Spiritual body of all true believers?

I agree with your analysis on the distinction and cause and effect relationship between justification and progressive sanctification. However, there is also sanctification found in the perfect passive participle (I Cor. 1:2 "sanctified") that relates to the Spirit's work of regeneration as well as positional sanctification by justification (2 Thes. 2:13). In the latter two cases it simply means a "setting apart" by the Spirit of God through regeneration in regard to your person and through justification in regard to your position.

It was nice conversing and hopefully we will pick this up again later when some others provide some imput. Thanks

 

No, I am not makings those divisions - the Scriptures are. Revelation 21 explicitly states there are "saved" living outside the new Jerusalem on the new earth. They are a lower class of saved because they are ruled over by others.

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. - Rev. 21:24


In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. - Rev. 22:2


He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. - Rev. 2:7

There are guests invited to the Marraige supper in Rev. 19:8. The Bride is never invited to the marriage supper she is the one being honored.

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Not all the saved are in the bride, not all the saved are in the city, not all the saved have right to eat of the fruit of the tree of life. Hence, the distinction is not about salvation as the are all equally "saved."

 

The present day bride ("say" - Rev. 22:17) is the aggregate of New Testament churches in their unglorified state (Rev. 22:16; 2 Cor. 11:2). The future glorified bride (Rev. 19:6-7) is composed of only saved persons who characteristically served Christ faithfully through New Testament churches.

New Testament churches are churches that preach the same gospel, administer the same baptism and teach how to observe the same faith and order and reproduce after their own kind until Jesus comes again. They are found in the pages of the New Testament and are found under degrading names in history where their true belief and practices have been distorted and perverted by their enemies. The only name in history that has characterized them is the name their sacramentalist enemies gave them "Anabaptists."

 

The answer to your question "who is it" is not difficult to answer if you agree to some basic principles.

1. There are absolute non-negotiable essential doctrine and practices in Scripture versus relatively non-essential doctrines where there is room to differ.

2. The Great Commission provides a non-negotiable framework of essentials to be recognized as a true Church of Christ.

I believe there are three principles to defined the beliefs and practices that must be regarded as non-negotiables and all churches that compromise or violate these non-negotiables are apostate churches.

A. Every doctrine and practice the scriptures by clear express statement or necessary inference demand is non-negotiable (e.g. Gal. 1:8-9; Jn. 3:3; Lk. 12:3; 3 Jn.9-11; etc.)

B. Every doctine and practice that is essential to distinguish Biblical Christianity from other world religions and predicted apostate Christianity and its doctrines.

C. Every doctrine and practice that is essential to preserve the previous two prinicples until the end of the age (inspiration, preservation and final authority of the Scriptures for truth; The Great Commission discipleship process to progate the truth; the New Testament church as the pillar and ground of the truth).

The Great Commission definition of a disciple defines three essentials of all New Testament Churches. They are a plural "ye" that preach the SAME gospel, administer the SAME baptism and teach the SAME faith and order once delivered by Christ in this commission who have been produced by such and reproduce such.

Therefore, relatively minor differnces concerning wine or grape juice in the Lord's Supper, close or closed communion, end time views, washing feet, women's position, etc. do not affect the essential character of true churches of Christ.

 

I looked for the follow up post that I made but could not find it. If you really want to thoroughly understand my position then read the introduction and first three chapters in this online book:

http://s.webstarts.com/victorybaptistchurch/uploads/In_Search_of_New_Testament_Churches2.pdf

You will not have any questions concerning what I believe after reading this material. It presents it in a very logical consequential fashion.

 

The same guy has an excellent book on the Bride of Christ that explains my position to the "T" at the following website:

http://s2.webstarts.com/victorybaptistchurch/uploads/BrideWeb.pdf

 

I have answered this question on the other thread subject regeneration before faith. Depending on how they defined Reformed Theology and what elements they are referring to may be true or may be false. Certainly the reformed doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone without works found in the life of the justified is an essential to be a true N.T. Church as the only other is the "accursed" position of justification by works. Other than that particular element there is no other "Reformed" theology that is necessary to be a true N.T. Church.