3. The total company of the redeemed, the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:23, 25, 27, 30; Hebrews 12:23). Those who joined the early Christian church did so because of their belief in Christ as the Messiah (John 1:41) and their acceptance of Him as their Saviour (Acts 2:36–41). The First Candidates for Membership in the church were attracted to Jesus, followed Him and sought to have their relatives and friends follow Him, because of the testimony of John the Baptist that “This is the Son of