1. “Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?” (Matt. 12:48)

2. “…two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother…” (Matt. 4:18) “…two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father…” (Matt. 4:21) Physical family. Blood relatives. Some say “blood is thicker than water”. Is it (Matt. 12:46-50; Matt. 10:37-39)?

3. Murdered the Lord (Acts 2:29 & 37; 22 & 36)! Jewish Brethren, Israelites, physical descendants of Abraham (Acts 13:26); NOT Christian brethren of the Spirit (Gal. 3:26-28)! Unbaptized Saul = Unsaved Saul (Acts 22:13, 16)! Denied Righteous One (Acts 3:17 & 12, 14-15)! Resisted the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:2, 51-53ff)! Sought to kill Paul (Acts 22:1 & 21-23)! Paul sorrowed for them (Rom. 9:1-3)!

4. Called by Gospel (1Cor. 1:9, 18, 23, 26; 2:1; 15:1-2)! Spiritual brethren, NOT brethren in the flesh, but family in the Spirit! Denominations are not “brethren” spiritually! They haven’t been begotten yet (1 Pet. 1:22-23)! Sons by obedient faith = born after the Spirit (Gal. 3:26-29; 4:4-7, 28-29)! Saints = faithful in Christ = the church (Col. 1:2; 4:15)! Brethren even without any flesh (1 Th. 4:13-18)! Brethren = Sons of light (1 Th. 5:1-11)! Household of the faith (Gal. 6:10)!

5. Overtaken in a trespass (Gal. 6:1-2)! Spiritual brethren who have sinned! They are not acting as spiritual brethren should! A son can be lost & disinherited! (Luke 15:32; Heb. 12:16-17) Persistence in sin (2 Thess. 3:6, 10, 13-15)! Need Christ formed in them again (Gal. 4:16-20)! Condemned by God (Heb. 10:19, 26-31)!

6. Persecute those who stand for truth (2 Cor. 11:26)! Spiritual brethren who left Christ & now seek to establish their own purposes! They are not acting as spiritual brethren should! Such are disguised as brethren… may teach baptism correctly, use the name “church of Christ”, but are not of Christ (1 John 2:19)! Defend / promote false doctrine (Gal. 2:3-5)! Zealously seek disciples (Gal. 4:16-17)! Serve not Christ, but their own desires (Rom. 16:17-18)!

7. CONCLUSION: (1) Not all “brethren” are spiritual brethren! "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples, and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Matt. 12:48-50) (2) Not all spiritual brethren are faithful brethren! (3) We must help erring brethren & beware of false brethren!