The Body of Christ refers to the universal aspect of the church of God (Eph. 1:23 note 1) (c.f. The Ministry of the Word, vol. 1, p. 189, in Chinese only).

The universal church is testified by local churches (c.f. Knowing the Church, p. 27, in Chinese only).

The universal church and the local church are one in substance but distinctive in sphere.

• One in substance - One Body and one Spirit ... one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all (Eph. 4:4-6). They are one and not divisible concerning these 7 points.

• Dinstinctive in sphere - The church from its universal perspective includes all believers in the past, present, future and regardless of their race and nationality. The church from its local perspective is for the sake of governing, testifying and administrating. The church universal exists as the church in each city, i.e. one city one church. (1 Cor. 1:2 note 2)

• The only legitimate dividing of the church universal is to divide according to the boundary of the city. This posts no harm to the intrinsic life element of the church. This distinguishes the church according to locality and does not change the nature of the church. This deals with our limitation by the space.

• Any other way, such as according to spiritual leaders, pride of race, superiority of nationality, doctrinal quarrel, difference of opinion, discrimination of social status, self exaltation, is of flesh (Gal. 3:28; 1 Cor. 3:4; Col. 3:11) and divisive. It hurts the life of the church and changes the substance of the church.

• Apart from the local churches, there is no "federation", "mother' or "headquarter" of local churches.

• In the Bible only the local church is recognized as the unique unit. Above her there is no authority.

• No church above the local church and no church under. The church in each city must live to her Head Christ; pray and watch concerning everything; Wait for the leading from her Head. Be responsible to the Head.

• Once we have the "Head" church, Christ will be replaced, the Holy Spirit will be ignored. Because the church "under" has to obey the church "above", Christ will have no place and the Spirit no authority in the local church.

• Receiving the same apostle's teaching.
• Keeping the same apostles' fellowship.
• Testifying the same Christ.
• Accomplishing God's eternal plan.

God charges the apostles to establish the local church. (c.f. The Normal Christian Church Life, p. 73)

According to the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit. (c.f. The Ministry of the Word Vol. 5, P. 184, in Chinese only)

In administration independent. Elders eversee and deacons serve. (c.f. The Ministry of the Word Vol. 5, P. 184, in Chinese only)

The place to practice the church life (c.f. Other Crucial Points Concerning The Practices of the Lord's Recovery, p. 24)

Not sectarian (c.f. The Normal Christian Church Life, p. 96)

For the building up of the whole Body of Christ.

Not belonging to a head church or a federated church (c.f. Church Affairs, p. 147)

Receive the strengthening and help from the apostles' work and support and follow the steps of the apostles' work. (c.f. The More Excellent Gifts For Building Up The Church, p. 35)

Live in the word received by apostles, i.e. in the teaching of apostles. (c.f. A Timely Word, p. 30)

Live in the fellowship and blending of the local churches. (c.f. The Organic Building Up of the Church, p. 62; The Practical Points Concerning Blending, p.1)

A spiritual living. A living in the fellowship of the Spirit. (c.f. Elders' Training Bk. 10, The Eldership and the God-Ordained Way(2) pp. )

A living to dispense life mutually.

A living to pursue truth together and a living to be constituted by truth.

The condition of the local church cannot be improved by the anxiety of the mind. (c.f. The Excelling Gifts for The Building Up Of The Church, P. 36)

A living for being constitute. (c.f. The Constitution and Building Up of the Body of Christ, p. 16, in Chinese only)

• grow through life and truth to produce the constitution

• through what has constituted us to produce the build up

A place for the life of saints to grow, functions of the saints to develop, function to be manifested. (c.f. The Organic Building up of the Church as the Body of Christ, p. 35)