The article "The Church Compared to a Vine" by Benjamin Keach presents the theological metaphor of the church as a vine, exploring its various implications and dimensions. Key arguments emphasize that, despite appearing unremarkable by worldly standards, the church is spiritually fruitful, nourished by Christ as the root. Scripture references such as Psalm 80 and John 15 illustrate the church's expansion, ongoing need for divine care, and the importance of fruitfulness among its members. This metaphor serves to remind believers of their reliance on Christ for sustenance and growth and underscores the church's mission to bear fruit for God's glory, highlighting the necessity of continual pruning and spiritual vitality in the life of the church.
Key Quotes
“So the Church although she do not seem so beautiful to carnal eyes yet she is very fruitful to God.”
“God takes much pains with his Church; it is pruned and purged that it may bring forth the more fruit.”
“The Church is in herself but weak and needs to be borne up by Christ.”
“If unfruitful, good for nought but to be cut down and cast into the fire.”
What does the Bible say about the Church as a vine?
The Bible illustrates the Church as a vine, signifying its growth, need for care, and importance in bearing fruit.
Psalm 80:8-11, John 15:2
Why is the concept of the Church as a vine important for Christians?
Understanding the Church as a vine emphasizes its necessity for care, nourishment, and fruitfulness in the Christian life.
John 15:2, Ezekiel 15:6
How do we know the doctrine of the Church being a vine is true?
The doctrine is rooted in Scripture, using metaphorical language to describe God's relationship with the Church.
Psalm 80:8-11, John 15:1
THE CHURCH COMPARED TO A VINE
"Thou hast brought a Vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it,'' &c. "Behold, and visit this Vine," &c. Ps 80:8,14.
"For our Vines have tender grapes," &c. Song 2:15.
"And flourish as the Vine," Ho 14:7.
The Church is compared to a Vine.
METAPHOR
I. A Vine is no beautiful plant, yet very fruitful; it abounds with inward sap.
PARALLEL.
I. So the Church, although she do not seem so beautiful to carnal eyes, yet she is very fruitful to God. "The trees of the Lord," that is, the saints of God, "are full of sap," full of divine virtue, or good fruits,, Ps 104:16.
METAPHOR
II. A Vine spreads forth its branches, and accordingly grows much in a short time.
PARALLEL
II. So the Lord's spiritual Vine hath in former times exceedingly spread her branches forth; the mountains are said to be covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the godly cedars. "She stretched out her branches to the sea, and her boughs unto the river," Ps 80:8-11. Israel, God's ancient Vine, grew wonderfully; and so did the Gospel-Vine, how did it in a little time spread forth its spiritual branches, eastwards, and westward over many nations, and kingdoms! She extended her boughs into Parthia, Media, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Pamphilia, Lydia, Spain, Italy, England, &c.
METAPHOR
III. The Vine must have much pains taken with it; it needs pruning often, or else it will decay.
PARALLEL
III. So God takes much pains with his Church; it is "pruned and purged, that it may bring forth the more fruit," Joh 15:2.
METAPHOR
IV. The Vine is in itself but a weak plant, and therefore needs under-propping.
PARALLEL
IV. So the Church is in herself but weak, and needs to be borne up by Christ. God is the strength of his people; they are wholly supported by him.
METAPHOR
V. Though the Vine have many branches, yet all have a sufficiency of sap and nourishment from the root, to make them fruitful.
PARALLEL
V. So the Church, though she have many members, yet all receive a sufficiency of grace and divine virtue of the root, viz., the Lord Jesus, to make them fruitful.
METAPHOR
VI. The Vine, if it be barren or unfruitful, is the most unprofitable of any tree, and fit for nothing but the fire. "Son of man, what cometh of the Vine-tree, above all other trees, and of the Vine-branches, which is amongst the trees of the forest? Shall wood be taken thereof, to hang any vessel thereon? Behold, it is cast into the fire to be burnt."
PARALLEL
VI. So are the members of the visible Church, if unfruitful, good for nought, but to be cut down, and cast into the fire, as our Saviour himself showeth, Joh 15:4. "Therefore thus saith the Lord, as the Vine -tree that is amongst the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire to be consumed; so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem: I will set my face against them; they shall go out of one fire, and another fire shall consume them: And ye shall know that I am the Lord," &c. Eze 15:6.
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