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Addendum to Colossians

Seven Figures of Christ and the Church

    I. The Last Adam (Christ) and the New Creation (the Church)

      A. Key Scriptures: 1 Cor. 15:45; Col. 1:15-20; Rom. 5:12f; 2 Cor. 5:14-19

      B. Key Emphases and Application:

        1. Separation from the old—separated, distinct life

        2. Newness of life—transformed behavior

        3. The Church is a work, a thing created by Christ—He is its sovereign head and preeminent Lord

    II. The Shepherd (Christ) and the Sheep (the Church)

      A. Key Scriptures: Psalm 23; John 10:1ff; 21:15-17; Heb. 13:20-21; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:3-4

      B. Key Emphases and Application:

        1. The Good Shepherd—gave His life for His sheep

        2. The Great Shepherd—leadership, care and provision for the sheep

        3. The Chief Shepherd—rewards the sheep

        4. The Sheep—submission, following the Great Shepherd

    III. The Head (Christ) and the Body (the Church)

      A. Key Scriptures: Rom. 12:4-8; I Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:15-16; Col. 1:18, 24; 2:19; 1 Pet. 4:10-11

      B. Key Emphases and Application:

        1. Leadership, authority and preeminence of Christ as the head of the body.

        2. Unity—one body of mutually adapted parts working together as a team, as one.

        3. Diversity—a diversity of abilities and gifts varying in function, in strength, and in honor, yet all vital to the body.

        4. Mutuality—each member is dependent on one another as are the members of our body. No man is an island.

        3. Necessity — the growth, care, and function of each member of the body.

    IV. The Bridegroom (Christ) and the Bride (the Church)

      A. Key Scriptures: Eph. 5:22-23; 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7-9; 21:2, 9

      B. Key Emphasis and Application:

        1. Eternal and sacrificial love

        2. Submission to Christ as the head of the bride

        3. Purity—a chaste bride

        4. Preparation of the bride for eternity

        5. Exaltation with Christ in the millennium and in eternity.

    V. The Foundation and Chief Cornerstone (Christ) and the Stones (the Church)

      A. Key Scriptures: Eph. 2:19-22; I Pet. 2:4-7; 1 Cor. 3:11-15.

      B. Key Emphases and Application:

        1. We must build carefully upon the foundation.

        2. We must get our direction from Christ, the chief cornerstone.

        3. We must also build on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. Their gifts were temporary and foundational.

        4. Believers are living stones responsible to Him and making up a spiritual house in which God lives.

    VI. The High Priest (Christ) and the Royal Priesthood (the Church)

      A. Key Scriptures: 1 Pet. 2:5-9; Hebrews (whole book)

      B. Key Emphases and Application

        1. As to Christ, He is our High Priest: Means our access, acceptance, advocate, intercessor, and help.

        2. As to the Church, it is a Royal Priesthood. Means a ministry of representation and service of every believer. All are clergy, the called of God, and all are laity, the people of God.

        3. Areas of Our Priestly Ministry:

          a. Sacrifice of self

          b. Sacrifice of praise

          c. Sacrifice of giving

          d. Sacrifice and service of evangelism, declaring the excellencies God.

          f. Sacrifice of intercessory prayer.

    VII. The Vine (Christ) and the Branches (the Church)

      A. Key Scriptures: John 15:1-8; Psalm 80:8-9; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2:21; 12:10; Hosea 10:12

      B. Key Emphases and Application:

        1. Union with Christ—eternal position.

        2. Communion with Christ—fellowship and fruitfulness.

        3. Unity in Christ—all one laboring together.

Related Topics: Christology, Ecclesiology (The Church)

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