The nature of the union of Jesus Christ with believers is explained using a number of central images. The NT stresses the reality, closeness and considerable benefits of this union.
A covenantal relationship
OT background
Isaiah 54:5–8 The marriage covenant is used to illustrate the intimacy of the relationship between God and his people. See also Jeremiah 3:14, Jeremiah 31:32; Hosea 2:7, Hosea 2:16
For your husband is your Maker — the LORD of Hosts is His name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. For the LORD has called you back, like a wife deserted and wounded in spirit, like the rejected wife of one’s youth,” says your God. “For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.
In the NT
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.
A relationship deepened through the incarnation
John 1:14 See also Romans 8:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 4:4; Philippians 2:7–8; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 2:14–18
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
A relationship personally entered through faith
John 3:16 See also John 1:12, John 2:11, John 7:38; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:22, Romans 8:1, Romans 10:9–10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
A relationship enriched through the sacraments
Baptism
Romans 6:3–5; Galatians 3:27 See also Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:8; Colossians 2:11–12
Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
The Lord's Supper
Matthew 26:26–28 parallels Mark 14:22–24, Luke 22:17–20; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 11:23–29
A relationship that affects every aspect of life
1 Corinthians 6:17 See also John 15:1–8, John 17:20–26; Romans 8:9–11; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Galatians 2:20
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.
It is a mysterious relationship
Colossians 1:27 See also Ephesians 5:32
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.