THE BODY
by Tony Alamo
I’ve been given a message from GOD called “The Pillars,” which speaks of both the PILLAR of CLOUD wherein GOD was, and the PILLAR of fire wherein GOD was, to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt into the Promised Land.1 Also, the same pillar of CLOUD and FIRE came down to prove GOD’S presence in the wilderness on Mt. Sinai and to put the fear of GOD into the entire nation of Israel.2
“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and [heard] the noise of the trumpet, and [saw] the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not” (Exodus 20:18-20).3
Also, the pillar of fire and cloud came down from Heaven to consume offerings and to signify that GOD was pleased with the grand opening of the house of GOD, both the portable one of Moses, and the one King Solomon had built in Jerusalem on Mt. Moriah.4
These temples, built by men, were temporary.5 We are the actual TRUE temple or house of GOD, or the BODY of CHRIST.6 There is ONLY ONE CHURCH, which is not a denomination, such as Catholic, Baptist, or any other religion. It is ONLY ONE BODY composed of the bodies of those of us who are saved, born again of the HOLY SPIRIT, wherein the PILLAR of CLOUD and the PILLAR of FIRE dwell.7
When some people are first saved, if they are not careful, they will let the evil spirits misguide them into a pseudo or false church, or lead them to believe they are another David, Elijah, or some other Bible personality. However, if we are saved, we are one body of people which have a multitude of jobs in THE BODY, CHRIST’S BODY.8 CHRIST IS THE HEAD of the BODY and we are the members or saints who no longer sin but walk by the PILLAR of CLOUD in us and PILLAR of FIRE in us; the HOLY SPIRIT is in us.9 We are THE TEMPLE of GOD; we are actually CHRIST’S BODY on earth to continue, by HIM, HIS WORK here on earth.
The BODY of CHRIST is NOT ONE PERSON but is many persons baptized into ONE BODY, which is CHRIST. We all have different offices (or jobs), and all of them are very important. “For as the body is ONE [ONLY ONE, as there is only one church, which is full of GOD’S TRUTH and POWER], and hath many members, and all the members of that ONE BODY, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one SPIRIT are we all baptized into [CHRIST’S] ONE body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into ONE SPIRIT [the PILLARS OF CLOUD AND FIRE—CHRIST]” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
In John 14:2, JESUS promises that HE is not the ONLY ONE the FATHER lives in.10 “In MY FATHER’S HOUSE [where GOD lives] are many mansions [many sin-cleansed people]: if it were not so [true], I would have told you.” “JESUS saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
Since we are HIS BODY that HE both lives and works in, which HE leaves behind to finish up HIS work, HE can say (because HE by the SPIRIT lives in us when HE is in Heaven), “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on ME, the works that I do shall he do also; [What works did JESUS do that we shall do also? HE preached the Gospel, taught the Gospel, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, never committed one sin, and never said that HE is or was a sinner. (We are new creatures, sons of GOD, who walk in the SPIRIT.11)] and greater works than these shall he [we] do; because I go unto MY FATHER. And whatsoever ye shall ask in MY NAME, that will I do, that the FATHER may be glorified in the SON. If ye shall ask any thing in MY NAME, I will do it. If ye love ME, keep MY commandments. And I will pray the FATHER, and HE shall give you another COMFORTER, that HE might abide with you for ever; Even the SPIRIT of TRUTH [JESUS in you]; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth HIM not, neither knoweth HIM: but ye know HIM; for HE dwelleth with you, and shall be IN YOU [as HE is in every born-again member of the BODY of CHRIST, THE TRUE ONE AND ONLY CHURCH]” (John 14: 12-17).
Now we, the BODY of CHRIST, are able to do more than CHRIST because HE was only one human body; we are many human bodies. CHRIST was confined to HIS one body until HE went away and gave HIS LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT to dwell in as many as will accept HIM and do HIS WORKS. HE went away to prepare HIS BODY. As the LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT, HE is now able to dwell with the FATHER in all of us who are the many members of HIS BODY.12 In John 14:18, JESUS tells us, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
“For as the body [our body and CHRIST’S BODY] is ONE, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is CHRIST. [We, HIS BODY, are HIS hands, feet, eyes, nose, ears, and mouth, all of HIS members.] For by one SPIRIT are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath GOD set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased HIM. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. [We cannot assume ourselves to be super-saints, another Moses or David. They were both members of BIG ARMIES. They needed the BODY for the work of GOD.] And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. No, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary” (1 Corinthians 12:12-22).
