Does Jesus Have Two Bodies?

by David Vaughn Elliott

No, we are not talking about Jesus' resurrected body. We are talking about His spiritual body--His people on earth today. Who are God's people today? Jews? Christians? Both? Does Jesus have two brides? Two bodies? Consider Ephesians 2:12-16.  

Before Jesus entered the world, the Gentiles were alienated from Israel, "having no hope, and without God." There was a God-built "wall" between Jews and Gentiles. But Jesus "is our peace, who has made both [Jews and Gentiles] one, and has broken down the middle wall... to make in himself of two one new man... in one body by the cross."  

Jesus has one body, composed of both Gentiles and Jews. Jesus broke down the wall that divided us. Yet, many still believe that today's unbelieving Jews are the people of God. This denies the work of the cross, by which Jesus has made Jews and Gentiles one body. Since Calvary, the only way to become a child of God is through a new birth, made possible by His precious blood. 

The converted Pharisee, Paul, emphasized that there is "one body... one hope... one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:4,5). Jesus is not a bigamist; He does not have two brides. Jesus is not a monster; He is not a head with two bodies. Through the cross of Calvary, Jesus destroyed the spiritual distinction between Jew and Gentile. "There is neither Jew nor Greek... for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).  

Before Jesus, the world was divided into two categories: Jews and Gentiles. After Jesus, the world is divided into two categories: saints and sinners. God has one people. Jesus has one body. No interpretation of Old or New Testament prophecy is acceptable if it distorts this central truth of the Gospel.  

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