WHO IS MY BROTHER?

1 Peter 2:17 – Love the brotherhood

1.     Some views

a.     Anyone who believes in Jesus

b.     Anyone who has been baptized by immersion

c.     Anyone who was immersed for the remission of sins

d.     Once a brother – always a brother

2.     Bible View of the Church

a.     Kingdom – Citizens – Ephesians 2:19; Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9; Galatians 3:26-29

b.     Family – Brothers – Ephesians 3:15; Galatians 6:10

c.     Army – Soldiers – 2 Timothy 2:3-5; Ephesians 2:25

d.     Body – Members – 1 Corinthians 12:14-20, 27

e.     When you become one of these, you are all of these.

3.     Who is my brother?

a.     Believer

                                                    i.     Not faith only – James 2:24

                                                   ii.     Devil is not my brother – James 2:19

b.     Penitent – Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30; 1 Peter 3:9

c.     Confessor – Matthew 10:32-33

d.     Baptized – 1 Corinthians 12:13

e.     In Christ – Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 6:3

f.      Faithful life – 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6

4.     Who is NOT my brother?

a.     See points above

b.     Those removed from the fellowship

                                                    i.     Matthew 18:15-17

                                                   ii.     2 Thessalonians 3:15