Reply To: Ecclesiology Discussion Board

[Paulpraze]

I would like to begin by saying that, while this discourse is an interesting and important one, like Pastor would say, it does not affect the cost of garri in the market. In other words, our salvation as believers has nothing to do with whatever position we take.
Having said that, I believe that the first question we need to answer is: are old Testament believers or saints part of the Bride of Christ?
Firstly, it needs to be said that this is one of those subjects where not much is said directly about them. However, we can examine this subject from what is clear and known and draw our conclusions. Hence, a dogmatic position should not be taken on such subjects.
Secondly, whether it be in the old Testament or in the new Testament, one thing is clear about the way of salvation. A man can only be saved by faith, a man can only be righteous in God’s eyes by faith, not by anything we do or do not do. Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:16-17, Romans 3:20-26. This means that un both Testaments, man was only saved by faith and not by works.
Thirdly, according to the apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:1-1-15, the mystery of Christ which was hidden but now has been revealed is the union of Jew and Gentile believers in the church. He tells us that this was the eternal purpose of God and refers to this body of believers as “whole family in heaven and earth”.
Furthermore, Hebrews 11:39-40 seems to suggest that while these old Testament saints may not have received the promise, they have now been perfected with us. Because Christ had not come in their time, they were saved by faith looking forward to the coming of Christ. However, upon the coming of Christ and His finished work, there is a perfection that they have now experienced which they did not have.
All of these aforementioned points suggest that there really is no distinction between old and new Testament saints. If this is true, it implies that whatever descriptions or metaphors are used for the church of Jesus Christ is true for both old and new Testament saints who have become one in the church of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, describing the church in feminine terms, in light of her being the bride of Christ that will attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb is appropriate and since the old Testament saints are also likely part of the church, then it offers no problem to describe the church in such terms.
In conclusion, while this position may raise questions about John’s meaning in John 3:29 for example, it seems to me to be the most consistent with what is clear and known from scriptures. In this particular situation, it seems that John the Baptist was speaking about his ministry of introducing the Groom. He also seems to suggest that his roles as the Bridegroom’s friend had come to an end in the appearance and recognition of the Groom. John 3:30.