Mike,
   Before you quit.... are you saying that only those who take part in 
the rapture are the Bride of Christ?  So, if we died today and the 
rapture was tomorrow we would not be a part of the Bride of Christ?  I 
think too many lines are being drawn.  What makes for the distinction 
between the family of God and the true Church, Body of Christ, Bride of 
Christ?  Maybe you are confusing the church militant with the church 
triumphant.

Peace,
steve


Mike Cantrell wrote:
> I have nothing further to say about this issue. Except that, I have not 
> double spoke about anything.   The Church Universal which at this point 
> does not exist, but will, when all the Local Visible 
> Churches are gathered at the Rapture before the Tribulation.  It will 
> gather in the portals of Glory and then and only then will it be the 
> CHURCH UNIVERSAL. ( not yelling)  The Lord will then marry his betroved 
> which is the Church gathered.  The guest at this wedding will be the 
> Family of God.  Of which those who believe in the present Universal 
> Church actually are referring to. The family of God includes all the 
> saved of all ages.
>  
> Mike Cantrell
> 
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     From: Pastor Dickinson <mailto:PastorDickinson@...>
>     To: pastorsforum@... <mailto:pastorsforum@...>
>     Sent: Friday, March 25, 2005 11:34 AM
>     Subject: Re: [PastorsForum] Contradiction?
> 
>     David,
>     There.........You did it again [contradiction]: (My comments in red)
> 
>         ----- Original Message -----
>         From: Pastor David Warner <mailto:dwarner@...>
>         To: pastorsforum@... <mailto:pastorsforum@...>
>         Sent: Friday, March 25, 2005 12:05 PM
>         Subject: RE: [PastorsForum] Contradiction?
> 
>         No contradiction at all.  I'm not sure what you thought was but
>         I do know this; it is hard to understand when all one has taught
>         is the tradition of the universal invisible church. (This is NOT
>         all I have been taught. I too acknowledge the local assemblies
>         also called the church(es) but they ARE part of THE Church). If
>         one can put that aside and think fresh, (I Agree, but with
>         reverse implications) they will see the visible local assemblies
>         (Here is a reference to the local church which I don't
>         deny...never have...never will) and the church (Now...If I am
>         not mistaken, the church is the one that we have been referring
>         too...The Church...singular...you used the term yourself...If
>         you are not talking about the same One Body, The Bride, The
>         Church...then what are you referring to?) that WILL BE gathered
>         in heaven.
>         Sorry, time constraints don't allow a lot from me this week but
>         Mike is doing a pretty good job of trying to explain it to you
>         all (Mike is double talking as well...He too won't acknowledge
>         that he has made reference to both the local and the universal
>         church).
>         David W
>          
>         In the end...we will understand. It is a shame that confusion
>         has come about as a result of erroneous teaching or fear of
>         being identified with a wayward group (cult) like the Roman
>         Catholics. Just because they and the JW's and Latter Day's
>         (Mormons) and others use the term "Church" doesn't mean they
>         are. The are NOT. I can sit in my garage all day and say "I'm a
>         car" but I won't ever be one (only a nut). So I don't ever
>         include them in the grouping know as The Church (Universal /
>         Invisible made up of all local assemblies of all Bible
>         believing, true Born again Christians from every generation).
>          
>