It’s obvious that we all have CHRIST’S work to do in HIS BODY, just as the whole (KJV) BIBLE commands.
WE MUST SOW MERCY!13 James 2:13 says, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment. What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he has faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister [Christians] be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body [which in reality is the BODY of CHRIST]; what does it profit? [More than ever, the works of the BODY of CHRIST must be done!] Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show you my faith by my works. [“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works” (Revelation 20:13).14] You believe that there is one GOD; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:13-20).
Again, if we believe in JESUS, we will do the WORKS HE did also. Take up your cross, deny yourself, and follow HIM (Luke 9:23). If you do, you shall be saved. If you don’t, you will be lost forever. The world is in desperate need of disciples, workers.15 Begin your life in the LIFE of CHRIST by saying this prayer:
Prayer
My LORD and my GOD, have mercy upon my soul, a sinner. 1 I believe that JESUS CHRIST is the SON of the living GOD. 2 I believe that HE died on the cross and shed HIS precious blood for the forgiveness of all my former sins. 3 I believe that GOD raised JESUS from the dead by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT 4 and that HE sits on the right hand of GOD at this moment, hearing my confession of sin and this prayer. 5 I open up the door of my heart, and I invite YOU into my heart, LORD JESUS. 6 Wash all of my filthy sins away in the precious blood that YOU shed in my place on the cross at Calvary. 7 YOU will not turn me away, LORD JESUS; YOU will forgive my sins and save my soul. I know because YOUR WORD, the Bible, says so. 8 YOUR WORD says that YOU will turn no one away, and that includes me. 9 Therefore, I know that YOU have heard me, and I know that YOU have answered me, and I know that I am saved. 10 And I thank YOU, LORD JESUS, for saving my soul, and I will show my thankfulness by doing as YOU command and sin no more.11
You've just completed the first step in a series of five steps which are necessary to receive salvation. Your second step is to deny yourself and take up your cross daily and follow JESUS for the purpose of mortifying your flesh, that is, for putting to death your own will, your soulful self, and the world with all of its lusts. All these must be baptized into the death of CHRIST.
Step three is your resurrection from the satanic life of Adam unto the sinless life of CHRIST. Step four is your ascension into a position of authority to reign for God with Christ on earth, and the fifth step is to reign for GOD in CHRIST on earth to the end for the purpose of bringing about the kingdom of Heaven on earth. You must learn the WORD of GOD, submit yourselves one to another, and do what the WORD says so that the church and the world may see evidence of your submission to GOD’S WORD, HIS order, and HIS authority in and by you.
Praise the LORD. May GOD bless and reward you abundantly.
Yours in the wonderful name of JESUS,
Pastor Tony Alamo
Please contact us for more information or for literature on other topics which may be of interest.
Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Worldwide
P. O. Box 2948
Hollywood, CA 90078
Twenty-four hour prayer and information line: (661) 252-5686
Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Worldwide provides a place to live with all the things necessary for life
to all those
in our United States locations who truly want to serve the LORD with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Services held in New York City every Tuesday at 8 P.M. and at other locations nightly. Please call for more information: (908) 937-5723.
MEALS SERVED AFTER EACH SERVICE
Ask for Pastor Alamo’s book, The Messiah, showing Christ from the Old Testament revealed in over three hundred thirty-three prophecies.
Become a laborer in the harvest of souls by becoming a distributor of Pastor Alamo’s literature. All of our literature and audio messages are free of charge, including shipping.
THIS LITERATURE CARRIES THE TRUE PLAN OF SALVATION (Acts 4:12).
DO NOT THROW IT AWAY, PASS IT ON TO SOMEONE ELSE
Those of you who are in other countries, we encourage you to translate
this literature into your native language.
