[Uncle Chip]

So you are saying that the use of the word "brethen" in the scriptures does not necessarily mean blood-brouther and blood-sister. It could be a close - knit group such as the apostles??

Oh no --- a close knit family not just some close knit group. Family members or brethren are blood relatives. Christians who refer to each other as brethren do so because of their born-again blood relationship --- the blood of the Lamb that they now all have in common and by which they are all saved and redeemed.

[Salvation]

So you are saying then that those who partake of the Body of Christ and the Blood of Christ during the Mass are born again and saved, correct?

I basically agree -- the difference being tthat with the Sacrament of Baptism we are claimed for God and saved/born again without original sin.