12 pictures of the Church!

Did you know that God gives us in the New Testament at least TWELVE pictures of the Church? These pictures elaborate on different aspects of the Church. We’ve listed them in the order that they appear in the New Testament:

• A TREASURE—The preciousness of each individual to Christ (Mt. 13:44)
• A PEARL—Its value and collective beauty to Christ (Mt. 13:45-46)
• AN INN—Its love and care for others (Lk. 10:30-37)
• A FLOCK—The divine gathering Center (Christ) (Jn. 10:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2)
• A BODY—the oneness that exists among the members (Rom. 12:4-5; Eph. 4:1-16)
• A HUSBANDRY—Its service (1 Cor. 3:5-9)
• A TEMPLE—the holy dwelling place of the Lord (Ps. 93:5; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:21)
• A BRIDE—Christ’s love and affection for it (Eph. 5:26-31; Rev. 19:7-9; Rev. 21:2, 9)
• A HOUSE—the public testimony of God’s character (1 Tim. 3:14-16; 1 Peter 2:5-9)
• A CANDLESTICK—Local assembly privileges and testimony (Rev. 1:12, 20; Rev. 3:22)
• A WIFE—Heirship over the inheritance (Rom. 8:17; Rev. 19:7-9; Rev. 21:9)
• A CITY—Its administration in the world to come (Rev. 21:10; Rev. 22:5)

Given the fact that there are at least a dozen pictures of the Church, it’s safe to say that it’s an important element in Scripture—and important to God, making it worth a second look in your daily readings!

D.B.