Firstly, it is important to define what the word brother means according to the dictionary and spiritually according to what is biblicle to what God teaches us.
By this definition we will come to a better knowledge who is our brother and who we should call our brothers and sisters.
Definition of the word BROTHER/BRETHERN:A man or boy related to one another either by having the same parents or step parents in common, half brother; foster brother, a freind who is like a brother; a fellow member of the SAME RACE, CREED, PROFESSION,OR RELIGIOUS organization.
In other words a brother is all members of a particular race, or of the humam male numbered among the same kinship group, nationality, race, profession, etc., as another; an associate; a fellow member, fellow countryman, kindred people, fellow man, etc.: a fraternity brothern race in general: All men are brothers.
Definition of Brother as according to when brothers or brethern is used in God's Word: A man or boy who has the same bond between each other in Christian beliefs and faith; a common unity in the faith in Jesus Christ or religious beliefs. A countrymen or tribe.
Used as a slang, brother denotes freind, or same race or creed, or profession or fellow man, kindred people.
As kinsmen of the saem parents Genesis chapter 27
As of the same father Genesis chapter 28
As of the same mother Judges chapter 8
As of a countryman Exodus chapter 2 and Acts chapter3
As of membero f the same tribe II Samual chapter 19
As of the saem human race Matthew chapter chapter 7, and the list goes on and on.
In Romans chapter 9, Paul calls the unsaved Jews his brothers, by saying this, " I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ FOR MY BRETHEN, MY KINSMEN ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, WHO ARE THE ISRALEITES, TO WHOM PERTAIN THE ADOPTION, THE GLORY, THE COVENANT, THE GIVING OF THE LAW, THE SERVICE OF GOD, AND THE PROMISE."
When Peter stood before the council to be judged for healing the lame man, and as he spoke to them about crucifying our Lord, so who was he speaking to? Surely, these men were not saved nor were they of the same faith as Peter in Christ. Yet, Peter says these things to them in Acts chapter 3, "Yet now, brethern, I know that you did it in ignrance, as also were your rulers,. But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ would suffer, He has fulfilled.
In Acts chapter 22: verses 1-30, when Paul was facing the mob he said this, Men, brethen, adn fathers hear my defense before you now." And when they (the mob) heard that he (Paul) spoke to them in the Hebrew kanguage, they kept silent all the more. Then Paul said, I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamalief, taught accpording to the strictbness of our father's law ( Paul is referring to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), abd was zealous to ward God as you all are today... then he continues.
One thing we do know is that Paul was not speaking to Christian believers when he called them brothers, he was speaking to those Jews, his kinsmen who were in the crowd to stone him for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, his countrymen, his kinsmen of the same tribe and blood in brith if nationality, Israelites, His Jewsih brothers who were not SAVED.
Most importantly is that one is consider a brother or a sister spiritually if he or she are in Christ, and of the household of faith. Holding fast to the same beliefs in Jesus Christ.
One is considered a brother or a sister if they are of same blood line as in family, or step family related as relatives.
One is considered a brother or sister if they are our contrymen, race and creed.
One is considered a brother or a sisiter of they are of kindred spirit.
One is considered a brother or a sister if they are of the same tribe.
One is consider a brother or sister if they are of the human race created by God, bloodline connection through Adam Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Does not matter what your religous beliefs are, or in whom you believe, you are my brother and my sister. And even the more spiritually if you are in Christ Jesus by faith..
So, who Can I Call My Brother Or My Sister... Every human Creature God has created upon the face of this green earth!:rocknroll:
Hey, there brotha! Hey, there sista!:dancingp::peace:
I have already given a scripture in the thread that answers your question specifically. Sorry to disappoint you, but no monkey wrench, not even a hiccup.
Good question Dennis. But you will not get a clear answer, just as no one has answerd why Paul and Peter called the UNSAVED JEWS their brothers.
I have given clear scriptures, but no response from anyone outside of trying to redirect the attention on me with thier insolent words. I understand this is what happens when people can't properly answer questions and don't know answers, they tend to start pointing toward the other person as their defense labeling them, to get the attention off of them. But a the word says, there is nothing that can come up against the truth, excet the truth its self.
