Brothers and Sisters?

[Carrye]

Bleechers made a comment in one of the threads, though I don't remember which, about trying to define who is and is not a brother or sister in Christ. I often refer to Baptists as my brothers and sisters, and have done so in this forum. I'm wondering whether that's seen as inaccurate or offensive.

 

[caitlincares]

I consider all Christians to be my brothers and sisters.

All who believe are heirs together.

 

[Crazy Liz]

Bleechers made a comment in one of the threads, though I don't remember which, about trying to define who is and is not a brother or sister in Christ. I often refer to Baptists as my brothers and sisters, and have done so in this forum. I'm wondering whether that's seen as inaccurate or offensive.

I'm not offended by it at all. I like it when a fellow Christian calls me sister.

...bbut I'm not Baptist.

(Mennonite/Quaker)

 

[cathy_07]

I agree. All Christians are my brothers and sisters, but not all denominations greet each other as "brother" and "sister".

 

[caitlincares]

This is not the funny part: I had posted a prayer request for my grandfater in the prayer request forum.

This other member posted that she was praying and said something like "I am praying for you sister".

A couple of the subsequent posters started praying for BOTH us
- thinking she was my real sister therefore the prayer was about her grandfather too.

 

[2Timothy2]

Just as there are some who call themselve 'Catholic' but reject Christ, there are some who call themselves 'Baptist' and reject Christ. These, unfortunately, are not our brothers and sisters. But denominational distinctions do not sever the ties we share in our Lord and Saviour, sis.

 

[SumTinWong]

Bleechers made a comment in one of the threads, though I don't remember which, about trying to define who is and is not a brother or sister in Christ. I often refer to Baptists as my brothers and sisters, and have done so in this forum. I'm wondering whether that's seen as inaccurate or offensive.

It is not offensive to me, and to be quite frank although I haven't been there yet today i am trying to see where Bleechers is leading us with the line of questioning he is involved in.

I believe all people who are Christians are my brothers and sisters. But not everyone who says they are a Christian are one. I have to take it on faith that they know what they are talking about.

 

[Carrye]

I believe all people who are Christians are my brothers and sisters.

As do I. Thank you all for your kind responses.

 

[GreenEyedLady]

I think what Bleechers intent was not which Christian denomination is our brother and sister but WHAT makes a person a Christian or a child of God.
GEL

 

[Jessica Lauren]

I believe all Christians are...

 

[Carrye]

I think what Bleechers intent was not which Christian denomination is our brother and sister but WHAT makes a person a Christian or a child of God.
GEL

GEL.

Let me make sure my intention is clear: I didn't think that Bleechers was saying "Catholics aren't our brothers and sisters" - I didn't see it as a Baptist v. Catholic thing. I wasn't sure whether Baptists saw it appropriate only to call other Baptists 'brother' or 'sister'. And I wondered that because I frequently refer to others of all Christian denominations as brother or sister.

 

[ZiSunka]

Anyone who is saved by faith in Christ is my brother or sister. I often sign my letters and emails "Your sister in Christ" even when I don't know the other person's denomination. Denomination doesn't mean much, it's our faith in Christ that saves us and makes us brothers and sisters.

 

[Gold Dragon]

I don't find it offensive at all. I often refer to Catholics as my brothers and sisters as well.

 

[OracleX]

I have used it with fellow Christians and a couple friends of my who are not but talk that way. But that is more cultural than anything.

 

[BT]

Brother or Sister (In Christ) is not a term that I tend to toss around much. If I know someone personally, or if I've gotten to know them and know (via their fruits etc. since a human can never really know the condition of another) that they serve the Lord then I consider them my brother or sister, but it's not something that I just use as a general term. To answer the question directly it is not a term that I reserve for Baptists only. I have some brothers and sisters who are Charismatic, Pentecostal, non-denom etc. who are my friends as well...

 

[sobresaliente]

I have called people my brother or sister in Christ...I would not put Roman Catholics in that category, simply becuase if our doctrine is so different how can we be brothers and sisters?

I think of brothers and sisters as sharing the same 'blood' or beliefs and I just don't see that with Catholics because we are seperate from each other and come from different lines and for that reason we are called protestants or 'seperated brethren' I believe is the official term.

Sobresaliente

 

[Crazy Liz]

"Separated brethren" are brethren (brothers and sisters) who are separated.

Although separated, we remain brothers and sisters.

 

[sobresaliente]

that's your opinion....I realize that seperated brethren means brothers and sisters, only seperated, but I would not consider Catholics brethren...we do not share the same core beliefs.

you may think so, but that is purely your opinion, and this one is mine.

Sobresaliente

 

[Crazy Liz]

that's your opinion....I realize that seperated brethren means brothers and sisters, only seperated, but I would not consider Catholics brethren...we do not share the same core beliefs.

you may think so, but that is purely your opinion, and this one is mine.

Sobresaliente

OK. You're entitled to your opinion. I agree with what the Catholics, who made up the term "separated brethren" mean by it.

BTW, my husband taught me a spelling rule: There is "a rat" in separate.

 

[moeowo]

I totally agree with you.

I have called people my brother or sister in Christ...I would not put Roman Catholics in that category, simply becuase if our doctrine is so different how can we be brothers and sisters?

I think of brothers and sisters as sharing the same 'blood' or beliefs and I just don't see that with Catholics because we are seperate from each other and come from different lines and for that reason we are called protestants or 'seperated brethren' I believe is the official term.

Sobresaliente