Metaphors of the Church

Paul S. Minear, Images of the Church in the New Testament

1. the salt of the earth
2. a letter from Christ
3. fish and fish net
4. the boat 
5. the ark
6. unleavened bread
7. one loaf
8. the table of the Lord
9. the altar
10. the cup of the Lord
11. wine
12. branches of the vine
13. vineyard
14. the fig tree
15. the olive tree
16. God’s planting
17. God’s building
18. building on the rock
19. pillar and buttress
20. virgins
21. the Messiah’s mother
22. the elect lady
23. the bride of Christ
24. the wedding feast
25. worst of white robes
26. the choice of clothing
27. citizens
28. exiles
29. the dispersion
30. ambassadors
31. the poor
32. hosts and guests
33. the people of God
34. Israel
35. the chosen race
36. the holy nation
37. twelve tribes
38. the patriarchs
39. circumcision
40. Abraham’s sons
41. the exodus
42. house of David
43. remnant
44. the elect
45. flock
46. lambs who rule
47. the holy city
48. the holy temple
49. priesthood
50. sacrifice
51. aroma
52. festivals
53. the new creation
54. first fruits
55. the new humanity
56. the last Adam
57. the Son of Man
58. the Kingdom of God
59. fighters against Satan
60. sabbath rest
61. that coming age
62. God’s glory
63. light
64. the name
65. life
66. the tree of life
67. communion in the Holy Spirit
68. the bond of love
69. the sanctified
70. the faithful
71. the justified
72. followers
73. disciples
74. road
75. coming and going
76. witnessing community
77. confessors
78. slaves
79. friends
80. servants
81. “with…”
82. edification
83. household of God
84. sons of God
85. brotherhood
86. the body of life
87. members of Christ
88. the body and the blood
89. the diversities of ministries
90. spiritual body
91. head of cosmic spirits
92. head of the church
93. the body of this head
94. the unity of Jews and Gentiles
95. the growth of the body
96. the fullness of God

Another Grouping of Church Metaphors

By Dr. John E. Toews

Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, Fresno, California.

People of God

1. The people of God
2. Israel
3. A chosen race
4. A holy nation
5. Twelve tribes
6. The patriarchs
7. The circumcision
8. The seed of Abraham
9. The exodus
10. The house of David
11. The Flock
12. The sheep
13. The lambs who rule
14. The Holy City—Jerusalem
15. The Temple
16. The priesthood
17. The festivals

Community Images

1. Saints
2. Faithful ones
3. Righteous ones
4. Followers Disciples
5. The Way
6. Witnesses C
7. Confessors
8. Slaves
9. Servants
10. Friends
11. Household of God
12. Sons of God
13. Brothers, brotherhood
14. The name
15. Gathering together

Cosmic Images

1. New creation
2. First fruits
3. New humanity
4. Sabbath Rest
5. Light

Body Images

1. The body of life
2. The body of Christ
3. Members of Christ
4. The body and the blood
5. The diversity of ministries
6. Head of the cosmic spirits
7. Head of the church
8. The body of this head
9. The unity of Jews and Gentiles
10. The growth of the body
11. The fullness of God

Independent (free-standing)

1. Salt of the earth
2. Letter from Christ
3. Fish and fish net
4. Boat
5. Ark
6. Unleavened bread
7. Branches of the vine
8. God’s planting
9. God’s building
10. Building on the rock
11. Pillar and buttress
12. Virgins
13. Messiah’s mother
14. Elect lady
15. Bride of Christ
16. Wedding feast
17. Wearers of white robes
18. Choice of clothing
19. Citizens
20. Exiles
21. Dispersion
22. Ambassadors
23. Poor
24. Hosts and guests