Anyone who is very serious with authentic religion, obedience to the Almighty Father and also tenacious about true worship and works of charity can aspire to Sainthood, just as Jesus aspired to and therefore earned Christhood.

EVERY FAITHFUL AND DEDICATED FOLLOWER OF JESUS CAN EQUALLY EARN THE TITLE “CHRIST” AS OUR MASTER DID

              By:

Dr J. K. Danmbaezue, D.Psych., FACRS.

The Existential Theosophist & Animator of I.S.M.

I have said it on several occasions that anyone who is very serious with authentic religion, obedience to the Almighty Father and also tenacious about true worship and works of charity can aspire to Sainthood, just as Jesus aspired to and therefore earned Christhood.

That Jesus was born of Joseph and a virgin mother, Mary, and was later adopted by the Most High as his ‘Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, listen to him’ is not reducing his honour and position as the First-born.

Rather it emphasises the fact that anyone that works hard by imitating him will also earn God’s adoption. If you have been assigned a divine ministry as Jesus was, follow it through! His predecessors who could have earned the title were not tenacious and therefore failed by the way side due to human concupiscence. Only a few leaders, prophets and judges of the old dispensation like Patriarch Enoch (Gen 5) and Prophet Elijah (Kings 7) passed!

⦁ Moses failed by his erratic striking of the rock twice rather than once.
⦁ Samson slept with prostitutes and later married against God’s instruction.
⦁ Saul preferred sacrifices rather obeying the Almighty God to the letter.
⦁ David committed adultery and complicated it with pre-meditated murder.
⦁ Solomon was an ingrate and disobeyed God’s covenant with his father David.

I will supply the additions to this list later, for now let us get biblical support for my premise, assertion or proposition that we are all equipped to earn ‘Christhood’! Turn to;

Hebrews 5
5:1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.
 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
4 No one takes this honour upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
"You are my Son; today I have become your Father." 
6 And he says in another place,
"You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." 
7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered
9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.
12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 6

6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And God permitting, we will do so.
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age,
6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.
8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case-things that accompany salvation.
10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,
14 saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." 
15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.
17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.
18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
NIV

The Evidence that he earned the title is borne out by the correct narrative in chapter 12 of John’s gospel, the beloved apostle and brother of Jesus, the Christ;

John 12

12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And, the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,
5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages."
6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "[It was intended] that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.
8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,
11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.
13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the King of Israel!"
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
15 "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt." 
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.
17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word.
18 Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him.
19 So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast.
21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus."
22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
28 Father, glorify your name!"
Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.
31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
34 The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?"
35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.
36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
38 This was to fulfil the word of Isaiah the prophet:
"Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" 
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn-and I would heal them." 
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;
43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
44 Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.
45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me.
46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47 "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word, which I spoke, will condemn him at the last day.
49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.
50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."
NIV
THE FIRST PREACHING BY THE APOSTLES
Do we accept that Simon Peter is the head of the apostles? If we do, and his leadership position was conferred upon him by Jesus, then his testimony should be final on this matter. Turn to his defence that they were drunk on the day of Pentecost for my final deposition:
Acts 2
2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?
8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?
9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome
11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-- we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"
12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!
16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
22 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
25 David said about him: "'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'
29 "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.
30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.
31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.
32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.
33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."'
36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-- for all whom the Lord our God will call."
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
41 Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.
45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Even, the writer of Hebrews recognised Jesus, the Christ, was merely a man elevated to the ‘Son of God’.
Heb 4:13-16
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet was without sin.
16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
(From the Holy Bible: New International Version. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, and 1984, by International Bible Society)

Another very interesting episode happened after Jesus was raised from the dead. His disciples confirm that he was only a great prophet!

Luke 24:13-24
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;
16 but they were kept from recognising him.
17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;
21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.
24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
(From the Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, and 1984, by International Bible Society)

Even Patriarch King David predicted or prophesied the relationship of Jesus to the Almighty Father when in Psalm 2 he intoned:

Ps 2:7-12
7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will rule them with an iron sceptre; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
(From the New International Version. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, and 1984, by International Bible Society)

Another confirmation that Jesus is not God was stated unequivocally in John’s gospel at many places. Let us see some examples of what Jesus said on the issue:
John 14
14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4 You know the way to the place where I am going."
5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.
12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever--
17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
19 Before long, the world will not see me any more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
20 On that day you will realise that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25 "All this I have spoken while still with you.
26 But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
28 "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.
30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me,
31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave.
(From the New International Version. Copyright (c) 1978, and 1984, by International Bible Society) 

John 10:24-39
24 The Jews gathered round him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me,
26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no-one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and the Father are one."
31 Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him,

32 but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"
33 "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'?
35 If he called them 'gods', to whom the word of God came-- and the Scripture cannot be broken--
36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?
37 Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does.
38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society) 


John 12:37-13:1
37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
38 This was to fulfil the word of Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn-- and I would heal them."
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;
43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
44 Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.
45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me.
46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no-one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47 "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.
50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."

