spiritual body—“the fulness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph. 1:23; see also 1 Cor. 12:12–13). It is, as it were, his bride—the object of his love and provision (Eph. 5:25–33). The church, then, is not an afterthought in the mind of God. He planned for it in eternity past and provided for it in the death and resurrection of his Son (Eph. 1:19–23). And the Son prepared for its formation and development by instructing his followers as to their mission and empowering them by his Spirit (Acts 1:4–8).