The bible uses many figures to describe the Lord's church. They tell us a great deal about the nature of the church that Christ built! They also give us a glimpse into how we fit into the church and how members of the church relate to one another. Even a brief study of them will greatly enhance any Christians perspective of the church of Christ.

• The body of Christ — 1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 4:4; Col. 1:18, 24
• The temple of God — 1 Cor. 3:9, 16-17; Eph. 2:19-22
• A vineyard — Matt. 20:1-16; 21:33-46
• A kingdom — Matt. 16:16-19; Col. 1:1-13; Matt. 26:29
• The household of God — 1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 3:15
• A bride — 2 Cor. 11:2; John 3:27-30; Eph. 5:22-25, 32
• A sheepfold — John 10:1-14; Luke 15:3-7

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