6. What are some of the metaphors the Bible uses to help us understand the concept of “church”?

The metaphoric descriptions of the New Testament church help us understand God’s ideal for His community of faith. These metaphors include:JTL23 8.1

• The church as a body. This metaphor stresses the unity of the church and the importance of each part of the body to the whole (Ephesians 5:30), as well as identifying Christ as “head of the body (Colossians 1:18).JTL23 8.2

• The church as a temple. The church is “God’s building,” “the temple of God” in which the Holy Spirit dwells. Jesus Christ is its foundation and the “chief cornerstone,”JTL23 8.3

(1 Corinthians 3:9-16; Ephesians 2:20).JTL23 8.4

• The church as “Jerusalem above.” The Scriptures call the city of Jerusalem Zion, where God dwells with His people (Psalms 9:11). The New Testament sees the church as the “Jerusalem above”—the spiritual counterpart of the earthly Jerusalem (Galatians 4:26).JTL23 8.5

• The church as the pillar and foundation of truth. The church of the living God is the depository and citadel of truth, protecting dynamic truth from the attacks of its enemies (1 Timothy 3:15 NIV).JTL23 8.6

The Shepherd and His flock is also a beautiful metaphor describing the close relationship of Christ Himself to the people of God, whom He has called to follow Him (Psalms 80:1). The family of God found in church fellowship may become closer even than that of a natural family, as together the members carry out the will of their Shepherd (Mark 3:33-35).JTL23 8.7