Our Elder Brother

[geoff]

"Jesus - our elder brother"

I wonder where this term comes from?
I don't think its a scritpural term (but I'm often wrong).
It implies an almost equality with Jesus on our part, sharing in having a Father in common.
Now having a Father in common seems right to me, but I somehow feel uncomfortable with this idea of referring to Jesus our Lord, God the Son, as an elder brother.

Does anyone know where the term originates? Do you use it? Why?
Why do I feel uncomfortable with it? (I don't really know why I do myself)

[otto]

It certainly suggests that we are sons and daughters of God , thus our elder brother would be Jesus, who is quoted being the son of God.

Jesus said, we could become His brothers, yet not all understood what He meant. He was referring to a spiritual family of God the Father.

There is much in scripture to support the concept of the family {sons and daughters} of God, and Jesus himself being the son of God. imho

[Emy]

Romans 8: 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

THese verses in John have made me feel as if Jesus desired for us to have equality with him as touching the Father:

John 17:22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

[wonderful brother]

Wonderful That Jesus would want to share His rightful inheritance with us human beings, and first He suffered and died for our sins so that God could accept us into His family and the unity there is .

[geoff]

These are nice thoughts, but I still have this reservation about thinking that I'm in any way nearing equality to God the Son.

Now if Jesus were ONLY a man, then maybe. But He isn't merely a man. Not merely a man of perfect example, he's also God the Son.

Equality with God?

[humm]

geoff said:

These are nice thoughts, but I still have this reservation about thinking that I'm in any way nearing equality to God the Son.

Now if Jesus were ONLY a man, then maybe. But He isn't merely a man. Not merely a man of perfect example, he's also God the Son.

Equality with God?

Funny thing is, that the LDS church with their teachings, center around both the doctrine of Jesus being God, and us becoming His brothers....hense their ideology is not a far stretch, IF you do believe Jesus is God, .....there is enough verses for every group to justify there beliefs, but thankfully the spirit of God will teach us all truth.

BTW....I am not LDS, either

Doctrines found in scripture often have paradoxal meanings, thus adding to the need to rely more on the spirit of the word, and not the words themselves, eh?
Jesus is the Lamb of God, yet He is the Lion of Israel, the King of Kings, and yet He was the Good Samaritan, the Servant of All, etc.
Can we really argue that He cannot be all these ? I troe not.

[Richard McFarland]

geoff said:

These are nice thoughts, but I still have this reservation about thinking that I'm in any way nearing equality to God the Son.

Now if Jesus were ONLY a man, then maybe. But He isn't merely a man. Not merely a man of perfect example, he's also God the Son.

Equality with God?

Very good thought, geoff and one in which I very much agree. If we were to be able to be anything as Jesus was Spiritually then we would be considering ourselves as equals to God the Son. This would also make His life and message and death on the Cross a useless gesture on His own part and make His sacrifice to be of none effect.

Heb. 2:9: But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and Honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10: For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11: For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12: Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
13: And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14: Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15: And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16: For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17: Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18: For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Jesus spoke of His children as brethren. The term "Elder Brother" is not found in the Holy Bible I believe. Elder? Certainly! Jesus Christ is the "Elder" in all things Spiritual on this earth by the fact that this is His message, bought, delivered and paid for by Him.

emy wrote:

These verses in John have made me feel as if Jesus desired for us to have equality with him as touching the Father:

This is the desire of Jesus heart! To have His brothers and sisters share in the glory in which he lives with His Father. We can never, ever be equal, and to even consider ourselves worthy of equality with Jesus is a dangerous thing for our Spirit. We can be as worthy of Christ as we can and and love the Lord our God with all our heart and mind and we will never be worthy. But we will be forgiven and our faith in Him will prove His faith in us and we can truly be His brethren.

Just my 2 cents.

In Him,

Richard

[spirit or doctrine]

emy said:

Romans 8: 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

THese verses in John have made me feel as if Jesus desired for us to have equality with him as touching the Father:

John 17:22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Jesus is the first born of many brothers, yet, the term is implied that the first born would be called the elder brother, implying that there is other brothers.

Jesus said "Ye are my brothers , if ye do whatsoever I command{obey}"

It is good to know, there is room for diversity in doctrine, eh?

[elder or older]

geoff said:

"Jesus - our elder brother"

I wonder where this term comes from?

I might have to google, but I believe 'elder' is King James English for 'older'.? I could be wrong, though.

[geoff]

It wasn't the word "elder" (versus older) that worried me.

Elder is a comparitive between more than two, whereas "older" is only between two.

For example...
"I have one brother and he is older than me."
or "I am older than my sister"

and
"I have two brothers, and James is the elder".
"I am the elder of three siblings"

[Richard McFarland]

American Heritage Dictionary

eld·er

ADJECTIVE:
Greater than another in age or seniority.

