The Church as a Body
The apostle Paul’s efforts to teach that the Church is comprised of one body with many unique parts stretched across the various churches he and others had planted. He wrote to the Romans teaching them that “just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Rom. 12:4-5). To the Corinthians, he reminded them that, “Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Cor. 10:17). The diversity within a unity concept was aimed at divisions inside a church. And so, Paul taught the Corinthians that living as one unified body harmonized with Christ’s physical body. Notice his focus by saying that, “even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ” (1 Cor. 12:12). The net result he wanted the Corinthians (and us today) to understand and apply is that they (we) “are Christ’s body, and individually members of it” (1 Cor. 12:27). Being one unified body is possible universally by God’s grace and saving faith through the mysterious working of the Holy Spirit, which leads to a spiritual baptism. And so, Paul writes, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13).
Thus, Paul will write to the Ephesians instructing them to equip “the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). This instruction to the Church makes sense when it is undergirded with the knowledge that “the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23). Thus, “we are members of [Christ’s] body” (Eph. 5:30). Accordingly, since Christ has not yet returned and His body (the Church) is still growing, Paul writes that his life is comprised of doing his “share on behalf of His [Christ’s] body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” (Col. 1:24).
Therefore, Paul’s understanding and subsequent teaching that the Church is a representation of Christ’s body, motivated him to pursue unity, dignity, and growth.
The Church as a Bride
In Revelation, the apostle John teaches that the Church is also a figure of a bride. Notice what John says in Revelation 21:9, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” Previously, John explained this concept by saying that “the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready’” (Rev. 19:7).
The apostle Paul elaborates on the Church as a bride when he again teaches that “I [Paul] am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I [Paul] betrothed you to one husband [Christ], so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin” (2 Cor. 11:2). To the church at Ephesus, Paul also sheds light into the mystery and purpose of marriage by saying that “‘a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:31-32).
Therefore, both John and Paul view the Church as a Bride, which implies a relationship that is an eternal covenant made by God to His people. Thus, God will never forsake His Bride, the Church.
The Church as a Family
The Church is also represented as a family. In 2 Corinthians 6:18, Paul indicates that God will “be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty.” To the Ephesians, Paul’s reminder is that they—as members of God’s church through faith—you “are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household” (Eph. 2:19). Thus, as Christians, we are adopted and can cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Gal. 4:6).
In the same way members of a family help each other, so members of the Church help each other as well. Notice how Paul teaches the churches in Galatia that “while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Gal. 6:10). The implications of a church living as a family goes further, and Paul explains by saying to Timothy, “Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers” (1 Tim. 5:1).
Christ’s words to His disciples provide further insight on the Church as a family when He says, “‘Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother’” (Matt. 12:49-50).
Therefore, Paul and Jesus Christ teach that the Church is a family, and as a result each member can not only show love to members of the Church in the same way they show love to their own family, but also be in fellowship with their heavenly Father.
The Church as a House
The Author of Hebrews sheds light into the fact that the Church is also like a house when he says that “Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end” (Heb. 3:6). Paul furthers this metaphor when he says to Timothy, “I am writing these things to you…that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:14-15).
Also, Peter, instructing Jewish believers, demonstrates a universal principle of God’s people standing in judgment for their lives as the household of God when he says, “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God” (1 Pet. 4:17).
Therefore, the Church is also like a house, with implications extended to how one acts within the house, as well as how each member faces judgment together with other members of the house.
The Church as a Temple
Finally, the Church is pictured as a temple. Paul teaches the church at Corinth that “no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11). He expands this idea by indicating the collective idea of the Church by asking, ““Do you [plural] not know that you [plural] are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you [plural]?” (1 Cor. 3:16). On the other hand, Paul indicates that individuals are temples making up one temple when he says, “Or do you [plural] not know that your [plural] body [singular] is a temple [singular] of the Holy Spirit who is in you [plural], whom you [plural] have from God, and that you [plural] are not your own? For you [plural] have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your [plural] body [singular]” (1 Cor. 6:19-20)”
Paul also gives insight into how the members of the Church are part of an ancient temple where God’s presence dwells. He says, “you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Eph. 2:19-22).
Peter reminded his Jewish audience that the prophets of old taught that “‘this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone” (1 Pet. 2:6-7 [Isa. 28:16; Ps. 118:22). Peter also taught that “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5).
Therefore, the Church is also like a temple—collectively and individually—wherein dwells the very presence of God. Thus, our lives are to be holy as He is holy.
These five metaphors teach what the church is. And so, next we will set forth a biblical vision for the Church.
CLICK HERE for Part 1 of Chapter 9. And HERE for The GAP Book.
— December 29, 2021