On the Whole Christ

St. Augustine of Hippo ca. 354-430

For Christ is not simply in the head and not in the body, but Christ whole is in the Head and Body. What, therefore, His members are, that He is; but what He is, it does not necessarily follow that His members are. For if His members were not Himself, He would not have said, Saul, why do you persecute me? Acts 9:4 For Saul was not persecuting Himself on earth, but His members, namely, His believers. He would not, however, say, My saints, My servants, or, in short, My brethren, which is more honorable; but, Me, that is, My members, whose Head I am. (Tractates on the Gospel of John, 28.1)