Superior to another or others, as in rank.

NOUN:
An older person.

An older, influential member of a family, tribe, or community.

One of the governing officers of a church, often having pastoral or teaching functions.
[glow=red,2,300]__________________________________________________[/glow]

My DAD lives with my mom in Texas.

My FATHER resides in a place known as Heaven.

My FATHER is my God.

My FATHER sent His SON Jesus Christ to earth to die for my sins.

Jesus Christ is my Elder Brother.

This is by invitation from my FATHER and His SON

I cannot see or understand anything else.

In Love and Brotherhood with Christ,

Richard

[Alan C]

2 Corinthians 6:18 - and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

This verse tells me that God wants us to be sons and daughters of His, made into the likeness of His Son by His power.
With the final change from flesh to spirit at death.

[Richard McFarland]

spirit said:

emy said:

Romans 8: 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

These verses in John have made me feel as if Jesus desired for us to have equality with him as touching the Father:

John 17:22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Jesus is the first born of many brothers, yet, the term is implied that the first born would be called the elder brother, implying that there is other brothers.

Jesus said "Ye are my brothers , if ye do whatsoever I command{obey}"

It is good to know, there is room for diversity in doctrine, eh?

Encarta World English Dictionary [North American Edition]

di·ver·si·ty

noun

Definition:

1. variety: a variety of something such as opinion, color, or style a city of great cultural diversity

2. social inclusiveness: ethnic variety, as well as socioeconomic and gender variety, in a group,
society, or institution a company committed to diversity

3. discrepancy: discrepancy, or a difference from what is normal or expected

[14th century. Via French< Latin diversitas< diversus (see divers)][/quote]

The Bible teaches that "Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8) This is not contradictory to any change in God. God is eternally the same, and we can always trust the Lord to Judge by His law, is no respecter of persons and always metes the same punishment or reward for the same sin or obedience.

Diversity in doctrine comes from man's interpretation of Jesus Word and the writing of his own doctrine to fit the congregation of the church he leads.

The doctrine of Christ is set forth in Matthew 5 and 10 and in the New Commandments Jesus gave. This doctrine was made plain by His Apostles in the Acts, Romans, and the Epistles speaking with power from God and with permission.

Any diversity in this doctrine set forth after the recording of the Books of the new Testament would possibly diversify (change) the words of Jesus Christ.

In Unwavering Love for Christ,

Richard

[spirit or doctrine]

admin said:

spirit said:

Jesus is the first born of many brothers, yet, the term is implied that the first born would be called the elder brother, implying that there is other brothers.

Jesus said "Ye are my brothers , if ye do whatsoever I command{obey}"

It is good to know, there is room for diversity in doctrine, eh?

di·ver·si·ty

[/b]

noun

Definition:

1. variety: a variety of something such as opinion, color, or style a city of great cultural diversity

2. social inclusiveness: ethnic variety, as well as socioeconomic and gender variety, in a group,
society, or institution a company committed to diversity

3. discrepancy: discrepancy, or a difference from what is normal or expected

[14th century. Via French< Latin diversitas< diversus (see divers)][/color][/quote]

The Bible teaches that "Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8) This is not contradictory to any change in God. God is eternally the same, and we can always trust the Lord to Judge by His law, is no respecter of persons and always metes the same punishment or reward for the same sin or obedience.

Diversity in doctrine comes from man's interpretation of Jesus Word and the writing of his own doctrine to fit the congregation of the church he leads.

The doctrine of Christ is set forth in Matthew 5 and 10 and in the New Commandments Jesus gave. This doctrine was made plain by His Apostles in the Acts, Romans, and the Epistles speaking with power from God and with permission.

Any diversity in this doctrine set forth after the recording of the Books of the new Testament would possibly diversify (change) the words of Jesus Christ.

[/quote]
Thanks Richard for your gentle remarks.

Oh, I am very sorry that you misunderstood, my bad humor.

But then as we witness from time to time, there arrises some foreign doctrine within the 'church' of God....and such be that it may even cause a division in teachings [doctrine] and Paul confessed that these things are a needful for the searching of the truth, [not become complacent] and that the 'elect' will know what the truth of the matter is [correct teachings].

The convictions/teaching/doctrine that I hold , may not be the same as all that I meat with every Sunday, but this should not cause us dismay....may it inspire us to pray as Jesus did so often, that we all may be one in spirit and in truth, which is the essential right next to the first of all the commandments, to love our God with all our heart, and the second is to love our neighbor as we love our own self.

Pray for the peace and the harmony within the city of our God.

[selah]

Hi spirit or doctrine,

Your post made me think of something I heard last night...

We are SUPPOSED to be different! It's like puzzle pieces....if they were all the same, they would not fit together. But, because they are different...because WE are different, we can fit together...and when we do, we'll see the whole picture...Jesus Christ!

Blessings,
Linda