The church as “the house” and as “the body of Christ” began on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2 records the way in which it took place, and 1 Corinthians 12:13 tells us that all were then baptized by one Spirit into one body.
This was a “saved remnant” from among the Jews, to which was afterward added the Gentiles in Acts 10. This was fulfilling the word in John 10:16, which is correctly rendered “one flock,” and also the word in John 11:52, which speaks of the gathering together “in one” the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Paul received by revelation the wondrous mystery of what had taken place. Christ and we are one (Eph. 3:1-7)!
We may get bad material when the church is viewed as the house, for man may add that which is not real, but all is good material when it is the body, for it is the Holy Spirit that unites to Christ in glory.
The “one loaf” on the table in the breaking of bread is the precious symbol of this unity formed by the Spirit (1 Cor. 10:17). Such an assembly is an “assembly of the saints” (Psa. 89:7).
LORD JESUS! are we one with
Thee?
Oh height! Oh depth of love!
And crucified and dead with Thee,
Now one in heaven above.
H. E. Hayhoe