1 BRETHREN in Christ, and well-beloved,
To Jesus and his servants dear,
Enter and show yourselves approved;
Enter, and find that God is here.
2 Welcome from earth: lo, the right hand
Of fellowship to you we give!
With open hearts and hands we stand,
And you in Jesu's name receive.
3 Say, are your hearts resolved as ours?
Then let them burn with sacred love;
Then let them taste the heavenly powers,
Partakers of the joys above.
4 Jesu, attend thyself reveal!
Are we not met in thy great name?
Thee in the midst we wait to feel,
We wait to catch the spreading flame.
5 Thou God that answerest by fire,
The Spirit of burning now impart;
And let the flames of pure desire
Rise from the altar of our heart.
6 Truly our fellowship below
With thee and with the Father is;
In thee eternal life we know,
And heaven's unutterable bliss.
7 In part we only know thee here,
But wait thy coming from above;
And we shall then behold thee near,
And we shall all be lost in love.
Brethren In Christ, And Well-beloved Video
Brethren In Christ, And Well-beloved Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Brethren In Christ, And Well-beloved: A Deep Dive into Charles Wesley's Hymn
Introduction:
Charles Wesley, one of the founders of the Methodist movement, was known for his prolific hymn writing. One of his lesser-known hymns is titled "Brethren In Christ, And Well-beloved," which carries a powerful message of fellowship and unity among believers.
Main Key Messages:
"Brethren In Christ, And Well-beloved" is a hymn that emphasizes the importance of Christian fellowship and the unity of believers. Let's delve into the main key messages of the song chronologically, line by line.
1. "Brethren in Christ, and well-beloved, To Jesus and His servants dear, Enter and show yourselves approved; Enter, and find that God is here."
The opening lines of the hymn invite fellow believers to come together in the presence of Jesus Christ and His servants. It encourages them to demonstrate their commitment to Christ and to experience the reality of God's presence in their midst.
2. "Welcome from earth: lo, the right hand Of fellowship to you we give! With open hearts and hands we stand, And you in Jesu's name receive."
These lines express an open and welcoming attitude towards newcomers or fellow believers. The hymn encourages believers to extend the right hand of fellowship, symbolizing acceptance and unity. It emphasizes the importance of receiving others in the name of Jesus and embracing them with open hearts and hands.
3. "Say, are your hearts resolved as ours? Then let them burn with sacred love; Then let them taste the heavenly powers, Partakers of the joys above."
Here, the hymn challenges believers to examine their hearts and determine if they are resolved to follow Christ wholeheartedly. It urges them to cultivate a deep and fervent love for God and to experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The hymn emphasizes that through this resolve, believers can taste the joys of heaven and become participants in the divine blessings that await them.
4. "Jesu, attend Thyself reveal! Are we not met in Thy great name? Thee in the midst we wait to feel, We wait to catch the spreading flame."
These lines express a longing for the presence of Jesus Christ. The hymn acknowledges that believers gather in His name, eagerly anticipating His revelation and desiring to experience His tangible presence. It also expresses a desire for the Holy Spirit to ignite a spiritual fire among the believers, spreading the fervor and passion for Christ.
5. "Thou God that answerest by fire, The Spirit of burning now impart; And let the flames of pure desire Rise from the altar of our heart."
Drawing inspiration from the Old Testament account of Elijah's encounter with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:16-39), the hymn acknowledges God as the one who answers by fire. It calls upon Him to send the Spirit of burning, referring to the Holy Spirit, to ignite a fiery passion for Him in the hearts of believers. The hymn prays for pure desires and a heartfelt devotion to rise as a pleasing offering to God.
6. "Truly our fellowship below With Thee and with the Father is; In Thee eternal life we know, And heaven's unutterable bliss."
These lines celebrate the depth of fellowship believers can experience with God the Father and Jesus Christ. The hymn affirms that through this fellowship, believers can taste eternal life and partake in the indescribable joy and bliss of heaven. It highlights the profound connection and intimacy believers can have with the divine.
7. "In part we only know Thee here, But wait Thy coming from above; And we shall then behold Thee near, And we shall all be lost in love."
The final lines of the hymn acknowledge that believers, while experiencing a measure of God's presence on earth, eagerly anticipate the second coming of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the hope of beholding Him face to face in all His glory. The hymn expresses an expectation of being overwhelmed by God's love and being completely consumed by it.
Meaning and Inspiration:
The hymn "Brethren In Christ, And Well-beloved" carries a deep meaning, emphasizing the significance of Christian fellowship, unity, and the longing for God's presence. It inspires believers to cultivate a fervent love for God, to embrace one another with open hearts, and to eagerly await the glorious return of Jesus Christ. While the specific inspiration or story behind the hymn is not readily available, Charles Wesley's overall body of work reflects his deep spirituality and personal experiences with God.
Biblical Analysis:
To critically analyze the biblical foundation of the hymn, let's examine the key messages and references in light of Scripture.
1. Christian Fellowship and Unity:
The hymn emphasizes the importance of fellowship and unity among believers, reflecting biblical principles. In 1 John 1:7, it is stated, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another." Additionally, Ephesians 4:3 encourages believers to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." The hymn aligns with these biblical teachings, promoting the idea of welcoming and embracing fellow believers.
2. Longing for God's Presence:
The hymn echoes the biblical yearning for God's presence. Psalm 42:1 says, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." It reflects the deep desire for intimate communion with God, as expressed by the psalmist. The hymn's longing for the revelation of Jesus' presence aligns with the biblical concept of seeking God's face and experiencing His tangible nearness.
3. Burning with Sacred Love:
The hymn's call to have hearts burning with sacred love correlates with the biblical command to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). It also aligns with the apostle Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:17-19, where he asks that believers may "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."
4. Second Coming of Jesus Christ:
The hymn expresses the anticipation of the second coming of Jesus Christ, which is a prominent biblical theme. In Acts 1:11, the angels declare, "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." The hymn's expectation of beholding Jesus near and being consumed by His love aligns with the biblical hope of the glorious return of Christ.
In conclusion, the hymn "Brethren In Christ, And Well-beloved" by Charles Wesley carries a powerful message of fellowship, unity, and longing for God's presence. Its main key messages emphasize the importance of Christian community, the longing for intimate communion with God, and the anticipation of Jesus' second coming. It aligns with biblical teachings on fellowship, love for God, and the hope of Christ's return. Through its profound lyrics, this hymn continues to inspire believers to cultivate a fervent love for God and to eagerly await the fulfillment of their ultimate hope in Christ.
