Quote:
Originally Posted by consapente89
I’m sorry BROTHER, but I don’t think Paul was talking about the New Birth message or the Godhead when he spoke of a brother walking disorderly. He was speaking of the holiness lifestyle. Just as he told the Corinthian church not to keep company with any man who is called a brother and is a fornicator.
To be fair, I don’t think it’s wise to go around telling trinitarians “you’re not my brother”, either. However, it is a false statement to say that they are our brethren in Christ. It is the New Birth that makes us sons and daughters, children of God. It is the New Birth that makes us of God and joint heirs with Christ, and indeed joint heirs with each other. It is the light of truth that enables us to have fellowship one with the other, as his blood cleanses is from all sin. We are in the same kingdom with trinitarians, not adopted into the same family of God, and not heirs of the same promise.
Of course, it would, in most cases be fruitless (even damaging) to tell a trinitarian “hey! You’re not my brother!” However, I have seen far too many Apostolics calling trinitarians brother that later denied the essentiality of the Jesus name message affirmed that trinitarians are apart of the Kingdom of God. Mr. Clendenen seems like a sincere man, a good man. His message affected me. He is not my brother, and if I had the opportunity to talk to him I would attempt to use wisdom to expound the truth to him.
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Paul was talking about a member of the church who disobeys the apostolic tradition and ordinances. Those who depart from the original one way. Trinitarians are members of an ancient movement that departed from that original one way. Unless they give evidence they are actually opposed to the gospel, they should be recognised for what they are: people who have responded to God but need to be taught His Way more perfectly.
Acts 19:1-6 KJV
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, [2] He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. [3] And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. [4] Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. [5] When they heard this , they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Luke calls these guys disciples. But they were not Christians. Why are they disciples? Because they love God and were obedient to what they knew at the time. Their genuine discipleship was proven when they whole heartedly accepted the new birth.
Nobody is saying trinitarians are "brethren in Christ", though. At least not me. I'm just saying pretty much what you said: it is self defeating to go around making it a point to tell people "you're not my brother."
I'm also pointing out that Biblically "brother" has a wider meaning than most people seem to think. Our kinsmen are our brethren, and we have a moral obligation before God to recognise that kinship status and act accordingly.
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