Body of Christ

The Apostle Paul is the only one who uses the term “Body of Christ” to refer to the “Church” in the New Testament, 1 Cor. 12:27; Rom. 12:5; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:15-16. Did you know that? Check it out... you won’t find it anywhere else. The word “church” in the Greek New Testament is ekklesia. It does not mean the building on Main Street. It means an assembly of called out people. Israel in the wilderness under Moses is referred to by Stephen in Acts 7:38 as “the church in the wilderness” ...a people CALLED OUT of Egypt (the world).

OK? Now... when did the New Testament “Body of Christ” start?

It started with the Apostle Paul!
Oh no... heresy, blasphemy, sacrilege!

The Body of Christ is made up primarily of Gentiles (with exceptions). Beginning in Acts chapter 9, God calls out one man to be sent to the Gentiles with the Gospel of Grace, ...he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel, because Israel has rejected their God, their King, and their Kingdom by crucifying Jesus, their Messiah (Christ). This was a new dispensation of God dealing with man. Paul did do that... he went to Gentiles, but he went first to the synagogue in Damascus since the Jews were his people, and they tried to kill him too. So Paul said, But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles. Acts 18:6.

Why do I say the Body of Christ (church, Bride) started with Paul?

Because that's what I have been taught....
1 Tim. 1:15-16
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief (protos). Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first (protos) Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

protos means first in time or place; first in rank; first in honor; foremost in order or importance...it means the chief, leader, governor. It is translated "chief" in Mark 6:21, of men of Galilee; in Act 13:50, of men in a city; in Act 28:7, of the "chief" man in the island of Melita; in Act 17:4, of "chief" women in a city; in Act 28:17, of Jews; Act 25:2, "principal men;" Act 16:12, said of Philippi, "the first (city) of the district."

Do any of those references translate as the “worst?” NO!

Paul is our pattern for what God can do for us. He does not teach tithing, but giving; he does not refer to Jesus as our king, but we are fellow-heirs with Him; he teaches the law is the ministration of death 2 Cor. 3:7-11; he teaches Faith in the finished work of the cross.