Topical Bible: Church: Sister of Christ

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the Church as the "Sister of Christ" is a metaphorical expression that highlights the intimate and familial relationship between Jesus Christ and His followers. This relationship is rooted in the New Testament teachings and the understanding of the Church as the Body of Christ, a spiritual family united in faith and purpose.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament frequently uses familial language to describe the relationship between Christ and believers. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus emphasizes the spiritual family over biological ties: "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:50). This passage underscores the idea that those who follow God's will are considered part of Christ's family.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this concept in his epistles. In Romans 8:29, Paul writes, "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." Here, the term "firstborn" signifies Christ's preeminence and the believers' status as His spiritual siblings.

The Church as the Body of Christ

The metaphor of the Church as the Body of Christ is central to understanding its role as the Sister of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:27, Paul states, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it." This imagery conveys the unity and diversity within the Church, with each member playing a vital role in the collective mission.

Ephesians 5:23-32 further explores the relationship between Christ and the Church, comparing it to the marital bond between a husband and wife. While this passage primarily focuses on the Church as the Bride of Christ, it also implies a familial closeness, akin to that of siblings, as both the Bride and the Bridegroom are part of the same divine family.

Spiritual Kinship and Inheritance

The notion of the Church as the Sister of Christ also encompasses the idea of shared inheritance. In Romans 8:17, Paul writes, "And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him." This verse highlights the believers' status as co-heirs with Christ, sharing in both His sufferings and His glory.

The spiritual kinship between Christ and the Church is further emphasized in Hebrews 2:11-12: "Both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers." This passage affirms the sanctifying work of Christ and the believers' inclusion in His divine family.

Implications for the Church

Understanding the Church as the Sister of Christ has profound implications for Christian identity and community. It calls believers to live in unity, love, and mutual support, reflecting the familial bond they share with Christ. This relationship also encourages believers to pursue holiness and obedience, aligning their lives with the will of the Father, as true siblings of Christ.

The metaphor of the Church as the Sister of Christ serves as a reminder of the deep, personal connection between Jesus and His followers, inspiring them to live out their faith with devotion and purpose.

Nave's Topical Index

Songs 4:12
A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
Nave's Topical Index

Songs 5:2
I sleep, but my heart wakes: it is the voice of my beloved that knocks, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Church's Beauty in the Eyes of Christ, Cant. 4 1 10 11 7 9 8
... The church's beauty in the eyes of Christ, Cant. ... 5 "My sister, and my spouse," he
cries, "Bound to my ... hold my feet, or force my stay, When Christ invites my ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 092361111 the churchs beauty.htm

The Church's Beauty in the Eyes of Christ. Ss 4:1-11.
... SS 4:1-11. LM The church's beauty in the eyes of ChriSongs 4:1-11. ... "My sister
and my spouse," he cries,. ... When Christ invites my soul away. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 73 the churchs beauty.htm

To Sister Daniella of Orvieto
... Now to us, dearest daughter and sweet my sister in Christ sweet Jesus ... groaning with
humble continual prayers, over the mystical Body of Holy Church, and over ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to sister daniella of orvieto 2.htm

Vision Second. Again, of his Neglect in Chastising his Talkative ...
... But you will read the words in this city, along with the presbyters who preside
over the Church.". Footnotes: ... [Your sister in Christ, ie, when converted.]. ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/vision second again of his.htm

Christian Experience.
... that to become a member of the church my name must be written in heaven; that every
Christian in the world is my brother or sister in Christ; the Lamb's book ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter xi christian experience.htm

Epistle xx. St. Ambrose Relates to his Sister the Events at Milan ...
... Ambrose relates to his sister the events at Milan ... waggons as dwellings, now make
the Church their waggon ... the world, the abode in Paradise, the grace of Christ. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle xx st ambrose relates.htm

The Church of Christ
... carriage, but what you can say something for Jesus Christ. ... if there is a shower on
their church, God will ... They are like the sweet sister graces that danced ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the church of christ.htm

Psalm CXXVIII.
... mother." [5539] "Brother," perhaps, on account of the male sex whom the Church hath:
"sister," on account of the women whom Christ hath here in His members. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxviii.htm

On the Various Names and Titles
... [Ps.21(22):23(22)]. The sister is the church, the temple, or the soul in Christ;
in the song of songs: my sister, my bride. [Cant.4:9]. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/v on the various names.htm

The Christian Church a Family.
... who shall be your brother; you cannot exclude your mother or your sister; it does ...
a society it is not"a family it is not"a Church of Christ it cannot be ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xv the christian church a.htm