The Church: Its Organization, Order and Discipline

Union with Christ

Paul illustrates the union that should exist in the church, by the oneness of the twain belonging to the marriage relation. He says, “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. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.... We are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” Ephesians 5:23, 30. COOD 18.1