Based on Rev 19:7-8;
The Church as mother
We are God’s children. He is raising us, preparing us for marriage, to live in His house forever. The Church is our mother, which helps prepare us, with the Spirit and the Word.
The Church has nothing to offer that doesn’t come from our Father
The Church is subject to her husband’s direction in the Spirit/Word
The Church teaches in the apostles’ teaching
Believers should honor and obey their mother the Church
Many Christians today try to do what naughty children do: go around mom and appeal to dad. But every wise father will ask, “Did you ask your mother?” If they already did, dad will take that child right back to mom, with admonishment to respect her: “What she says, I say.” Jesus Christ said this to all believers when He told His disciples, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven.” Does that mean we make infallible perfect judgments? No. It means believers should respect their mother church with more than lip service.
The Church is fallible, but to be followed and generally trusted, like earthly mothers.
She feeds and nourishes, communicates love and emotional security. The Church is to support its members, encouraging them in hard times, assuring them of God’s love for us in Christ.
She disciplines and corrects. The Church disciplines according to the Father’s teaching.
She is fruitful
She bears children – conversion and multiplying new spiritual life
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