War: Under Christ, As Our Captain
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the Christian faith, the concept of war under the leadership of Christ as our Captain is deeply rooted in the spiritual warfare that believers are called to engage in. This warfare is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. The imagery of Christ as a Captain or leader in this battle is drawn from various passages in the New Testament, which depict Him as the ultimate authority and guide for believers in their spiritual journey.

Christ as the Divine Warrior

The Bible presents Christ as a divine warrior who leads His people to victory. In Revelation 19:11-16 , Christ is depicted as a rider on a white horse, called Faithful and True, who judges and wages war in righteousness. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven follow Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. This powerful imagery underscores Christ's role as the leader of the heavenly hosts, guiding His followers in the ultimate battle against evil.

Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, emphasizes the spiritual nature of the warfare Christians are engaged in. Ephesians 6:10-18 instructs believers to "put on the full armor of God" so that they can stand against the schemes of the devil. This passage highlights the importance of spiritual preparedness and reliance on divine strength. The armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace as shoes, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Christ, as our Captain, equips us with these spiritual tools to stand firm in the face of adversity.

Victory Through Christ

The New Testament assures believers of victory through Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:57 , Paul declares, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." This victory is not achieved through human strength or wisdom but through the power and authority of Christ. As our Captain, He has already triumphed over sin and death, and His victory is imparted to those who follow Him.

The Call to Endurance and Faithfulness

Believers are called to endure and remain faithful in the spiritual battle. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages Christians to "run with endurance the race set out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." This passage highlights the importance of perseverance and focus on Christ, who leads and perfects our faith journey. As our Captain, Christ not only leads us into battle but also sustains us through it.

The Role of Prayer and the Word

Prayer and the Word of God are essential components of spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:18 urges believers to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." Prayer is a means of communication with our Captain, seeking His guidance and strength. The Word of God, described as the sword of the Spirit, is a powerful weapon against the enemy. Hebrews 4:12 states, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword." Through prayer and Scripture, believers are equipped to stand firm under Christ's leadership.

Christ's Ultimate Triumph

The Bible assures us of Christ's ultimate triumph over all evil. Revelation 17:14 proclaims, "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with Him will be His called, chosen, and faithful followers." This victory is not only a future promise but a present reality for those who are in Christ. As our Captain, He leads us in a battle that is already won, calling us to live in the light of His victory.
Nave's Topical Index
Hebrews 2:10
For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Christian Army
... So, when anyone says he wants to make war on wickedness and to ... the one flag,"the
banner of the Cross; all under the one Captain,"even Jesus Christ. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/the christian army.htm

The Captain of the Lord's Host
... Think of Christ, what He is, and what resources He has ... Him with His twenty thousand?'
Put yourselves under His orders ... He will teach your hands to war, and your ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the captain of the lords.htm

A Sermon Made by M. Hugh Latimer, at the Time of the Insurrection ...
... your loins girded about." Some men of war use to ... subtle assaults, to send his warriors
forth under the badge ... that must be perfect faith in Jesus Christ, in our ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon made by m.htm

Soldier Priests
... is it His power that teaches our hands to war. ... few, but of every one who calls Christ
'Lord,' to ... for the reduction of all human hearts under Christ's dominion. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/soldier priests.htm

War! War! War!
... with error is war with man: but war with error ... when you are mocked, to wait under
adverse providences ... Patient waiting for Christ's coming, may we all learn this ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/war war war.htm

Summary view of the Pre-Existence and Divinity of Our Saviour and ...
... human flesh, and now daring to wage war with the ... For instance, Daniel the prophet,
under the influence of ... which relate to our Saviour Jesus Christ, and have ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ii summary view of the.htm

Calvin -- Enduring Persecution for Christ
... thou wouldst not," said our Lord Jesus Christ to Peter. ... the purpose of placing ourselves
entirely under His command: This is the principle war in which ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/calvin enduring persecution for.htm

Peace and victory
... fought and conquered, and I do not under-estimate the ... But the victory of Jesus Christ
is of extremely little ... life, and make your hands strong to war and your ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/peace and victory.htm

The Faith which Christ Praises
... a man under authority, having soldiers under me, and I ... thing about the devilish trade
of war is that ... Jesus Christ accepts and endorses the centurion's estimate ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the faith which christ praises.htm

Wanted, Volunteers
... "We have a great and imposing War Office, but a very ... But we are under the English
Government. ... Christ our Captain is calling for volunteers; here are the terms ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xvi wanted volunteers.htm

Resources
What is the just war theory? | GotQuestions.org

Is the war in Iraq a just war? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about war? | GotQuestions.org

War: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Nuclear War

War

War by Faith

War in Heaven: Symbolical

War is a Good Warfare

War is not After the Flesh

War of Extermination

War with a Good Conscience

War with Confidence in God

War with Earnestness

War with Endurance of Hardness

War with Faith

War with Prayer

War with Self-Denial

War with Sobriety

War with Steadfastness in the Faith

War with Watchfulness

War without Earthly Entanglements

War: A Time For

War: Antiquity of

War: Averted

War: Be Clothed in White Clothing

War: Be Confessed by Christ in the Presence of God the Father

War: Be Pillars in the Temple of God

War: Be Sons of God

War: Called "The Armor of God"

War: Called "The Armor of Light"

War: Called "The Armor of Righteousness"

