1. The “Universal” Church
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The “Universal” Church
Acts 2:47

2. The Universal Church – Metaphors
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Universal Church – Metaphors
A Universal Assembly
A people called out of the world
Many Metaphors are used to Describe

3. The Universal Church – Identity in Scripture
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Universal Church – Identity in Scripture
Family
Eph 2:19-22, Gentiles are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 3:14-15, Whole Family in Heaven and Earth
Body of Christ
Eph 1:22-23, the church, Which is his body
Eph 2:16, Christ reconciled Jew and Gentile into one body

4. The Universal Church – Identity in Scripture
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Universal Church – Identity in Scripture
Bride of Christ
Eph 5:23-27, Marriage analogy
Holy City/New Jerusalem/Bride
Rev 21:1-3, I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem… prepared as a bride adorned…
The Saved
Acts 2:47, The Lord added the saved to the church
Eph 2:16, Christ reconciled Jew and Gentile into one body

5. The Universal Church – Identity in Scripture
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Universal Church – Identity in Scripture
The Book of Life
Phil 4:3, whose names are in the book of life
Rev 3:5, He that overcomes,… I will not blot out his name out of the book of life
Rev 21:27, they which are written in the Lamb's book of life
Rev 22:19, And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city.

6. The Universal Church – Identity in Scripture
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Universal Church – Identity in Scripture
The Kingdom of God/Heaven (Church)
Jn 18:33-37, Kingdom is not of this world
Acts 2:29-36, Jesus has risen and is seated on his throne, reigning
Col 1:13, we have been translated into the Kingdom of his dear son; 1:18, the church
Rev 1:4-9, Jesus made us to be a kingdom
I Cor 15:24-27, at the end, Jesus will deliver the kingdom to God
There is a limited number of scripture that appear to reference the heavenly kingdom and not the Church.
It is a metaphor so Holy Spirit used it as it saw fit. I think it used the term both ways.

7. The Universal Church – Identity in Scripture
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Universal Church – Identity in Scripture
The Kingdom of God/Heaven (Heaven)
Mt 7:21-23, not everyone that calls me Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven… Depart from me…
Acts 14:21-22, through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God
I Cor 6:9-10, 15:49-50, inherit the kingdom of God
Mt 25:34, come ye blessed and inherit the kingdom prepared for you
There is a limited number of scripture that appear to reference the heavenly kingdom and not the Church.
It is a metaphor so Holy Spirit used it as it saw fit. I think it used the term both ways.

8. The Universal Church – Organization
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Universal Church – Organization
Belongs to Christ
Mt 16:18, Upon Peters confession Jesus stated He would build “My church”
Christ is Head
Eph 1:22-23, gave Him to be the head over all things to the church
Eph 5:23-27, even as Christ is the head of the church
Church is Subject
Eph 5:23-27, the church is subject unto Christ

9. The Universal Church – Organization
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Universal Church – Organization
Membership is Determined by Jesus/God
Acts 2:47, The Lord added the saved to the church
Rev 3:5, He that overcomes,… I will not blot out his name out of the book of life
Rev 22:19, And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city.

10. Names and Metaphors for the Church
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Names and Metaphors for the Church
Family
Body of Christ
Bride of Christ
Holy City/New Jerusalem/Bride
The Saved
The Book of Life
The Kingdom of God/Heaven
Belongs to Christ
Christ is Head
Church is Subject to Christ
Membership is Determined by Jesus/God