Topical Bible: Christ is God: As God, he Presents the Church to Himself

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Topical Encyclopedia

The doctrine that Christ is God is a central tenet of Christian theology, affirming the divinity of Jesus Christ as the second person of the Holy Trinity. This belief is foundational to understanding the relationship between Christ and the Church, particularly in the context of Christ presenting the Church to Himself.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides numerous affirmations of Christ's divinity. In John 1:1, the Apostle John declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This passage identifies Jesus, the Word, as God Himself, establishing His divine nature from eternity. Furthermore, in Colossians 2:9, Paul writes, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form," underscoring the complete and undiminished deity of Christ.

Christ and the Church

The relationship between Christ and the Church is often depicted as a marriage, with Christ as the bridegroom and the Church as His bride. This metaphor is vividly illustrated in Ephesians 5:25-27, where Paul instructs, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless."

In this passage, Christ's role as God is evident in His authority and ability to sanctify and cleanse the Church. As God, He possesses the power to purify the Church, preparing her to be presented to Himself in splendor and holiness. This act of presenting the Church to Himself highlights His divine prerogative and the intimate union between Christ and His people.

Theological Implications

The presentation of the Church to Christ is not merely a future event but an ongoing process of sanctification. As God, Christ is actively involved in the spiritual growth and purification of the Church. This process is rooted in His sacrificial love, as He "gave Himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25). The divine love of Christ is both the means and the motivation for the Church's sanctification.

Moreover, the presentation of the Church to Christ underscores the eschatological hope of believers. In Revelation 19:7-8, the marriage of the Lamb is celebrated: "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure." This future consummation is made possible by Christ's divine work of redemption and sanctification.

Conclusion

The doctrine that Christ is God and His role in presenting the Church to Himself is a profound mystery that reveals the depth of His love and the scope of His redemptive work. As God, Christ not only redeems but also purifies and perfects His Church, ensuring that she is holy and blameless before Him. This divine relationship between Christ and the Church is a testament to His eternal purpose and the glorious destiny of His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 5:27
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jude 1:24,25
Now to him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Presentation of the Church by Christ to Himself.
... Then shall He be able to say, "Thou art all fair, My ... with exceeding joy, To the only
wise God our Saviour ... here to the "exceeding joy" is that of Christ Himself. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/6 the presentation of the.htm

The Church of God.
... I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." 2:Cor ... 2. Paul addresses this letter
to the church of God at Corinth.2 Cor.1:1. He presents this church ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter vii the church of.htm

The Praise of Unity.
... Church, ascending up in harmony to God, prevail for the granting of all their petitions
in Christ! ... wolf in sheep's clothing, [524] while he presents a mild ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the ephesians/chapter v the praise of unity.htm

The True vision of God
... up for it, which does not lay hold upon Christ in the character in which He presents
Himself. ... is the trust which grasps Him as the Incarnate God and Saviour ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the true vision of god.htm

The Church Triumphant
... As Christ sent forth His disciples, so today He sends forth ... If they will make God
their strength, He will work with them, and they shall not labor in ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 58 the church triumphant.htm

Moreover Since He Himself is the Only Way and the Only Access by ...
... Moreover since he himself is the only way and the only ... God having given a place in
his Church to intercessors ... by employing it to obscure the honour of Christ? ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 19 moreover since he.htm

1 John ii. 20, 21
... peculiar truths of the kingdom of God, of the ... aware of this relation to the church,
he wished not ... authority, stand in immediate fellowship with Christ as the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john ii 20 21.htm

"To My Father, and Your Father"
... them fullness of joy in the presence of the Comforter, even as Christ had promised. ...
He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 87 to my father.htm

Anschar, Apostle of the North.
... at once recognised him as the Lord Christ, and cast ... all Christians with fire and
sword, that God would not ... attachment of the King to his person, he was then ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/anschar apostle of the north.htm

The Approval of the Spirit
... of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;
if so ... that we may be also glorified together." To this truth he will say ...
/.../chapman/and judas iscariot/the approval of the spirit.htm