Hi Chuck:
Everywhere in the Word of God, God uses figures of speech to "hide" the true meaning. These are called "mysteries" within the Word of God. The parables are just that - "mysteries" -- or "hidden secrets" in God, revealed unto those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
When we read that Jesus Christ is the true vine, most of us do not fully take into consideration the full knowledge of the word "vine". A "vine" is nothing more than a "Branch". It is the "main branch", but none the less, it is a "Branch".
OT Prophets prophesied about the Messiah in many different ways. One way was the "Branch". The word "vine" means - "main branch". So the word "vine" in the gospels means, "main branch". Here are a few verses from the OT pertaining to this "main branch" -- Isa 4:2 -- Jer. 23:5 -- Jer. 33:15 --- Zech. 3:8 ---- Zech. 6:12
So who are the branches that branch off from the "main branch" ? Well the answer is in the context of chapter 15 of the gospel of John. One must also understand "who" is Jesus Christ talking "too" ?
John 15:8 tells us that those who are the branches which shoot off of the main branch, are his disciples. So he was talking to "his disciples". Now , here is something else that is very important to remember, and that is what it says in verse 16 of John chapter 15 - "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should bring forth fruit , etc". The branches were "chosen" , "as" Jesus Christ "choose" his disciples to follow him, and bring forth much fruit. In fact, Jesus Christ choose only 16 "disciples" while he was here on earth. Only 16, and one became a traitor, and his branch ( Judas ) was cast forth and his branch withered, and it was cast into the fire.
We have learned that "only" the "chosen" become branches of the true vine ( Main Branch ). They are his disciples, which bring forth fruit. His disciples were called "friends" - verse 15 of John chapter 15. His friends, because as Jesus Christ said > "for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you". So these disciples understood the "mysteries" = "hidden things of God", and that they should bring forth fruit.
Later on in John chapter 15 and at the end of this chapter, Jesus Christ tells his "disciples" ( branches ) that the "Comforter" that he will send from the Father, which is the "Spirit of truth", which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me" . "And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning".
Who are these disciples ( branches ) ?
#1 - they are the "chosen"
#2 - Ony "Christians" are the "Chosen branches" > Many are called, but few are chosen - Matthew 22:14 --- Ephesians 1:4 - "chosen us" from before the foundations fo the world" ------ Acts 11:26 - "And the "disciples" were called "Christians" first in Antioch"
The "branches" are his "disciples" , who were "chosen" to be called Christians = "Christ IN" - Colossians 1:27.
So your statement Chuck, that Christians are those who have chosen Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, is not what makes one a Christian, who are his "disciples", who are the "branches". Christians - disciples - branches, are chosen from before the foundations of the world. Christians - disciples - branches, are chosen, we do not choose him, he chooses us.
All those who "choose" to believe are saved, and they are called "followers".
Love IN Christ - Hervey
[This message has been edited by Hervey (edited 03 January 2002).]