Respect of Persons

The Brotherhood of Man

Of One Blood

How does the Bible describe man’s origin?

“The Lord God formed the man out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7.

Why did Adam name his wife Eve?

“Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.”

Genesis 3:20.

In Noah’s day a great flood covered the earth. Were there any survivor’s?

“The Lord said unto Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.” Genesis 7:1.

To what percentage, then, may all men trace their linage after the Flood?

“These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their lines of descent. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood.” Genesis 10:32.  [Shem, Ham, Japheth]

Are all men, regardless of race, akin by blood?

“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth, and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.”

Acts 17:26.

How did Paul illustrate this when returning a slave to his master?

“No longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.” Philemon 16.

All Are Equal Before God

What revelation came to Peter while alone on the housetop in vision? 

“He said to them” “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. Acts 10:38.

When, at a later meeting, Peter disobeyed God in this respect, what happened?

“When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.” Galatians 2:11,12.

Are some nations or races cursed by God and condemned to be servants of other men for the rest of their lives?

“The Peter began to speak” “I realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Acts 10:34,35.

All Men Are Brothers

“Since all races of men have one Father, what must they avoid?

“Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?” Malachi 2:10.

How seriously does God view snobbery, discrimination, and social ostracism?

“But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”

James 2:9.

Concern For One’s Fellow Men

What sign identifies the true follower of Christ?

“By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:35.

What is the second great commandment of the law?

“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:39.   

Is it possible to love God and hate your fellow man?

“For if anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.”

1 John 4:20.

Where does love for one’s fellow men originate?  How can we come into possession of it?

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5.

What will be the result when the Holy Spirit dwells within us?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22.

How may we receive such love if it does not come naturally to us?

“Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7.

Some contend that this love is merely good will. How does it affect our attitude toward other people?

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Romans 12:10.

Why is there such strife and contention between races and nations?

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.” James 4:1,2.

Of what does the love of God make us capable?

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.  He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”

Matthew 5:44-46. 

At Peace With One Another

How does God treat people who choose to be His enemies?

“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” Psalm 145:9

In contrast to man’s view of himself, how does God look at man?

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7.

It is profitable, or fair, for us to judge one another?

“If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” Galatians 5:15.

One In Christ

Is Christ partial to some people?

“For all of you were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ.”

Galatians 3:27,28.

What commandment have we from God?

“And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

1 John 4:21.

Love For All Men

What basic principle did Christ set forth as applicable to all relationships with our fellow men?

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do unto you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.

By what standard did Jesus say I should treat other people?

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39.

In what specific ways should a person express his love for others?

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord inquire of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8.

What attitude toward others would solve most of the problems that arise between men?

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”  Philippians 2:3.

l top l