(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)
The testimony of Jesus to his lover after his resurrection from the dead by Almighty God is the final point on the controversy over his lower position to the Father:
John 20:1-18
20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.
4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.
6 Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there,
7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.
8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.
9(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
10 Then the disciples went back to their homes,
11 but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb
12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him."
14 At this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realise that it was Jesus.
15 "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."
16 Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).
17 Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)
Verses 11 – 17 supports the school of thought that propounds that Jesus was formally engaged to Mary before his arrest and crucifixion. Analyse the prohibiting sentence in verse 17 and you will realise that she had always embraced her lord, the normal way wives greet their husbands when overwhelmed by such strong emotions as palpable fear, grief over a dead child, reunion after a quarrel, and now this ‘lost & found’ situation! Jesus was only human and if the scriptures could permit “Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus” to be retained in all the versions of the Christian Bible, we have enough reason to believe that he was truly human and had every right to fall in love with a woman who lavished the costliest oil on his head , washed his feet with her repentant tears and wiped them with her hairs!

Let us stop the buffoonery of thinking we are paying the Lord much respect or protecting his divinity by lying about his true human qualities that confirm that he was only human. In one vein, theologians would want to prove his humanity by pointing out that he wept at Lazarus graveyard. That is normal if your would-be in-law, the only surviving male that would give away the bride on her wedding day died some weeks to your proposed wedding! The same theologians, would later turn around to state that Jesus could not marry because he was not an ordinary man! He would, they imply by so doing, need a woman half-divine and half-human to qualify for such a marriage! This is a diatribe! If the cap fits, let us be man enough to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! We shall shame the devil by so doing! That is my point of view!
…….Rev. Prof. J. J. Kenez, D.Sc., the Vessel of the Holy Spirit of God.22/07/2006 19:14:58HRS

Let us revisit the rhetoric of theologians over this matter. It is very amusing that learned scholars would be economical with the truth when it is most needed:

WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY
“Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God”.

Touch me not. The Greek calls for a different rendering: Stop clinging to me. Apparently Mary's first impulse, in her frenzy of joy, was to grasp the sacred form. Jesus did not rebuke the other women for holding his feet (Matt 28:9), for this was an act of worship; nor did he shrink from inviting Thomas to touch him (John 20:27). But Mary needed to be taught that the Lord was not with her on the basis of the old relationship. He was already glorified. He belonged now to the heavenly realm, even though he was willing to tarry for a time to meet with his friends. I am not yet ascended. The implication was that Mary would be able to touch Jesus in some sense after Ascension, i.e., she would touch him by faith in the blessed life of the Spirit. The closeness of that new relationship is attested by the fact that he spoke of his followers as brethren (cf. the anticipation of this in Matt 12:49). Even in the intimacy of the new order, however, Christ retained his own special relationship to God the Father. My Father is the language of deity; my God is the language of humanity.
(from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1962 by Moody Press)

