7 Ways the Church is Described in the New Testament

Bible verses about the church.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

After the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus back to the Father, the church very quickly comes into existence on this earth (Acts 2).

As we will see from these passages about the church - the Lord’s church is a vital part of His plan for His people.

The church is built by Jesus and belongs to Him.

Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 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 prevail against it. (Matthew 16:16-18)

The church is the “saved ones.”

And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:47)

The church is the one body of Christ.

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23)

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling… (Ephesians 4:4)

The church is the house of God.

These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:14-15)

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

The church is how God’s wisdom is demonstrated.

…to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord… (Ephesians 3:10-11)

The church is the bride of Christ.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her… (Ephesians 5:22-25)

The church is bought with the blood of Christ.

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28)

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These are by no means all of the passages that discuss the church. These are just a few ways the New Testament describes the church.

What is a passage that comes to your mind that I’ve not included in this list?