There are brothers . . . and then there are brothers. There are those whom we are tied to through a bloodline . . . there are those who we are linked to through a common heritage . . . and then there are those with whom are souls are knitted . . . kindred spirits . . . iron that sharpens our iron . . . V.I.P.s (very invigorating people). I don’t know why, but as I’m reading in Acts 28 this morning, the brothers jump out at me.

There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.    (Acts 28:14-15 ESV)

Paul had been on a Mediterranean cruise. Not the “Royal Princess” kind . . . but the “S.S. Minnow” kind . . . an anything but routine “3 hour cruise” to Rome. Out of control seas . . . attempted mutiny . . . destroyed ship . . . “swim for your life!” . . . only to go ashore and be “welcomed” by a poisonous snake . . . stranded on the island of Malta for three months. And what lay ahead? . . . a trial in Rome. Not exactly Paul’s “easy season.”

But Dr. Luke, the author of Acts, is prompted by the Holy Spirit to record that as they neared Rome, Paul found a bit of an oasis. Brothers.

Not gonna lie to ya’ . . . (not that I would) . . . but I’m a bit partial to the NKJV rendering, “we found brethren” . . . as the NLT makes clear, they encountered “believers”. Brothers and sisters in Christ. Those of like precious faith. Fellow adoptees into the family of God. Kin reborn of the same Spirit. Fellow heirs anticipating the same imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance laid up for them in heaven. Literally, blood relatives — the blood of Jesus.

And when this mini family reunion occurred between these who had never met, Paul thanked God. Though Paul knew the Lord’s presence through all circumstance, here was a bit of God “with skin on.” Where these two or three gathered together, He was in the midst. Something about the child of God hanging out with the people of God that invites the presence of God . . . and that’s reason enough to praise God.

Not only was there thanksgiving in meeting together with those of like mind and experience . . . but there was a renewing of the inner man. Paul took courage . . . he was emboldened . . . communion with these saints was the real “5 Hour Power Drink” . . . through them flowed living waters. Eyes brightened . . . resolve increased. Not necessarily because of anything they had to say to Paul, but because of what the living Christ said through them . . . ” I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18) . . . the work I have begun I will complete until the day I return (Php. 1:6).

The family of God is a living object lesson reminding us of the faithfulness of God. The people of God testify to the promises of God. Brothers, and sisters, just make things better.

I know these thoughts lie in contrast to the little tongue-in-cheek poem that is sometimes quoted and often related to . . . To dwell above with saints we love, won’t that be glory. But to live below with saints we know, now that’s a different story . . . However, I want to suggest that Paul’s experience entering Rome should be our normative experience when entering the assembly of God’s people. That when we see the brothers . . . and the sisters . . . we should thank God . . . and be encouraged.

Thank God for the brethren . . . praise Him for brothers and sisters . . .

. . .to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.    (Ephesians 3:21 ESV)