聖經是我們獨一無二的標準 - 生命.. 結晶.. 啓示

Meaning

Christ is the concrete manifestation and expression of God, the visible embodiment of the invisible God

The church is the Body of Christ, the corporate expression and continuation of Christ on earth

Distinction

1. The first mystery in God's economy

2. Focuses on Christ as an individual, the embodiment of God

3. Resolves the problem of God's invisibility to man

1. The second mystery in God's economy

2. Focuses on the corporate Christ, the Body of Christ

3. Resolves the need for Christ's expression on earth

Explanation

God Himself is a mystery because He is real, living, and almighty, yet invisible. Christ, as the embodiment of God, makes the invisible God visible, becoming God's expression, interpretation, and explanation.

Although Christ dwells in believers, He remains a mystery to the world. The church as the Body of Christ expresses Christ, making the mysterious Christ knowable and experienceable, serving as Christ's continuation on earth.

Examples

1. John 14:9: "He who has seen Me has seen the Father."

Christ revealed the Father God to His disciples

2. Colossians 1:15: "Who is the image of the invisible God"

3. Colossians 1:19: "For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell"

1. Acts 9:4: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?"

Christ identifies the church as Himself

2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13:

Believers are baptized into one Body

3. Ephesians 1:22-23:

The church is Christ's Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all

Application

1. Believers should know God through knowing Christ

2. Find God's riches and attributes in Christ

3. Believers express Christ in their living, reflecting God's image

1. Believers need to live the corporate church life

2. Experience Christ in the church and express Christ

3. Build up the Body of Christ, living out the corporate testimony of Christ

Interrelationship

1. Christ is the mystery of God, making God knowable

2. Christ is the first stage of God's economy

3. Christ brings all God's riches to humanity

1. The church is the mystery of Christ, making Christ expressible

2. The church is the second stage of God's economy

3. The church continues and extends Christ's riches

Detailed Related Scriptures

1. Colossians 1:15-19: "Who is the image of the invisible God...For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell"

2. John 1:18: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him"

3. Colossians 2:9: "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily"

4. 1 Timothy 3:16: "Great is the mystery of godliness"

1. Ephesians 3:3-11:

Paul refers to the mystery of Christ, which is the church

2. Ephesians 5:32: "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church"

3. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27: The relationship between Christ and the church as head and body

4. Ephesians 1:22-23: "The church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all"