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 "The
Brotherhood" Edward O. Bragwell, Sr.
"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. (1
Peter 2:17)
The word "brotherhood" here is translated from adelphotes. It
appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in First Peter
(2:17; 5:9). The King James renders it "brethren" in 5:9, but the
New King James renders it "brotherhood" in both verses. Of
adelphotes Vine says, "primarily, 'a brotherly relationship,"
and so, the community possessed of this relationship, "a
brotherhood," 1 Pet. 2:17 (see 5:9 marg.)" and Thayer says,
"brotherhood" ; the abstract for the concrete, a band of brothers,
i.e. of Christians, Christian brethren : 1 Pet. ii. 17; v.9).
It is clear that Peter uses the term to refer to what Vine calls
"the community possessed of this relationship" throughout the world.
In 5:9 he compares the sufferings of those immediately addressed in
his epistle to that experienced by their "brotherhood in the world (nkj)."
In 2:17, it seems to be a contrast to "all men." Hence, when we as
children of God and brothers and sisters in Christ speak of "the
brotherhood" we are speaking of ourselves along with all in the
world that share in this great relationship. What a great throng of
people! It is this throng that Peter especially tells us to love.
It seems to me that in recent years we have lost much of that keen
sense of brotherhood that we once enjoyed. Those of us who consider
ourselves "conservative" and "non-institutional" have done a pretty
good job of teaching that each local congregation is autonomous and
independent of any other congregation in the world. We have shown
that a failure to recognize this fundamental Bible principle has
historically led to most of the wholesale apostasies of the past. We
have rightly pointed out that the congregation of which we are
members can exist and scripturally function as if there were no
others like it in the world. We have also emphasized that each
member of a congregation has a relationship and responsibility to
the local church collectively and distributively that he does not
have toward brethren elsewhere.
I fear that during all of this we may have developed a mentality
that is a bit too "independent." As a result of this perverted sense
of independence, brethren have almost isolated themselves from any
real concern, contact or sense of fellowship with their brethren
elsewhere - even other brethren meeting across town. An invitation
can come (in some cases no invitation is sent) from faithful
brethren elsewhere to their gospel meeting. It may or may not be
announced at the receiving congregation, but it is generally ignored
because it is not a function of "our" congregation. In some areas
preachers of local congregations have little contact or interaction
with preachers or other members of other congregations. This writer
confesses his own guilt to a degree at times along these lines.
We can remember a time when a church, in an area where there were
several congregations would have a gospel meeting that the house
would be filled mostly with members from the other congregations.
Often, we would travel miles to encourage another congregation in
its gospel meetings. We were just as interested in seeing another
congregation prosper in the Lord as we were to see the congregation
where we attended. We showed an interest in and often inquired about
how that brethren meeting at such and such place were doing. That
was before we conceived that "autonomous" and "independent" meant
"isolation." Have we forgotten how to heed Peter's admonition to
"love the brotherhood?"
The brotherhood, of which Peter wrote, is not a brotherhood of
churches organized together as a unit nor is it a brotherhood of
Christians organized into a unit. It is a relationship that exists
between all Christians. They share a common faith and have common
interests.
While New Testament congregations were not tied together
organizationally speaking, they were tied together doctrinally
because they subscribed to the same standard. Paul declared that
what he taught and ordained in one church he ordained in all (1 Cor.
4:17; 7:17). They shared in a common faith.
I do not have the right to meddle in the internal affairs of another
congregation nor infringe upon its autonomy. It can decide, without
any interference for me, its meeting times, when it will have a
gospel meeting, how it can best use its treasury, who will do its
teaching and preaching, lead its singing and praying, what kind of
facilities it well provide to do its work, which of its members it
may or may not discipline, etc.
But, because of my duty to "love the brotherhood," I have an
obligation to "speak the truth in love" to my brethren everywhere I
have the opportunity to do so, just as I have an obligation to
preach the gospel to every creature in the world because I love
their souls. It is not interference into the affairs of other
congregations when I demonstrate my love of the brotherhood by
teaching them the truth and warning them of departures from the
faith once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3) and even the Bible
teaching that should govern them as they exercise their autonomy.
Let us love and appreciate those of the brotherhood that we meet and
work with regularly in the local congregation, but let us also
broaden our scope of interest and "love the brotherhood" as a whole
- enough to "correct, rebuke and encourage" (2 Tim. 4:2 - NIV) as
needed. ~
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 The
Silence of the Scriptures
by Kevin Cauley
"I don't understand the concept of the silence of the scriptures."
This is an increasingly voiced sentiment. However, we do understand
the prohibitive nature of the silence of the scriptures to some
degree. For example, take the Lord's Supper. Jesus said, "This do in
remembrance of me." This is a positive command. Jesus didn't have to
explain who NOT to remember. Jesus didn't say, "Don't remember
Abraham. Don't remember Moses. Don't remember Joshua. Don't remember
David. Don't remember Hezekiah. Don't remember John the baptizer." I
don't know of any religious group observing the Lord's Supper in
remembrance of anyone but Jesus. Would it be sinful during the
Lord's Supper to remember someone other than Jesus? Yes. That shows
a basic understanding of the silence of the scriptures.
It is not difficult to apply this same principle to other areas of
worship. When it comes to singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual
songs, the New Testament doesn't equivocate. The passages that speak
of music in the church are limited. None mention instruments. All
mention singing. Conclusion! The positive command regarding music in
the church is: "Sing!" No one denies this. All agree that singing
occurred. So why conclude that singing only is God's desire? The
scriptures are silent on the use of instruments.
Is that silence permissive? Is that silence prohibitive? Can the
scriptures answer these questions? Yes. The examples of Nadab and
Abihu teach that God's silence is prohibitive (Leviticus 10:1-2).
God's commands to Noah to build the ark teach that God's silence is
prohibitive (Genesis 6:22). Silence prohibited the church at Corinth
from calling themselves Paulites (1 Corinthians 1:13). Silence
prohibited Jesus from being a priest under the law of Moses.
(Hebrews 7:14, says "For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of
Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.")
Silence prohibited the exaltation of angels to positions of divine
authority (Hebrews 1:5, 13). In each of these examples God's
positive commands limit what may be done. "This do in remembrance of
me." No explicit prohibition is further necessary.
When we consider that man is not authorized to do anything he wants
to do in worship (John 4:24), that worship becomes meaningless when
we elevate human tradition (i.e. the use of instruments) to doctrine
in worship (Matthew 15:9), that we cannot approach God in worship
with a display of our own righteousness (Romans 10:2-3), and the
prohibitive nature of the silence of the scriptures, we conclude it
is sinful to worship God with the instrument.
May we strive to make our worship pure, holy, and acceptable to God.
May we prostrate ourselves before His majestic throne with glory,
honor, and thanksgiving. May we have the utmost spirit of humility
as we contemplate His sovereignty, magnificence, and beauty
(Revelation 4). May we realize that we are created for His pleasure
and we do not live to serve self in offering worship (Revelation
4:11). ~
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