Still no one ha an answer as to why even on the day of Pentecost, in Acts chapter 2, when Peter was preaching to the large crowd gathered, these were all UNSAVED men who did not believe in Jesus Christ, yet we read that he addressed his sermon to the crowd by saying, " Men and brethern, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day." So why did he called the unsaved Jews his brothers?
We find throughout the book of Acts in many places wherein Peter and Paul addressed Jews and Gentiles who were NOT SAVED, as their brothers, as I have pointed out in my posts. Yet the "three oracles of God", in all of their self-righteousness continue to not even attempt to respond to my questions or to these scriptures I have posted pointing to this fact, as to why it was okay for Paul and Peter to called the UNSAVED Jews and Gentiles their brothers, and their did not believer in Jesus.
But the three oracles are strong in their OWN beliefs without scriptural suppost, just their mouths, I suppose according to what they speak it can be considered a sin to call anyone who is not a chirstian your brother.
I also wonder if this also mean also that backslidding chirstians or those so-called Chrstians who continue in thier sins are not to be called brothers, and are stan's children? After all, scriptures does tell us not to even assoicate with anyone who is called a brother in the faith, who continues in their sins of fornication, adultery, drunkardness, liars, thieves, coveteous, idolater, reviler, or extortioners. In fact Paul says not to even have dinner with them, if they call themselves Christian and are still sinning.
But he also makes it clear, he is not speaking about those who are in the world, he's speaking about those in the church those who call themsleves Christians who claim they have been delievered, and still sins.
He says how can he judge those in the world when those in the church who are called brothers are doing the same thing, He exhorts us to Judge fairly those things in the church and God will judge those in the world. We are to witness to the lost.
2saprrow your comments about this being a biblical disccussion, and not the world or whatever you said, which made no sense at all. So I would like to know what is there in the world that is not included in the Bible? Are you saying that things of the world shold not be discussion in the Biblical section? What so holy about this section that things as you call it, of the world can;t be discussed?... that's lucy...
First the Natural, then the spiritual...
Deborah, Who are the children of Satan? Are they the lost, are they the Jews, or the JW's, are they Reformist, are they Catholic, Methodist, Pentecostals, Muslims, Budist, Baptists, Church of Christ, Church of god in christ, are they back slidding christians, are they Blacks, Whites, Mexican, Arabics, Germans, Asians? Who are satan's children according to YOUR gospel? God says EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT FOLLOW AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS AND DOES NOT LOVE HIS BROTHER, is of the devil. As Dennis asked, is it your blood brother or sister who has not received Jesus Christ into his/her life, are they one of satan's children?
First the Natural, then the Spiritual
I am so very proud to know that I am in great company of many witness, and I am so very honored that I have made the choice to accept the lost and those who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior as my brothers and my sisters by a connection relationship.
I suppose since I consider Paul my mentor in the word of God, I can declare what he speak as my testimony, I have serveral Muslim friends from about four different places in the Middle East that I minister to in person and online. I have Jewish friends, I have those who have never received Jesus Christ and do not attend anybody's church and have not been baptized. I have a host of friends who are lost and sit in darkness of the gospel, but we are making head way. And you know what, my Jewsih friends, and my Muslim frends, and all those to whom I minister to call me their sister, and I call them my brothers and sisters. And we get alone just fine, I tell them about Jesus and they explain to me about their faith, and I read Biles to tme and have even order Bibles for them in parelle lanagues. And one things about them, THEY LISTEN AND ARE INTERESTED about the things of Jesus.
THE NATURAL, THEN THE SPIRITUAL
Therefore, I take a page out of Paul's book:" For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a SERVANT to ALL (everyone), so that I MIGHT WIN THE MORE, AND TO THE Jews, I became as a Jew, so that I might WIN THE JEWS.
To those who are under the law, I became as being under the law, so that I MIGHT WIN THOSE WHO ARE UNDER THE LAW.
To those who are without the law, I became as without the law ( but not being without the law toward God, but under the law toward Christ), so that I MIGHT WIN THOSE who are without the law.
