Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7024 church, nature and foundations of

7024 church, nature and foundations of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7010 The church as the people of God » 7020 church, the » 7024 church, nature and foundations of

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.

NT images of the church

The body of Christ

Romans 12:4-5 See also 1 Corinthians 12:12,27; Ephesians 3:6; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18,24; Colossians 2:19; Colossians 3:15

God's building or temple

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 See also 1 Corinthians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21-22; Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 10:21; 1 Peter 2:5

A plant or vine

John 15:1-8 See also Romans 11:17-24; 1 Corinthians 3:6-8

Jesus Christ's flock

John 10:14-16 See also Matthew 25:33; Luke 12:32; Acts 20:28-29; 1 Peter 5:2-4

The bride of Christ

Revelation 21:2 See also Ephesians 5:25-27,31-32; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 22:17

God's household or family

Ephesians 2:19 See also John 8:35-36; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 3:15; 1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 2:11; 1 Peter 2:17; Peter 4:17

NT descriptions of the church

Emphasising continuity with the OT church

Abraham's offspring:

Romans 4:16; Galatians 3:7,29

The people of God:

Romans 9:25; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Hebrews 13:12; 1 Peter 2:9-10

The new Jerusalem:

Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:2,9-10 Galatians 6:16 the Israel of God

Emphasising God's call and authority in the church

Sons of God:

Matthew 5:9; John 1:12; Romans 8:15-16; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 3:26; Galatians 4:5-6; 1 John 3:10

The elect:

Matthew 24:22; Romans 11:7; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1

Heirs of God and God's inheritance:

Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:29; Galatians 4:7; Titus 3:7; Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 6:17; 1 Peter 1:4

A priesthood:

1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6

Descriptions applied to the church by outsiders

Followers of the Way:

Acts 9:2; Acts 19:9,23; Acts 22:4; Acts 24:14 Acts 11:26 Christians; Acts 24:5 “the Nazarene sect” means people belonging to Jesus the “Nazarene” (Mt 2:23)

Descriptions used by Christians

The believers. All these titles are seldom in the singular, emphasising the corporateness of Christian life:

Acts 1:15; Acts 2:44; Acts 5:12; Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 2:17

The disciples:

Acts 6:1-2; Acts 9:19; Acts 11:26; Acts 14:22; Acts 20:1

The “saints” is the most frequently used NT term for Christians. It means “set apart for God”, “made holy”:

Romans 1:7; Romans 15:25; 1 Corinthians 6:1; Corinthians 14:33; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 4:21; Colossians 1:12; Jude 3

Other NT descriptions of the church

1 Timothy 3:15 the pillar and foundation of the truth; Hebrews 12:23 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.

The foundation of the church

Jesus Christ as the church's foundation-stone

1 Corinthians 3:11 See also Matthew 7:24-25; Matthew 21:42 pp Mark 12:10 pp Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6; Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:7; Psalm 118:22

Apostles and prophets as founders of the church

Ephesians 2:19-20 See also Matthew 16:18-19; Revelation 21:14

The church as God's people

A people chosen by God

1 Peter 2:9 See also John 15:16; Romans 8:33; Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 3:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; James 2:5; 1 Peter 1:2

A people called by God

A people loved by God

1 Peter 2:10 See also Ephesians 2:1-5; Titus 3:4-7

God's covenant people

Hebrews 8:8-10 See also Romans 11:27; Isaiah 59:20-21; Hebrews 10:16; Jeremiah 31:31-33