You are my brethren

[n david]

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

Dear friends

If you have been baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38), received the Holy Spirit and believe in one God, then I consider you my brethren.

I do not care if you are male or female.
I do not care what is your race.
I do not care what is the color of your skin
I do not care what nationality you are from.
I do not care what country you live in.
I do not care if you are poor, rich or middle of the road.
I do not care what is your denomination.
I do not care if you are a vegetarian or a meat eater.
If you are a man, I do not care if you shave, wear a beard, or a mustache.
If you are a woman, I do not care if you wear slacks or a dress, long hair or short hair.
I do not care if you believe in woman's preachers or not.
I do not care if you believe like I do. Well, I wish you all believed like I do, but then again every preacher wants everyone to agree with him.

I refuse to judge any of you for differing in your beliefs from mine, I will not send you to hell for not believing like I do, My job is not to judge anyone, that is God's Job, not mine.

I am not going to get in a pulpit and send anyone to hell for this or that, actually I am not going to send anyone to hell for anything for I have zero power to do that. Only God can do that.

Having said all that, I will say that I will continue preaching what God has given me to preach, if some want to believe well, and if others do not want to believe, oh well.
I know that some will disagree with me in my doctrines, but my job is not to force people to believe as I believe or to get mad because you do not believe what I preach and then condem you for not seeing the scriptures as I see them.

Now you all know where I stand.

Awesome post!!

I believe a few here are missing a key point. This is not a general statement about people, this is specific about who is considered a brother or sister.

Just as I would not consider a murderer, thief, adulterer, etc as a brother/sister in Christ; so also I would not consider a homosexual as a brother/sister in Christ. The "in Christ" being the key phrase. They are in sin, not in Christ.

[Titus2woman]

Hummm... lemme see... how do I know you as my brother or sister in Christ?

1. You profess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of your life and are able to give an honest testimony of how the Holy Spirit changed you. 2. Your actions do not belie those words. 3. If you slip you are quick to repent, be reconciled, and move back to your right place on your journey, in Him.

Lots of other things are bonus and make you more interesting to discourse with and more trusted for counsel as you mature in your walk... Some of those things are submission to believers baptism, giftings, correct theology, a solid knowledge of the Word, good works... I like 'em all... but the basics are listed above.

All the rest is you as a person and I really appreciate the diversity of God's handiwork. The colorfulness of our differences makes planet earth a great place to hang out for a lifetime and learn about each other.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by n david

Awesome post!!

I believe a few here are missing a key point. This is not a general statement about people, this is specific about who is considered a brother or sister.

Just as I would not consider a murderer, thief, adulterer, etc as a brother/sister in Christ; so also I would not consider a homosexual as a brother/sister in Christ. The "in Christ" being the key phrase. They are in sin, not in Christ.

Ok, well then how does being 'in Christ' (with you, supposedly) change your attitude/actions toward...me, say, as opposed to if/when I were not deemed to be 'in Christ,' and how is this...judgement made, exactly? Ty

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by n david

...Just as I would not consider a murderer, thief, adulterer, etc as a brother/sister in Christ; so also I would not consider a homosexual as a brother/sister in Christ. The "in Christ" being the key phrase. They are in sin, not in Christ.

Or, to rephrase; you wouldn't be caught dead eating at a leper's house?

[houston]

Originally Posted by n david

Awesome post!!

I believe a few here are missing a key point. This is not a general statement about people, this is specific about who is considered a brother or sister.

Just as I would not consider a murderer, thief, adulterer, etc as a brother/sister in Christ; so also I would not consider a homosexual as a brother/sister in Christ. The "in Christ" being the key phrase. They are in sin, not in Christ.

Mmkay. Thanks.

[bbyrd009]

ya. I'm reminded of how child molesters are treated in prison, by the rest of the convicts; as though they were more guilty, or something. It's just human nature, and Christians do it, too.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

Or, to rephrase; you wouldn't be caught dead eating at a leper's house?

[n david]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

Or, to rephrase; you wouldn't be caught dead eating at a leper's house?

Has nothing to do with my statement.

[bbyrd009]

Hmm; I don't see how it possibly could not; but understand that while this might seem personal, you espouse a popular pov. I am just asking you to (try to) defend it. This Q, below, might be more to the point.

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

Ok, well then how does being 'in Christ' (with you, supposedly) change your attitude/actions toward...me, say, as opposed to if/when I were not deemed to be 'in Christ,' and how is this...judgement made, exactly? Ty

and, good luck

[n david]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

Hmm; I don't see how it possibly could not; but understand that while this might seem personal, you espouse a popular pov. I am just asking you to (try to) defend it. This Q, below, might be more to the point.

and, good luck

Sorry, the question is a bit murky, but I think I get the gist.
1) what's the difference in my attitude/actions between those I consider brothers/sisters in Christ and those who are not;
2) how do I make a judgement of who is 'in Christ'?

Let's start with the second question. I didn't make the judgement, the Scripture did.

About 'in Christ':

Rom 8 describes being 'in Christ' as "those who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit."

2 Cor 5:17 says "if any man be in Christ, he's a new creature. Old things are passed away and all things are new."

Being 'in Christ' is as described in John 15 -- thru salvation, we are grafted into the vine.

A person in sin, whatever the sin is (murder, theft, adultery, homosexuality, etc), cannot, by scripture be 'in Christ.' Sin separates mankind from God, there is no fellowship. Because of that, a person who is in sin cannot be a brother/sister of a believer. It's not possible.

About attitudes/actions towards a brother/sister vs one who is not:

Paul said don't be yoked with unbelievers. 2 Cor 6:14-15 "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Fellowship. Communion. Concord (agreement/harmony/treaty). Agreement.

These words express being united for a purpose, or having a shared view or goal. Paul's word picture is of two beasts being yoked together to walk together, one would assume to work together for a common purpose.

My attitude or action changes only with regard to the common goal or purpose. Paul says to let your speech be full of grace, seasoned with salt; and in another scripture he says to speak the truth in love. I am friendly with everyone, believers and non believers; but I do not have a common purpose or common goal with a non believer or person living in sin. This is why I say that someone who is not 'in Christ' cannot be my brother/sister.