Brother? (Jesus Christ, Earth, Leviticus, beliefs, blood)

wmam · #1 02-11-2006, 09:18 AM

O.k. ......... With all the varying views on how and which interpretation of the Scriptures are correct, I have to ask by what measure we accept a meaning of a certain word. The word is a title that is placed on another as "Brother". I know that "Sister" is also involved in this. Either way, What is the correct meaning or intentions of these titles as they pertain to most of the Scriptures?

I personally believe that, other than where it is plain and simple that it is to do with immediate blood kin as a sibling of the same mother and father, it represents one of the same belief. Yes it could also mean one of the same kindred or people and even race. I still believe that like in the verse..............

Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

................it has to do with one of the same belief and following of YAH our Elohim.

What are your thoughts?

Yes I am full aware that not all look at things as I do, and that is o.k., and I know that others have little more to do than to attack the beliefs and understandings of others. Until the day of rapture, some of us will have to put up with the like.

sojourner · #2 02-11-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmam

O.k. ......... With all the varying views on how and which interpretation of the Scriptures are correct, I have to ask by what measure we accept a meaning of a certain word. The word is a title that is placed on another as "Brother". I know that "Sister" is also involved in this. Either way, What is the correct meaning or intentions of these titles as they pertain to most of the Scriptures?

I personally believe that, other than where it is plain and simple that it is to do with immediate blood kin as a sibling of the same mother and father, it represents one of the same belief. Yes it could also mean one of the same kindred or people and even race. I still believe that like in the verse..............

Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

................it has to do with one of the same belief and following of YAH our Elohim.

What are your thoughts?

Yes I am full aware that not all look at things as I do, and that is o.k., and I know that others have little more to do than to attack the beliefs and understandings of others. Until the day of rapture, some of us will have to put up with the like.

You're absolutely right. The Jewish thought of that day was that only fellow "clan members" must be afforded hospitality.

But in Luke 10, the story of the good Samaritan, the young man asks Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" ("Neighbor" here being used in the same context as "brother.") Jesus, in his parable, expands the concept of "neighbor" or "brother" to include any who act like a neighbor -- even if they're from a group we dislike.

I think that while "brother" was understood in a certain context in ancient Israel, Christians can, especially in light of the teachings of Jesus, no longer understand "brother" in that same context.

I suppose that "those who act like a neighbor" would include those who follow the same beliefs as you do. But that group would also include people from outside the sphere of those who are "of the same belief and following of YAH," according to Christian understanding. (Could any who act like a neighbor be, in some way, said to follow the teachings of YAH? Even if they are of another religion?) Just asking.

sandy whitelinger · #3 02-11-2006, 10:08 AM

The scriptural idea of being a brother has to do with the concept of being born again. consider this from Galations 3:

"[28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
[29] And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The operative phrase is "then are ye Abraham's seed."

wmam · #4 02-11-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sojourner

You're absolutely right. The Jewish thought of that day was that only fellow "clan members" must be afforded hospitality.

But in Luke 10, the story of the good Samaritan, the young man asks Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" ("Neighbor" here being used in the same context as "brother.") Jesus, in his parable, expands the concept of "neighbor" or "brother" to include any who act like a neighbor -- even if they're from a group we dislike.

I think that while "brother" was understood in a certain context in ancient Israel, Christians can, especially in light of the teachings of Jesus, no longer understand "brother" in that same context.

I suppose that "those who act like a neighbor" would include those who follow the same beliefs as you do. But that group would also include people from outside the sphere of those who are "of the same belief and following of YAH," according to Christian understanding. (Could any who act like a neighbor be, in some way, said to follow the teachings of YAH? Even if they are of another religion?) Just asking.

First I have to say that I would like to point out that the Scripture I quoted was that of Yahshua's own words and from His time here on earth. He spoke of then and I believe He spoke of how e today should treat those that are brothers together in the same belief of YAH. Also you haven't shown any proof Scripturally of fact where you state that "Neighbor" here being used in the same context as "brother." This to me is just your understanding and not fact.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sojourner

(Could any who act like a neighbor be, in some way, said to follow the teachings of YAH? Even if they are of another religion?) Just asking.

