The New Testament uses many different types of illustrations to describe the church.

The Bible describes the church as a human body, each individual part having an important role to play that is vital to the overall health of the church, (Romans 12:4, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 1 Corinthians 12:27-28).

The Bible describes the church as a building from God, built on the foundation and the teachings of Christ, laid down by the apostles, with Christ himself as the chief cornerstone, (Ephesians 2:19-22).

The Bible describes the church as a royal priesthood, (1 Peter 2:4-5).

The Bible describes the church as a flock of sheep, with Jesus the Christ as the Chief Shepherd over his flock; caring for them, feeding them, protecting them as he raises them up for the purpose of service, sacrifice or both, (John 10:11-16).

The Bible describes the church as the bride of Christ, whom he has made spotless and pure, dressed in gleaming white and bound for the wedding supper, (Ephesians 5:25-27).

These depictions of the church all have one thing in common: Christ is the authoritative head over each illustration of the church.

In the church as the human body: Christ is the head part of the body. In the church as a building: Christ is the chief cornerstone or the capstone. In the church as a royal priesthood: Christ is the Great and eternal High Priest. In the church as a flock: Christ is the Good Shepherd and the gate for the sheep. In the church as the bride: Christ is the groom.

Jesus is the authoritative head of the church; any church that has usurped his authority over them is not an entity in the true church; just as any church member who does not submit to his Lordship, cannot be a member of the true church.

You cannot be a part of the church if there is no cost to you personally; no sacrifice, and no surrender of your being, to the mind and the will of Christ and the body of believers you adhere to.

In the true church, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.