OUR BRETHREN?

Guest Writer: Jackie C. Prince

One of the material blessings we have as a result of being a child of God is the privilege granted us of fellowship with some of the best people on earth, namely, our brethren. So many times, when one passes away, the knowledge that he or she was a brother or sister in Christ consoles us. This is as it should be. However, while on the one hand we expound our understanding of the importance of being a brother I fear that, on the other, the inconsistency of our speech is causing the word to lose its meaning.

All too frequently nowadays, one can hear or read of men [especially preachers] referring to those who have long since forsaken the old paths [even the most liberal] as “brother.” Is it not true that, many times, we have much more in common with many of those in the denominational world? Yet, most will readily point out that those of the denominations cannot be considered our “brethren!”

What is it that constitutes being a “brother” in Christ? Will simply worshiping in a building under the title, Church of Christ, make one a “brother?” The Methodists refer to themselves as a church of Christ in their discipline. Would being immersed in water, observing the Lord’s Supper weekly or singing a cappella [any of which several denominations practice] entitle one to be called a brother? I think not. While one must practice these truths, we realize that practicing one or a combination of these, does not of itself make one a child of God, our brother in Christ. However one would certainly think so if judging by the way some so loosely apply the term.

I realize the Bible does not teach one must be flawless in order to be admonished and treated “as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:6, 15; 1 John 5:16; James 5:19, 20). But I also understand it to teach that there comes a time, when we should cease to refer to worldly minded men, who have no desire or intention of repenting, as a “brother” (Matthew 18:15-17).

Those brethren who have erred from the truth and are in “the snare of Satan” (2 Timothy 2:25, 26) we should admonish and teach. But there are some among us who, having never known the truth but—like those of the denominations—were converted to a religion founded by man's fantasies and entertainments. And those who make up this denomination are no more my "brethren" than those who make up any other denomination. The fact that they refer to themselves as members of the Lord's church is no more relevant than the fact that Methodists do the same. The fact that they were immersed in water is of no more relevance than being members of the Christian church. That they use no instruments of music is no different than the Mennonites, etc.

I have no problem calling one who has fallen away “brother” based solely on the spiritual birth. But if the term brother carries with it the significance usually assigned it in funeral orations [as describing a healthy, living spiritual relationship], let us be careful as to the extent we are willing to apply it at other times. I think we must be careful not to use terms that indicate proper character, morals, and relationships toward those who obviously have chosen a life of sin.

 

RELATIONSHIPS

Bob Myhan

Relationships, in both natural and supernatural realms, are not simple; they are complex and manifold. In natural families, for example, there is both a genetic and a social relationship. A child's genetic relationship with his biological parents will never cease. He may fail to live up to their moral and spiritual expectations, but he is still their biological child. They may disinherit him and he may cease to be their son, socially. But he remains their son, biologically.

If a birth mother gives up her child for adoption, the genetic mother-child relationship continues to exist, although the social mother-child relationship ends. The adopted child usually comes to consider those who raised him as his parents. And they are his parents, both socially and emotionally. But he is still the biological child of his birth mother. This will never change. Thus, he is the child of one set of parents in one sense, and the child of a completely different set of parents in another sense.

Likewise, an individual may be a child of God in one sense, yet not a child of God in another sense. The apostle Paul gave inspired sanction to the statement of certain Athenian poets who said "For we are also his offspring" (Acts 17:28). In what sense were they the "offspring" of God? They were His “offspring” in the sense that He created them. This establishes the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of all men. Since we are all the “offspring” of God, He is the “Father of all” (Eph. 4:6) and all human beings are brothers and sisters of one another. The angels are also referred to as "sons of God" (Job 1:6; 2:1). Even Satan is "among them." In what sense are the angels [including Satan] "sons of God"? They are “sons of God” in the sense that they were created by Him.

But once a human being has sinned, he must be "born again...of water and the Spirit" in order to enter the spiritual kingdom, or family of God. Only God can place an individual into His kingdom/family, and only God can remove an individual from His kingdom/family. Does He do so directly or indirectly? He does so indirectly through His agents. Who are His agents? In placing people in the kingdom, His agents are those who proclaim the gospel on earth. In removing people from the kingdom, however, His agents are the angels in heaven.

In the parable of the wheat and tares (Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43) we are told that "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." This certainly indicates that those who "offend” and “do iniquity" are yet in the kingdom at that time; and if yet in the kingdom they are yet in the family, for the kingdom and family are co-extensive.

Thus, though one must be approved of God [by having his sins remitted] to get into the family of God, His approval is not necessary to remaining therein during one’s physical life. Or, to put it another way, membership in the family or kingdom of God does not guarantee that one is approved of God.

This was one of the many mistakes of the Jews. They thought God approved of them just because they were His covenant people. But this was not the case then and it is not the case now. He is disappointed in His children when they sin, even before they are withdrawn from, but He still recognizes them as His children. However, if they do not repent in this life they will be “gathered out” at the end.

Of course, each local congregation of the Lord’s people is a mini-kingdom, or mini-family, in that it is a microcosm of the whole. When a member is in sin and will not repent, he is to be withdrawn from [denied the social interaction that is normally associated with membership in the local church family]. In effect, he is removed from the family, socially (Matt. 18:15-17; 2 Thess. 2:14). But he is still a part of the family, spiritually. And we are to “admonish him as a brother” (2 Thess. 2:15) in the hope that he will one day repent.