Feb 13, 2026 Christ’s Union with His Church – Words of Grace Blog – February 13, 2025
When reading the Bible, we often find small pieces of doctrine among the larger narratives of God’s grace. If we stop to investigate, we are richly rewarded with grace upon grace. So it is with the epic account of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. It is in this narrative that we find evidence of the doctrine of Christ’s union with his church.
The movement of this conversion narrative is from Jerusalem to Damascus, from pride to humility, from blindness to sight. Saul is on his way to arrest the disciples of Jesus, called followers of the Way, when Jesus appears and speaks to him. When Saul asks who this is, he hears, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5).
Our piece of doctrine is folded into the words of Jesus. Jesus is so intimately connected to his followers that Saul’s persecution of them was persecution of him. Jesus Christ is united to his church.
Another way we see this doctrine is in the analogy of a body. The church is the body of Christ, with Christ being the head. Still another analogy is marriage, in which the husband and wife are in such relational union (called “one flesh”) that the husband is told that treating his wife with love is like loving his own body. This is like the oneness of Christ and his church.
The vine and branch metaphor teaches us about this union. Jesus said his followers are to abide in him as branches do a vine. Then they will bear much fruit. The church shares in and receives from the life of Christ so profoundly that she shows evidence in her life of obedience.
It is this doctrine of Christ’s union with his church that is underneath his words to Saul on the road to Damascus. In effect Jesus is saying to Saul that this redeemed people, called the church, is so spiritually connected to him, so intimately sharing in his life, so identified with his name, that if Saul touches them, he is touching Jesus. If he washes their feet, he is washing Jesus’ feet, and he will be blessed. But if he harms them with word or sword, he is harming Jesus, and he will be judged.
The implications of this doctrine for our comfort, confidence, and instruction are profound. As the church we enjoy protected and most favored status in Christ. And in Christ we have our Lord to follow in love and loyalty. Current opposition to and persecution of Christ’s church may last a season, but justice and joy will come like morning light. And until then, the church carries on knowing that each fresh affliction is absorbed by Jesus our Head, and that faithfulness to him is our part as the body that bears them.
This weekend, think on this doctrine of Christ’s union with his church. May the Lord give you understanding in everything. I will pray for you. Please pray for me.
-Scott