Body of Christ or Bride of Christ? by John McGlone

09/19/17 by John McGlone

I have gathered together differing resources; videos, audios, pdf documents, etc. to bring to light this question which has been on my heart and mind for some time. I ask myself, “If we are the body of Christ, then how is that the same body as the Bride of Christ?” If it is different bodies, then who is the Bride that Scriptures speaks of over and again? The Word teaches that it was and is Israel.  As I began to research this some months ago I got confused by the differing views especially Dispensationalism. When I recently heard and read Bob Enyart’s teaching in these audio and pdf links below, regarding Israel being the bride the spiritual white flag of surrender went up.

I think the Apostle Paul in Rom 11 is very clear about how the Jews were cut off because of unbelief in the Messiah so that the Gentiles may be grafted in.  Yet, the Gentiles are warned not to by haughty or high minded because they could still be rejected for that.

Rom 11:11-36  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?  13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Could this be the answer I’ve been looking for? Take a listen and let me know your thoughts and how this view may be truth according to the understanding of your heart and mind.  God bless you.

BOB ENYART ON THE BODY OF CHRIST &
ISRAEL, THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

 

Download (PDF, 569KB)

 

OTHER RESOURCES WHICH ARE BOTH CONFUSING & DISPENSATIONAL  

08/03/17 Coach Dave Daubenmire spoke of a Hageman and Hageman radio show which featured Pr. David Lankford [Hyper Dispensationalist]  This is what got me started down this inquiry of these ideas.

https://www.facebook.com/dave.daubenmire/videos/10211568462300874/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV34vosjENg

 

Br. Breaker [Semi Dispensationalist] on The Bride of Christ