Brothers and Sisters

Apr 4 2023 - Eric Buresh

It’s been a couple weeks, but my thoughts are back today to the notion of unity in the little body of believers we call Grace. In years gone by, in a setting such as ours, I would have been known as Brother Eric (or just Brother). The tradition of using familial titles dates to the earliest church. For example, when the newly converted Saul met Ananias in Damascus, Ananias called him “Brother Saul.” Acts 9:17. Other examples of the use of "brother" and "sister" to address members of the church with a familial title can be found throughout the New Testament, including in the letters of Paul, Peter, and John. 

The tradition has faded over time, and I’m not advocating for its resurgence. Rather, I’m more interested in the thought than the practice. Put another way, thinking of each other as “brother” and “sister” – indeed, as family – is far more important than practicing the routine of referring to each other with such titles. As Paul instructed in 1 Timothy 5:1-2, “Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” In other words, view your fellow members as your family. 

There is obviously a lot of practical implications that Paul packs into just a couple of statements in these verses. For example, “father” and “mother” relationships with our elders are going to carry with them respect, deference, and care. Treating relationships with those of the opposite sex as a “brother” and “sister” relationship will promote purity. Going a step higher, though, there is a more foundational reason for thinking of each other using familial titles. 

“Blood is thicker than water.” Family relationships, quite simply, are more important and stronger than other relationships. While this may not be true in all cases, it is certainly true that many people consider family relationships to be among the most important in their lives. And this is the strength of the relationship we should impute to our church family – this is why we should at least think of each other as “brother” and “sister.” 

When we acknowledge each other as family, we step into a long familial history extending back to the early church, and we acknowledge our many shared experiences in Christ and our many shared challenges, such as fighting a common enemy. The shared history and shared experiences create a bond of familiarity and trust just as it does in our natural family. Viewing each other as family also creates a sense of duty and responsibility toward each other. Loyalty and commitment are hallmarks of the familial relationship. Overall, viewing each other as family embodies the mindset that relationships with our “brothers” and “sisters” in our church body are incredibly important and valuable. We do not easily discard family, even in difficult or challenging situations. 

Whether or not we use familial titles to address members of our church body from time to time (I personally enjoy it once in a while), we should always be thinking it, viewing each other from a familial frame of reference, and embracing all that comes with our shared family status. See you soon brothers and sisters!