We at the Lion and Lamb Ministry firmly believe that The Bride of Christ and The Mystery, the Body of Christ, belong to different operations in the overall plan of God. Both are formed by Christ, and both are based on the redemptive work of Christ, but there are many differences, leading to the conclusion that they are in fact completely different.
They have different beginnings, different Apostles, different Gospels, there is numerous scripture that pertains to each separately, they each have different members, they each have different governing's, and they have different prophesies to them. What many fail to realize is this: because Israel, the first nation, nation #1, stubbornly rejected Christ the Messiah, God finally set her aside (albeit temporarily never ever forget that!) as a nation, as we read in Acts 28:28, and, in unmatched incomprehensible mercy and love, interrupted the prophetic program, to which it is written, “none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:8), ushering in the present parenthetical Dispensation of Grace, the Dispensation of the Mystery, through the Apostle Paul, who had been our LORD's enemy, but was now the appointed herald of His infinite Grace. Isn’t that AMAZING! So let’s start the comparison
THE BEGINNINGS
Under The Bride of Christ Church, there was the continuation of the Old Testament operations; still existing at Pentecost
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church which began with the salvation and commissioning of Saul/Paul
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Believers were added to The Bride of Christ Church as we are told in Acts 2:41
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church which had its “birth announcement” in Acts 13:2
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Peter proclaimed the “last days” NOT the first days in Acts 2:17
as compared to
Paul who declares, “that in me FIRST Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a PATTERN to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” For example, Paul was the prototype, the first member of that, which is the Body of Christ. (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
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Peter offered the Kingdom to Israel based on the promise given through the mouths of the prophets (Acts 3:18-19)
as compared to
Paul is described AS the pattern or example for other believers to imitate (1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9)
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THE APOSTLES
The Bride of Christ Church has Twelve Apostles for twelve tribes
as compared to
One Apostle for one Body of Christ
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The Apostles of The Bride of Christ Church are to sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Luke 22:30)
as compared to
The Apostle of the Body of Christ Church who was sent to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Acts 22:21; Acts 26:17; Romans 11:13; Ephesians 3:1-8; Galatians 2:9)
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There had to be twelve apostles (of The Bride) to offer the Kingdom, hence Matthias was chosen as the twelfth and approved and recognized by Holy Spirit (Acts 1:16-26; Acts 2:4; Acts 6:2)
as compared to
The Apostle Paul of The Body of Christ Church, who was appointed by the LORD on the road to Damascus, indicates he was separate from the Twelve (1 Corinthians 15:5-8)
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The Twelve Apostles of The Bride of Christ Church, under Christ’s direct instruction, preached to only Jews and proselytes during Gospels and early Acts period (Matthew 10:5-6; Acts 2:10-36; Galatians 2:9)
as compared to
The Body of Christ’s Apostle Paul whose Acts-period ministry was to Jews first, then to Gentiles (Romans 1:16)
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The Bride’s Apostle Peter was sent to one Gentile (Cornelius) by special one-time commission over objections (Acts 10-11)
as compared to
The Body of Christ’s Apostle Paul’s post-Acts ministry was to all without priority (Acts 28:28; Ephesians 2:11-22)
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The Twelve Apostles of The Bride sent specifically to baptize (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16)
as compared to
The Body of Christ’s Apostle Paul was NOT sent to baptize (1 Corinthians 1:17 and therefore under a different commission)
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The Bride of Christ Church is under the commission of Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 21; and Acts 1
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church is under the commission of 2 Cor. 5:1-21
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THE GOSPELS
The Bride of Christ Church has the Gospel of the Kingdom, the covenant of 2 Sam. 7:10-17 (Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 24:14)
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church has the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24)
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The Bride of Christ has the Gospel of the circumcision (covenant with Abraham) committed to the Twelve Apostles (Galatians 2:7)
as compared to
The Body of Christ has the Gospel of the Uncircumcision (which relates to Abram) and committed to Paul (Galatians 2:7) So we can see Paul’s “my gospel” (as distinct from that of the Twelve’s) according to the Revelation of The Mystery, kept secret, but, now revealed (Romans 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 2:18)
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THE SCRIPTURES
Non-Pauline writings directed to the Bride of Christ Church never mention the Body of Christ Church, and are most explicitly addressed to Israel
as compared to
The Pauline writings are directed to the Body of Christ Church and are the only ones that mention the Body of Christ.
