Faith In First Corinthians, Chapter 12: The Body of Christ vis a vis Kings and The King of Kings and Lord of Lords:

The Apostle Paul goes into more detail about the Body of Christ in First Corinthians than in his other epistles, 1 Corinthians 12 - 27. I’ll quote the first and last of this passage: “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. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” 1 Corinthians 12:12 - 1412 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.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

. “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1 Corinthians 12:2727 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

. Examples of other references are Romans 12:55 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

& Ephesians 4:1212 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

, etc.

All true believers today belong to The Body of Christ, which was a secret of God prior to when He revealed it to the Apostle Paul, Romans 16:25 - 2625 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

. Significantly, Christ’s Body has a Heavenly calling, Ephesians 1:33 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

; 1 Corinthians 15:4949 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 1813 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

. On the other hand, Old Testament (OT) saints looked forward to being raised from the dead to life on earth with Jehovah: “For I (Job) know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” Job 19:25 - 2725 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

. The hope of Israel was for a King to rule on earth: “Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten Thee.” Psalms 2:6 - 76 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

. The word “king” occurs 43 times in the King James Version (KJV) of Psalms, most of which refer to Jehovah. “King” (singular) occurs 2451 times and “kings” (plural) 301 times in the OT, most of which refer to kings other than Israel’s coming Messiah.

There are three Greek words in the New Testament (NT) referring to kings: “basileus” (G935) occurs 118 times used to describe worldly kings, Christ The King of the Jews, Christ The King of Israel and God or Christ as King. “Basileu’o” (G936) occurs 21 times, translated “reign” 20 times and “king” once. “Basilikos’” (G937) occurs 5 times, translated “nobleman” twice, “royal” twice and “king’s country” once.

Jesus Christ came to this earth as King (G935) of the Jews, Matthew 2:22 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

, sent by God only to Israel, Matthew 15:2424 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

. He is also referred to The King of Israel four times in the Gospels, Matthew 27:4242 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

; Mark 15:3232 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

; John 1:4949 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

& John 12:1313 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

. Jesus testified to Pilot that He was King of the Jews, Mathew 27:11. However, in spite of the fact He did nothing but good during His three year ministry to Israel, only few Jews believed He was their Messiah/King and none had any idea He had to die to finish His work of redemption, Mark 9:31 - 3231 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

; Luke 9:44 - 4544 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

. Jesus did not open His follower’s understanding that He came to earth to die and rise from the dead in fulfillment of all Moses, the Psalms and the prophets in the OT had written about Him until after He raised from the dead, Luke 24:44 - 4944 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

. In other words, the 12 Apostles and all his disciples did not understand this during the time He lived among them during His 3-year ministry; they looked for Him to ascend to the Throne as King of Israel. The word “king” occurs 55 times in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the books that record Christ’s earthly ministry to Israel. And whereas Matthew, Mark and Luke refer to other kings as well as Jesus, the Gospel of John refers to Him as the King of Israel/the Jews all 16 times it occurs. Forty days after His resurrection, when He was about to ascend into heaven, Jewish believers were rightly focused on His return to restore to Israel His Kingdom on earth, Acts 1:66 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

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The beginning of the book of Acts records the Kingdom message preached to Israel by the Apostle Peter and the 12, which required repentance and baptism, Acts 2:21 - 4121 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

, but that message phased out when Israel rejected it. Beginning in chapter 9 The Lord Jesus Christ from heaven revealed the Gospel of the Grace of God, Acts 20:2424 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

in increments to the Apostle Paul. The Body of Christ made up of all true believers is found only in Paul’s epistles wherein all that is necessary to be saved is to believe we are sinners and Christ died and rose again to save us to eternal life, 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 41 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

. (Paul’s ministry to the Philippian Jailer and his family included water baptism, Acts 16:30 - 3330 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

because it occurred during the transition from Kingdom to the Gospel of Grace period as Paul subsequently teaches he was not sent to baptize, 1 Corinthians 1:1717 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

.) The word “king” occurs 19 times in the book of Acts; only once of which refer to Jesus, Acts 17:77 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

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In the 13 Pauline epistles Romans through Philemon, “king” occurs only 3 times; the first referring to “… Aretas the king …” 2 Corinthians 11:3232 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

and the word “kings” occurs only 3 times, the first 2 having to do with kings other than The Lord Jesus Christ, Timothy 2:2. But the 2nd and 3rd time “King” and the 3rd time “kings” occur they reference The Lord Jesus Christ:

• “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:1717 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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• “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth (makes alive, or restores life to) all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:13 - 1613 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

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In a way, The Lord Jesus Christ is presently a King in waiting, so to speak. This because at present the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience (unbelievers) is the devil and his spirit followers, Ephesians 2:1 - 21 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

and thus believers (Members of Christ’s Body) are to stand against his wiles for we wrestle with principalities, powers the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies? Ephesians 6:11 - 1211 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

. Therefore, although The Lord Jesus Christ is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, He is waiting to finally defeat His (and our) enemies as foretold by David: “… The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” Psalms 110:11 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

. This prophesy was repeated by Christ when He was on earth: Matthew 22:4444 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

; Mark 12:3636 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

& Luke 20:4343 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

as well as by the Apostle Paul in Hebrews 1:1313 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

. (Making enemies one’s footstool is “to subject or reduce them under one’s power.)

When the church, the Body of Christ is caught up to heaven by The Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:49; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 18, Satan and the evil principalities in heaven will be cast out and the wrath of God will fall on the earth during the 7-year Great Tribulation. After this, the Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth “And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He hath on his vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:15 - 1615 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

. Thus, The Lord Jesus Christ will arise from the Right Hand of God in the Heavens and assume His rightful role as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. See also 1 Corinthians 15:23 - 2823 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

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The word “king” occurs 6 times and “kings” once in the epistle to the Hebrews. Three of which refer to earthly kings while four to the High Priest Melchisedec. (Note, in the KJV the spelling is Melchisedec in Hebrews while in the OT it is Melchizedek, Genesis 14:1818 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

& Psalms 110:44 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

.) The Jews reverenced Abraham as the father of their Nation as well they should, however the Hebrews epistle teaches that Christ, called by God, was a Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec, far surpassing the priesthood of Aaron, Hebrews 5:1 - 101 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

; Hebrews 6:13 - 2013 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

. Not only is He the Priest of The Most High God, He was/is King of Salem (meaning “Peace,” Salem thought to be the ancient name of Jerusalem), and King of Righteousness. Thus, He far surpassed Abraham in stature and standing as Abraham paid tithes to Him, Hebrews 7:1 - 211 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

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It is truly amazing to understand that believers over the last almost 2000 years right up to today are Members of His Body and He is KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS!