1. The Brethren

2. “We are brethren” (Gen. 13:8) Love the brotherhood, 1 Peter 2:17Love the brotherhood, 1 Peter 2:17 Tender affection of kindred, Rom. 12:10Tender affection of kindred, Rom. 12:10 Relationship as brothers and sisters is critical, Gal. 5:13-15Relationship as brothers and sisters is critical, Gal. 5:13-15 –For a successful congregation –For our own salvation 2

3. F ALSE B RETHREN, 2 Cor. 11:26; Gal. 2:4 –pseudo: “pretended associate, erroneous, deceitful, untrue” Promote false doctrine, Gal. 2:4-5; Acts 15:1-2, 5Promote false doctrine, Gal. 2:4-5; Acts 15:1-2, 5 –Deviate from truth; they present perils to faith –Stern warnings against relations with them, Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Cor. 11:3-4; 2 Jno. 10-11 –We must be discerning, Jude 3-4 3

4. F AITHFUL B RETHREN, Colossians 1:2 Faithful to ChristFaithful to Christ –Reputation for faithfulness, Col. 1:3-5 –Spiritual condition matches reputation, Col. 1:9-12 –Rooted and established in Christ, Col. 2:6-7 Trustworthy, Col. 4:7-9; Philemon 4-7; Eph. 6:21Trustworthy, Col. 4:7-9; Philemon 4-7; Eph. 6:21 4

5. B ELOVED B RETHREN –“esteemed, dear, favorite, worthy of love” (Thayer) Christ is the Beloved, Eph. 1:6; Matt. 17:5Christ is the Beloved, Eph. 1:6; Matt. 17:5 Christians are beloved of God, Rom. 1:7; 1 Ths. 1:4Christians are beloved of God, Rom. 1:7; 1 Ths. 1:4 5

6. B ELOVED B RETHREN –“esteemed, dear, favorite, worthy of love” (Thayer) Christians are beloved to each other:Christians are beloved to each other: –Common conversion, Rom. 16:5 –Common relation in the Lord, Rom. 16;8 –Common labor in the Lord, Rom. 16:12 –Edification and motivation, Phil. 4:1-3 Warn against sin, Jas. 1:16Warn against sin, Jas. 1:16 Teach the word, 2 Pet. 3:1-2Teach the word, 2 Pet. 3:1-2 Encourage abstinence from sin, 1 Pet. 2:11Encourage abstinence from sin, 1 Pet. 2:11 6

7. I GNORANT B RETHREN –“without knowledge or understanding” Not yet taught the truth, Acts 4:13; Rom. 11:25; 1 Cor. 10:1; 12:1; 1 Ths. 4:13Not yet taught the truth, Acts 4:13; Rom. 11:25; 1 Cor. 10:1; 12:1; 1 Ths. 4:13 –Teaching and learning removes ignorance –Bear gently with such brethren, Heb. 5:2 Forgotten the truth, Rom. 6:1-3; 7:1Forgotten the truth, Rom. 6:1-3; 7:1 Rejects the truth, 1 Cor. 14:37-38Rejects the truth, 1 Cor. 14:37-38 7

8. W EAK B RETHREN –“without strength, feeble, infirmed or sick” In personal conscience toward allowable things, Rom. 14:1-2, 5; 15:1; 1 Cor. 8:4, 7-12 (9:22)In personal conscience toward allowable things, Rom. 14:1-2, 5; 15:1; 1 Cor. 8:4, 7-12 (9:22) In careful obedience, 1 Cor. 11:30In careful obedience, 1 Cor. 11:30 Support the weak, 1 Ths. 5:14Support the weak, 1 Ths. 5:14 –“to keep one’s self directly opposite to any one, hold to him firmly, cleave to, paying heed to him” (Thayer) 8

9. S TRONG B RETHREN, 1 Cor. 16:13 Word of God abides in them, 1 John 2:14Word of God abides in them, 1 John 2:14 They overcome Satan, 1 John 2:14; 1 Peter 5:8-9They overcome Satan, 1 John 2:14; 1 Peter 5:8-9 9

10. B RETHREN, Galatians 5:13-15 FalseFalse FaithfulFaithful BelovedBeloved IgnorantIgnorant WeakWeak StrongStrong  We share in the riches of Christ  We must hold up each other, not tear down  Freedom in Christ compels us to serve each other in love 10