THEN HENRY MATHEW COMES WITH HER VERBOSITY

John 20:11-18
The resurrection

St. Mark tells us that Christ appeared first to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9); that appearance is here largely related; and we may observe,
I. The constancy and fervency of Mary Magdalene's affection to the Lord Jesus, v. 11.
1. She staid at the sepulchre, when Peter and John were gone, because there her Master had lain, and there she was likeliest to hear some tidings of him. Note,
(1.) Where there is a true love to Christ there will be a constant adherence to him, and a resolution with purpose of heart to cleave to him. This good woman, though she has lost him, yet, rather than seem to desert him, will abide by his grave for his sake, and continue in his love even when she wants the comfort of it.
(2.) Where there is a true desire of acquaintance with Christ there will be a constant attendance on the means of knowledge. See Hos 6:2-3, The third day he will raise us up; and then shall we know the meaning of that resurrection, if we follow on to know, as Mary here.
2. She staid there weeping, and these tears loudly bespoke her affection to her Master. Those that have lost Christ have cause to weep; she wept at the remembrance of his bitter sufferings; wept for his death, and the loss which she and her friends and the country sustained by it; wept to think of returning home without him; wept because she did not now find his body. Those that seek Christ must seek him sorrowing (Luke 2:48), must weep, not for him, but for themselves.
3. As she wept, she looked into the sepulchre, that her eye might affect her heart. When we are in search of something that we have lost we look again and again in the place where we last left it, and expected to have found it. She will look yet seven times, not knowing but that at length she may see some encouragement. Note,
(1.) Weeping must not hinder seeking. Though she wept, she stooped down and looked in.
(2.) Those are likely to seek and find that seek with affection, that seek in tears.
[3.] The further instructions that Christ gave her (v. 17): "Touch me not, but go and carry the news to the disciples."
First, He diverts her from the expectation of familiar society and conversation with him at this time: Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended. Mary was so transported with the sight of her dear Master that she forgot herself, and that state of glory into which he was now entering, and was ready to express her joy by affectionate embraces of him, which Christ here forbids at this time.
1. Touch me not thus at all, for I am to ascend to heaven. He bade the disciples touch him, for the confirmation of their faith; he allowed the women to take hold of his feet, and worship him (Matt 28:9); but Mary, supposing that he was risen, as Lazarus was, to live among them constantly, and converse with them freely as he had done, upon that presumption was about to take hold of his hand with her usual freedom. This mistake Christ rectified; she must believe him, and adore him, as exalted, but must not expect to be familiar with him as formerly. See 2 Cor 5:16. He forbids her to dote upon his bodily presence, to set her heart on this, or expect its continuance, and leads her to the spiritual converse and communion which she should have with him after he was ascended to his Father; for the greatest joy of his resurrection was that it was a step towards his ascension. Mary thought, now that her Master was risen, he would presently set up a temporal kingdom, such as they had long promised themselves. "No," says Christ, "touch me not, with any such thought; think not to lay hold on me, so as to detain me here; for, though I am not yet ascended, go to my brethren, and tell them, I am to ascend." As before his death, so now after his resurrection, he still harps upon this, that he was going away, was no more in the world; and therefore they must look higher than his bodily presence, and look further than the present state of things.
2. "Touch me not, do not stay to touch me now, stay not now to make any further enquiries, or give any further expressions of joy, for I am not yet ascended, I shall not depart immediately, it may as well be done another time; the best service thou canst do now is to carry the tidings to the disciples; lose no time therefore, but go away with all speed." Note, Public service ought to be preferred before private satisfaction. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Jacob must let an angel go, when the day breaks, and it is time for him to look after his family. Mary must not stay to talk with her Master, but must carry his message; for it is a day of good tidings, which she must not engross the comfort of, but hand it to others. See that story, 2 Kings 7:9.
Secondly, He directs her what message to carry to his disciples: But go to my brethren, and tell them, not only that I am risen (she could have told them that of herself, for she had seen him), but that I ascend. Observe,
a. To whom this message is sent: Go to my brethren with it; for he is not ashamed to call them so.
(1.) He was now entering upon his glory, and was declared to be the Son of God with greater power than ever, yet he owns his disciples as his brethren, and expresses himself with more tender affection to them than before; he had called them friends, but never brethren till now. Though Christ be high, yet he is not haughty. Notwithstanding his elevation, he disdains not to own his poor relations. (b.) His disciples had lately carried themselves very disingenuously towards him; he had never seen them together since they all forsook him and fled, when he was apprehended; justly might he now have sent them an angry message: "Go to yonder treacherous deserters, and tell them, I will never trust them any more, or have any thing more to do with them." No, he forgives, he forgets, and does not upbraid.
b. By whom it is sent: by Mary Magdalene, out of whom had been cast seven devils, yet now thus favoured. This was her reward for her constancy in adhering to Christ, and enquiring after him; and a tacit rebuke to the apostles, who had not been so close as she was in attending on the dying Jesus, nor so early as she was in meeting the rising Jesus; she becomes an apostle to the apostles.
c. What the message itself is: I ascend to my Father. Two full breasts of consolation are here in these words:-
(a.) Our joint-relation to God, resulting from our union with Christ, is an unspeakable comfort. Speaking of that inexhaustible spring of light, life, and bliss, he says, He is my Father, and our Father; my God, and your God. This is very expressive of the near relation that subsists between Christ and believers: he that sanctifieth, and those that are sanctified, are both one; for they agree in one, Heb 2:11. Here we have such an advancement of Christians, and such a condescension of Christ, as bring them very near together, so admirably well is the matter contrived, in order to their union. [a.] It is the great dignity of believers that the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is, in him, their Father. A vast difference indeed there is between the respective foundations of the relation; he is Christ's Father by eternal generation, ours by a gracious adoption; yet even this warrants us to call him, as Christ did, Abba, Father. This gives a reason why Christ called them brethren, because his Father was their Father. Christ was now ascending to appear as an advocate with the Father-with his Father, and therefore we may hope he will prevail for any thing-with our Father, and therefore we may hope he will prevail for us. [b.] It is the great condescension of Christ that he is pleased to own the believer's God for his God: My God, and your God; mine, that he may be yours; the God of the Redeemer, to support him (Ps 89:26), that he might be the God of the redeemed, to save them. The summary of the new covenant is that God will be to us a God; and therefore Christ being the surety and head of the covenant, who is primarily dealt with, and believers only through him as his spiritual seed, this covenant-relation fastens first upon him, God becomes his God, and so ours; we partaking of a divine nature, Christ's Father is our Father; and, he partaking of the human nature, our God is his God.
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

Jesus made Simon Peter, the head/leader of the apostles after he had confessed that Jesus was truly the Son of God. Refer to Matthew 16:13-19, Mark 8:27-29 or Luke 9:18-20. He was present at all his miracles, so let us hear his verdict:

2 Peter 1
1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;
6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But if anyone does not have them, he is short-sighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,
11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.
13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,
14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.
21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

Now take note of this and explain it to me:
Matt 10:23
23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)


I have nothing more to add to convince any sane Christian that Jesus, the Christ, was truly an adopted Son of God! He was ‘the Son of Man’, a term he freely used to describe himself! He never claimed equality with his Father! He was/is not GOD; therefore, any deification of him as a god is idolatry since it violates the first commandment of  God!

