Jesus Christ, head of the church

Jesus Christ rules and governs his people and directs them towards the fulfilment of God's purposes. All power and authority within the church derive from Jesus Christ as the head.

Jesus Christ rules the universe in the interest of the church

Ephesians 1:22–23 See also Ephesians 1:10; Colossians 1:18

And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

All power and authority within the church derive from Jesus Christ as the head

Jesus Christ is recognised as head of the church

Ephesians 4:15 See also Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 2:19

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.

Within the church Jesus Christ alone rules with authority

Matthew 23:8–10 See also John 13:13; 2 Corinthians 4:5

But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Christ.

The church owes obedience to its head

John 14:15 See also John 14:21, John 14:23; Ephesians 5:24; 1 John 3:24

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

All human authority in the church derives from its head

Ephesians 4:11 See also Galatians 1:1

And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone and builder of the church

Ephesians 2:20–22 See also Matthew 16:18; Acts 4:11; Psalm 118:22; 1 Peter 2:4–6

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.

Jesus Christ's role as head of the church

He loves the church

Ephesians 5:25 See also John 10:11; Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:23; 1 John 3:16

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her

He cares for the church

Revelation 7:17 See also John 10:14–15, John 10:27–28, John 17:12; Ephesians 5:29–30

For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

He provides for the growth of the church

Colossians 2:19 See also Ephesians 4:15–16

He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow.

He prays for the church

John 17:20–26; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25

He judges the church

Revelation 2:23 See also Romans 14:10–12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 6:8

Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

He will present the church blameless before God

Ephesians 5:27 See also 2 Corinthians 4:14; Colossians 1:22; Jude 1:24

and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.