OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION

"But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might received the adoption of sons, And because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son (Jesus) into your hearts, saying,. Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art not more a servant, but a son; and if son; then an heir of God through Christ." Galatians 4:4-7

In being a New Testament Christian, we are the sons of God by creation and the sons of God by regeneration. I am Charles Burke, a Minister in Sedona, Arizona. Let me illustrate our own Spiritual Adoption of life so that we can enjoy the Divine Blessings of New Testament Christianity.

THE NEED FOR OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION

I. When we were an alien sinner, we were spiritually dead in our trespasses and sin. "And you hath he quickened, who were dead (in a Spiritual way) in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walk according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Ephesians 2:1-2, Romans 6:23

II. When we were an alien sinner, we were spiritually separated from the Lord our God. "That at that time (when we were dead in our trespasses and sins) ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in this world. Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but you iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." Ephesians 2:12, Isaiah 59:1-2

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION

If we want to become Spiritually Adopted, we must put off the old man and put on the new man. "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24

I. We must put off the old man and put on the new man by faith. "But without faith (minus faith on our part) is in impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is (that God is alive) and that he is a rewarder (God is a promise keeper) of them that diligently seek him." Hebrew 11:6

II. We need to put off the old man and put on the new man by repentance. "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish?" Luke 13:3

III. We should put off the old man put on the new man by confession. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10

IV. We ought to put off the old man and put on the new man by baptism. "And he (our Lord) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15-16

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION

In being Spiritually Adopted, we must worship God in spirit and in truth. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit (with the proper attitude) and in truth" (according to His revealed way of New Testament Worship). John 4:24

I. In being a New Testament Christian, we must worship the Lord our God each Lord's Day (Sunday) by partaking of the Lord's Supper because we are to remember our Lord's death, burial and resurrection from the grave. "Upon the first day of the week (Sunday is the Lord's day), when the disciples came together to break bread (to partaker of the Lord's supper), Paul preached unto them. For as often as ye eat this bread (the unleavened bread which symbolized his body), and drink this cup (the contents of the cup contains the fruit of the vine, and the fruit of the vine symbolized his blood), ye do shew the Lord's death till he comes." Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 11:26 

II. In being a New Testament Saint, we need to worship the Lord our God by praying unto Him because pray is our way of taking unto God. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayers and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Let us therefore come bodily unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Acts 2:42, Philippians 4:6, Hebrews 4:16

III. In being a disciple of Christ, we should worship the Lord our God by using vocal music only because instrumental music in not Divinely Authorized for Spiritual Worship. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing (by using vocal music only) with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16

Now, instrumental music was not used in the worship service of the early Church because instrumental music is not authorized for New Testament Worship. However, instrumental music was later introduced into the worship service of the church many years after the Church had been established. Nevertheless, instrumental music caused a religious division in the church which already had apostatized from the truth of God concerning many different doctrines. Thus, we should not use instrumental music in our worship service unto the Lord our God because the Lord our God has not authorized instrumental music to be used in the worship service of the New Testament Church. Therefore, vocal music only is a worship service of the New Testament Church because we can express our praises unto the Lord our God for the blessings which we are receiving in being citizens of His kingdom.

IV. In being a son of God by regeneration, we ought to worship the Lord our God by giving of our money to support His Work. "Now concerning the collection (the giving of your money) for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week (Sunday which is the Lord's day) let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

V. In being a New Testament Christian, we must worship the Lord our God with faithful gospel preaching because the doctrines of men are an abomination unto Him. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according the scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION

In being Spiritually Adopted, we must faithfully serve the Lord our God by producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. "It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Matthew 4:10, Galatians 5:22-24

I. Love is a fruit of the Spirit. "Owe no man any things, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Thou shalt no covet; and if there by any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this say, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." Romans 13:8-11 

II. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

III. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not you heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 

IV. Longsuffering is a fruit of the Spirit. "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God: Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." Colossians 1:10-11

V. Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit. "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10 

VI. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, skewing all meekness unto all men." Titus 3:2

VII. Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit. "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye might be tried: and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Revelation 2:10 

VIII. Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit. "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5 

IX. Temperance is fruit of the Spirit. "And as he (Paul) reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answer, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." Acts 24:25

THE BLESSINGS OF OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION

I. When we became Spiritually Adopted, we were reconciled unto the Lord our God. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead. be ye reconciled to God. For he that made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

II. When we became Spiritually Adopted, we were made to be an heir of God. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself beareth witness, with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs (equal-heirs) with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Romans 8:14-17

THE CONCLUSION

I. We are the adopted children of God because we are a new creature in Christ.

II. We should live a righteous life upon the earth so that we can become the heirs of God in that world which is to come.

THE NATURE OF OUR LIFE #2

If you will examine the following facts of life, you will determine the nature of your own immortality of life because you in being a New Testament Christian possess a created and redeemed nature of of life. For illustrating purposes:

WE MUST KNOW GOD WHO IS OUR CREATOR
AND
WE MUST KNOW GOD WHO IS OUR RULER

The Bible says, "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord (Ruler) of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring (the sons) of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and mans's devices." Acts 17:24,29

I. Who are the Persons that are ruling in the Godhead (a Divine Term which signifies the Divine Rule of God) in matters of our own creation of life?

