Metaphors of the Church: The Nature and Purpose of the Church

Church New Testament theology
/ By Randall Johnson

If we look at the metaphors used of the Church we learn something of the nature and purpose of the Church.

Our nature is a beloved people (the Bride of Christ, His special flock) who have been set apart to serve Him (kingdom of priests), and have been diversely gifted to serve one another (Body of Christ).

The purpose of the Church expressed by the metaphors for the Church are:

1. To obey Jesus (Bride, People, Temple, Flock)
2. To give witness to Jesus (Priests, People, Temple, Lampstand, Light, Pillar of Truth)
3. To rejoice in and praise Jesus (Bride, Priests)
4. To serve Jesus in serving one another (Body)
5. To grow mature in Jesus (Body)
6. To further humanity (One New Humanity, Israel of God, Seed of Abraham, True Circumcision)

This nature and purpose for the Church is true of the Church universal, worldwide, regional, local and sub-local. Is your church characterized by these qualities? The metaphors give us a way to evaluate who we are and what we do. Do we even listen to Jesus as a church, are we giving witness to him, do we find joy in him, are we serving one another, and are we growing together in character and truth? Do we see each other as beloved by the Savior, as holy to him, as special in our giftedness?

About the Author Randall Johnson

A full-time pastor since 1979, Randall originally graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM) in 1979 and from Reformed Theological Seminary (DMin) in 1998. He is married with four grown children and a pile of epic grandchildren.

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