The concept of the Church as belonging to God is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, emphasizing the divine ownership and purpose of the Church. This understanding is foundational to the identity and mission of the Church as described in Scripture.

Divine Ownership

The Church is often referred to as the "body of Christ," signifying its intimate connection to Jesus as its head. In Ephesians 1:22-23, the Apostle Paul writes, "And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." This passage underscores the Church's identity as belonging to Christ, who is appointed by God as its head.

Furthermore, the Church is described as the "household of God" in 1 Timothy 3:15, where Paul instructs Timothy on how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, "which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." This metaphor highlights the Church as a family or community that is under God's authority and care.

Purchased by God

The Church's belonging to God is also emphasized through the concept of redemption. In Acts 20:28, Paul exhorts the Ephesian elders, "Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood." This verse highlights the sacrificial act of Christ, through which the Church was bought and brought into existence, signifying its value and divine ownership.

God's Dwelling Place

The Church is depicted as the temple of God, a dwelling place for His Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Paul writes, "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple." This imagery conveys the sacredness of the Church as a community where God's presence resides, further affirming its belonging to Him.

Called and Set Apart

The Church is called to be holy and set apart for God's purposes. In 1 Peter 2:9, believers are described as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This passage reflects the Church's identity as a distinct community, chosen and owned by God to fulfill His mission in the world.

Unity in Christ

The unity of the Church is another aspect of its belonging to God. In Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul writes, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." This unity is rooted in the shared faith and relationship with God, who is the ultimate authority and owner of the Church.

Conclusion

The Church's identity as belonging to God is a central theme in the New Testament, reflecting its divine origin, purpose, and mission. Through metaphors of the body, household, temple, and chosen people, Scripture consistently affirms that the Church is under God's ownership and care, called to live out His purposes in the world.1 Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Holy Spirit and the Church. The Church is the Temple of God.
... the whole Church, nor any part of it, has any desire to be worshipped instead of
God, nor to be God to any one who belongs to the temple of God"that temple ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 56 the holy spirit and.htm

On the Catholic Church, Her Parts and Relations
... salvation." And this visibility or invisibility belongs neither more nor ... Then, since
the church is collected out of ... who, beside the word of God, preach another ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation liv on the catholic.htm

The Temple which Christ Says He Will Raise up is the Church. How ...
... two things, the temple and the body of Jesus, appear to me, in one interpretation
at least, to be types of the Church, and to ... But it belongs to God alone to ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/20 the temple which christ.htm

On the Power of the Church in Enacting Laws
... III.1. The church neither has a right, nor is she bound by any necessity, to enact
necessary laws, and ... For this belongs most properly to God and Christ ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lvi on the power.htm

The Woman with the Male Child in the Wilderness the Church; the ...
... in the Wilderness the Church; The Wilderness Belongs to Virgins and ... is, as we have
explained, our mother the Church. ... has reference to the Son of God, who came ...
/.../chapter xi the woman with the.htm

He Shows Again from the Union in Christ of Two Natures in one ...
... may rightly be ascribed to man, and what belongs to the ... of sins; who is the image
of the invisible God, the first ... He is the head of the body the Church, who is ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter vii he shows again.htm

By the Case of Leporius He Establishes the Fact that an Open Sin ...
... to man, and ever truly had as His own what belongs to God ... any notion that Christ
ever for one moment ceased to be God. ... See the Church Quarterly Review vol. ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter v by the case.htm

On the Church
... believes that the church to which he belongs is the true ... believing himself a member
of the true Church, he was doing all he could to serve God according to ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 11 on the church.htm

On the Head and the Marks of the Church
... deserted, because she first declined from God and Christ ... Antichrist" on this account
most deservedly belongs to him ... The marks of the church of which the papists ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation liii on the head.htm

He Vehemently Inveighs against the Error of the Pelagians
... indeed, which takes away what truly belongs to God ... done, was due to the power of
God, why should ... of Mopsuestia and Modern Thought" in the Church Quarterly Review ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter i he vehemently inveighs.htm

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