Yours truly, Rev. Prof. J. J. Kenez, 14/07/2006 06:51:56HRS

That Jesus prayed hard and sought God’s face before he was given divine wisdom and power to perform miracles is best illustrated by the queries of his kinsmen who were perplexed that an ordinary carpenter could do all those things:

Mark 6:1-6
6:1 Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples.
2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles!
3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offence at him.
4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his home town, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honour."
5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.
6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went round teaching from village to village.


(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)


No one has doubted that Jesus was the son of Mary nor that hi was the son of a carpenter. According to Jewish tradition, he had learnt his father’s trade. As the first son, he had to take care of four juniors and three sisters before thinking of settling down! Is it surprising then that like his father he had slave all his life to save enough money to pat the dowry on any damsel? Was it wrong for Mary to fall in love with Jesus? Was Martha not naïve to leave the most important thing and serve tables while her elder sister edged her out of the competition to win his hand in marriage?

Jesus was only getting to the ripe age of marriage by Jewish customs when he was arrested and murdered for putting the most sought after rich lady in the entire Palestine. Some have argued that his rivals over securing the attention of the amorous Mary of Magdala were he real plotters of his death rather than the Sanhedrin. He underestimated what the descendant of Satan through Cain could do to thwart his ministry. They just bided their time and struck when he exhausted his miraculous powers raising his would-be in-law from the dead after four days. He underrated his real adversaries!

John 20:1-18
20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.
4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.
6 Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there,
7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.
8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.
9(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
10 Then the disciples went back to their homes,
11 but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb
12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him."
14 At this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realise that it was Jesus.
15 "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."
16 Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).
17 Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

Verses 11 – 17 supports the school of thought that propounds that Jesus was formally engaged to Mary before his arrest and crucifixion. Analyse the prohibiting sentence in verse 17 and you will realise that she had always embraced her lord, the normal way wives greet their husbands when overwhelmed by such strong emotions as palpable fear, grief over a dead child, reunion after a quarrel, and now this ‘lost & found’ situation! Jesus was only human and if the scriptures could permit “Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus” to be retained in all the versions of the Christian Bible, we have enough reason o believe that he was truly human and had every right to fall in love with a woman who lavished the costliest oil on his head , washed his feet with her repentant tears and wiped them with her hairs! Let us stop the buffoonery of thinking we are paying the Lord much respect or protecting his divinity by lying about his true human qualities that confirm that he was only human. In one vein, theologians would want to prove his humanity by pointing out that he wept at Lazarus graveyard. That is normal if your would-be in-law, the only surviving male that would give away the bride on her wedding day died some weeks to your proposed wedding! The same theologians, would later turn around to state that Jesus could not marry because he was not an ordinary man! He would, they imply by so doing, need a woman half- divine and half-human to qualify for such a marriage! This is a diatribe! If the cap fits, let us be man enough to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! We shall shame the devil by so doing! That is my point of view!
Now see the testimony of Jesus himself before his crucifixion:
Matt 20:17-19
17 Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them,
18 "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death
19 and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!"
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

“On the third day he will be raised to life!” Does that suggest omnipotence? Of course it does not! So, where did Paul get his version of ‘he rose from the dead’ which has been the most misleading phrase in Christendom? We must not put words into the mouth of Jesus, who was so humble and meek that he severally referred to himself simply as; ‘the son of man’ Saul of Tarsus, was over-reacting to the blinding light experience on the road to Damascus. We cannot allow his psychological problems delude us into ascribing to the Saviour, titles that he rejected while on earth! It is high time we told the average Christian, the whole truth about Jesus! He was nor born a “Messiah”, rather he worked to merit it! He earned it! Whereas Joseph, Moses, Samson, Saul, David and Solomon failed to earn it, he obeyed God so well in all things that he was adopted a his baptism and confirmed at the transfiguration! We do not do him any favour by deifying him when he resisted even earthly titles. Remember he escaped when the crowd wanted to make king by force shortly after he fed them with five loaves of bread and two fishes!

And now the final proof that Jesus is not God is his own testimony;

Matt 20:20-23
20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favour of him.
21 "What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
22 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered.
23 Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

Finally, Simon Peter ends the speculation in very clear terms that only eye witnesses of the Transfiguration on the mountain could ever or can give:
2 Peter 1:16-21
16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.
21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c)  1984, by International Bible Society)

The same person who deified Jesus corrected himself in one of his letters tot the Corinthian Christians:

1 Cor 15:17-28
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.
19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
27 For he "has put everything under his feet". Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.
28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

And finally, it was/is Jesus himself who had/has the last word on this issue of equality with his father:

Matt 19:16-20:1
16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17 "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
18 "Which ones?" the man enquired. Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,
19 honour your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbour as yourself.'"
20 "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21 Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
27 Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"
28 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

That Jesus never claimed divinity while on earth is confirmed by his own very words about his second coming to judge the world, witness:

Matt 25:31-26:1
31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.
32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

We do not need further evidence beyond this, The Son Of Man, was what he claimed until his death. It was based on his uprightness, loyalty and obedience even unto accepting to hang on the cross, saying; “Let thy will be done, not mine” that earned him the highest title of the Christ, the Holy One of God, but not equality with his Eternal father! QED

Yours truly as always,
………………………………………………………………Rev Prof J. J. Kenez, D.Sc.,
The Vessel of the Holy Spirit of God. 22/07/2006 19:18:58HRS. on Saturday, 22 July 2006
EPILOGUE

JESUS, WAS THE SON OF JOSEPH THE CARPENTER, WHO, BECAUSE HE OBEYED THE FATHER IN ALL THINGS AND FULFILLED ALL THAT WAS PROPHESIED ABOUT THE GREATEST  PROPHET  OF HIS PEOPLE WAS LATER, ADOPTED AT HIS BAPTISM,
AS THE SON OF GOD!

