The Church Is Our Household of Faith
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
The New Testament uses a number of images to describe the church. The apostle Paul described it as the body of Christ. This is a wonderful image. It explains one aspect of the essential nature of the church; it is one body with many parts. Paul wanted to make sure everyone understood that even parts that were not visible were important. In the human body the internal organs are more important to life than some exterior features; so it is with the church. No one should think his or her role insignificant. Christ is the head of the church, and we are his body to do his work in the world.
Another image the New Testament uses to describe the church is a bride. In Ephesians 5, Paul says that Christ gave himself for the church in order to “present the church to himself as a glorious church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). This is an image that depicts the future of the church as intimately connected with Jesus Christ, its Savior, Lord, and Husband. The book of Revelation points to this when it describes the wedding feast of the Lamb, where the saints are “arrayed with fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:8).
The church is also viewed as a building made by God and constructed from the individual members of the church. I Peter says that we are to come to Christ as “living stones” to be built into a spiritual house (I Peter 2:1-10). Christ is the cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will not be disappointed. We are, says I Peter, a “holy priesthood” to offer spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ and tell of the excellencies of the one who called us out of darkness into his “marvelous light.”
Another important image used for the church is a family. Paul describes the church as the “household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). God is our Father in heaven, and we are brothers and sisters together. Though Christ is our Lord and Master, the New Testament also describes him as our “brother.” Hebrews say that Christ makes his people holy so that “he is not ashamed to call them brothers” (Hebrews 2:11). The New Testament also says that he is the “firstborn” among “many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29). What a remarkable gift of grace that we might be considered brothers and sisters with Christ!
A third century Christian writer named Cyprian expanded the idea of the church as a family. He said, “You cannot have God for your Father unless you have the church as your Mother.” John Calvin expanded this idea by noting that it is the church who, like a mother, brings us to birth in the faith, feeds us with spiritual food, raises us from infancy, and nurtures us to maturity. As long as we live, we always need the church to nurture us, until we finally enter the kingdom of heaven.
We thank God for the gift of the church. He knew we would need it. It is just one of many helps God has given us in living out our faith in the world.