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To the Bride of Christ Church, Christ is spoken of as Lamb of God (John 1:29, 1:36; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 5:6); Christ as Son of Man (Mark 8:31; Luke 12:10; Acts 7:56); Christ as Son of David (Matthew 21:9; Mark 10:47; Revelation 22:16)
as compared to
The Scripture to the Body of Christ Church, Christ is spoken of as the Head of the Body (Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18). Paul never describes Christ as a lamb, which would be nonsense to non Jews. Paul DOES mention Christ as David’s descendant, but only as a fact, NOT as a title
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The Bride of Christ as the subject of prophecy (Acts 2:16; Acts 3:18; 2 Peter 1:19-21); The LORD Jesus Christ (during His time on earth) was a minister of circumcision and confirming promises to Abraham (Romans 15:8)
as compared to
The Body of Christ was NOT the subject of prophecy but kept secret, hidden in God, not known (Romans 16:25-26; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10; Ephesians 3:1-10)
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To the Bride of Christ Church, the Cross (tree) was the object of guilt (Acts 2:23-36; Acts 5:28)
as compared to
To the Body of Christ Church, the Cross is the object of glory (Galatians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 1:18)
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The Bride of Christ Church is Under the Law of Moses (Matthew 23:1-3; Acts 15:5-6, Acts 15:10; Acts 21:20-24)
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church which is Dead to the Law of Moses, and therefore not under it (Romans 3:21; Romans 6:14; Romans 7:6; Galatians 3)
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The Bride of Christ requires atonement for (covering of) sins (Leviticus 1:4; Numbers 31:50)
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church requires reconciliation with God (Romans 5:11; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Colossians 1:20-22)
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The Bride of Christ Church has Justification by Faith plus works (James 2:24)
as compared to
The Body of Christ has Justification by Faith APART from works (Romans 3:28)
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The Bride of Christ Church has NO sealing with Holy Spirit
as compared to
The Body of Christ which is Sealed with Holy Spirit (The LORD’s earnest payment) (2 Cor. 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14)
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The Bride of Christ Church has No indwelling by Holy Spirit, filled…but no indwelling
as compared to
The Body of Christ is Indwelt by Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Timothy 1:14)
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The Bride of Christ Church has No new nature
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church HAS a New nature (or a new man) (2 Cor. 5:17; Ephesians 4:24; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 6:15; Colossians 3:10)
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THE MEMBERS
The Bride of Christ contained Jews and proselytes with virtually no Gentiles, actually the Bride of Christ Church consisted of only Jews before Paul’s salvation
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church consists of Jew and Gentiles equal. Without Distinction!
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The Bride of Christ Church, the Kingdom Church under the Twelve Apostles remained Jewish throughout Acts period (Acts 21:20)
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church which under the Apostle Paul consisted of both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 21:21-25; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:24)
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The Bride of Christ Church is comprised of Israel, God’s chosen nation, the head of nations (Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 28:1-13; Zechariah 8:23; Acts 1:6; 1 Peter 2:9-10)
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church where there is No difference between Jew and Gentile. In fact there is no such thing as Jew or Gentile in the Body of Christ Church (1 Corinthians 10:32; Ephesians 2:11-16; Ephesians 3:6)
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THE GOVERNINGS
To the Bride of Christ Church the Gospel of Kingdom and Law of Moses Govern
as compared to
To the Body of Christ Church Grace Alone Governs
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To the Bride of Christ Church Ordinances are required (Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; Hebrews 9:1-10)
as compared to
To the Body of Christ Church there are NO ordinances required or are they acceptable (Ephesians 2:8-9; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14; Colossians 2:20-23; Titus 3:5)
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To the Bride of Christ Church there are Multiple baptisms (and some with physical elements)
1)Baptized by man with water (Mark 1:4; John 1:26; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 8:38; Acts 10:47-48)
2)Baptized by Christ with Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5; Acts 2:16-17; Acts 11:16)
3)Various baptisms of Mosaic Law (Hebrews 9:10)
as compared to
The Body of Christ’s ONE baptism (Ephesians 4:6)
Baptized by Holy Spirit into Christ (This the work of the Holy Spirit only. There are no physical elements involved) (1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27)
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In the Bride of Christ Church signs, gifts, and physical miracles abound (Mark 16:17-18; Acts 2:4-18; Acts 3:6-16; Acts 8:5-7; Acts 10:9-17; Acts 12:5-11, Acts 12:23)
as compared to
In the Body of Christ Church the sign gifts were directed at Israel (1 Corinthians 1:22; 1 Corinthians 14:21-22). After judgment was pronounced on Israel (Acts 28:28), the signs and gifts were no longer a necessity (1 Corinthians 13:8-12). No recorded signs or physical miracles after the close of The Book of Acts. Take note at the absence of the signs or miracles in Phil. 2:25-28; 1 Timothy 5:23; and then in 2 Timothy 4:20.