Mark 6:1-13

6:1 Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples.
2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles!
3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offence at him.
4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his home town, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honour."
5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.
6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went round teaching from village to village.
7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.
8 These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff-- no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.
9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic.
10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town.
11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."

12 They went out and preached that people should repent.
13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

Mark 3:31-35
31 Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him.
32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you."
33 "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked.
34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!
35 Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

EPILOGUE

1 Corinthians 15:1-28
15:1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.
2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.
6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the churchof God.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
11 Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.
16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.
19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
27 For he "has put everything under his feet". Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.
28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

The psalmist also foresaw that Jesus would be resurrected from the grave by a superior power not his;

Psalms 49
49:1 Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world,
2 both low and high, rich and poor alike:
3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding.
4 I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle:
5 Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me--
6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?
7 No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him--
8 the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough--
9 that he should live on for ever and not see decay.
10 For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their tombs will remain their houses for ever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves.
12 But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish.
13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Selah
14 Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions.
15 But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah
16 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendour of his house increases;
17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendour will not descend with him.
18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed-- and men praise you when you prosper--
19 he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light [of life].
20 A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

Not to be parochial in my dissertation, I shall now present the only time Jesus proved to everyone that he was truly come from God:

Luke 5:17-26
17 One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick.
18 Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.
19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?
23 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?
24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralysed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."
25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

The reader is invited to make his/her own conclusions from all he/she has read. Making heaven is not a day’s job! A lifetime may even not be enough. How to get to the kingdom of God is what Jesus came to show us, WHICH HE EMPHASISED IS RIGHT HERE IN OUR HEARTS but there have been a million interpretations of his recommendations!
All I have to counsel is  THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT IS THE ONLY AUTHENTIC MODE  OF REACHING THE PROMISED HEAVEN HERE ON EARTH ITSELF BEFORE OUR INDIVIDUAL; DEATHS!
Rev. Prof. J. J. Kenez, the International Spiritual Leader of I. S. M.





EPILOGUE

Jesus was neither the first nor the second to ascend into heaven with his physical body! This may sound foreign to many fanatics in Christendom. However, if you believe all the stories in the bible, then remember that both Patriarch Enoch in Genesis 5 and Prophet Elijah in 2 Kings took the gold and silver medals while Jesus only picked the bronze!

Many prosperity gospel preachers of today are not disciples of the Lord and Master Jesus! They claim to perform signs and wonders but have never fed their hungry congregation even once. All they know is Malachi 7:7. When will we stop pretending to be what we are not? The greatest miracle of Jesus in his entire ministry was his compassionate care for his flock that were really famished. He fed them with five loaves and two fishes! But even at that Prophet Elisa preceded him in that example as well;
2 Kings 4: 42 - 44
42 A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe corn, along with some ears of new corn. "Give it to the people to eat," Elisha said.
43 "How can I set this before a hundred men?" his servant asked. But Elisha answered, "Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have some left over.'"
44 Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.
(From the Holy Bible: New International Version. Copyright (c) 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

The gift of performing miracles started with Moses in Egypt and those were really stupefying ones. Then other prophets and even Judges performed lesser ones. Do you think that killing more than a thousand soldiers with only a jaw bone of lion was not a miracle or uprooting and lifting the entrance gate of a city which three hundred soldiers can not do is not also miraculous?

If Jesus was equal in all respects with His Father, why did he pray to him in the Garden of Gethsemane? “Let thy will be done!”
Go and study the conversation between Pontus Pilate and Jesus before the washing of hands by the former sequel to the mob’s “Crucify him! Crucify him!” In that narrative any sane person can surmise that the Father had greater powers than the Son. Or else, explain why he would need to request for a legion of angels! Finally review what happened at his death and expatiate on the underlined verses:
Matthew 27:45-54
45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"-- which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
49 The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.
52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)
However it is important to note that initially Paul never preached that Jesus was God. No, he always insisted in every authentic translation of his letters that, He is only a Lord, while his father was God!
Romans 1

1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God--
2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures
3 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David,
4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God, by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
5 Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.
6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.
9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you
10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--
12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.
13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
14 I am bound both to Greeks and Non-greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.
15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.
25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator-- who is for ever praised. Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.
27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worth while to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,
30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;
31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practise them.
(From the Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, and 1984, by International Bible Society)

From the early part of this letter to educated Romans, it is clear that it was not Saul of Tarsus who initiated the deification process. So, we need to find out how the worship of Jesus as a god started. Constantine was a worshipper of Mithra, the god of the sun for many years before he fell in love with a Christian girl. To marry the throb of his heart Paul decreed that he must first become a Christian. To get what he wanted he obliged Paul. Soon he also became the emperor and officially declared the religion of his wife and in-laws, the state religion. He persuaded Paul to include some of their belief systems and that is eventually how Christianity conquered the paganism of the Romans!


