Theme · theological
Church
The church is anticipated in Israel's calling as a holy nation and royal priesthood. Jesus builds his church on the confession that he is the Christ, and Pentecost marks its public birth as the Spirit falls and three thousand are baptized. Paul's letters describe the church as the body of Christ — many members with different gifts but one Spirit. The household codes, the instructions to elders and deacons, and the emphasis on unity across Jew and Gentile all shape a community meant to embody the kingdom until Christ returns. Revelation portrays the church as a bride adorned for her bridegroom.
Passages expressing this theme
- 1Cor 12:12 — For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
- 1Cor 12:13 — For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
- 1Cor 12:27 — Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
- 1Pet 2:9 — But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
- 1Pet 2:10 — Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
- 1Tim 3:15 — But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
- Acts 2:42 — And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
- Acts 2:46 — And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
- Acts 2:47 — Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
- Acts 20:28 — Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
- Col 1:18 — And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
- Col 1:24 — Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
- Eph 1:22 — And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
- Eph 1:23 — Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
- Eph 2:19 — Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
- Eph 2:20 — And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
- Eph 3:10 — To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
- Eph 4:4 — There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
- Eph 4:11 — And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
- Eph 4:12 — For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
- Eph 4:15 — But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
- Eph 5:23 — For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
- Eph 5:25 — Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
- Heb 10:25 — Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
- Matt 16:18 — And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.