War: Called the Good Fight of Faith

War: Civil

War: Comforted by God In

War: Counsels of

War: Death

War: Delivered by Christ In

War: Divine Approval of

War: Eat from the Tree of Life

War: Encouraged In

War: Enemies

War: Enemy Harangued by the General of the Opposing Side

War: Evils of

War: Exhorted to Diligence In

War: Forbidden

War: Frequently Long Continued

War: Frequently Sore and Bloody

War: God In

War: God Sends Panic In

War: God Uses, As a Judgment

War: God: Causes to Cease

War: God: Frequently Ordered

War: God: Gives the Victory In

War: God: Scatters Those Who Delight In

War: God: Strengthens his People For

War: God: Taught his People the Art of

War: Have a White Stone, and in It a New Name Written

War: Have God As Their God

War: Have Power Over the Nations

War: Have the Morning Star

War: Have the Name of God Written Upon Them by Christ

War: Helped by God In

War: Inflicts Defeat In

War: Inherit all Things

War: Killed In, Neglected

War: Large Armies Frequently Engaged In

War: Mere Professors do not Maintain

War: Mighty Through God

War: Must be Put on

War: Must Stand Firm In

War: Not be Hurt by the Second Death

War: Not Carnal

War: Not Have Their Names Blotted out of the Book of Life

War: Often Arises from the Opposition of Friends or Relatives

War: Often Attended by Cruelty

War: Often Attended by Devastation

War: Often Attended by Famine

War: Often Attended by Pestilence

War: Often Sent As a Punishment for Sin

War: Originates in the Lusts of Men

War: Our Contest With Death

War: Over all That Exalts Itself

War: Over Death and the Grave

War: Over the Devil

War: Over the Flesh

War: Over the World

War: Preceded by Consultation

War: Preceded by Great Preparation

War: Preceded by Rumors

War: Protected by God In

War: Records often Kept of

War: Repugnant to God

War: Saints are all Engaged In

War: Sit With Christ on his Throne

War: Strengthened by Christ In

War: Strengthened by God In

War: Symbolized by a Red Horse

War: Thank God for Victory In

War: The Belt of Truth

War: The Breastplate of Righteousness

War: The Contest Between Antichrist and the Church

War: The Contest of Saints With the Enemies of Their Salvation

War: The Devil

War: The Flesh

War: The Helmet of Salvation

War: The Jews were Expert In

War: The Jews: Frequently Engaged in (See Joshua Chapters 6 Through 11)

War: The Malignity of the Wicked

War: The Preparation of the Gospel

War: The Shield of Faith

War: The Sword of the Spirit

War: The Whole, is Required

War: The World

War: Those Who Overcome In, Will Eat of the Hidden Manna

War: Threatens Defeat In

War: Through Christ

War: To be on the Right Hand and Left, an Idiom Meaning: "To Attack and to Defend."

War: To Cease

War: Triumphant

War: Tumult of

War: Under Christ, As Our Captain

War: Under the Lord's Banner

War: Victory In, is from God

War: Wars and Rumors of

War: Weapons Used In

War: Wisdom Required In

Related Terms

War-carriage (11 Occurrences)

War-dress (6 Occurrences)

War-cry (5 Occurrences)

War-horses (6 Occurrences)

War-horn (3 Occurrences)

War-club (1 Occurrence)

War-cries (1 Occurrence)

War-dresses (1 Occurrence)

War-horse (1 Occurrence)

War-carriages (76 Occurrences)

Body-covers (25 Occurrences)

Besiege (17 Occurrences)

Alarm (26 Occurrences)

Booty (32 Occurrences)

Body-cover (11 Occurrences)

Carriages (34 Occurrences)

Zobah (15 Occurrences)

Brave (15 Occurrences)

Apt (7 Occurrences)

Antiochus

Shutting (43 Occurrences)

Attackers (41 Occurrences)

Valor (45 Occurrences)

Slavery (31 Occurrences)

44760 (2 Occurrences)

Chios (1 Occurrence)

Conquer (12 Occurrences)

Ama'sa (12 Occurrences)

Aretas (1 Occurrence)

Clans (120 Occurrences)

Arouse (24 Occurrences)

Slave (148 Occurrences)

Amaziah (41 Occurrences)

Phinehas (24 Occurrences)

Soldiers (83 Occurrences)

Athens (5 Occurrences)

Valiant (66 Occurrences)

Buckler (19 Occurrences)

Amasa (13 Occurrences)

Skilful (38 Occurrences)

Bows (28 Occurrences)

Perished (76 Occurrences)

Valour (66 Occurrences)

Shield (65 Occurrences)

Quick-footed (7 Occurrences)

Chariot (102 Occurrences)

Belt (32 Occurrences)

Bowmen (13 Occurrences)

Bulwark (29 Occurrences)

Carriage-towns (3 Occurrences)

Civil (4 Occurrences)

Advisers (22 Occurrences)

Alert (19 Occurrences)

Stirs (23 Occurrences)

Sands (9 Occurrences)

Sash (16 Occurrences)

Storm-wind (19 Occurrences)

Armies (361 Occurrences)

Bulwarks (22 Occurrences)

Charioteers (19 Occurrences)

Aramaeans (49 Occurrences)

Swords (50 Occurrences)

Skillful (42 Occurrences)

Spear (55 Occurrences)

Stone (290 Occurrences)

Astarte (2 Occurrences)

Spoil (140 Occurrences)

Spears (25 Occurrences)

Armed (147 Occurrences)

Axe (19 Occurrences)

Asmoneans

Answers (42 Occurrences)

Secretary (34 Occurrences)

Attack (221 Occurrences)

Quarrel (22 Occurrences)

Census (24 Occurrences)

Ai (32 Occurrences)

War: Tumult of
Top of Page
Top of Page