Friends of the Bride...

Originally Posted by Barb

The only Scripture that I can find for FOTB is John 3:29 and it mentions "friend of the bridegroom."

Here, John the Baptist is speaking about himself...has nothing at all to do with what others say it does.

Interesting...

That's right.

There is a big difference in the Bridegroom and the Bride.

John understood the levels and varied relationships to Christ. I'm a friend of Christ but also a brother. I am not only a brother but also of the Bride. I am a friend, a disciple, a servant, on and on.

To understand what is meant by "Bride," one must understand various levels of relationship.

One begins a relationship with Christ as Shephered/Sheep. Relationships are developed over time and maturity. As relationship grows, one develops a relationship of Master/disciple, then Lord/Servant, on and on including seven (complete) knowledge or intimacy with him, including that of Bride, the ultimate relationship.

How can a brother be also Bride. Not in the natural of course. Here it is imperative that the people of God learn to understand and perceive spiritually.

[josh]

Originally Posted by Felicity

That's because they have to find some way of making room for those who have received the Holy Ghost but not been baptized in Jesus name or for those who have been baptized in Jesus name but haven't received the Holy Ghost i.e. speaking in tongues to be saved.

In other words, they don't really believe what they say they do.

You absolutely nailed it Felicity. Any casual reading of scripture will indicate that there is only one bride...one plan...one salvation. The interpretations of that plan are many. However, most people believe that their interpretation is correct and that it indicates who will be saved.

Those who invent doctrines such as FOTB don't feel comfortable with the interpretation they have. This is generally because they inherited an interpretation that has never become a revelation (or illumination if one wants to be technical).

Believing such a doctrine as FOTB ought to be a good indication that one needs some real prayer and study until one is comfortable with what one believes.

[josh]

Originally Posted by Brother Strange

That's right.

There is a big difference in the Bridegroom and the Bride.

John understood the levels and varied relationships to Christ. I'm a friend of Christ but also a brother. I am not only a brother but also of the Bride. I am a friend, a disciple, a servant, on and on.

To understand what is meant by "Bride," one must understand various levels of relationship.

One begins a relationship with Christ as Shephered/Sheep. Relationships are developed over time and maturity. As relationship grows, one develops a relationship of Master/disciple, then Lord/Servant, on and on including seven (complete) knowledge or intimacy with him, including that of Bride, the ultimate relationship.

How can a brother be also Bride. Not in the natural of course. Here it is imperative that the people of God learn to understand and perceive spiritually.

Bro Strange, people's lack of understanding of the "Bride" also lends itself to such statements as "making love to Jesus." None of us are yet the "Bride." We are the "espoused," the "bride to be."

A backslider is not a divorced wife...they are an engaged bride to be that has tossed her engagement to the winds and is looking to marry another.

Originally Posted by josh

Bro Strange, people's lack of understanding of the "Bride" also lends itself to such statements as "making love to Jesus." None of us are yet the "Bride." We are the "espoused," the "bride to be."

A backslider is not a divorced wife...they are an engaged bride to be that has tossed her engagement to the winds and is looking to marry another.

Right....

As I see it, Bride is simply a wife to be. There is a difference in Bride and Wife in ancient customs. One can be a bride for years before becoming the wife. Until the consumation, the wife to be is only the bride.

[josh]

Originally Posted by Brother Strange

Right....

As I see it, Bride is simply a wife to be. There is a difference in Bride and Wife in ancient customs. One can be a bride for years before becoming the wife. Until the consumation, the wife to be is only the bride.

Bro Strange, I haven't done a complete word study in the biblical languages, but I know our "bride" means a newly married woman or a woman about to be married.

Either way we use it, the marriage has not yet taken place in biblical analogy.

I did find an interesting note in the Online etymological dictionary. Bride comes from a root meaning "daughter-in-law" and originally was used only for "a newly married woman." Later it was expanded to include one about to be married.

I do think it proper to use "bride" for church, but it must also be known that we are not yet the wife...at least not in Paul's usage. This error has led people to use some very uncomfortable terminology.

I like the way you cut right to the heart of why FOTB doctrines abound....emotion and not scripture.


It is good to see you feeling well again.
Lord bless....

[Barb]

Excellent posts here today...

[Felicity]

I've always thot that once you were born again you became the bride. Isn't that what Song of Songs is about? It's at least in part a poetic analogy of the relationship between Christ and the church?

Originally Posted by josh

Bro Strange, I haven't done a complete word study in the biblical languages, but I know our "bride" means a newly married woman or a woman about to be married.

Either way we use it, the marriage has not yet taken place in biblical analogy.

I did find an interesting note in the Online etymological dictionary. Bride comes from a root meaning "daughter-in-law" and originally was used only for "a newly married woman." Later it was expanded to include one about to be married.

I do think it proper to use "bride" for church, but it must also be known that we are not yet the wife...at least not in Paul's usage. This error has led people to use some very uncomfortable terminology.

I like the way you cut right to the heart of why FOTB doctrines abound....emotion and not scripture.


It is good to see you feeling well again.
Lord bless....

Thanks bro Josh.

I remember Sister MaGhee, the wife of Bro. David MaGhee from Franklinton La saying to me, "We never believed that (pre-trib) doctrine until brother Wise came and taught it to us. Of course we loved, honored and respected bro. Wise so highly, we just accepted what he said."

While not saying that the doctrine taught by Bro. Wise was error, it can certainly be understood how it is that one can be persuaded emotionally when one loves an esteemed Elder in the Lord so highly honored as was dear Bro. Wise was in those days.

[josh]

Originally Posted by Brother Strange

Thanks bro Josh.

I remember Sister MaGhee, the wife of Bro. David MaGhee from Franklinton La saying to me, "We never believed that (pre-trib) doctrine until brother Wise came and taught it to us. Of course we loved, honored and respected bro. Wise so highly, we just accepted what he said."

While not saying that the doctrine taught by Bro. Wise was error, it can certainly be understood how it is that one can be persuaded emotionally when one loves an esteemed Elder in the Lord so highly honored as was dear Bro. Wise was in those days.

Bro Wise was my mom's pastor! Her grandfather donated the land that Bro Wise founded his church on.

[josh]

Originally Posted by Felicity

I've always thot that once you were born again you became the bride. Isn't that what Song of Songs is about? It's at least in part a poetic analogy of the relationship between Christ and the church?

Paul's use of the "espoused" to one husband, presenting us as a "chaste virgin", etc., implies that we are in an espousal period rather than an ongoing marriage. Actually, I think these are all analogical helps rather than technical dogma.