Christians are followers of the Christ and members of His body (1 Corinthians 12:20,27). They are people who have been saved by the blood of Jesus and added to His church by the Lord Himself (Acts 2:47). What relationship does Jesus have to the church? What does He mean to the church and what does He do for it? Let us note the following truths about Jesus and the church that are clearly taught in the New Testament.

Jesus is the Builder or Founder of the church. The church of our Lord was not built by any human being, but by Jesus. Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build my church." This clearly shows that He is the builder of His church. Remember that the Holy Spirit also taught: "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it" (Psalm 127:1)

Jesus is the Foundation of the church. Sometimes people believe that the apostle Peter was the foundation of the church, but Peter himself described Jesus as the "chief corner stone" (1 Peter 2:6). The Bible plainly says: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11). If we are not built upon the foundation of Christ, then we cannot stand.

Jesus is the Purchaser of the church. The church of the New Testament was not bought with money, but with the blood of Jesus. ". . . to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28). It may sound strange the first time someone hears it, but the truth is, the church was purchased by Jesus’ blood. It thus belongs to Him. It is not "our" church, "my" church, or "their church." It is Jesus’ church!

Jesus is the Head of the church. The church has only one head, and that is Jesus. "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church...even as Christ is head of the church" (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23). Because Jesus is Head of the church, He has all authority over it and rules the church from heaven through His word (Matthew 28:18-20).

Jesus is the Savior of the church. "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church, and he is the savior of the body" (Ephesians 5:23). Jesus came to earth to taste of death for all men (Hebrews 2:9), but in truth He saves only those who are members of His body, the church (Ephesians 5:23; 1:22,23). When He comes again He will deliver the church or kingdom up to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24). Let us always remember how important Jesus is to the church and how much He cares for it, His spiritual body.

-- Roger D. Campbell