A. The Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead in matters of our own creation of life because the one God of the Scriptures can be more than one Person providing that those Persons are equal in power, rule and authority in reference to Their Own Individual Being of life. This is why God said, "Let us (who are the Persons that are called God) make man in our image, after our likeness. So God created man in his own image" (of life). Paul said concerning the Godhead in reference to our own creation of life, "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device." John said concerning those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead in matters of our own creation of life, "For there are three (Persons) that bear record (of our creation) in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit: and these three (Persons) are one" (equal) in power, rule and authority because They equally possess the same Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of the one and only God in reference to Their Own Individual Nature of life. Genesis 1:26-27, Acts 17:29, 1 John 5:7

B. Equality signifies that those three Persons who are called God in being the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are equal in power, rule and authority because They equally possess the same Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of the one and only God in matters of Their Own Individual Being of life. *Personage means possessing a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit. *Powers signify being Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent. *Nature reveals being eternal, impartial, perfect, spiritual and etc. *Attributes indicate being lovable, righteous, merciful, faithful and etc.

II. Why should we learn that the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead in matters of our own creation of life?

Now, we should learn that the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead in matters of our own creation of life because we possess the Divine Characteristics of God who is the being of three equal Persons that are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in reference to our own creation of life. This makes us to be a god in matters of our own creation of life because we are the offspring of God. Our Lord said, "It is written in your law, I said, Ye (created men) are gods. If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken." John 10:34-35 Therefore, since we are a god in matters of our own creation of life, this greatly magnifies the whole being of our own created nature of life because in that world which is to come we can become a Family Member of that God-Family who lives in heaven. Paul said concerning the Name of God, "Of whom (God) the whole family in heaven and earth is named." Ephesians 3:15

WE MUST KNOW GOD WHO IS THE HEAD OF CHRIST
AND
WE MUST KNOW CHRIST WHO IS SUBJECTED TO GOD

The Bible says, "The head of Christ is God. For in him (Christ) dwelleth (ruleth) all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye (Christian) are complete in him (Christ), who is the head of all principality and power." 1 Corinthians 11:3, Colossians 1:9-10

I. What does it mean for God to be the head of Christ and Christ to be subjected to God?

Now, God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons because the Godhead (the Divine Rule of God) was made to dwell (to rule) in Christ so that Christians, who are new creatures in Christ, could be Divinely Ruled in matters of their own redemption of life. This enabled those three God-Persons, who are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in being our Creator, to equally make Themselves to rule in the Godhead bodily of Christ in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that They could be our Redeemer. This was performed because "The Lord (God) said unto my Lord (Christ), sit thou on my right hand, until I make the foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that the Lord God (who was the being of the Father and the Holy Spirit in heaven) hath made that same Jesus (who was the Incarnated Word upon the earth), whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Jesus (who was made both Lord and Christ in being our Redeemer) said concerning those three Persons who equally would be be ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life, "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:34-36, Matthew 28:18-20 Therefore, God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons because the Reign of God brought the Reign of Christ into being upon the earth so that sinful man could be redeemed.

II. Why should we learn that God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons?

Now, we should learn that God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons because the Godhead and the Godhead bodily of Christ are the two Divine Terms in which three Persons who equally are ruling in matters of our own creation and redemption of life. Therefore, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are called God in being our Creator; whereas those same three Persons are equally made to work in the Name of Christ in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that that They can be our Redeemer. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. For there are three (Persons) that bear record (of our creation) in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit: and these three (Persons) are one" (equal) in power, rule and authority. "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Colossians 3:1, 1 John 5:7, Matthew 28:18-20

WE MUST KNOW CHRIST WHO IS OUR REDEEMER
AND
WE MUST KNOW CHRIST WHO IS OUR RULER

The Bible says, "For in him (Christ) dwelleth (ruleth) all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye (Christian) are complete in him (Christ), who is the head (the ruler) of all principality and power. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creatures: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Colossians 1:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17

I. Who are the Persons that are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ (a Divine Term which means the Divine Rule of Christ) in matters of our own redemption of life?

A. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life because Christ in being the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit redeemed our own divine nature of life from the guilt of sin. This is why we in being an alien sinner must be baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins by being baptized in the name (the authority) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit so that we can become a New Testament Christian. Our Lord said concerning those three Persons who equally would be ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life, "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Paul said, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Matthew 28:18-20, Galatians 3:27

B. Equality signifies that those three Persons who are called Christ in being the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are equal in power, rule and authority because They equally possess the same Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of the one and only Christ in matters of Their Own Individual Being of life. *Personage means possessing a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit. *Powers signify being Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent. *Nature reveals being eternal, impartial, perfect, spiritual and etc. *Attributes indicate being lovable, righteous, merciful, faithful and etc.

