is a huge point being made about this very thing throughout the entire bible and it has everything to do with the Kingdom of God in which we all say we are trying to enter.

 

Maybe, we have such a brilliant plan unfolding here that it is so huge, so immeasurable, that it has been hidden since the foundation of the world…but why would that be important?

 

 

Thou art Woman

 

 

Now, before I get into any hot water over this, let me just tell all you women out there who you really are. You are a woman. I am a man. Does that make us mad at one another? So, if I ask you if you are a woman when you ask me the role you play in a relationship what do you expect it will sound like when I answer your question?

 

Well, as you can imagine that is exactly the tone and feel of the mood that sets once this subject starts to be talked about because it deals with subjection and just what role it plays and it honestly has nothing to do with the role but the head.

 

Here is what I mean. I recently asked someone who I thought believed like me if Christ has a head to which I was told yes, of course He does but then I was basically quickly asked what kind of question that is, and my answer to you today is the same it was then, the question necessitates if Christ has a head, then he must be a body.

 

Yes, I said the properly: Christ is a body and has a head called God the Father. Why is that important?

 

It is important because for this to be true, then Christ has a start. What do I mean by that? Can Christ REALLY have a start? Didn’t we just read that Christ is the FIRST BORN, the FIRST FRUIT? For there to be fruit, there must be a source, an apple from a tree, etc.

 

So, if this is true and he is the first to be born, then where was He before that? Before you answer that, let us review some very telling scriptures on the matter.

 

           Gen 1:1  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

 

Remember, lets keep in mind who the beginning is because in the Hebrew the beginning is the “reshiyth”, the first fruit.

 

           

            H7225

re’sh yth

Total KJV Occurrences:53

beginning, 18

Gen_1:1(2), Gen_10:10, Gen_49:3, Deu_11:12, Deu_21:17, Job_8:7, Job_42:12, Psa_111:10, Pro_1:7, Pro_8:22, Pro_17:14, Ecc_7:8, Isa_46:10, Jer_28:1 (3), Jer_49:34, Mic_1:13

first, 11

Exo_23:19, Exo_34:26, Num_15:20-21 (2), Num_24:20, Deu_18:4, Deu_26:2, Deu_33:21, Eze_44:30 (2), Hos_9:10

firstfruits, 11

Lev_2:12, Lev_23:10, Num_18:12, Deu_26:10, 2Ch_31:5, Neh_10:37, Neh_12:44, Pro_3:9, Jer_2:3, Eze_20:40, Eze_48:14

chief, 8

1Sa_15:21, Job_40:19, Psa_78:51, Psa_105:36, Jer_49:35, Dan_11:41, Amo_6:1, Amo_6:6

chiefest, 1

1Sa_2:29

firstfruit, 1

Deu_18:4

much, 1

2Ki_12:10

principal, 1

Pro_4:7

time, 1

Hos_9:10

So in the first fruit, God created the heavens and the earth. This is really interesting because in the beginning of mankind being made in the image of God, God or Christ as I believe scripture teaches, created Adam and then Eve, but first came the first Adam.

 

Gen 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Gen 2:8  And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

 

Next we see Adam here:

 

Gen 2:15  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.          

Gen 2:16  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

Gen 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Gen 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

 

And the help finally arrives here:

 

Gen 2:20  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

Gen 2:21  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

Gen 2:22  And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

Gen 2:23  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

 

I want everyone to notice and zoom in your attention to the deep sleep that God caused to fall upon Adam in order for Eve to be brought forth from Adam. Does this process sound familiar to anyone?

 

Well, let me see if I can dig something up.

 

Act 17:24  God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

 

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

 

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

 

Eph 3:9  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

 

Rev 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

 

I know that was a lot of scripture, but let me recap what we just read:

 

“God that made the world and all things therein, and the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, of which all there consists is the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.”

 

Furthermore, Paul wants us to now that the Holy Spirit has revealed to him that there is a great mystery happening which has been happening since the BEGINNING of the WORLD and has been hidden.

 

So, how does that show us what this deep sleep is that fell on Adam or why it even happened? I mean, why even mention it? Well, here is the answer:

 

Eph 3:9  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

 

How is this the answer to the question?

