Supply VS Authority (The Life Order in the Body of Christ)
Colossians 1:18 He is also the head of the body of the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn one raised from the dead, so that He may be first in all things;
Ephesians 1:22 He puts all things under His feet and makes Him the head of all things toward the church;
Ephesians 1:23 The church is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all things in all things.
1 Corinthians 12:12 Just as the body is one, yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:18 But now God has set each member in the body according to His own will.
|
Item |
Supply |
Authority |
|
Meaning |
The flow, nourishment, and building up of life through the functions of the members |
The governing and directing of the Head expressed through appointed ministries and functions |
|
Reason |
Christ is life, and life must flow and be supplied |
Christ is the Head, and the Head requires order and authority |
|
Metaphor |
The eye supplies sight; the hand supplies action; the feet supply movement |
The eye represents the seeing of the whole body; the hand represents the acting of the whole body |
|
Way |
Receiving the function of the members arranged by God |
Submitting to the representative authority established by God |
|
Function |
Causes the Body to be nourished, built up, and strengthened |
Causes the Body to have order, direction, and oneness |
|
Explanation |
Supply is not personal ability but the portioned life-function in the Body |
Authority is not position but the authority of the Head represented through function |
|
Result |
Health, lightness, rest, and joy in the Body |
Oneness, spontaneous obedience, and smooth operation |
|
Mutual Relationship |
Supply is the concrete expression of authority |
Authority is the proper source of supply |
|
Example |
When the eye sees, the whole body sees; without the eye, there is no seeing |
The whole body must submit to the eye’s seeing, or it becomes rebellion |
|
Application |
Accepting the help and supply of other members |
Accepting the authority of the ministry appointed by God |
|
Burden |
Never considering oneself omnipotent; recognizing oneself as a member |
Never overstepping position or acting as the head |
|
Prophesying Guidance |
“Lord, make me willing to receive the supply of the Body.” |
“Lord, keep me under Your representative authority.” |
|
Conclusion |
Without supply, the Body withers |
Without authority, the Body falls into confusion |
|
Related Scriptures |
1 Cor. 12:14–21; Eph. 4:16; Rom. 12:4–5 |
Col. 1:18; 1 Cor. 12:28; Heb. 13:17 |
🔹 Core Spiritual Summary
In the Body of Christ, supply is not optional grace but the concrete expression of the Head’s authority; authority is not outward control but the rightful channel of life supply. Whoever has the gift is the ministry; whoever is the ministry represents authority. When we submit to the authority embodied in supply, there is no separation between us and the Head. Supply is authority, and authority always issues in supply.
🔹 Key Reminders
1. Listening only to the Lord while rejecting the members is hidden rebellion
2. Rejecting supply is rejecting authority
3. Obedience in the Body is the most restful and natural thing
4. The church is the starting place for learning authority
5. Authority and submission meet in one Body and become living and subjective
🔹 Ultimate Conclusion
the Body of Christ, supply and authority are one—joined in life—and together they manifest the highest expression of God’s authority.
*Please refer to the 2025 Thanksgiving International Symposium on Christ, the All-Inclusive Christ Revealed in the Gospel of Matthew, Part Six: Christ as One Who Has All Authority in Heaven and on Earth.
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