II. Why should we learn that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life?

Now, we should learn that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life because we possess the Divine Characteristics of Christ who is the being of three equal Persons that are called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in reference to our own redemption of life. This makes us to be a divine person in matters of our own redemption of life because we can become a partaker of the Divine Nature of God in our Heavenly Home. Peter said, "God hath given unto us many exceeding great and precious promises; that by these (promises) ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption (the pollution) that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4 Therefore, since we are a divine person in matters of our own redemption of life, this highly amplifies the total sum of our own divine nature of life because in that world which is to come we will be called by the Name of God. Our Lord said, "Him that overcometh (the forces of evil) will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name." Revelations 3:12

THE CONCLUSION

I. The Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead in matters of our own creation of life because God in being the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit created our own divine nature of life free of sin.

II. God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two ranked Persons because those three God-Persons, who are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in being our Creator, equally made Themselves to rule in the Godhead bodily of Christ in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that They could be our Redeemer.

III. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life because Christ in being the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit redeemed our own divine nature of life from the guilt of sin.

IV. The Godhead and the Godhead bodily of Christ are the two Divine Terms in which three Persons who equally are ruling in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because we have been created and redeemed by three equal Persons who are called God and Christ in being our Creator and our Redeemer so that in that world which is to come we can become equal (having power, rule and authority) with Them.

A. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Spiritual Personage of life which will be a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit in reference to Our Own Individual Nature of life. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is sown a nature body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. Who (our Lord) shall change our vile body (our fleshly body), that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body (His Spiritual Body), according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. And as we have borne the image of the earthy (the earthy man who possesses a physical body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit), we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (the Spiritual Person who has a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit). 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 1 Corinthians 15:44, Philippians 3:21,1 Corinthians 15:49

B. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in reference to our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Divine Powers of life in matters of Our Own Individual Being of life. "If we suffer, we shall also reign (rule) with him (the Lord our God). If we deny him, he also will deny us. To him that overcometh (the forces of evil) will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. And to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And they shall reign (rule) for ever and ever" (over the powers of Satan). 2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 2:26-27, Revelation 22:5

C. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Divine Nature of life in reference to Our Own Individual Nature of life. "It is written in your law, I said, Ye (created men) are gods. If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scriptures can not be broken. God has given unto us many exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Him that overcometh (the powers of Satan) will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Of whom (God) the whole family in heaven and earth is named." John 10:34-35, 2 Peter 1:4, Revelation 3:12, Ephesians 3:15

D. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in reference to our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Divine Attributes of life in matters of Our Own Individual Being of life. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Be ye also merciful, as your Father also is merciful. He that overcometh (the powers of sin), the same shall be clothed in white raiment (having his Divine Attributes Perfected): and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angles. For there shall in no wise enter into it (the Heavenly City) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Matthew 5:48, Luke 6:36, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 21:27

E. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Immortality of life in reference to Our Own Individual Nature of life. "Which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords: Who only hath immortality (the Lord in all of His Power and Glory only has immortality, but the Lord has promised to give unto us those same Spiritual Blessings of Immortality), dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. To them (the Christians) who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life." 1 Timothy 6:15-16, Romans 2:7

THE APPLICATION

I. We can't Scripturally make a centralized head(a ranked hierarchy) to rule in the New Testament Church because we are all equal in matters of our own creation and redemption of life. This is why the clergy and the laity class of people can not Scripturally exist in the New Testament Church because no one redeemed person can Scripturally rule a congregation of the Lord's Church. Therefore, we should not call any redeemed person: Reverend or Father because those are Divine Titles which belong unto the Lord our God (not redeemed man). "Holy and reverend is his name. Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Psalms 111:9, Matthew 23:9

II. We can't Scripturally make any created person to be any greater than we are in a created way, nor can we Scripturally make any created person to be any less than we are in a created way because we are equal in matters of our own creation of life. This is why no one race of people is any greater than another race of people because we are all equal in reference to our own creation of life. Therefore, we should not respect any one person above another person because God is no respecter of persons. "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. If ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors, For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilt of all." Acts 10:34-35, James 2:9-10

III. We can't Scripturally make any redeemed person to be any greater than we are in a redeemed way, nor can we Scripturally make any redeemed person to be any less than we are in a redeemed way because we are all equal in matters of our own redemption of life. This means that no one priest, elder, or bishop has any more power, rule and authority than another priest, elder or bishop because no one redeemed man can Scripturally rule a congregation of the Lord's Church. Each congregation of the New Testament Church is autonomous (self-ruled) because of the equality of our own creation and redemption of life. Therefore, Christ (not a redeemed man) is the head of the Church. "Christ isthe head (the ruler) of the church; and he is saviour of the body: the Church." Ephesians 5:23

PLEASE E MAIL ME YOUR RESPONSE TO THESE ARTICLES.

May the Lord continue to bless you and your loved ones.

Charles Burke


© Copyright 2000 by Charles Burke. You May Copy And Use Any Of The Above Articles Any Way That You Wish.

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