Only the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews captured the personality traits of Jesus conferred on him by the Almighty Father! In this opening chapter unlike every other book in the entire Bible, the narrative confirms my thesis that Jesus was/is the Son of God, elevated above every other created beings but never equal to the Supreme Being that created him and us! We do not show respect to the Father by equating him to his created, nor do we favour Jesus by setting him up against his Father.

Meditate on the bold phrases as think them over; Can one who was granted special powers ever be equal to the One who gave him the powers? The answer is definitely; NO! This passage states the statuses and special favours god, the Almighty Father of all of us bestowed on Jesus for a purpose! That is why he was able to stand all the temptations and triumph over the devil in every way even ‘death on the cross.’ My hope is that Christians should learn to worship god the Father as Jesus enjoined us to, and respect him for dying to save mankind!
Hebrews 1
1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"?
6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him.”
7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."
8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the sceptre of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."
10 He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."
13 To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?
14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
(From the Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978 and 1984, by International Bible Society)

Now, let Saul of Tarsus who engineered the Roman version of Christianity we practise today have a final word on the hierarchy of the godhead. He states that Jesus is not equal to his father God
1 Tim 2:1-7
2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--
2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
3 This is good, and pleases God our Saviour,
4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men-- the testimony given in its proper time.
7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle-- I am telling the truth, I am not lying-- and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

The issue of disobeying the very first commandment God, the Almighty, gave to Moses on Mount Sinai in the grouse I have against Christendom! Now the last book in the entire bible concludes my dissertation properly in chapter 7:

Revelation 7:9-8:1
9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
11 All the angels were standing round the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God,
12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes-- who are they, and where did they come from?"
14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)



It is consummated. I have run the race. I have completed the discourse. I have kept the faith. No one should hide under the canopy of religiosity and worship Jesus.
He never asked us to! The error must be corrected in today’s Christian Liturgy and the Pentecostal crusade versions of praise and worship sessions! The new era psychedelic prostrations and theatrics are idolatrous, puerile and futile!

Revolutionary Professor J. J. Kenez, D.Sc.
24/04/2001 @ 02:45:45HRS GMT


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MAY
9

ESSSENTIALS OF BECOMING A TRUE CHRISTIAN WAS MADE SIMPLE AT THE COUNCIL OF JERUSALEM BUT WAS MADE CUMBERSOME AND DEMONISED AT THE COUNCIL OF NICEA CONVENED BY PAGANS

ESSENTIALS OF BECOMING A TRUE CHRISTIAN IS SIMPLE BUT ROME MADE IT VERY CUMBERSOME

“The first ever Council of the Young Christian Church convened by Peter, Head of the Apostles of Jesus, the Christ, demanded only FOUR ITEMS for every GENTILE to be admitted as a FULL MEMBER but to date Roman theologians and ‘Fathers of the Paganism’ that hijacked missionary objectives of Saul of Tarsus have more than a thousand demands on all of us, who have been brainwashed to accept whatever the Roman hierarchy dictates right from the Council of Nicea convened by a Pagan Emperor to the current Papacy disguised as infallible doctrines and dogmas or be excommunicated!”

Says the Revolutionary Professor of Theosophy;

Rev. Prof. J. J. Kenez, D.Sc.
The Humble Vessel of the Holy Spirit of the Creator of the Universe

        Whatever is not found in the Old or New Testaments of the Christian Holy Bible is demonic and therefore is anathema to true disciples of the Lord Jesus.
        Whatever traditions, doctrines and dogmas that were not practised either in Bethlehem, Jerusalem or Judea during the period Jesus, the Christ, “went about doing good” and commanded his apostles to do is satanic!
        Come with me and let us consult the only authentic reference book on the matter and see whether we are on course or have side-tracked for centuries!

Acts 15:1-31

15:1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved."
2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
3 The church sent them on their way, and as they travelled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.
4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question.
7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.
9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?
11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
13 When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself.
15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
16 "'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things'
18 that have been known for ages.
19 "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
21 For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."
22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers.
23 With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings.
24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorisation and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.
25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul--
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.
28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:
29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
30 The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.
31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

When Paul got to Rome and Emperor Constantine converted to Pauline Christianity for the sake of marrying a girl, was the love affair the reason for changing most of the Christian laws and traditions? To make it a state-religion, the emperor demanded that certain religious beliefs and rites be included to suit the pagans ofRome and so allow many of them become members.  Therefore, what we have today violates the injunctions of Jesus whom we profess to follow. See the following examples;

Matt 5:17-19
17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.
18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practises and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

