Quote:
Originally Posted by Kutless
What Jesuswins said defines it as in rank.
Wouldn't more/deeper knowledge come with such a rank?
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Just to make sure I am reading your words correctly...
You are saying that a higher plane = a higher rank.
and
A higher rank comes with some implied completion of a set of prerequistes.
If your view of the Body of Christ is a congregation of people with a whole continuim of possible ranks within some kind of hierarchy, I can understand your use of the word "rank" as a description of "a higher plane".
I view the Body of Christ as a body.
A body does not have rank or hierarchy. A body has a multifacetted collection of roles and functions; a diversity of callings and elections. Authority does not dictate function in a body; the roles (calling and elections) dictate function.
Do we read 1Co 12 and come away with a hierarchial assembly?
Do we really believe that God has prepared a body as his own habitation?
If we believe that our shared experience is as a spiritual body, there is no higher plane or rank among the members of a singular body.
If we embrace rank as being in operation, then our shared experience is SOMETHING OTHER THAN a body.