melvin mccarty Posted March 15, 2008 Posted March 15, 2008 If we really consider others as siblings we will use first numes huh? Families do not use titles. mel Quote
Neil D Posted March 15, 2008 Posted March 15, 2008 If we really consider others as siblings we will use first numes huh? Families do not use titles. mel You're right, Melvin....and you know, they will acknowledge that they have brothers and sisters... I can admit that, both here and in church.... Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw
Members phkrause Posted March 15, 2008 Members Posted March 15, 2008 I know what you mean. When I was growing up in NYC, we went to this Jewish SDA church in the Bronx and than the church moved to manhattan. I can remember that the members always called each other brother so-n-so, or sister so-n-so. I loved that. I still do that to this day, but not as much. pkrause Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Moderators John317 Posted March 15, 2008 Moderators Posted March 15, 2008 When some one calls me at the office... and starts with Brother Jensen... it usually follows with "I have a concern...... You're exactly right, and that's what I wish we could get away from, using it so that it becomes stereotyped in a negative way. It's kind of like we've been conditioned to react negatively when we hear it because of the association we make of it in our minds. Like when someone calls and says, "Brother Jensen... " you feel like, "Oh here we go again." Not sure what the answer is. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Moderators John317 Posted March 15, 2008 Moderators Posted March 15, 2008 So it appears from that experience of yours that the use of "brother" and "sister" works when the people are bonded spiritually and when it's not viewed as something unusual. Which sounds best when talking about a fellow believer -- "I gave it to some guy..." or "I gave it to a brother..."? "Mr. Wilcox" is the way we might refer to just anyone, but when we refer to someone we have a special affection for because of his relationship to Christ, it seems to me that it would be good to say, "Brother Wilcox." But again it can't be just a formality but something from the heart that we really mean. I don't normally talk like that myself, but I am just sort of thinking out-loud here. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
melvin mccarty Posted March 15, 2008 Posted March 15, 2008 The practice comes from Jesus statement "All ye are brothers" but that was part of a scene where He was discouraging the use of titles! Very doubtful if in context He meant to imply that ws should address each other that way. mel Quote
Neil D Posted March 16, 2008 Posted March 16, 2008 I know that John provided examples of the use of Brother and Sister in the bible.... Quote: The letter from the Jerusalem conference in Acts 15: 23-- "From.... your brothers to the brothers among the gentiles...." 1 Corinthians was written from "our brother Sosthenes." Romans 16: 1 refers to "our sister Phoebe." Verse 17 of the same chapter says, "I implore you, brothers...." 1 Cor. 10: 1 says, "Now I want you to know, brothers...." 1 Thess. 5: 12, 25-27 -- "Now we ask you, brothers.... Brothers, pray for us all. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers." But I don't see where Paul or anyone calls an individual Brother So and so. IOWS, Paul never addressed anyone directly that way. He always used it in the 3rd person or collectively... Can anyone show otherwise? Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw
Members phkrause Posted March 17, 2008 Members Posted March 17, 2008 agreed! pkrause Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
LifeHiscost Posted March 17, 2008 Posted March 17, 2008 I will bring this up no more if you wish. On the contrary, AlanOfPC. There are numerous places in the Scripture where we are told of people, places and things of which we need to be wary. OTOH I need to disagree that we can see the light clearly by the Holy Spirit, without the Word to verify the identity of the Spirit. "But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of." Luke 9:55 KJV And there is also this counsel. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" 1 Peter 3:15 KJV I've never known a more suitable place to identify the works of God than through the Holy Word. "Search the scriptures;.....they are they which testify of me." John 5:39 KJV And if we find our works not in agreement with the Word, we have access to further assurance for the power to solve that issue. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1 KJV Regards! Quote Lift Jesus up!!
LifeHiscost Posted March 17, 2008 Posted March 17, 2008 Why can't we spontaneously address a fellow SDA as "brother" and "sister" any more without someone feeling that it's somehow not genuine, etc., as Neil.D expressed it? Does it say anything about where we are as a church today? OTOH, is it friendlier or more sincere to insist that someone say and do things just as we do, or else we won't be as friendly to them, or can we be friendlier by letting others speak and act the way that makes them feel the most comfortable, just as Jesus does when He mingles with people of all different cultures and languages? "Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]." 1 Corinthians 13:7 AMP Best regards! Quote Lift Jesus up!!
LifeHiscost Posted March 17, 2008 Posted March 17, 2008 If someone is seeking God ... they will find him. The Holy Spirit is far more powerful than any link like this one. Personally, I don't find myself "stirred" at all by this link. For My God is far more powerful. As is the case with any derogatory remarks about the works of God, in organization, group, or individual. Focusing on the works of darkness instead of using that time to spread the Light of Life is as futile as wrestling with the devil instead of giving such a heavy load over to Him Who alone is fully capable in bearing the load. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4 KJV Regards! Quote Lift Jesus up!!
Woody Posted March 17, 2008 Posted March 17, 2008 Preach on sister ... or brother .... or whomever ye may be. Preach on ... Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
LifeHiscost Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 Preach on sister ... or brother .... or whomever ye may be. Preach on ... I'm for women preachers but not being a woman, brother is perfectly appropriate, brother. It's nice to see someone applauding the Word, :Jesusfish: . For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us--by me and (Redwood)--was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. 2 Corinthians 1:19 NASB Parenthesis mine LHC Hope you don't mind the inference. Quote Lift Jesus up!!
Woody Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 Oh brother ... Sorry, living with a 'woman' preacher ... I just assumed ye would be a 'sister' preacher rather than a 'brother' preacher. But this brother stands corrected brother. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
LifeHiscost Posted March 23, 2008 Posted March 23, 2008 Oh brother ... Sorry, living with a 'woman' preacher ... I just assumed ye would be a 'sister' preacher rather than a 'brother' preacher. But this brother stands corrected brother. It always pays to have a sense of humor. Regards! Quote Lift Jesus up!!
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