Verse 19 clearly condemns what Christians are doing today. Jesus was not a Christian! Jesus was a full-fledged Jew and practised Judaism throughout his lifetime. Therefore, what ended up in Rome as the Roman Catholic Church is in complete violation of what Jesus stated was his mission in verses 17 & 18.
It is contradictory to the resolutions of the Very First Council of the Young Church at Jerusalem presided over by the junior brother of the founder; James;

JESUS NEVER ENTHRONED HIMSELF AS GOD

Only the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews captured the personality traits of Jesus conferred on him by the Almighty Father! In this opening chapter unlike every other book in the entire Bible, the narrative confirms my thesis that Jesus was/is the Son of God, elevated above every other created beings but never equal to the Supreme Being that created him and us! We do not show respect to the Father by equating him to his created, nor do we favour Jesus by setting him up against his Father.

Meditate on the bold phrases in this excerpt and really think them over. Can an ambassador be equal to the President of his home country? Can one who was granted special powers ever be equal to the One who gave him the powers in the first place? The answer is definitely; NO!

This passage states the statuses and special favours God, the Almighty Father of all of us bestowed on Jesus for a purpose! That is why he was able to stand all the temptations and triumph over the devil in every way even ‘death on the cross.’ My hope is that Christians should learn to worship only God the Father as Jesus enjoined us to and conscientiously respect him as the Son of God for accepting to die to save mankind!

Hebrews 1
1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"?
6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him.”
7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."
8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the sceptre of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."
10 He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."
13 To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?
14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
(From the Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978 and 1984, by International Bible Society)

I have said it on several occasions that anyone who is very serious with authentic religion; obedience to the natural laws of the Almighty Father, and tenacious about true worship of Him with works of charity, mercy and forgiveness can aspire to Sainthood, just as Jesus did to earn Christhood!  Jesus was not born the ‘Son of God’ but was adopted by the Almighty Father of us all at his baptism.

Tell me, was Jesus not a descendant from the family root of King David as prophesied in the OT? Even in the psalms credited to David, is the evidence not clear?  He received a special gift of anointing by the ‘Holy Spirit that came down in the form of a dove and rested on him’, as was reported by John, the Baptist, his maternal cousin!

Matt 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John.
14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?"
15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness." Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.
17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
(From the Holy Bible: New International Version. Copyright (c) 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)


This is the truth of the matter as is again clearly stated by Peter, the head of the apostles during his inaugural speech in defence of the charge of drunkenness levied at the apostles on the day of first ever Pentecost; 

Acts 10:37&38
37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

So, ‘Emmanuel’ the name the angel gave before his conception was changed to ‘Christ’ at this baptism! This is still done to date in churches! So, what is the encyclopaedic definition of “Christ”; a Greek translation?
“CHRIST”, is a Greek term found in the Greek version of the Old Testament (see Bible), the Septuagint, translating the Hebrew verb “mâshakh”, meaning, “to anoint.” In early Israel, the custom of anointing signified the endowment of the person with the qualification for exalted office. The term Christ was applied not only to priests, but also to kings, prophets, and patriarchs. In time, the term came to mean the redeemer and restorer of the Jewish nation. In the New Testament, Christ, as a common noun and as a proper name, generally refers to Jesus of Nazareth (see Jesus Christ).[1] 

This is my analysis of the contentious matter regarding the divinity ascribed to him in most Christian communities.
⦁ The word ‘Christ’ is a term that has historically been applied to kings, prophets and patriarchs in earlyIsrael long before Jesus was born.
⦁ The truth therefore is that Jesus was born of Joseph and a virgin mother, Mary. He was later adopted by the Most High as his ‘Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, listen to him’!
        This fact does not reduce his honour and position as the first-born. Rather it emphasises the fact that anyone that works hard by imitating him will also earn God’s adoption. If you have been assigned a divine ministry as Jesus was, then work hard at it and follow it through!
His predecessors who could have earned the title were not prudent, obedient nor tenacious and therefore failed by the way side due to human concupiscence. A few leaders, prophets and judges of the old dispensation like Patriarch Enoch (Gen 5), Joshua and Prophet Elijah (Kings 7) passed!

⦁ Moses failed because of his quick temper and doubtfully striking the rock twice erratically rather than once.
⦁ Samson did not heed the instructions about wine and women before his birth; rather he recklessly slept with prostitutes and later married against God’s instruction.
⦁ Saul disobeyed the Almighty who made him king as he thought that God preferred sacrifices rather obedience. He should have obeyed the instructions of the Almighty God to the letter.
⦁ David disappointed the Most High when he committed adultery and complicated it with a pre-meditated murder.
⦁ Solomon, the first to be adopted by the God of the Israelites was an ingrate. He was too romantic, had insatiable lust for sex, married foreign women and worshipped their gods and so openly violated God’s covenant with his father David.
I will supply a more detailed list of references to this list later;

