The church

086 the churchA beautiful biblical picture speaks of the Church as the bride of Christ. This is alluded to through symbolism in various scriptures, including the Song of Songs. A key point is the Song of Songs 2,10-16, where the bride's lover says that her wintertime is over and now the time for singing and joy has come (see also Hebrews 2,12), and also where the bride says: “My friend is mine and I am his” (St. 2,16). The Church belongs to Christ, both individually and collectively, and He belongs to the Church.

Christ is the Bridegroom, who "loved the church, and gave himself up for her" that "it might be a glorious church, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing" (Ephesians 5,27). This relationship, Paul says, "is a great mystery, but I apply it to Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5,32).

John takes up this theme in the book of Revelation. The triumphant Christ, the Lamb of God, marries the Bride, the Church (Revelation 19,6-twenty; 91,9-10), and together they proclaim the words of life (Revelation 2 Cor1,17).

There are additional metaphors and images that are used to describe the church. The Church is the flock in need of caring Shepherds who model their care after Christ's example (1. Petrus 5,1-4); it is a field where workers are needed to plant and water (1. Corinthians 3,6-9); the church and its members are like branches on a vine (John 15,5); the church is like an olive tree (Romans 11,17-24).

As a reflection of the present and future kingdoms of God, the church is like a mustard seed growing into a tree in which the birds of the sky find refuge3,18-19); and like leaven making its way through the dough of the world (Luke 13,21), etc.

The church is the body of Christ and consists of all those recognized by God as members of the "congregations of saints" (1. Corinthians 14,33). This is important to the believer because participation in the church is the means by which the Father keeps us and sustains us until the return of Jesus Christ.

by James Henderson