Topical Bible: The Church: Purchased by the Blood of Christ

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The concept of the Church as an entity purchased by the blood of Christ is a profound theological truth rooted in the New Testament. This doctrine underscores the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ and the profound value and sanctity of the Church in the eyes of God.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides several key passages that articulate the idea of the Church being purchased by Christ's blood. In Acts 20:28, the Apostle Paul, addressing the Ephesian elders, exhorts them to "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the 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 explicitly states that the Church belongs to God and was acquired at the highest cost—the blood of His Son.

Similarly, in Ephesians 1:7, Paul writes, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." This redemption is not only personal but corporate, encompassing the entire body of believers, the Church. The blood of Christ is the means by which believers are brought into a reconciled relationship with God, forming the Church.

Theological Significance

The purchase of the Church by Christ's blood signifies several key theological truths. First, it highlights the immense value of the Church. The price paid for its redemption was nothing less than the life of the Son of God. This underscores the Church's worth and the depth of God's love for His people.

Second, it emphasizes the holiness and sanctity of the Church. As a body redeemed by the blood of Christ, the Church is called to live in a manner worthy of its calling. In 1 Peter 1:18-19, believers are reminded, "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot."

Ecclesiological Implications

The understanding of the Church as purchased by Christ's blood has profound implications for ecclesiology, the study of the Church. It affirms the unity and universality of the Church, as all believers, regardless of background, are brought together through the same redemptive act. In Revelation 5:9, the heavenly chorus sings, "And they sang a new song: 'Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.'"

Furthermore, this doctrine calls the Church to a life of gratitude, worship, and service. Recognizing the cost of its redemption, the Church is to live in obedience to Christ, its head, and to engage in the mission of proclaiming the gospel to the world.

Practical Application

For individual believers, understanding that they are part of a Church purchased by Christ's blood fosters a sense of belonging and responsibility. It encourages a commitment to the local church community, participation in its sacraments, and engagement in its mission. Believers are called to love one another as Christ loved them, reflecting the sacrificial nature of their redemption.

In summary, the Church, purchased by the blood of Christ, stands as a testament to God's redemptive plan and His profound love for humanity. This truth shapes the identity, mission, and life of the Church, calling it to live in holiness, unity, and service.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
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Hebrews 9:12
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Assembling in the Church.
... of this life, and pay a greater respect to them, and run together to the Church
of the Lord, "which He has purchased with the blood of Christ, the beloved, the ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec vii on assembling in the.htm

On the Church and Its Head
... a participation of the inheritance which he has purchased for his children with
his own blood, and of ... are called may be numbered in the name of the church. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 18 on the church.htm

Letter cxlvi. To Evangelus.
... and to all the flock, in the which the Holy Ghost hath made you bishops, to feed
the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." [3932] And ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxlvi to evangelus.htm

Motives to the Oversight of the Flock
... text, is drawn from the price that was paid for the Church which we oversee: Which
God,' says the apostle, hath purchased with his own blood.' Oh what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 3 motives to.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, as the Way, for Sanctification in ...
... Thus our sanctification is the fruit of his death, and purchased by his blood.
"He gave himself for his church, that he might sanctify it," Ephesians 5:25 ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter v how christ is.htm

Of the Modes of Supplementing Satisfaction --viz. Indulgences and ...
... Indulgences declare that Paul and others died for us. Paul elsewhere says that
Christ purchased the Church with his own blood (Acts 20:28). ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 of the modes.htm

How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots ...
... Thus his "blood cleanseth from all sin," 1 John 1:7-9 ... 4. He hath purchased and provided
the external means ... unto you." Ephesians 5:26, the church is "sanctified ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter ix how to make.htm

Paul's Last Journey to Jerusalem
... the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath
purchased with His ... they are dealing with the purchase of the blood of Christ ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 37 pauls last journey.htm

Easter Litany of the Moravian Church. AD 1749.
... redeemed me, a lost and undone human creature, purchased and gained me ... I am embodied
a member of the Church of Christ ... who died for us, and shed his blood on the ...
/.../easter litany of the moravian.htm

The Church of God.
... Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased
with his own blood." Acts 20:28. "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter vii the church of.htm