 

Christ was slain from the foundation of the world correct? All that is in the world is the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and pride of life. In all that we have been reading, we can see that Christ has a head; yet, we also see in that type and shadow that Christ is also a head. So how do we make heads or tails of this?

 

Thankfully, we don’t have to do any guess work as the scripture we are speaking about tells us.

 

           Eph 5:32  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

           

1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

 

Again why is this important to even mention?

 

Eph 3:9  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

 

If we can see this link, than we can see how we are fitly joined together, but more importantly, we can see why the connection is the way it is.

 

Speaking the Truth in Love

 

 

Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

 

 

Recall, we have been focusing on how we are being built up into a holy habitation unto God and we see that this process is one that is being hidden.

 

If it has been hidden, then it is like all other things in scripture and that is that it can’t simply just be information and knowledge that can be learned from simply reading or hearing scripture but rather it must be revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

 

However, we do not need to be dismayed because we just read and learned that if we SPEAK these truths in LOVE then we will be GROWING into Christ, Jesus the Christ the temple of the living God.

 

How do I know that or how can I say that? Well, Christ did do I do.

 

Mat 11:27  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

 

            Mat 21:22  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

 

Mat 22:4  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

 

Mar 9:23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

 

           Mar 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

 

           Joh 3:35  The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

 

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

 

And the last example really brings home what these things are we are learning.

 

Joh 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

Joh 17:7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

Joh 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Joh 17:9  I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

 

All things that have been given to Christ as given to Him by God the Father in which turn Christ has given to us via Words which we have received! Hallelujah!

 

But again, why is this important enough for me to point out to you? Well, it is very important to know this special relationship between the body and the head because it is the body that is used to profess the head. In biblical words it is done like this:

 

God forms Adam. Adam needs a helper to tend to the plan, the garden that God has planted, so God creates Eve from the thing He created first, Adam. Eve then becomes the mother of all living.

 

Notice, the head had to come first. Adam, Christ in type, came first the same as a normal child birth. Then, Eve came next but I want to make a point here to bring into focus what this whole topic is about.

 

When Eve was conceived, as it were, she didn’t have a choice. She was created just as Adam was. The reason this is important to say is that as in normal child birth the head leads and the body follows and when this happens then things normally turn out okay, but when the body tries to do the heads part the while things takes a turn for the worse but how is this spiritually true?

 

We started this topic out with:

 

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

But as we continue past this verse, we will see why this is so important:

 

Eph 4:17  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Eph 4:18  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Eph 4:19  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Eph 4:20  But ye have not so learned Christ;

Eph 4:21  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

Eph 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

The reason I am teaching and preaching today about the head taking the lead is because we have been given the pattern we must follow. We see the pattern in how Christ is stripped of His glory and is slain form the foundation of the world, we see how Adam is formed of the dust of the ground and then Eve must also follow in the same pattern, and finally we now see why this is to be the case.

 

This is the case because that which comes first will show the pattern for that which is to come! We are told to follow this new mysterious way of doing things, called the mind of Christ and how are we told to do that?

 

When every part of the body which has been supplied with its effectual gifts comes together as the cohesive and responsive BODY OF CHRIST, then others will see the PROFESSION and TESTIMONY of Jesus the Christ right in front of them.

 

What does this testimony show? It shows the pattern that has always existed. We are told the physical things we see are a reflection of what is happening spiritually and we can see this same reflection in what is happening on the body of Christ in relation to its head.

 

There is a mindset amongst those that value the things of this world that say the body of Christ can’t be all of one mind and my response to that is that there is ONLY ONE MIND. If you can’t believe in one mind, then there is no reason to believe in one baptism or one faith.

 

Christ led the way to truth and life, Himself. He showed us the pattern in which we must follow and as such, He left us with the things we need to utilize

 

 

Conclusion

 

Today, we have scratched the surface of what it means for the body of Christ to be fitly joined together with its head, Jesus Christ. A body that is healthy and claiming Christ as their head will be fitly joined together with gifts that have been supplied by God the Father to help us all build one another up in love through edification and use of those gifts.

 

We must be diligent to follow the lead of Him who has come before us to show us the way to eternal life. When we do this, the entire world form which we are among will see the true love of God in Jesus the Christ whom He has sent.


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