TWO DESTINCT CHURCHES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

 

GENDER

 

THE BRIDE – This Church is likened to a Bride (2 Cor 11:2), in the old Testament God said I will betroth thee (Israel) unto Me (3 times - Hosea 2: 19 & 20).  This Church is female. Israel is the Bride of Christ (along with the ‘grafted-in’ gentiles of the Acts period).

 

THE BODY – This Church’s goal is to become a ‘perfect man’ (Greek=aner=an adult male) (Ephesians 4:13).  “For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones” (Eph 5:30).  “to which also ye are called in one body

(Col 3:15).  If you are part of the Bridegroom, how can you be part of the Bride?

 

PREORDINATION

 

THE BRIDE – This Church was chosen ‘from the foundation of the World’ (Matt 13:35, 25:34, Heb 4:3, Rev 13:8, 17:8)

 

THE BODY – This Church was chosen before the foundation of the World (Eph 1:4, 2Tim 1:9, Titus 1:2)

 

EQUALITY

 

THE BRIDE – The Jew first (Rom 1:16), The Jew has much advantage (Rom 3:1), The Jew=natural olive branch whereas the Gentile=wild olive branch grafted in (Rom 11:19-25).

 

THE BODY – No difference – middle wall is down, the two (Jew & Gentile) = one new man & Fellow heirs (Eph 3:6).

 

BAPTISMS

 

THE BRIDE – Water, Holy Spirit, Death (Book of Acts & Rom. 6:3)

 

THE BODY – One Baptism (Eph 4:4)

 

ORDINANCES

 

THE BRIDE – “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man” (1Peter 2:13).  “… If meat make my brother to offend …”  (1 Cor 8:10, 13).

 

THE BODY – “Let no man judge you …” “Why …are ye subject to ordinances?” (Col 2:16, 20). 

 

 

 

 

PAUL’S DESTINY

 

THE BRIDE – “We which are alive at the Lord’s coming (parousia)

(1Thess 4:15 & 17).

 

THE BODY – “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Phil 3:11).  Paul is ready to die (2Tim 4:6 & 7).

 

HOPE OF THE CHURCH

 

THE BRIDE – Christ’s coming (Greek=parousia)

 

THE BODY – Christ’s appearing (Greek=epiphaneia) (Col. 3:4)

 

PROMISES

 

THE BRIDE – The millennial Kingdom, the New Jerusalem, the New Earth, the marriage supper.

 

THE BODY – All spiritual blessings, accepted in the Beloved, the fullness of him (Christ), sit together in Heavenly places, the unsearchable riches of Christ.

 

PAUL’S PREACHING

 

THE BRIDE -  Paul preaches from the Law of Moses and the Prophets only (Acts 26:22, 28:23).

 

THE BODY – Paul reveals the mystery hidden from other ages & generations (Eph 3:4,5,9, Col 1:26)  If it was hidden from other ages & generations – that covers the law and the prophets !

 

WITNESS TO

 

THE BRIDE – To all the world, all nations, uttermost parts of the Earth.

 

THE BODY – To the Principalities & powers in heavenly places (Eph 3:10).