Lesson 133: THE BRIDE OF THE LAMB – PART 1

INTRODUCTION: Whenever we use the word “Church” different people think of different things as being the one referred to. Some think that the Church is a building with pews and an altar. Some think it is a denomination. Very few realize that the Church is a “Living body” an “Organism” not an organization. Fewer still know why the church is called the Body of Christ or the bride of the Lamb and how to become a member of this Body. This series, by the grace of God, shall reveal to us in depth the mysteries of the Bride of the Lamb. May God quicken our understanding as we study in Jesus Name. Amen.

1. THE BRIDE OF THE LAMB WAS A MYSTERY
The BRIDE was a mystery to the Old Testament prophets. They knew there was to be something between the suffering and the glory of the Messiah but they did not know what, Jesus Himself merely gave a hint hut did not elaborate. The mystery was first revealed to Paul. That the Gentiles were to be saved was no mystery. The mystery was that God was going to form an entirely NEW THING, composed of both Jews and Gentiles.

I Pet. 1:3-5, 10-12; Luke 10:24: Mutt. 16:13-18; Matt. 13:16; Eph. 3:1-11; Rom. 5:2; 9:22-30; Deut. 29:29; Pro. 25:2; John 13:7.

2. THE BRIDE CONSISTS OF SPECIALLY CALLED PEOPLE
The word “Church” comes from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means “an assembly of called-out ones “Hence we see that the Bride is made up of specially chosen people, people who are chosen in JESUS, out of the world. You join this “Body of Christ’ through the Baptism of the Spirit. That is why there could not be anything called the Church until the day of Pentecost. That is why Paul emphasizes this Holy Spirit baptism. One reason why the Church can never die is because Christ, the head of this Body, is alive forever more.

Acts 15:13-18; Eph. 1:3-6; Eph. 1:19-23; I Cor. 12:12- 13; Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-4, Eph. 4:4-6. Rom. 12:5, Rev. 1:18, Col. 3:4.