The Church As A Ship Symbol

The Church As A Ship Symbol.

             ''Closely allied to the Ship symbol is the Christ's Church. Usually a ship with a distinctly 'cross' shaped mass is preferred and the vessel floats upon troubled waters. This recalls the ship in which the apostles sailed across the Sea of Galilee, when Jesus stilled the tempest. It represents the Ship of the Church, tossed by the stormy waves of persecution, heresy and schisms; threatened with destruction by rationalism, by indifference, by negative critics and by false teachers who arise. But the presence of the Savior is a positive assurance of safety. 

Scriptures Reference for Ship Symbols:

• Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" "You of little faith, " Jesus replied, ''why are you so afraid?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea,  and it was perfectly calm.'' Matthew 8:24-26
• One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, (Peter) and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. Luke 5: 1-11
• He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?'' "No," they answered. He said, "Throw you net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. John 21:5-6
  
• Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Mark 6: 47-53
• For he and his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. "Do not be afraid," Jesus said to Simon. "From now on you will catch men." Luke 5:9-10
  

An ancient ship with people on board.

       Sometimes the apostles are shown rowing the ship. Again they are shown seated in the ship, with Peter or Paul at the helm. In some examples to be found in the catacombs, the apostle Paul is seen preaching from the stern of the ship. An early lamp exists, made in the form of a ship, with one of the apostles steering it, and another preaching from it's prow. Other representations show the apostles aboard, with the hand of God extended over them, protecting the Church from schism and heresy. Many examples of the Ship of the Church exist in old sculptures and stained glass.'' Webber (edited)