Matthew 13:45

pearls

The true Church, "one body" formed by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12). As Israel is the hid treasure, so the Church is the pearl of great cost. Covering the same period of time as the mysteries of the kingdom, is the mystery of the Church; (Romans 16:25); (Ephesians 3:3); (Ephesians 5:32). Of the true Church a pearl is a perfect symbol:

(1) A pearl is one, a perfect symbol of unity (1 Corinthians 10:17); (1 Corinthians 12:12); (1 Corinthians 12:13); (Ephesians 4:4).

(2) a pearl is formed by the accretion, and that not mechanically, but vitally, through a living one, as Christ adds to the Church (Acts 2:41); (Acts 2:47); (Acts 5:14); (Acts 11:24); (Ephesians 2:21); (Colossians 2:19).

(3) Christ, having given Himself for the pearl, is now preparing it for presentation to Himself (Ephesians 5:25). The kingdom is not the Church, but the true children of the kingdom during the fulfilment of these mysteries, baptized by one Spirit into one body (1 Corinthians 12:12) compose the true Church, the pearl.

kingdom

( See Scofield) - (Matthew 3:2).