Who Is My Brother?
By Roy Loney
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To the above there can be no scriptural objection taken, just as our brother has stated it, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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" (Gal. 3: 26, 27). All who accept at the point of faith the inspired word of God will agree that all "those who have turned away from their sins, and submitted to immersion of their bodies in water" are members of God's family. This is in harmony with Jesus' statement, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).
A rebirth of a soul by means of the implanted word of the Spirit in his heart, and a yielding of his body in the sacred act of obedience to the ordinance of baptism is truly a requirement of salvation. "Except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3: 5). The real regeneration of the soul is not accomplished by the immersion of his body in the water of baptism. Regeneration is from within--from the heart. Cnly those who have "obeyed from the heart" (Rom. 6:17) are acceptable to God. It is the condition of the heart which counts, not the mere act of baptism. Many there are who go down into the water a dry sinner and come out a wet one because they may have the wrong motive in their hearts in accepting baptism. Many are converted to the scripturalness of baptism without being converted to Him who instituted baptism. Thousands have submitted to baptism merely as a means of joining a church, giving no thought whatsoever to
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A thousand immersions will not save a soul unless that soul in yielding to baptism, gives his heart to God. If after baptism the person continues to live the old life, the new birth has not been accomplished. The Pharisees and Sadducees in accepting John's baptism, were solemnly urged to "bring forth fruits meet for repentance" (Matt. 3:8), which is something that thousands of "Church of Christers" have never done. Until their hearts are placed in God's keeping, thus giving evidence that they arose from their immersion to "walk in newness of life," they can make no scriptural claim to being God's children. It is only when we walk in the light "as he is in the light" that the blood of Christ will cleanse us from all sins (1 John 1:7). This being true, I am not scripturally required to recognize every baptized person as a brother in Christ. No one is in Christ unless Christ is in their hearts. When they are in Christ, then Christ is in them.
Paul spoke of the "false brethren" who came to spy out his liberty in Christ (Gal. 2: 4). A false brother is a counterfeit brother, and "ye shall know them by their fruits." No real bond of fellowship united these pretenders with Paul in the gospel. And the emissaries of Satan, transformed into "ministers of righteousness" (2 Cor. 11:15) doubtless were baptized people or they could not have deceived those in the church. However, their spiritual father differed much from the Father of the great apostle to the Gentiles. A heart that is set on self and is motivated by principles of unrighteousness, cannot be a true child of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Certainly I am not able to judge a character as accurately as the Lord, yet we are commanded to "try the spirits whether they be of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:13). And this being true I cannot accept a man's baptism and it alone as a true birth certificate into the family of God. Unless a man is motivated by faith in Christ Jesus in submitting to baptism, and has turned away from his sins, he has no scriptural claim upon my fellowship. Those who are Christ's are identified as those who have "crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof" (Gal. 5:24). The cross of Christ is not the only cross needed for one's salvation. Until self is crucified, Christ will complain, "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say.
Again, Christ identifies his sheep as those who hear his voice and follow him, "but a stranger they will not follow, for they know not the voice of a stranger" (John 10:5 and 27). This being true, Christ's sheep are only those who are interested in hearing Christ and his word. This is a mark of identity! If a sheep is truly Christ's, he is ever ready and anxious to hear his voice. Many times I am made to wonder at the passion and prejudice shown by hundreds, who will not receive with meekness the engrafted word which alone can save their souls. Twice-born men are not prejudiced against the truth. It was the false sheep, (brethren) who made possible the false teachers who tickled the ears of an unconverted multitude just as Paul predicted (2 Tim. 4:3). The true sheep of Christ do not turn away their ears from the truth, to fables. If a "Church of Christ" shows the same blind prejudice against the truth on the subject of Institutionalism, as the denominational people do with reference to baptism, what is the basis of their claim to being the sheep of Christ? Prejudice against the truth and ill-will toward those who strive to teach men the better way, is not the mark of God, but of Satan.
Just here I wish to refer to Christ's own definition of those who are his brethren. Being informed that his mother and brethren wished to see him, he asked, "Who is my mother and my brethren?" Listen to his own answer, "For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother" (Mark 3:35). I think that definition will stand all tests. "Not every one that saith unto me Lord,
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Christ gave an infallible test of discipleship when he said, "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me," and "If a man love me he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him" (John 14:21,23). The spiritual abode of the Father and Son is not with the disobedient, nor with the cold-hearted. Of this we are certain!
When Moses gave the trumpet call at Sinai, "Who is on the Lord's side? Let them come unto me," only one of the twelve tribes had the moral and spiritual strength to "stand up and be counted," and if the same call is given on the same basis today, the known idolators would be very conspicuous for their vast numbers. I do not draw the line or the ring that sets another outside. I only respect the ring that Christ, as the great Head of the church has drawn, and I dare not go beyond the boundaries of his grace. The only church that Christ will respect, is "a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing" (Eph. 5:27). Our responsibility is to keep it holy and without blemish. It will be fatal to us if we become so mawkish in sentimental "love" for men that we lose sight of the stern features of a sin-hating God! Most certainly I believe that all scriptural efforts should be made for the salvation of all, and that we should "weep o'er the erring one; lift up the fallen and tell the poor wanderer a Saviour has died," but we cannot save them unless we "cry aloud and spare not." "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent."