It’s a Big Brotherhood

Norma Jean and I are blessed to have hosted Ray and Bonnie Pringle who are visiting from South Africa. Ray is a preacher and is in the US visiting churches who support his ministry.

We had never met the Pringles until they arrived at our home yesterday. We quickly connected and enjoyed getting to know them and hearing stories of their travels in the US and their work in South Africa.

In the course of our conversation, I discovered they knew my cousin and who visited them a few years ago. Furthermore, on this trip when they stopped in Louisville, Ky, they spend the night with my Aunt and Uncle.

After we all expressed surprise,  Bonnie remarked, “Well, we’ve learned on this trip that it’s a small world.”

“Yes,” I agreed. But added, “But as Dee Bowman once remarked, ‘It’s a big brotherhood.’”

Norma Jean and I have discovered the vastness of brotherhood connections in our travels over the years. The brotherhood of believers is special. There is a unique bond that we share in Christ. The commonality of our faith. The object of our hope. The focus of our affection. The priority of our lives. And sharing the same values.

The New Testament speaks of “the brotherhood” only twice. And both times in Peter’s first epistle. As he reminded the scattered Christians of their duties in various relationships, he exhorted, “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).

Then following his admonition to be on guard for the Devil’s advances, he warned, “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Peter 5:9).

The word, “brotherhood, ” according to Greek scholars Vine and Thayer, means “a band of brothers.” “A feeling of brotherliness.” “The Christian fraternity. “ ”A fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection; most frequently spoken of Christians, constituting as it were but a single family.”

It’s interesting that the brotherhood is singled out for particular attention. While it’s true that New Testament churches are independent, autonomous, and self-governing, there ought to be a bond of affinity and affection among all believers. In an age of independence and self-assertiveness, there’s too much isolation from others who share in the common faith.

While the culture, customs, and economy in South Africa is different from out country, we learned that we face many of the same obstacles in ministry. The challenges we think are unique to us, are often experienced by our brethren throughout the world.

Last night in the Q & A session at West Citrus, one sister inquired about their worship. “How is it different than here in the US?” Ray replied, “We worship just like you do.” Their web site says worship consists of singing, preaching, prayer, offering, and communion. The reason, of course, is we both follow the same authoritative book, the Bible.

Ray did say that they are not as time conscious, we are in the States. Because many people don’t have cars and walk to services, they wait until everyone has arrived before they began worship. Even if it’s 30-60 minutes later than the announced time. He also said there are occasions where a worship service will lasts four hours. Ray has noticed that in the US, if a service lasts a bit longer, some are looking at their watches, something you don’t see in SA. Hmm. There might be some lessons we could learn from our South African brethren.

Our short visit with Ray and Bonnie has been wonderful. We’re reminded (again) of the blessings of brotherhood. Although in different countries on a different continent, we are…

…sharers of the one faith.

…fellow travelers walking the same road.

…co-workers in God’s Vineyard.

…partners in the common salvation.

…partakers of the Divine Nature.

…companions of Christ’s suffering.

…citizens of the same Kingdom.

…comrades in the fight against Satan.

…members of God’s Family.

…participants of the same spiritual blessings.

…heirs together of an eternal heavenly heritage.

Dee Bowman was right. “It’s a big brotherhood.”

Thank God for the brotherhood.

And thank God for the ministry of Ray and Bonnie Pringle.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman