3. FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD
Another figure is that of the household or family that accentuates the love, mutual care, affection, and fellowship enjoyed in Christ. It brings out the thought of brothers and sisters who share a common Father and share that relationship. Paul writes, “So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19; cf. 1 Tim. 3:15; 2 Cor. 6:17-18). He also writes, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10). This is the family to which Jesus refers when he says, “For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Mat. 12:50).
John speaks of the love of God that we should be called “His children” (1 John 3:1-2). As such, we are heirs of God. Paul writes,
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17).
Being joint-heirs with Christ, we are sons of God. Christ Jesus is our elder brother who has gone before us to bring many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10). The Hebrew writer continues,
For both he that sanctifies and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, “I will declare thy name unto my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise”. And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children whom God hath given me” (Hebrews 2:11-13).
Peter refers to a “brotherhood” (1 Peter 2:17). This is not a reference to a brotherhood of churches, but a brotherhood of individuals. But, this relationship between fellow Christians is not that of a Country Club or as a Kiwanis Club, political board or membership of any organization. Such relationships expect membership dues and membership responsibilities from the occupied positions of the society and assignments given its members. The brotherhood is a relationship with other individuals that share in that common faith and blessed hope that is found in Christ. It consists of individuals who treat each other as part of a family. Paul refers to Sosthenes, Apollos, and Timothy as “our brother (1 Cor. 1:1, 16:2; 2 Cor. 1:1). Titus and Epaphroditus are referred to as “my brother” and Tychicus and Onesimus as a “beloved brother.” As a family, we would expect to see the following things that describe the actions of the family of God:
(1) Expression of care for one another. For example, certain brethren, like Titus, are described as God having put “the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you” (2 Cor. 8:16). Timothy is described by Paul in Philippians 2:19-20. It reads:
“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.”
He wasn’t from Philippi, but he had brothers living there whom he loved and showed care. The care also describes Paul’s work as an apostle (2 Cor. 11:28) and the elders’ work. Paul writes about them, “but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” (1Timothy 3:5).
(2) By nature, this family has knowledge of one another and come to each other’s aid. Listen to Paul as he speaks favorably of his brother, Onesiphorus.
“The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well” (2 Timothy 1:16-18).
Paul commends “Phebe our sister”, a servant of the church at Cenchrea, telling the Roman saints to “receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a helper of many, and of myself also” (Romans 16:2).
Epaphroditus is described in Philippians 2:25-28 as “longing after” the brethren and was “full of heaviness” because they had heard he was very sick. It reads,
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him, therefore, the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
2 Corinthians 7:5-7 reads:
For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
Again, Paul speaks of his interaction of fellowship with other brothers.
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part, they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such (1 Corinthians 16:15-18).
(3) Another expectation is that of giving comfort to one another. Ephesians 6:21-22 reads:
But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
Similarly, we read of Timothy in 1 Thessalonians 3:2. It reads, “And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith.”
(4) Paul speaks of brethren having a “refreshing” effect. “For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such (1 Cor. 16:18). 2 Corinthians 7:13 reads, “Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.” 2 Timothy 1:16 reads, “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain.” Finally, Philemon 1:7 confirms this of him as it states, “For we have great joy and consolation in thy love because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”
(5) They are affectionate. 2 Corinthians 7:15 reads of Timothy, “And his affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.”
Discussing the matter of giving to the poor saints, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:7, “But as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. He then encourages them to show the “proof of their love” by completing this gift (verse 24). 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 find Paul appealing to them to enlarge their hearts to him. It reads:
“Our mouth is open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections. Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto my children), be ye also enlarged .”
(6) Another expectation is the willingness to sacrifice for one another. Paul described Pricilla and Aquilla in Romans 16. It reads, “Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles” (Romans 16:4). Paul writes of the brethren in Galatia that they would “if possible, have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.” Paul himself writes, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Corinthians 12:15). Barnabas is an early disciple of Christ who sold his land to give to any of the needy saints in Jerusalem.
Despite the teaching of the church through the use of these figures, people still think of the church as a corporate body. The problem is similar to people forming an orphan’s home and equating it to a family. Call it what you will, but claiming an orphan’s home is home does not make it one. One can argue that it has the same elements that a home has, but it is only a substitution for children who do not have a home. In the same way, forming a local church organization and calling it a family does not make it one, either.
God’s people, the ekklesia, are brethren who do not form an organization. They are a living organism, bound together by mutual love toward the Lord and each other. The figures of speech referenced above illustrate this relationship between people. They do not describe people joined by a membership to an organization. As a living spiritual organism expresses itself very differently than the institutional church, they are not disassociated individuals who meet once or twice in the clubhouse only to hear someone say, “See ya at the next appointed time.” These descriptions reflect the genuine relationship of individuals whose commitment to Christ is reflected by the sacrifice of themselves for each other.
At some point in the future, we may build to this list that includes a kingdom made up of citizens, a flock made up of sheep, an army of soldiers, laborers in a vineyard, branches in the vine, or stones in the building. But, the point is clear that each description revolves around each individual that makes it up, rather than an institution or local organization.