Question 31: Are not those who have proved their rebirth by their lives before God and man to be ...

Question 31: Are not those who have proved their rebirth by their lives before God and man to be considered rightfully as brethren, even though they have not been baptized? (See Matthew 12:49, 50.)

Answer: We indeed consider brethren all those who prove their rebirth by their lives before God and man. However, they will not oppose water baptism, but will let themselves be baptized upon their faith and inner motivation. Christ himself considered only those His brethren who were His disciples, and who had been baptized. (See Matthew 12:49, 50 correctly.)