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About Numbered Notation

Numbered Notation (also called Jianpu, 简谱) writes each melody note as a number from 1 to 7 instead of a note on a staff. The number shows the note's position in the song's scale -- not its exact pitch -- so the same tune looks identical no matter what key it's sung in.

Within one octave, the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 correspond to the familiar do re mi fa sol la ti. A dot above a number raises it an octave higher; a dot below lowers it an octave lower -- no dot means the middle, as-written octave.

A plain number lasts one beat. A dash (-) right after a number holds that same note for one more beat. A line underneath a number shortens it instead -- one line is half a beat, two lines a quarter of a beat. A 0 is a rest: silence for one beat.

The label at the top of the sheet, like "1=C" or "1=Ab", shows which pitch scale degree 1 ("do") is tuned to. A song in a minor key is labeled "6=X" instead -- scale degree 6 ("la") is the true tonic. Chord names printed above the notes (like "C" or "G7") always use their familiar letter names, never numbers.

For example, under a "1=C" heading, the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 sound as C D E F G A B. Under a "1=G" heading, those very same numbers sound as G A B C D E F# instead -- same shape, different key.

As the body is the fullness

The Church The Increase of Christ

English819
1
As the body is the fullness
To express our life,
So to Christ the Church, His Body,
Doth express His life.
2
E’en as Eve is part of Adam
Taken out of him,
So the Church is Christ’s own increase
With Himself within.
3
As from out the buried kernel
Many grains are formed,
As the grains together blended
To a loaf are formed;
4
So the Church, of many Christians,
Christ doth multiply,
Him expressing as one Body,
God to glorify.
5
As the branches of the grapevine
Are its outward spread,
With it one, abiding, bearing
Clusters in its stead;
6
So the Church’s many members
Christ’s enlargement are,
One with Him in life and living,
Spreading Him afar.
7
Fullness, increase, duplication,
His expression full,
Growth and spread, continuation,
Surplus plentiful,
8
Is the Church to Christ, and thereby
God in Christ may be
Glorified thru His redeemed ones
To eternity.
9
Thus the Church and Christ together,
God’s great mystery,
Is the mingling of the Godhead
With humanity.

Copyright Living Stream Ministry. Used by permission.

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Anonymous

Woodland Retreat Camp One Week Training, London, United Kingdom

May 12, 2026

Be glorified Lord Jesus
The church expresses you Lord Jesus
So the Church, of many Christians,
Christ doth multiply,
Him expressing as one Body,
God to glorify.
Amen

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PL

Rochester, MN, United States

Sep 13, 2021

Thus the church and Christ together,
God’s great mystery,
Is the mingling of the Godhead
With humanity.
Hallelujah..!!! Amen Amen

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Te Franks

Bellingham, WA, United States

Sep 12, 2021

What a glorious hymn conveying the truth of living Christ, who is the mystery of God (Col. 2:2), through the members of His Body, the church as the mystery of Christ (Eph. 3:4), and manifesting God's likeness through people on this earth which is the mystery of Godliness (1Tim. 3:16)! What a wonder! Obviously, the author of this hymn experienced the reality of living Christ and I am so grateful he was led by the Spirit to compose this hymn and pass it on to us. Thanks Lord

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Jennifer

London, United Kingdom

Aug 22, 2021

What a glorious hymn leading my spirit to soar! What a reality! What a prayer. The mystery of Christ is the church! You delight in us as Your expression and expansion. Oh what a mystery, and we are part of it. May we express your Godliness, may we bear fruit for you Lord.

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Roger Lewis

United States

Jan 21, 2018

Enjoyed this hymn (819) along with HWMR ITERO Week 9: The Status of the Church—the Counterpart of Christ.

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Blue Jammy

Taichung, Taiwan

Sep 20, 2013

I am very joyful!

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