If Paul were living today, he also might despise the "church" idea in its narrow sectarian sense. But from the apostle's words, it is very evident that he regarded the church as it existed in his day as an institution crowned with glory and honor, the concrete expression of Christ and his truth. "_God hath set some_ IN THE CHURCH, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues" (1 Cor. 12:28). "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the _edifying of the body of Christ_; till we all come in the unity of the faith ... that we ... may _grow up into him in all things_, which is the head, [of the body, _the church_, Col. 1:18] even Christ" (Eph. 4:11-15). [Sidenote: The church as a divine institution] Inasmuch as God set in the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, gifts of miracles, of healings, etc., we must regard the church as originally instituted as being more than a mere aggregate of individuals associating themselves together for particular purposes. We must recognize the divine element. This company was the host of redeemed ones whom Christ had saved, in whom he dwelt, and through whom he revealed God and accomplished his work on earth. It was his body--the organism to which he gave spiritual life and through which he manifested the fulness of his power and glory. [Sidenote: Church relationship vs. individualism]