Friends of the Bride... - Page 6

Felicity · #51 05-07-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh

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.

Well you've given me something to think about.

I'm loving this discussion.

josh · #52 05-07-2007, 12:27 PM

Quote:

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.

Oh, one more thing. I grew up 300 yards from Bro David Magee's house. Is it Sis Dee Magee that you are referring to???

Barb · #53 05-07-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felicity

Well you've given me something to think about.

I'm loving this discussion.

Same here...

Felicity · #54 05-07-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felicity

Well you've given me something to think about.

I'm loving this discussion.

I think this discussion could go further and deeper. Wish there were more to chime in with more thoughts.

#55 05-07-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

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?

Levels of relationship are clearly understood in scripture. Here is a good example among many:

Jhn 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:

Quote:

but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.

If I were commissioned to build the Sears Tower or a replacement to the WTC. Would I call a grunt laborer in to show them my plans? No, I would call my friends in to rejoice with me as I rolled out my plans on a large conference table. Together, we would rejoice, especially if they were going to give me the top floor for building it. LOL...

Neither would I call some of my disciples in. I would not call anyone in to rejoice with me that did not have that special relationship with me. Here, Jesus is underscoring the importance of the various levels of relationship that are developed over time and trails of testings.

True friends are developed over many years. I know that there are some that would love to be my friend. I would never allow them to be no more than an acquaintenance though I might call them "friend." There are those that I would like to have a true friendship relationship with, but I undestand that it will never likely happen at all. Why? I have not had the occassion or time to prove to them my worth as a friend.

Typically, a man can live a life time but in death, he would be highly blessed if he had more than 5 or at the most 10 really true, faithful and proven friends. Even then, it is possible that one might prove to be untrue. There is little hurt as great as receiving those wounds in the house of your "friends."

While we may elevate from one relationship to another, we never forget our earlier relationships. Paul prided himself as the "servant of the Lord Jesus Christ." Though a brother to the Lord, he was proud to label himself as a servant. Though a friend, I am still a dumb sheep, following the great Shepherd of the sheep. We never forget our earlier relationships nor do we abandon them.

To have the relationship as bride/wife, one must make themselves ready. I want to make myself ready and prepared for such intimacy with him which can only be accomplished by being an "overcomer in all things."

#56 05-07-2007, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh

Oh, one more thing. I grew up 300 yards from Bro David Magee's house. Is it Sis Dee Magee that you are referring to???

How about that! Yes, that is who I was talking about. My mother was raised not too far from there too.

Felicity · #57 05-07-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Strange

Levels of relationship are clearly understood in scripture. Here is a good example among many:

Jhn 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: I have made known unto you.

If I were commissioned to build the Sears Tower or a replacement to the WTC. Would I call a grunt laborer in to show them my plans? No, I would call my friends in to rejoice with me as I rolled out my plans on a large conference table. Together, we would rejoice, especially if they were going to give me the top floor for building it. LOL...

Neither would I call some of my disciples in. I would not call anyone in to rejoice with me that did not have that special relationship with me. Here, Jesus is underscoring the importance of the various levels of relationship that are developed over time and trails of testings.

True friends are developed over many years. I know that there are some that would love to be my friend. I would never allow them to be no more than an acquaintenance though I might call them "friend." There are those that I would like to have a true friendship relationship with, but I undestand that it will never likely happen at all. Why? I have not had the occassion or time to prove to them my worth as a friend.

Typically, a man can live a life time but in death, he would be highly blessed if he had more than 5 or at the most 10 really true, faithful and proven friends. Even then, it is possible that one might prove to be untrue. There is little hurt as great as receiving those wounds in the house of your "friends."

While we may elevate from one relationship to another, we never forget our earlier relationships. Paul prided himself as the "servant of the Lord Jesus Christ." Though a brother to the Lord, he was proud to label himself as a servant. Though a friend, I am still a dumb sheep, following the great Shepherd of the sheep. We never forget our earlier relationships nor do we abandon them.

To have the relationship as bride/wife, one must make themselves ready. I want to make myself ready and prepared for such intimacy with him which can only be accomplished by being an "overcomer in all things."

Good post!

I understand about the different positions we occupy in the kingdom. Everything from servant to friend to heir and have access to everything Christ has and is, but I've always just taken for granted I guess that I'm already married to Christ so to speak -- that I'm already His bride as a result of the union that has taken place spiritually speaking.

Josh's bringing out the terms he did that Paul used i.e. "espoused" and "chaste virgin" in regard to the Church has made me do a double take although he did imply that we don't need to get too hung up on technicalities.
Still though ..... I think there are things for me to learn here.

We talk and sing about Christ catching His bride away. It's a term I've heard all my life in Church. Do we throw this out along with the songs?

#58 05-07-2007, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felicity

We talk and sing about Christ catching His bride away. It's a term I've heard all my life in Church. Do we throw this out along with the songs?

No.

Doctrine is not corrected nor corrupted by the songs we sing. That is done only through the Word taught to us.

I can sing many songs that are not entirely scriptural. It does not matter. Affections are the language of the Spirit. Angels and the heavenly host hears the language of the Spirit regardless of some doctrinal discrepancy.

Now, let us all turn to page 44 and sing, "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder."

Affections are heard and understood among saints and angels.

Barb · #59 05-07-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felicity

Good post!

I understand about the different positions we occupy in the kingdom. Everything from servant to friend to heir and have access to everything Christ has and is, but I've always just taken for granted I guess that I'm already married to Christ so to speak -- that I'm already His bride as a result of the union that has taken place spiritually speaking.

Josh's bringing out the terms he did that Paul used i.e. "espoused" and "chaste virgin" in regard to the Church has made me do a double take although he did imply that we don't need to get too hung up on technicalities.
Still though ..... I think there are things for me to learn here.

We talk and sing about Christ catching His bride away. It's a term I've heard all my life in Church. Do we throw this out along with the songs?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Strange

No.

Doctrine is not corrected nor corrupted by the songs we sing. That is done only through the Word taught to us.

I can sing many songs that are not entirely scriptural. It does not matter. Affections are the language of the Spirit. Angels and the heavenly host hears the language of the Spirit regardless of some doctrinal discrepancy.

Now, let us all turn to page 44 and sing, "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder."

Affections are heard and understood among saints and angels.

Hmmm...well, I confess my pea-brain is on overload this afternoon...this is all most interesting.