THE BIBLE AND CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD

Devotional Text: Mark 3:31-35

INTRODUCTION:

Christian Brotherhood hinges on the expression of our Lord and Blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ, which stresses that, “whoever does the will of My Father in Heaven, the same is My mother,  brother and sister (Mark 3:34-35) and not on denominational or ethnic ties. For, only those who possess the Spirit of Christ, irrespective of their denomination or ethnic leanings, according to the Holy Scripture, are Christians, since anyone without the Spirit of Christ is none of His, (Romans 8:9). Therefore, one is not a Christian because one belongs to a given Christian community, but because one possesses the Spirit of Christ (vs. 9), and does the will of our Father who is in Heaven (Matt.12:48-50).

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)       Christian Brotherhood is based on doing the Will of God, (Mark 3:31-35)

(2)       Christian Brotherhood is equally based on becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ, (Matt. 12:46-50)

(3)       Christian Brotherhood is also based on hearing God’s Word and putting it to practice,(Luke 8:19-21)

(4)       Christian Brotherhood is not based on family or ethnic leanings, (vs. 19-21)

CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD AND ETHNICITY

The Christian faith recognises ethnic groupings, but does not allow it to rob-off on the converts of the faith. This implies that one’s place of origin does not really matter, as long as one is in Christ and serves God in spirit and truth, (John 4:24). To this end, the Apostle Paul holds out the concept of no Jew, no Gentile, since all that is important is one’s faith in Christ, (Col. 3:9-11). Therefore, it becomes un-Christian to deny someone any privilege or right simply because of ethnicity. But, this has become a frequent happening in today’s Christianity as it is now obvious that certain individuals push aside the benefits of others on the basis of where they come from. For example, some church leaders hardly appoint people who are not of their clans, villages or tribes into key positions in their denominations, as many ethnically biased Christians in positions of trust find it difficult to assist others of different ethnic groups. In this connection; Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of God, irrespective of place of origin,
            (i)                       The same is my mother, brother, and sister’, (Mark 3:34-35)

(ii)                    The Apostle Paul says, in Christ Jesus, “There is no Jew, no Gentile....” (Col. 3:10-11)

(iii)                   Christ Jesus becomes the identity of Christian Brotherhood (vs. 11)

 CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD AND CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Church membership is important, and Christian denomination should go all out for it. But, denominational blind spot which seems to place a wall of demarcation between them and others should not be allowed. This, Jesus dealt with when His mother and brothers stood outside seeking to speak with Him, in one of His preaching expeditions, as He replied and said, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the Word of God and do it”, (Luke 8:19-21). By this, Jesus shows that what makes one a child of God or Christian is the doing of God’s Word which one hears and not just the acquisition of the membership status of any denomination. In line with the foregoing, let it be stated that in God’s sight, church membership does not make anyone a Christian mother, brother or sister, but doing His Word does (Vs.21), and so, the Christian believer should look beyond his denomination to find those who are doers of God’s Word in other denominations, as well as embrace and work with them, instead of becoming denominationally blind. This means that Christian Brotherhood is not:

(i)        Denominational, but inter-denominational, (vs. 19-21)

(ii)      Mono-cultural, but poly-cultural, (vs. 19-21)

(iii)     A family thing, but inter-family phenomenon (vs. 19-21)

CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD AND CHRISTIAN LIVING

The hallmark of Christian Brotherhood is Christian Living. The biblical expressions, “whoever hears God’s Word and practice it” (Luke 8:21) and “whoever does the will of My Father who is in Heaven” (Matt. 12:50), the same is My mother, brother or sister authenticates this solemn truth. Therefore, anyone who does not practise the Word of God nor does His will, is not a brother or sister of Jesus Christ, and so, fails the screening test for Christian Brotherhood. For, a Christian, in an ideal situation is Christ-like, and this is a practical and not a theoretical thing, (Acts 11:26). In this connection, one who is not a doer of God’s Word, but a mere hearer deceives oneself, as one goes about with the appellation, “brother” or “sister”, (James1:22). Note also that Jesus says, “those who abide in His word are His disciples (John 8:31), and those He disciples are His brothers or sisters, (Matt. 12:49). This implies that Christian Brotherhood demands that one:

(i)        Lives according to the Will of God, (vs. 49)

(ii)      Practises the Word of God, (Luke 8:21)

(iii)     Does not become a mere hearer of God’s Word, (James 1:22)

In conclusion, this lesson is a call for sober reflection to ascertain where one carries ethnic or denominational blind spot, as well as draws the attention of the believer to a wider spectrum of Christian Brotherhood. LET THE MIND OF CHRIST BE IN YOU