Faith & Reason Nexus

In Genesis 6:13-22, we read about God’s command to Noah to build the ark, which would be the vessel that saved Noah, his family, and the animals from the coming flood. In a spiritual sense, the ark and the church share many similarities. Just as the ark was the place of salvation in Noah’s time, the church is the place of salvation today for those in Christ.

1. The Builder

• Noah – Genesis 6:13-22: Noah obeyed God’s command to build the ark, ensuring the safety of his family and the animals.
• Christ – Matthew 16:18: Jesus is the builder of the Church. He established the Church to be the place of salvation for those who follow Him.

2. Material Used

• Gopher Wood – Genesis 6:14: Noah used gopher wood to build the ark. It was strong and durable, ensuring the safety of those inside.
• Lively Stones – 1 Peter 2:5: Christ’s Church is made of “lively stones,” referring to believers who are spiritually alive and built up into a holy temple in the Lord.

3. The Entrance

• One Door – Genesis 6:16: The ark had one door through which people and animals could enter, signifying a single means of salvation.
• One Entrance – John 10:9: Jesus is the “door” for the sheep (the believers), and through Him, we enter into salvation and the Church.

4. The Light

• One Window – Genesis 6:16: The ark had one window, allowing light to enter. It is a symbol of hope and guidance during the storm.
• One Light – John 8:12: Jesus is the “light of the world,” providing spiritual illumination for those in the Church.

5. The Salvation

• Saved in the Ark – Genesis 6:18: Those inside the ark were saved from the flood, representing salvation from destruction.
• Saved in the Church – Ephesians 3:15: The Church, the body of Christ, is where believers are saved and nurtured spiritually. Those in Christ are saved.

6. The Hope

• Life in the New World – Genesis 9:1-2: After the flood, Noah and his family began life anew in a cleansed world.
• One Hope – Ephesians 3:19: The hope of eternal life in Christ is what the Church offers to those who are saved in Him.

7. The Family

• One Family – Genesis 7:13: Noah and his family were the only ones saved in the ark, illustrating the concept of the household of faith.
• One Family in Christ – Ephesians 3:15: The Church is described as a family, with believers being united as brothers and sisters in Christ.

8. The Name

• Noah’s Name – Genesis 6:9: The ark was built by Noah, whose name was associated with salvation in the context of the flood.
• Christ’s Name – Acts 11:26: The name of Christ is central to the Church. Believers are called Christians, named after Christ, the Savior.

9. The Building

• One Building – Genesis 6:14-16: The ark was one unified structure built to God’s specific instructions.
• One Church – Ephesians 3:19: The Church is also one unified entity, the body of Christ, made up of many parts but functioning as one.

10. The Word of God

• The Bible as Light – Psalm 119:105: God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, just as the window on the ark illuminated Noah’s way.
• Christ as the Word – John 1:1: Jesus is the Word made flesh, and through Him, we have life and salvation.

11. The Eternal Promise

• Life Eternal in the New World – 1 Peter 1:3-4: Just as Noah’s family entered into a new life after the flood, believers in Christ are promised eternal life in a new heaven and earth.
• Eternal Life in Christ – 1 Peter 1:3-4: The salvation offered by Christ in the Church leads to an eternal inheritance, reserved for the faithful.

Summary

The ark and the Church are both places of salvation, but the ark is a type of the Church. In Noah’s time, the ark saved those inside, just as today, the Church (the body of Christ) is the place where salvation is found. Both have a singular means of entry (the door/Jesus), one source of light (the window/Christ), and one family of believers. Through the Church, we enter into the eternal hope and life promised by God.