# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1914_S23
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1914. 23

nounced his heathen gods and his heathen way of life, he worshiped the true God and lived according to the commandments of God. His whole way of life in food and drink, in ceremonies and the like, was henceforth a Jewish one. It is indeed quite self-evident that a citizen of a realm also lives according to the laws of the realm and conforms to the customs and usages of the realm. How should not we then, who were formerly guests and strangers but have now become citizens with the saints and members of God's household, rejoice over the high honor that has fallen to us! If we rightly recognize this great good fortune, how should we then not thank the Lord for his unspeakable grace! And how should we not honor our heavenly Father by our conduct! We are to live as is the manner of the heavenly kingdom, and are also to promote and extend this kingdom to the best of our ability.

Through the Gospel we are what we are. Through the Gospel we can bring those who are still guests and strangers to citizenship with the saints and to membership in God's household. We want to proclaim to the rebellious strangers the folly of their enmity, which leads to eternal destruction. We want to proclaim to them peace, the forgiveness which God has offered to all enemies, so that they may let themselves be reconciled with God and become blessed citizens of his kingdom.

16. Brothers in Christ.
(Col. 1:2.)

All people descend from Adam and Eve and are therefore brothers by blood. "Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us?" (Mal. 2:10.) "God has made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on the whole face of the earth." (Acts 17:26.)

But although Cain and Abel were brothers, Cain nevertheless rose up against his brother and slew him. And since that time streams of blood have been shed upon earth. Murder and manslaughter are universal; the earth is drenched with brothers' blood. One hears of wars and rumors of war among savages and among the most civilized peoples. Even in times of peace sharp wars go on, tariff wars among the nations, business competition among individuals. The sons of Adam are very unbrotherly. There is only one exception: those are the Christians; they are brothers in Christ.

How do we become brothers in Christ? "You are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:26.) That is the faith that Christ died for our sin, in our place, the Righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. (1 Pet. 3:18.) But if we are God's children through faith in Christ, then we are also brothers in Christ through the same faith. "One