Abstract:
This survey of biblical material on the church proceeds from the viewpoint
that the identity of the church of God can be treated only as an
existential question, asking 'who is the church?' and 'who am I?' at the
same time. The article shows that, of the various images used in the
New Testament to describe the church, virtually every one forms the basis
of a call to a holy and dedicated life. At the same time these images,
with the exception of the body image, unite the churches of the Old and
New Testament in such a way that the church of Christ is shown to be
heir and new creation at the same time. Two prominent features appear:
the call to a holy life and acceptance of the universality of the church,
emanating from the will and being of the Lord himself, and guided by his
Holy Spirit.
