Can you help me to understand this question?

Question

I am new Christian, and I don't understand this question. Can you help me with this question? What those mean?

Why does the Bible liken the church to:
• parts of a building =
• priests =
• a bride =
• a flock =
• a vine’s branches =

Answer 1

To help you understand it. ..a bride = pure love & fidellity..a flock= someone a sheperd takes care of...a vine = growth in progress & by them bearing fruits you know they are part. priest..? or bld..? I never read about that.

Answer 2

I can take a stab at some of that, though please understand each metaphor has both richness and potential irritation as you explore the historical context further. These are just the basics I'm giving you here.

Parts of a building -- Jesus came from a family of carpenters. Building metaphors were common, and something from his own background. In particular he speaks of himself, for example, as the cornerstone -- indicating that his church 'building' cannot be built or stand without him.

Priests -- Judaism was at that time based on a hereditary priestly family. Each temple had its priests and high priest, including the great temple in Jerusalem. Jesus likens himself to the High Priest and those who follow him as priests, setting their place between himself and those who do not follow him. It also opens the concept that each believer can approach the Father directly, rather than needing an intermediary.

The Church as Bride expresses the submission and service of the Church as a metaphor in which Jesus is the wise and all-powerful, all-loving husband.

The Church as flock expresses a similar relationship in which the Church is overseen and controlled by the Shepherd, Jesus.

Jesus is also pictured as a grapevine which grows and gives fruit in its season. The Church is pictured as branches of that vine, which on occasion are pruned, blighted, etc. but as part of the vine as a whole also bear fruit of variable quality.

Hope this helps and that your spiritual path provides you with the comfort you seek and the courage to respect and love those around you even when they disagree.

Peace out.

Answer 3

Why does the Bible liken the church to:
parts of a building/ a vine’s branches=members of the community that is the church
priests =those who minister God's word
a bride = those in partnership with God
a flock = those who follow the Lord, our shepherd: the community

Answer 4

Why does the Bible liken the church to:

•parts of a building = 1Pe 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The church is the called out assembly of believers who make up the spiritual body of Christ here on earth. In the old testament God was supposed to reside in the tabernacle but now He lives by his Spirit in all born again Christians.

•priests = Before Jesus died on a cross only the High Priest had access to the inner sanctuary or the holiest of holies. Now that Jesus has broken down the barrier of sin that separated us from God we can each have that close personal relationship with Him and come boldly before the throne of grace to receive help in time of need. (Hebrews 9 & 4:15,16)


•a bride = This is a picture of the close, loving and everlasting relationship that we can now have with God through Jesus Christ. Since our sins are taken away we can now be united with the Holy God of Heaven for all eternity.

•a flock = Although we can be with God, we are not and never will be "gods". We have to rely upon Him for everything that we have and know to be true. Just like a wise and loving shepherd takes care of the weak and foolish sheep, so does God take care of us.

•a vine’s branches = This again reminds us of our dependence upon God for all that we have and are.

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Answer 5

As parts of a building we are set upon a foundation (Christ) with each being a important part of the whole.
As priests we are given the right to approach God and minister to others.
As the bride of Christ we are honored by Him and, as a bridegroom will defend his bride's honor, so Christ will defend ours. As the bride we are also responsible for keeping ourselves pure for our bridegroom
As the flock we are lead and protected by the Shepherd and know when we fall he is there to lift us back up and tend our wounds.
As the branches of a grape vine receive nourishment from the stock, we receive nourishment from the living Spirit of God.

Answer 6

God uses symbolism in many places to teach on a deeper level than what is written. Some times as many as 3 levels of understanding are in the thoughts written. Plus God uses terms of nature so people can understand better by creating pictures in your mind.

For example:

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Christ was God with us. For a father to give his only begotten son shows the tremendous love our Father God has for us.

Answer 7

God knows. The men who has translated it have written it meaning word by word. So it will not mean anything. Ask a priest, he will be dumb.

Nevertheless, a priest is not at all equal to a stone of a church.

Answer 8

All that is a bunch of nonsense. The Bible doens't liken all that stuff. Sounds like you've been reading Jehovah's Witnesses publications.

Answer 9

Because the church is such that no single description can do justice to it. Therefore the Scripture uses a variety of analogies to highlight the various aspects of the nature of the church and her relationship to Jesus.

Answer 10

HEY if your a christion then you read the new testament and they will answer all those qustions and you will get more good