The Church Age: General Concepts of the Church

1. The Church is not mentioned in the Old Testament (OT) and was unknown by the OT prophets (Eph 3:1-6).

2. The Church was first revealed by Jesus Christ and was future from His day (John 14).

3. The Character of the Church is described in the writings of Paul in his epistles to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians.

4. The Church is not the old Jewish dispensation in a new form; it is an entirely new thing.

5. There is no warrant for applying OT prophecies and promises to the Church that apply only to Israel and Judah.

6. The Church had its origin at Pentecost and will be completed at the second coming of Christ (Phase one—the Rapture).

7. The Church is composed of only those saved from Pentecost to the Rapture.

8. The “dead in Christ” of the OT times are called “friends of the Bridegroom,” not part of the “Bride.”

9. The Church of the “New Born” is now the “Body of Christ” and will become His “Bride” at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

10.The Church is being gathered out by the Holy Spirit from people of all races until the “fullness of the Gentiles” has come (Rom. 11:1-25).

11.The Age of Israel was interrupted—sidetracked—for the Church to move in, and when the Church is complete and “caught out” then Israel will move back in to be the head of the nations.

12.The Church of the “New Born” is revealed in the Bible as being influenced by apostasy (Jude)!