Yes, anyone can claim to be anything. Anyone can follow what they perceive as the teachings of YAH and they may be correct in all or in part but it is up to YAH as to whether He will accept their understandings as being correct or not. To me, sort of the way He did not accept the sacrifices of Cain but did accept that of Abel.

wmam · #5 02-11-2006, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandy whitelinger

The scriptural idea of being a brother has to do with the concept of being born again. consider this from Galations 3:

"[28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
[29] And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The operative phrase is "then are ye Abraham's seed."

Yes, I agree with this wisdom. Though, there are more to it on a much higher plain of understanding that some are not ready for, or will never accept, but this is of my own belief. All in all, though, I do agree.

sojourner · #6 02-11-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmam

First I have to say that I would like to point out that the Scripture I quoted was that of Yahshua's own words and from His time here on earth. He spoke of then and I believe He spoke of how e today should treat those that are brothers together in the same belief of YAH. Also you haven't shown any proof Scripturally of fact where you state that "Neighbor" here being used in the same context as "brother." This to me is just your understanding and not fact.

Yes, anyone can claim to be anything. Anyone can follow what they perceive as the teachings of YAH and they may be correct in all or in part but it is up to YAH as to whether He will accept their understandings as being correct or not. To me, sort of the way He did not accept the sacrifices of Cain but did accept that of Abel.

According to both the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament and The Interpreter's Dictionary, the word "neighbor" and "brother" are used in similar context in the Luke passage. Here, a lawyer is testing Jesus' understanding of the parameters of the Levitican Law, or covenant. Hence, the term "neighbor" used in Leviticus, denotes someone who is part of the covenant -- a "brother." Not simply myunderstanding, but the considered conclusion of Biblical authorities.

Jesus' treatment of the word "neighbor," (being used in the same context, as has been shown, as "brother") clearly shows that Jesus is expanding the meaning of "brother" to include all who act like a brother. Jesus here is not so much conceerned with either "belief" or "bloodline" as he is interaction.

michel · #7 02-11-2006, 11:30 AM

I must admit I was surprised to see some of the 'limiting' descriptions on this thread.

brother ~ (A) ~ anyone, both men and women, who is a Christian, who follows Jesus Christ.
brother ~ (A) ~ someone who is part of the family of God.

brother ~ (B) ~ another man who is a Christian and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you think that God is the Father, and we are all his children, it seems (IMHO) that brother would apply to every male creature on Earth.

Even the above definitions seem 'limiting to me) from http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-di...ry/brother.htm

mormonman · #8 02-11-2006, 01:52 PM

In this respect "brother" means every human being, not specifically any one group, gender, or race.

sojourner · #9 02-11-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mormonman

In this respect "brother" means every human being, not specifically any one group, gender, or race.

That's the meaning that 20-21st century euro-American Christianity has assigned to that word. It happens to be the one I, personally espouse, too. But I think what wmam was getting at was pointing out the first century meaning of the word. To the ancient Hebrews, "brother was a neighbor. A "neighbor" was someone who shared in the Mosaic covenant. Those "outside" the covenant were not bound by "neighborly" rules. Wmam expounded that meaning properly.

My commentary sought to say that Jesus, in his usage of the word "brother," expanded the meaning, and included not only those within the covenant, but anyone who showed compassion to another.

In the ensuing time, Christianity has developed the Biblical concept of "brother" to include "everyone," whether they particularly act in a "neighborly" way, or not.

sandy whitelinger · #10 02-11-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmam

Yes, I agree with this wisdom. Though, there are more to it on a much higher plain of understanding that some are not ready for, or will never accept, but this is of my own belief. All in all, though, I do agree.

It is not just wisdom but it is implied that after the resurrection, genetically speaking, we will a