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The Bride of Christ Church had communal living, all things common (Acts 4:32-35)
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church where each was working and providing for his own household (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:8-10; and 1 Timothy 5:8)
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The Bride of Christ Church was to forgive others in order to be forgiven (Matthew 6:12-15; Mark 11:25-26; and Luke 6:37)
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church which forgive others because you have already been forgiven (Ephesians 4:32; and Colossians 3:13)
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For the Bride of Christ Church whatever man asks of God is granted (Matthew 7:7-8; Matthew 18:19; and John 14:13-14)
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church where God does far beyond what man asks or thinks (Eph. 3:20)
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THE PROPHESIES
For the Bride of Christ Church, Christ comes to earth a second time (Acts 1:11; Malachi 3:1; and Zechariah 14:4)
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church where Christ raptures or Harpazos (snatches, lifts up) His Body to meet The LORD in the AIR (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
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For the time of the LORD’s return for the Bride of Christ Church there are prophesied fulfilling promises to Israel (Acts 3:19-21; Zechariah 14:1-21; Daniel 9:25-27; Isaiah 59:20-21; and Romans 11:26-27).
as compared to
The LORD’s return for the Body of Christ Church which is kept secret (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)
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The Promises to Israel, and the Bride of Christ Church involve the earth and the land (Genesis 17:8; Genesis 28:13; Genesis 35:12; Exodus 6:4-8; Leviticus 26:42-45; Judges 2:1; Isaiah 60:21; Jeremiah 32:40-41; Ezekiel 47:1 thru Ezekiel 48:29; Matthew 5:5)
as compared to
The Promises to the Body of Christ Church which involve the Heavenlies (with NO earthly inheritance) (Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:17)
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Abraham, and therefore the Bride of Christ Church, looked for a City, for example The New Jerusalem (Hebrews 11:10; Ezekiel 48:30-35; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 21:10-27)
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church looks for the appearing of the LORD Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13)
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For the Bride of Christ Church the Second Coming (Day of the Lord) is preceded by specific signs (Matthew 24:4-42; and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
as compared to
The Body of Christ which looks for NO specific signs to precede the rapture, only general trends (1 Timothy 4:1-3 for example)
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For the Bride of Christ Church at the Second Coming (as it was in Noah’s time where the unbelievers and Nephilim were taken away and Noah remained), unbelievers will be taken away, and the believers will remain on earth (Matthew 24:37-41)
as compared to
The Body of Christ where at the Rapture, all believers will be taken UP, and the unbelievers will remain on earth (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
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There will be, for the Bride of Christ Church, the Restoration of the Kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6; 3:19-21). The LORD Jesus Christ will rule from David’s throne (2 Samuel 7:16; Isaiah 9:7; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 2:30-31), and the Jews to have priority (Isaiah 60:3; Zechariah 8:23)
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church where there is NO indication of Israelite priority or character of any kind. Both Jew and Gentile are combined, without distinction, baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ.
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The Bride of Christ Church is to go through Great Tribulation, The Time of Jacob’s Trouble, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (Jeremiah 30:4-11; Joel 2:31; Matthew 24:4-42; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 1:1-21)
as compared to
The Body of Christ Church which will not go through the Great Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 2:16; and 1 Thessalonians 5:9)
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The Bride of Christ, the Lamb’s wife, is to come from Israel (Rev. 19:7-9)
as compared to
The Body of Christ which is already part of the Groom, and therefore cannot be the future Bride
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“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry
Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
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