The Christian Brotherhood
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COLUMN: FINAL PHASE
The Christian Brotherhood
by J. Randal Matheny, editor
forthright.net/2014/01/20/christian-brotherhood/
This past weekend, several hundred people gathered in
the state capital of Maceió, on Brazil's northeast
coast, for the 28th Northeast Christian Lectureship.
My wife Vicki and I were among that number.
We enjoyed the fellowship, the powerful lessons, the
moment to reflect on "Working Out Our Own Salvation."
We saw many old friends from a number of different
locations and made not a few new acquaintances from
places across the country.
Since I spoke three times during the event, we missed
sticking our feet in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean,
at the beach just outside the youth camp where we were
staying. We didn't miss out on the tropical heat, nor
did we lack feeling the warm hospitality of our
brothers and sisters in Christ who live in that region
of the country.
Such events foster spiritual ties among God's people.
They remind us that we are brotherhood. While the work
we all do crosses city limits, state lines and
national borders, such moments to celebrate
collectively the true grace of God among us strengthen
the bonds of brotherly love.
Peter is the only one, in his first letter, to use the
Greek word often translated as "brotherhood" 1 Peter
2.17, 5.9. In the first reference, we understand that
God forms us into a brotherhood of love. It is also a
brotherhood of suffering for Christ, shared among his
people who are scattered "throughout the world."
But the *sense* of brotherhood, if not the word
itself, is everywhere present in the New Testament.
>From Paul's concern for all the churches, to Peter's
writing to congregations in entire provinces far from
his location, to disciples in Europe sending
collections to the Jerusalem saints, concrete
demonstrations of the tie that binds us appear often
in Scripture.
The brotherhood of Christians is nowhere more evident
than in the preaching of the gospel. Rome ought to
help Paul go to Spain. Philippi sends him offerings
time and again as the apostle stretches forward with
the message. Jerusalem sends manpower to Antioch.
Antioch sends out missionaries to reach the provinces.
A modest but dedicated couple correct a powerful
preacher so that his message is up to date with the
latest truth of the sacrifice of Christ.
They know that what one does affects all. So there are
times to put heads together. To meet in Jerusalem to
make sure everyone is on the same page doctrinally. To
extend the right hand of fellowship in the work. To
remember the poor. To pray for the sufferings and
labors of the faithful. To warn against the incursions
of false teachers in the midst of the brethren.
For we are brotherhood, precious in the sight of God,
dear to the hearts of all those who love the truth and
grace that are in Christ Jesus. We love this global
family, because we, in the midst of the nations, have
God as Father, Christ as our redeemer, and the Spirit
of God as the spring of truth and power for service.
As someone said this past weekend, the lectureship is
a small piece of heaven. It can hardly compare to the
excellencies of celestial bliss, but does provide, for
those whose prayer is "maranatha," a taste of what is
surely to come.
--
At the link below, see a photo of the Maceió lectureship
assembly by Nilton Barretto.
forthright.net/2014/01/20/christian-brotherhood/
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