Judges 13
13:1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, so the LORD delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.
2 A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was sterile and remained childless.
3 The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, "You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son.
4 Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean,
5 because you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines."
6 Then the woman went to her husband and told him, "A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn't ask him where he came from, and he didn't tell me his name.
7 But he said to me, 'You will conceive and give birth to a son. Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite of God from birth until the day of his death.'"
8 Then Manoah prayed to the LORD: "O Lord, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born."
9 God heard Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman while she was out in the field; but her husband Manoah was not with her.
10 The woman hurried to tell her husband, "He's here! The man who appeared to me the other day!"
11 Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, "Are you the one who talked to my wife?" "I am," he said.
12 So Manoah asked him, "When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule for the boy's life and work?"
13 The angel of the LORD answered, "Your wife must do all that I have told her.
14 She must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, nor drink any wine or other fermented drink nor eat anything unclean. She must do everything I have commanded her."
15 Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, "We would like you to stay until we prepare a young goat for you."
16 The angel of the LORD replied, "Even though you detain me, I will not eat any of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the LORD." (Manoah did not realise that it was the angel of the LORD.)
17 Then Manoah enquired of the angel of the LORD, "What is your name, so that we may honour you when your word comes true?"
18 He replied, "Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding."
19 Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the LORD. And the LORD did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched:
20 As the flame blazed up from the altar towards heaven, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground.
21 When the angel of the LORD did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realised that it was the angel of the LORD.
22 "We are doomed to die!" he said to his wife. "We have seen God!"
23 But his wife answered, "If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this."
24 The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the LORD blessed him,
25 and the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

If only Samson had listened and obeyed his parents, could he not have been renowned as a Saviour of his nation? He failed! For now, let us get a biblical support for my assertion that every believer qualifies for the title; ‘Christ’ right from birth! You can attain the level of sanctity for becoming adopted.  In other words, we are all equipped to earn ‘Christhood’! Turn to;
Hebrews 5
5:1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.
 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
4 No one takes this honour upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
"You are my Son; today I have become your Father." 
6 And he says in another place,
"You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." 
7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered
9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.
12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

If that long explanation does not satisfy your fanatical position, then follow it up with the very next chapter! If you do believe that ‘the whole scripture is the word of God’ and is for our edification, then believe what you read;
Hebrews 6
6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And God permitting, we will do so.
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age,
6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.
8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case-things that accompany salvation.
10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,
14 saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants”. 
15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.
17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.
18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

It is reported that Solomon was also adopted by the Most High. Go back and read all about his choice by the Almighty as the one to build him a temple. Many other prophets of old had performed miracles that equalled those of Jesus yet they did not earn the title, the Messiah or ‘Christ’; so it is left for us to decipher what made Jesus so exceptional that he was the only one fit to be adopted by the Father as; ‘This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear you him’. Revisit the miracles of Elijah or Elisha;

2 Kings 4
4:1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves."
2 Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?" "Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil."
3 Elisha said, "Go round and ask all your neighbours for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few.
4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side."
5 She left him and afterwards shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring.
6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing.
7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."
8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.
9 She said to her husband, "I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God.
10 Let's make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us."
11 One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there.
12 He said to his servant Gehazi, "Call the Shunammite." So he called her, and she stood before him.
13 Elisha said to him, "Tell her, 'You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?'" She replied, "I have a home among my own people."
14 "What can be done for her?" Elisha asked. Gehazi said, "Well, she has no son and her husband is old."
15 Then Elisha said, "Call her." So he called her, and she stood in the doorway.
16 "About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms." "No, my lord," she objected. "Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!"
17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.
18 The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers.
19 "My head! My head!" he said to his father. His father told a servant, "Carry him to his mother."
20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died.
21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.
22 She called her husband and said, "Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return."
23 "Why go to him today?" he asked. "It's not the New Moon or the Sabbath." "It's all right," she said.
24 She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, "Lead on; don't slow down for me unless I tell you."
25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, "Look! There's the Shunammite!
26 Run to meet her and ask her, 'Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?'" "Everything is all right," she said.

OUR ONLY VERITABLE CONCLUSION

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE FORMALLY ADOPTED AS “SON OF GOD” AT HIS BAPTISM IN THE RIVERJORDAN AND THEREFORE IS ALSO THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THE DIVINE ANOINTING AND THE POWER TO MAKE BELIEVERS “CHILDREN OF GOD”

Let us explore the scriptures to see whether anyone else in the history of the world ever affirmed that he had the divine power to adopt men and women who followed him as his true brothers and sisters, thereby converting from children of Adam and Eve into children of God, the Almighty Creator of the entire universe

The Gospel credited to John, the Beloved Apostle states thus:
12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; (RSV)

John 1:1-19
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.
7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.
8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him.
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'"
16 From the fulness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No-one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. 
(From The Holy Bible: New International Version.  Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

John 1:1-19
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
 2 He was in the beginning with God.
 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.
 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' "
16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
From the New King James Version of the Holy Bible

I have nothing to add or subtract from these divinely inspired writing of an ordinary fisherman. Who taught him? The Almighty, the source of all knowledge! Now, critically analyse each sentence as a natural scientist and see whether Christians are making a foolery of themselves or it is actually you, the worldly unbeliever, who is really a certified fool! 

This is a mixed grill of three dissertations I had already written in the past two decades!