The Complete Picture of a Cosmic Man: Four Gospels-Head vs. Acts-Body
John 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Acts 1:14 All these continued with one accord in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers.
Acts 2:14 Then Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words.”
Acts 2:42 They all continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers.
Acts 9:4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Acts 9:5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
|
Analysis Item |
Four Gospels (Head) |
Acts (Body) |
Overall Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Core Meaning |
Christ's personal life and work • One person living a divine life by divine life • Printing plate (original) • One grain of wheat |
Christ's continuation and expansion in the church • Thousands living divine life by the same divine life • Copies, reproductions • Many grains |
Complete cosmic man: Unity of Head and Body Christ's fullness (Eph. 1:23) |
|
Essential Distinction |
Individual Christ • Incarnated Jesus • Perfect and flawless life • Source of divine life • Direct personal actions |
Corporate Christ • Christ's Body (the church) • Corporate testimonial life • Recipients of imparted divine life • Actions through Body members |
From individual to corporate Christ reproducing Himself through death and resurrection |
|
Time and Space |
Three and half years ministry on earth • Mainly in Palestine • From incarnation to ascension • Limited geographical scope |
Expansion after Pentecost • From Jerusalem to the ends of earth • From Pentecost to church establishment • Worldwide testimony |
From local to global From temporal to eternal testimony |
|
Nature of Work |
Christ's personal actions • Personal preaching, healing, casting out demons • Personal suffering • Accomplishing redemptive work |
Christ's actions through the Spirit in the church • Disciples performing miracles in the Lord's name • Believers suffering for the Lord's name • Continuing and expanding redemptive effects |
Same Christ's work From personal to corporate actions |
|
Key Examples |
Jesus' personal ministry • Healing the sick (Matt. 8:3) • Preaching and teaching (Mark 1:14-15) • Personal prayer (Luke 6:12) • Death and resurrection (Matt. 27-28) |
Believers' ministry in the Body • Peter healing the lame (Acts 3:6-7) • Disciples preaching everywhere (Acts 8:4) • Praying in one accord (Acts 2:42) • Martyrdom for the Lord (Acts 7:54-60) |
Same power and life Manifested in different stages |
|
Revelation through Saul's Experience |
Authority of the Head • Resurrected and ascended Christ • Appearing to Saul from heaven • "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting" |
Reality of the Body • Persecuting believers is persecuting Christ • Head and Body are one complete Christ • Completing the calling through Ananias (Body member) |
Revelation of Head-Body unity Acts 9:4-5 - Unity of Body and Head 1 Cor. 12:12 - The Body is Christ |
|
Related Key Scriptures |
Revelation of Christ as individual • John 1:1,14 "The Word became flesh" • John 12:24 "One grain...many grains" • John 14:16-17 "Another Comforter" • Matt. 16:18 "Build My church" • John 17:21 "That they may all be one" |
Reality of the church as Body • Acts 9:5 "I am Jesus whom you persecute" • Acts 2:41 "Three thousand souls were added" • Acts 2:4 "All filled with the Holy Spirit" • Acts 2:42 "Continuing steadfastly in fellowship" • Acts 2:46 "Continuing with one accord" |
Testimony of unity Eph. 1:22-23 "Christ as Head...Christ's fullness" Gal. 2:20 "No longer I, but Christ" Rom. 8:9-11 "Spirit's indwelling" |
|
Spiritual Principles |
Source of life • Manifestation of divine life • Perfect character as model • Accomplishment of redemptive work • Display of resurrection power |
Continuation of life • Impartation and expansion of life • Corporate character testimony • Application of redemptive effects • Experience of resurrection power |
Completeness of life • Principle of Head-Body unity • Law of life continuation • Need for Body coordination • Reality of Spirit's indwelling |
|
Practical Application |
Personal level learning • Imitate Christ's character • Learn Christ's serving attitude • Follow Christ's example • Pursue personal holiness |
Corporate level practice • Live out Christ in the Body • Serve in Body coordination • Corporate believers' actions • Corporate testimony and influence |
Complete Christian living • Balance of personal and corporate • Balance of life and practice • Consistency of inward and outward • Care for both local and universal |
|
Present Significance |
Christ as the standard • Goal of living • Model of character • Pattern of service • Example of love |
Church as manifestation • Christ's continuation • Testimony of life • Display of power • Reality of love |
Realization of cosmic man • Individual in corporate • Corporate manifesting individual • Christ's fullness • God's eternal plan |
|
Ultimate Goal |
Accomplishing redemption • Completing God's plan • Overcoming the power of death • Opening the New Testament age • Establishing church foundation |
Building the church • Expanding God's kingdom • Manifesting Christ's fullness • Preparing for Christ's return • Completing the Great Commission |
God's eternal purpose • All things heading up in Christ • Church as Christ's fullness • Realization of new heaven and earth • Eternal union of God and man |
Conclusion and Summary:
The Complete Picture of the Cosmic Man:
- 1. Four Gospels (Head): Christ's personal perfect life as the printing plate
- 2. Acts (Body): Christ's continuation in the church as reproductions
- 3. Reality of unity: Head and Body constitute one complete cosmic man, which is Christ's fullness
Core revelation:
Saul's experience (Acts 9:4-5) most clearly shows that persecuting believers is persecuting Christ, because they are one with Christ, and Christ lives in them. This proves the unity of Head and Body.
Key points for practice:
- * Recognize that Christ is not only personal Savior but also cosmic Head
- * Realize that the church is not merely a meeting place but Christ's Body
- * Practice Body life, allowing Christ to be manifested corporately through us
- * Live out the reality of this cosmic man in daily life
*Please refer to April 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training General Topic: One Accord and the Vital Aspects of Acts Chapter 7: In the Continuation of Acts, Continuing to Live in Divine History in Human History for the Expansion and Building up of the Church as the Corporate Manifestation of Christ
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