This is a serious question, and I'm not trying to be disrespectful, it just crossed my mind today and though I'd ask, it has me curious. If you have any verses that can clarify I'd appreciate it - I don't have time to sit and look for them right now, because I'm supposed to be cleaning my house. :) Thanks!
2007-12-05 06:57:56 · 13 answers · asked by Sarah 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
ok some of you got seriously offensive - I am a christian and I wanted a CHRISTIAN's point of view - I said I wasn't trying to be disrespectful
2007-12-05 07:05:57 · update #1
With of the problems with an analogue (where you say something is "like" this or that) is that if you think to much about it you can always find a way to make it not work. The Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ are two different analogues for the church.
The "Body" stresses the unity of "teamwork" part of the union. Paul uses if frequently because he wanted to see everyone working together and having a part. It is also the idea that we are Christ's "hands and feet" - the ones doing his work - in the world.
The "Bride" borrows from the way courtship was conducted in the Jewish culture. Once a man proposed to a woman, he would go away and begin to prepare a home for them. In the meantime, the woman was expect to be preparing herself for him. When the home was ready, he would come and "carry" her to the home (thus the custom of carrying a bride over the threshold). Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven. When everything is ready, he will return to take his bride there.
So they just show two different aspects of the church's relationship with Jesus.
If you really want to get nit-picky, (like I said at the start you can find a way to make an analogue fail) it is possible to be both the Body and the Bride. The Bible says that in marriage the two become one. And that a husband should treat his wife as if she was his own body, and a wife should treat her hisband as if he was her own body. So in a sense, the Body and the Bride are "one".
2007-12-05 07:11:19 · answer #1 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Christian perspective here. I had to think on this one a bit. Actually, I could not find the term "bride of Christ" in Scriptures, yet it is alluded to. There are only two verses that refer to the Church as the "wife" or "bride" of Christ.
Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and let us exult, and we will give glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb came, and His wife prepared herself.
Rev 21:9 And one of the seven angels came to me, he having the seven bowls being filled with the seven last plagues, and spoke with me, saying, Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.
In the second verse, it is referring to the "New Jerusalem" which I believe is the Church or all believers.
I tend to think we are called the "body of Christ" while we still dwell on the earth, but become the "bride/wife of Christ" once we are removed from the earth. I think a key point is made in the Chapter 19 verse, "wife prepared herself", I take this as being perfected, since we will all be perfected upon entering Heaven. I don't think we can truly be the "bride of Christ" until we reach this perfection state.
2007-12-05 07:15:00 · answer #2 · answered by BrotherMichael 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Great question, so without waisting your time with long narratives and mans opinion I will allow the scripture to answer this question, and we know in our spirits as children of God this is how all our questions are to be answered.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, (((((Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.)))))
10. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, (((((the holy Jerusalem,))))) descending out of heaven from God,
2007-12-05 07:35:46 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is no need to be offended, your question is a good one.
Christian point of view:
Our relationship with God is complex and some aspects of it Jesus choosed to explain by different comparations, examples, or parables.
To teach us that all of the belivers have the same dignity, the same level before God's eyes we are compared to parts of the body. No matter that each one has a different mission, responsibility to do; all are part of the body of Christ. And Jesus is the head, the brain who commands us all.
To talk about how Jesus loves us and that He left to Heaven to prepare mansions up there for us and will return to get us there we are compared to a bride preparing herself for the wedding while the groom has gone away to prepare the house were they will be living. Also, to teach how husbands must love and take care of their wives Paul used a comparation of Jesus as the husband and the church as the bride.
We are also compared to be :
* sheep while Jesus is our Good Shepard (protection and guidance), Psalm 23
* grapes while Jesus is the grapevine, (we can not be apart from Jesus) John 15
* children and God is our loving Father (love, protection authority)
* prodigal son and God is the Father who is waiting for us to repent and return to His house (love forgiveness) Luke 15
* we are his disciples and He is our Master / Rabbi
* we are his servants and He is our Lord and King (authority)
* and many others.
Hope this helps, God Bless you bride of Jesus
2007-12-05 07:48:35 · answer #4 · answered by Darth Eugene Vader 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A Very GOOD... Question....!
GOD... called out a People... the Jews... TO WHOM HE GAVE... the LAW... and the Covenant!
The Continually Rejected this Blessing by God... as you can read through Almost All the Old Testament! In Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.... they even HAD... Heathen Idols in the Temple of GOD!
JESUS.... came as their Messiah... promised in the Word.. and Was REJECTED and thus the Nation of ISRAEL... was set Aside till......
(Luke 21:24) And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, = = until the times of the Gentiles = = be fulfilled.
The GRACE OF GOD.... is given to All Mankind.... and will be Rejected BY MOST....!
When this time.... which ONLY GOD KNOWS.... is fulfilled.... JESUS WILL RESTORE THE NATION ISRAEL... to its Importance and Witness for HIM!
WE..... that have the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD..... See Romans 8:9 -&- Ephesians 1:13-14... are the Bride of CHRIST.... and ... the Body of CHRIST.... by HIS HOLY SPIRIT!
That was His Promise.... of John 7:38-39 !
.... Now you can go back to Cleaing Your HOUSE!
Thanks for Asking ! In Christ Jesus..... Roger R.
2007-12-05 07:20:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Body of Christ and Bride of Christ are only images of the Church. There are others: Temple of God, Living Stones, etc.
2007-12-05 07:02:14 · answer #6 · answered by Averell A 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The bride is the one waiting! Once "Christ" has entered the Temple, that is the "wedding". In truth, if "you" are in the body of Christ, there is no more "you", only Christ..
Peace and Blessings...
2007-12-05 07:08:04 · answer #7 · answered by Premaholic 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All that are baptized by immersion, by us in authority are the Sons and Daughters of Christ.
Forever!
2007-12-05 10:14:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are His body on earth. In heaven we become His bride.
2007-12-05 07:03:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
HA HA HAAAA No S h i t
2007-12-05 07:03:37 · answer #10 · answered by Chris 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