Ecclesiological Metaphors: The Church as an Army.
The imagery of an army is also used for the Church in the Bible. God wants every member of the Church to see himself as a member of the Lord's…
Ecclesiological Metaphors: The Church As Christ’s Body.
This imagery of a Body appears quite often in the New Testament. The Church is one Body in Christ. Romans 12:4-5 (NKJV) 4 For as we have many members in…
Ecclesiological Metaphors: The Church as a Temple.
In the New Testament, the Church is described as God's Temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16 says, "Do you not know that you (plural in the Greek i.e. the whole Church) are…
Ecclesiological Metaphors: The Church As A Flock.
God often describes His people as sheep and Himself as the Shepherd. This imagery is first used in the Old Testament. Ezekiel 34:31 (NKJV) 31 “You are MY FLOCK, the…
What Was Paul’s “Thorn In The Flesh”? (2 Corin 12:7-10)
Paul had explained from vv. 1-6 how he had been granted special revelation from the Lord. Because of these revelations, he was persecuted, "And lest I should be exalted above…
Ecclesiological Metaphors: The Church as a Vine.
The Church of Christ is also referred to as branches in a vine in the Bible. This imagery actually originates from the Old Testament. Israel is Yahweh's vine in the…
Ecclesiological Metaphors: The Church As A Family.
The Biblical writers often used metaphors to help their readers grasp spiritual Truth. Metaphors are God's mercies to man who, most times, cannot readily understand spiritual things (due to the…
“On This Rock, I Will Build My Church”—Matthew 16:18.
Matthew 16:18 (NKJV) 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, and the gates of Hades shall not…
Falling Under The Power Of God—Scriptural Or Not?
It is not uncommon to find persons fall down suddenly in Charismatic gatherings. This falling is usually accompanied by jerking motions, crying or shouting in some cases. This has been…
On Ezekiel 37: Dry Bones Living Again.
Ezekiel 37 is a well-known "revival text" in the Christian world. It is not strange to see Christians asked to pray that they (as dry bones) come to live again.…