To the weak, I became as the weak, so that I MIGHT WIN THE WEAK. I HAVE BECOME ALL THINGS TO ALL (EVERYONE) MEN, SO THAT I MIGHT BY ALL MEANS SAVE SOME. Now I do this so that I may be parttaker of the Gospel with them. I Corinthians chapter 9
Why don't you answer your own foolish questions, et? You're the one who claims to know it all. You're posts reveal you aren't nearly as spiritual as you claim to be. In fact you appear quite carnal. What you claim others are doing to you is exactly what you are doing to them. Not sure who you are calling the three oracles of God. Of course its someone who disagrees with et's word-- How many times must you be told-- YOU ARE NOT GOD? Stop claiming to be something you aren't and I don't need to hear any more about what all you've done or the lifting up of yourself. One thing you are great at is judging other Christians. Jesus is my mentor,BTW. He is also my Saviour,and my God. What you think of me or your judgements or insults won't change my loving relationship with the One whose opinon of me is the only one that matters.Since you are so godly and spiritual, I'm surprised you have time to post such long-winded comments on how you are soooo right about everything.
ET changed the words in your question,Dennis, but my answer to what you asked is no I wouldn't denounce or disown a natural brother who isn't serving God. I would pray for God to draw him to Jesus and he would accept the gift of salvation.
ET shared: "Good question Dennis. But you will not get a clear answer, just as no one has answerd why Paul and Peter called the UNSAVED JEWS their brothers.
ts answers: I have answered your question specifically in this very thread. Perhaps if you would actually read and understand what others post you wouldn't make yourself look foolish. I know from your posts you do not read with comprehension, for you never can repeat accurately what another has posted. This behavior is indicative of a person who loves to hear themselves talk to the extent that they don't listen carefully to what others are saying.
ET shared: "I have given clear scriptures, but no response from anyone outside of trying to redirect the attention on me with thier insolent words. I understand this is what happens when people can't properly answer questions and don't know answers,"
ts answers : "insolent words" ET, I have always treated you with the respect a mature woman of God deserves while you poured your insolenence out on myself and others. In fact you have earned quite a reputation for being insolent. This is the first thread where I have treated you as you have treated others. How Does It Feel? How does it feel to be treated as you treat others? However I have not treated you nearly so harshly as you have treated others, for you have repeatedly called myself and others liars, and you have posted enough untrue statements to be accurately called the same, but there is only so low I will go to prove a point.
One last thing ET, if you want to be treated with respect, then treat others with respect. And don't go on long winded rants how no one has answered your questions when they have, that just makes you look foolish and deceptive.
Btw. I have answered your verses, why not have you answered mine? Do you see me going on a long rant about it? You know why not? - because anyone reading this can see for themselves you have avoided answering the questions put to you.
If you insist on being quarrelsome then do it fairly or not at all.
I don't plan to continue to polong this going back and forth, to and fro, with you or anyone in this matter, because i have gotten part one of the answer of the question I asked at the start of this topic, and now I know... plus, and you have expressed your heart feelings, and I have expressed my hearts feeling in the matter. Therefore the conclusion of the matter is that, You call who you please brother or sister, and I will continue calling who I please my brothers and my sisters.
I had asked who are the "THEY" and who were the "THEM" that were being referred to. Well, Praise God, His word is always true, "there is nothing that is hid that will not come to light." All one has to do is sit back and wait and the truth will be revealed in due season.
After reading your thread Christians Be Ware, chey revealed who the "THEY and Them" were, and now I know about whom things were spoken, the Muslims. I figured this, but I wonder who had enough accountability, and was brave and Christian enough to speak truth and openly say these thngs when I asked the question about the THEY and THEM, and not be in secret about this... So now all I have to do is sit back and wait, and God will also reveal who " satan's children" are that have been spoken about on this thread.
Also, sorry, about the typo and you didn't recognize it as a typo, the word "stan", should have read satan.
And as for the phrase "that's lucy", geeezzzz, since you are almost as old as I am, I thought for sure you would have known this phrase meaning from the late 60's early 70's... "that's lucy" (as in Lucille Ball), means "that's silly" .
