In John 10:30, Jesus makes a similar statement, “I and the Father are One!” We see this same message in I Timothy 3:16 — that Jesus was God manifest in the flesh.
There is only One Church — the body of Christ church wherein Jesus is the Head of the church. We see this consistency in the following scriptures:
Psalm 118:22 “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.”
Ephesians 1:22 “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,”
Ephesians 5:23 “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the Head of the church, He Himself being the Saviour of the body.”
Colossians 1:18 “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”
In Revelation 1:8, 11, 17; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:13, the “risen” Jesus identifies Himself as the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last.”
“… which in His times, He shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords!” (I Timothy 6:15)
Jesus is no longer walking on earth in a human body. Jesus is no longer on the cross. Jesus is no longer in a tomb, but He has risen. In Acts 1 and 2 we see how this same Jesus whom we have crucified is now both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36-41)
In Acts 1:2-3 — “… until the day in which He [Jesus] was taken up, after that He [Jesus] THROUGH the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He [Jesus] had chosen: to whom also He [Jesus] shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God!”
It is in this same Jesus — the holy thing which was in her womb — who would be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35) — it was He in which she rejoiced — “as God my Saviour.” (Luke 47)
Indeed, Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath helped His servant Israel; in remembrance of His mercy. As He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to His seed for ever.” (Luke 1:46-55)
She was blessed among women because she was found with child of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 1:18) Not every woman is given that privilege — to bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel — being interpreted God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
Moreover, when the wise men came to see Jesus, who did they bow down and worship? Who did they bring gifts to? From Matthew 2:11-12 - “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him … and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
While Mary pondered all these things in her heart, the scriptures are clear that at no point does Mary say that we should pray to her or that she would intercede for us. Remember what Simeon in the temple said to Mary, when he rejoiced that He had seen the Lord’s Christ — “for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.” (Luke 2:28-32)
That is. “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2:34-35)
Again, both Mary and Joseph marvelled at those things which were spoken of Jesus. (Luke 2:33) Do we worship Joseph too? Of course not.
If we study further, we see Jesus reprimand His mother when He turned the water into wine. Indeed, Jesus said, “Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.” (John 2:4; John 7:6, 30)
In another place — while Jesus yet talked to the people, behold His mother and His brethren stood without, desiring to speak with Him. Then one said unto Jesus, “Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with Thee.” But Jesus said, “Who is My mother, and who are My brethren?” And then He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, saying, “Behold, My mother and My brethren …” (Matthew 12:46-50)
Referencing back to what Simeon said, Mary had to watch Jesus hanging on a cross, beaten beyond recognition, wearing a crown of thorns, and being spit at by the Roman soldiers. Jesus said to His mother — “Woman, behold thy son!” And then Jesus said to the disciple whom He loved, “Behold, thy mother.” And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own house. (John 19:26-27)
In the upper room (after Jesus’ resurrection), Mary the mother of Jesus along with Peter and James and John and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew and Mathew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judsas the brother of James, with the women, and His brethren (about one hundred and twenty) all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication. The one accord is further described in Acts 2 when Peter (standing with the eleven) preached that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. When the first 3,000 souls saved asked what they must do, Peter said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38-41)
As for the churches (man-made institutionalized religion), there is only One Church — the Body of Christ Church wherein Jesus is the Head. As the scriptures state, Jesus does not change — He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) What His Word said does not change according to the whims of men, or religious traditions. In fact, how many times did Jesus admonish the scribes and Pharisees for holding to their traditions and not having room in their hearts for His Word?
Apostle Paul (as Saul) acknowledges that he profited in the Jew’s religion above many of his equals — “being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.” (Galatians 1:14) But we all know what happened when he came face to face with the Lord Jesus on his way to Damascus. Saul asked, “Who art Thou Lord?” (Acts 9:4-5) And the Lord said, “I AM Jesus whom you persecute …”
One Lord, One Fatih, One Baptism. (Ephesians 4:5)
Some suggest that Mary will advocate for us (after she has died) and yet there are no scriptural examples of her advocating — interceding for others anywhere. Some mention that Jesus is her son but so were Jesus’ brethren. She did not remain a virgin. (John 2:12)
Some allege that there is a Queen of heaven but again there is no scripture to support this teaching. This might explain why we who believe are instructed to “Come out of her, My people!”
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4)
But this scripture continues, “For her sins have reached unto heaven and God that remembered her iniquities … how much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her, for she saith in her heart, “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.” Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judges her. And the kings of the earth, who hath committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning …” (Revelation 18:4-9, 4; Revelation 17:1-18)
There is more to come but let’s begin with this. Stand in the offering plate!
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