Receiving One Another as Brothers

Receiving One Another as Brothers

By Rich Amick

Ever notice how even sincere Christians can see the same issue differently? In the early church, Jewish and Gentile believers clashed over food, special days, and old traditions. Paul didn't ignore those differences. Instead, he explained how to handle them with grace—welcoming each other fully, just as Christ has welcomed us.

“Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not to have quarrels over opinions.”
(Romans 14:1, NASB 2020)

Those “Disputable Matters”

Some things matter a great deal. They're non-negotiable—such as belief in the divine and human nature of Jesus (2 John 9). He existed in the beginning with God, came in the flesh, died for our sins, and rose from the dead (John 1:1, 14; 1 Cor. 15:3–8; Jude 3). Our salvation is by grace through faith in Christ (Gal. 1:8-9; Eph. 2:8–10). These core truths unite all believers (Eph. 4:4-6). To depart from this teaching by distorting who Jesus is and what He accomplished is to break fellowship with God.

Other things fall into the category of "disputable matters"—secondary issues where faithful believers don't share the same understanding. The Bible mentions dietary preferences, which day feels more sacred, and cultural traditions as examples. Paul made it clear: food won't make you closer to God, and both the one who eats and the one who abstains can honor the Lord. The same goes for special days. What counts is that each person is fully convinced in their own mind and does it for Jesus.

“One person values one day over another, another values every day the same. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and the one who eats, does so with regard to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and the one who does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat, and he gives thanks to God.”
(Romans 14:5-6, NASB 2020)

What “Receive” Really Means

Scripture says to "accept" the one who is weak. The word Paul uses carries the sense of "to take to oneself" or "to welcome into fellowship"—it means more than merely tolerating someone. It points to a posture of hospitable, embracing welcome: taking someone into your heart and fellowship, treating them as a full brother or sister, not a project to fix. We don't welcome people just so we can argue them into our opinion; we welcome them the way Christ welcomed us—freely, warmly, and for God's glory. Love sometimes steps in to limit our freedom, so a weaker brother or sister isn't crushed. And conscience stays pure—no one is pressured to violate what they believe before God.

Living It Out Today

We still confront disagreements. We all come to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation from different backgrounds and perspectives. But the solution hasn't changed: keep the gospel clear. Distinguish the matters that have direct bearing on our salvation and our witness before an unbelieving world from those that don't. Honor Christ in whatever you do, let love guide your freedom, and guard one another's conscience. When we receive each other this way, the watching world sees the reconciling power of the gospel.

“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that with one purpose and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us, for the glory of God.”
(Romans 15:5-7, NASB 2020)