The chapters in this book follow two primary lines. One line concerns Christ as the all-inclusive Spirit, whom we receive as the anointing, sealing, and pledging for our enjoyment of the riches of Christ. The other line concerns what the church is, what the church issues from, and the practice of the church life on the ground of oneness for the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose—the building of His house on the earth.

We must see these two lines, and we must also see the way in which they come together. The enjoyment of the riches of Christ is for the growth in life, which is for the building. First Corinthians reveals that we become the materials for God’s building through our enjoyment of the riches of Christ. This enjoyment produces the growth in life. The enjoyment of Christ for the growth in life and the building of God’s house is revealed in 1 Corinthians and 1 Peter and is consummated in Revelation.