tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503559743795412933.post154895157446537883..comments2018-11-09T12:39:59.298+04:00Comments on Word Ventures Blog: CHRISTIAN 'BROTHER/SISTER'jodias27http://www.blogger.com/profile/02295612986975319893noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503559743795412933.post-75989668787064842902012-11-27T08:35:17.671+04:002012-11-27T08:35:17.671+04:00COMMENT FROM PASTOR DAVID (GCC): Hi Bro Joe, this ...<br />COMMENT FROM PASTOR DAVID (GCC): Hi Bro Joe, this is not just a polite custom or empty tradition. In the Old Covenant, the Jews were the people of God and every israelite was expected to have a special brotherly (ie. family) relationship, as they were all the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). They were all designated by Yahweh as His people, and He gave them His Word and His Temple and He lived among them in the awesome presence of the Holy Spirit in a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. They were to be a special nation consecrated to God, and forbidden to marry Unbelievers (Satan and idol worshipers). So in the Old Covenant, the 2nd most important commandment (Lev.19:18) applies only within the Jewish nation. God entrusted the most awesomely sacred task of recording and preserving His Word to the Israelites (Princes with God).<br /> <br />In the New Covenant, God does not have a physical nation, but a spiritually separated people. This is the Born Again Church, purchased by the blood of the Lamb and filled with the Spirit of God.<br />Now the relationship is even closer. We are not the People of God; we are the Children of God (John 1:12-13; Rom.8:14-15; Rev.21:7).<br /> <br />The relationship is so close that Jesus is alternatively spoken of as "the firstborn among many brethren," or the Bridegroom of the Church (Rev.19:5-8; Ephes.5:30). Obviously, the passionate love relationship between Christ and His church is not physical (once again, the Scriptures are speaking in figurative parables), but Spiritual (1 John 3:24; 1 John 4:13).<br /> <br />As you said, there are many scriptures on this subject; you have mentioned some, and I have added a few more; but my favorite is what He said to Mary Magdalene on Resurrection Sunday: "Go to My brethren and tell them I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God" John 20;17). jodias27https://www.blogger.com/profile/02295612986975319893noreply@blogger.com