Dictionary of Bible Themes
The church is the people called by God, who are united by their faith in Christ and by their common life in him. Various descriptions and metaphors emphasise the continuity between the people of God in the OT and NT.
Romans 12:4-5NT images of the church
See also
The body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:12,27Ephesians 3:6; 5:23Colossians 1:18,24; 2:19; 3:151 Corinthians 3:16-17See also
God's building or temple
1 Corinthians 3:102 Corinthians 6:16Ephesians 2:21-22Hebrews 3:6; 10:211 Peter 2:5John 15:1-8See also
A plant or vine
Romans 11:17-241 Corinthians 3:6-8John 10:14-16See also
Jesus Christ's flock
Matthew 25:33Luke 12:32Acts 20:28-291 Peter 5:2-4Revelation 21:2See also
The bride of Christ
Ephesians 5:25-27,31-32Revelation 19:7; 22:17Ephesians 2:19See also
God's household or family
John 8:35-36Galatians 6:10Ephesians 3:151 Timothy 3:15Hebrews 2:111 Peter 2:17; 4:17NT descriptions of the church
Romans 4:16Emphasising continuity with the OT church
Galatians 3:7,29Abraham's offspring:
Romans 9:252 Corinthians 6:16The people of God:
Hebrews 13:121 Peter 2:9-10Galatians 4:26Hebrews 12:22The new Jerusalem:
Revelation 3:12; 21:2,9-10Galatians 6:16the Israel of God
Matthew 5:9Emphasising God's call and authority in the church
John 1:12Sons of God:
Romans 8:15-162 Corinthians 6:18Galatians 3:26; 4:5-61 John 3:10Matthew 24:22Romans 11:7The elect:
2 Timothy 2:101 Peter 1:1Romans 8:17Galatians 3:29; 4:7Heirs of God and God's inheritance:
Titus 3:7Hebrews 1:14; 6:171 Peter 1:41 Peter 2:5,9Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:6A priesthood:
Acts 9:2; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14Descriptions applied to the church by outsiders
Acts 11:26Followers of the Way:
Acts 24:5Christians
"the Nazarene sect" means people belonging to Jesus the "Nazarene" (Mt 2:23)
Acts 1:15; 2:44; 5:12Descriptions used by Christians
Galatians 6:10The believers. All these titles are seldom in the singular, emphasising the corporateness of Christian life:
1 Timothy 4:121 Peter 2:17Acts 6:1-2; 9:19; 11:26; 14:22; 20:1The disciples:
Romans 1:7; 15:251 Corinthians 6:1; 14:33The "saints" is the most frequently used NT term for Christians. It means "set apart for God", "made holy":
Ephesians 1:1Philippians 4:21Colossians 1:12Jude 1:31 Timothy 3:15Other NT descriptions of the church
Hebrews 12:23the pillar and foundation of the truth
The church of the firstborn. "the firstborn" is plural, referring to Christians as those born again through their union with Christ, who is the firstborn.
1 Corinthians 3:11The foundation of the church
See also
Jesus Christ as the church's foundation-stone
Matthew 7:24-25; 21:42Acts 4:11pp Mk 12:10
Ephesians 2:20pp Lk 20:17
1 Peter 2:6Isaiah 28:161 Peter 2:7Psalms 118:22
Ephesians 2:19-20See also
Apostles and prophets as founders of the church
Matthew 16:18-19Revelation 21:141 Peter 2:9The church as God's people
See also
A people chosen by God
John 15:16Romans 8:33Ephesians 1:4Colossians 3:122 Thessalonians 2:13James 2:51 Peter 1:2Romans 1:6See also
A people called by God
Acts 2:391 Corinthians 1:2,9Galatians 1:62 Thessalonians 2:142 Timothy 1:9Jude 1:11 Peter 2:10See also
A people loved by God
Ephesians 2:1-5Titus 3:4-7Hebrews 8:8-10See also
God's covenant people
Romans 11:27Isaiah 59:20-21Hebrews 10:16Jeremiah 31:31-33See also
3278 Holy Spirit, indwelling5270 court5318 fraud5660 bridegroom6638 election7105 believers7110 body of Christ7145 remnant7155 saints7384 household gods7412 priesthood7620 disciples 