If you do reprint, please include this copyright and registration:
© Copyright December 2011 All rights reserved World Pastor Tony Alamo ® Registered December 2011
The Body footnotes:
1. Ex. 13:21-22, 14:19-20, 24, Deut. 1:30-33, Neh. 9:12, 19, Psa. 78:14 return
2. Ex. 16:10, 19:9, 16-20, 24:15-18, 33:7-14, 34:1-8, Num. 10:33-36, 11:1-3, 24-25, 12:1-10, 14:6-14, 16:42, Deut. 31:15 return
3. Deut. 4:9-10, 5:29, 6:24-25, 10:12-13, Prov. 8:13, 16:6, Jer. 32:39-40, 2 Cor. 7:1, Heb. 12:28-29 return
4. Ex. 40:17-38, Lev. 9:22-24, 16:2-3, Num. 9:15-23, 1 Kings 8:1-11, 18:21-39, 2 Chron. chap. 5, 7:1-3 5 Matt. 27:50-51, Heb. 7:23-28, 8:1-2, chap. 9, 10:1-22 return
5. 5 Matt. 27:50-51, Heb. 7:23-28, 8:1-2, chap. 9, 10:1-22 return
6. 7:4, 12:1-2, 5, 1 Cor. 3:9, 16-17, 10:16-17, 12:27, 2 Cor. 6:16-18, Gal. 2:20, Eph. 1:18-23, 2:13-22, 4:4-7, 11-16, 5:22-32, Col. 1:18-24, 26-29 return
7. Matt. 3:11, Acts 1:8, 2:1-4, 16-18, 32-33, 36-39, 5:32, 1 Cor. 6:19, 12:4-28, 2 Tim. 1:14, Heb. 12:22-23 return
8. Rom. 12:1-8, 1 Cor. 12:4-28, Eph. 4:1-7, 11-16 return
9. Ezek. 36:26-27, John 14:15-26, 15:1-5, 16:7-14, Acts 1:8, Rom. 8:1-17, 37, 2 Cor. 5:17-21, Gal. 5:16, Eph. 1:17-23, 3:16-21, Phlp. 1:6, 9-11, 2:13, 4:13, Col. 1:10-14, 2 Tim. 1:14, 1 John 3:5-9, 24, 4:4, 2 John 9 return
10. John 6:53-58, 10:16, 14:15-26, 15:1-10, 16, 16:7, chap. 17, Eph. 1:4-5, 2:10, 14-22, Rev. 3:20-22 return
11. Rom. 8:1-14, 2 Cor. 5:17-21, Gal. 5:16-25 return
12. Ezek. 11:17-20, John 14:15-26, 17:21-23, 26, 1 Cor. 3:9, 2 Cor. 6:16-18, Gal. 2:20, Eph. 3:16-21, Phlp. 2:13, Col. 1:27-29, Heb. 8:10-13, 1 John 3:24, 4:4 return
13. Psa. 41:1-3, 126:5-6, Prov. 3:3, 20:28, 21:21, 24:11-12, Isa. 3:10, Ezek. 3:17-21, Hos. 6:6, 10:12, 12:6, Mic. 6:6-8, Zech. 7:9-10, Matt. 5:7, 12:7, 23:23, John 15:1-13, Rom. 12:6-21, 1 Cor. 9:16, 2 Cor. 9:6, Gal. 6:7-9, James 2:13-20, 3:17-18, 1 Pet. 4:8-10, Jude 21-23 return
15. Matt. 9:35-38, John 4:34-36 return
Prayer footnotes:
1. Psa. 51:5, Rom. 3:10-12, 23 return
2. Matt. 26:63-64, 27:54, Luke 1:30-33, John 9:35-37, Rom. 1:3-4 return
3. Acts 4:12, 20:28, Rom. 3:25, I John 1:7, Rev. 5:9 return
4. Psa. 16:9-10, Matt. 28:5-7, Mark 16:9, 12, 14, John 2:19, 21, 10:17-18, 11:25, Acts 2:24, 3:15, Rom. 8:11, I Cor. 15:3-7 return
5. Luke 22:69, Acts 2:25-36, Heb. 10:12-13 return
6. I Cor. 3:16, Rev. 3:20 return
7. Eph. 2:13-22, Heb. 9:22, 13:12, 20-21, I John 1:7, Rev. 1:5, 7:14 return
8. Matt. 26:28, Acts 2:21, 4:12, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:14 return
9. Matt. 21:22, John 6:35, 37-40, Rom. 10:13 return
10. Heb. 11:6 return
11. John 5:14, 8:11, Rom. 6:4, I Cor. 15:10, Rev. 7:14, 22:14 return