It may be said that the most powerful statements in the Bible regarding the church is found in Ephesians 5:22-33. The Lord had a great love for the church. It was His prized possession. To preach Christ is to preach about the church. This is what Paul vigorously proclaimed, and today the same concept ought to be presented.
The religious world today, though, sees the church as relatively unimportant. The true relation between Christ and the church is that they are bound together and cannot be separated. When we speak of the "church," let us note that we are not speaking of a Catholic concept of the church, nor are we speaking of a protestant or denominational concept of the church. The church of Christ needs to be presented correctly - in only a Biblical sense.
The word "church" comes from the Greek "eklessia"; ek - "out" and klesis - "to call." Hense, those who have been called out; those who have been called out of the world of sin and into the church of our Lord (1 Peter 2:9; Colossians 1:13).
The church is referred to..
..in a universal sense (Matthew 16:18). This encompasses the church worldwide.
..in a local sense (1 Thessalonians 1:1; Philippians 1:1)
The relation between Christ and the church can be seen in how it is described..
Body (head). Christ is the head of the body (Colossians 1:18). Christ is the head of the body. He is also the Savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23).
Kingdom (king). Christ is king over His kingdom, the church (Matthew 16:18). Christ offers forgiveness in His kingdom (Colossians 1:13,14).
Church (builder). Christ built and established the church. It came into existence by His power. The saved are added to the church (Acts 2:41,47).
Bride (husband). Christ is the husband of His one bride. Christ gave Himself for His bride, the church (Ephesians 5:22-25).
There is also an important relationship between the church and salvation - a relationship that is not taught in the denominational world. The denominational world tends to disconnect the church and salvation. This idea is Biblically incorrect, because to be saved is to be part of the church. A person is added to the chruch at the very moment that he is saved.
Ephesians 5:22-33
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
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.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.1 Peter 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.
Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.
Matthew 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.
1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Colossians 1:13,14
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:Acts 2:41,47
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
