Changes

161:2.1 Since [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]] had so fully approved Rodan's [[views]] of the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]], there remained only one more point to [[consider]], the [[teaching]] dealing with the [[divine]] [[nature]] of [[Jesus]], a [[doctrine]] only so recently publicly [[announced]]. [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]] jointly presented their [[views]] of the [[divine]] [[nature]] of [[the Master]], and the following [[narrative]] is a condensed, rearranged, and restated presentation of their [[teaching]]:

161:2.1 Since [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]] had so fully approved Rodan's [[views]] of the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]], there remained only one more point to [[consider]], the [[teaching]] dealing with the [[divine]] [[nature]] of [[Jesus]], a [[doctrine]] only so recently publicly [[announced]]. [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]] jointly presented their [[views]] of the [[divine]] [[nature]] of [[the Master]], and the following [[narrative]] is a condensed, rearranged, and restated presentation of their [[teaching]]:

*1. 161:2.2 [[Jesus]] has admitted his [[divinity]], and we [[believe]] him. Many remarkable things have happened in [[connection]] with his [[ministry]] which we can [[understand]] only by believing that he is the [[Son of God]] as well as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man].

*1. 161:2.2 [[Jesus]] has admitted his [[divinity]], and we [[believe]] him. Many remarkable things have happened in [[connection]] with his [[ministry]] which we can [[understand]] only by believing that he is the [[Son of God]] as well as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man].

*2. 161:2.3 His life [[association]] with us exemplifies the [[ideal]] of human [[friendship]]; only a [[divine]] [[being]] could possibly be such a [[human]] [[friend]]. He is the most truly [[unselfish]] [[person]] we have ever known. He is the [[friend]] even of [[sinners]]; he [[dares]] to [[love]] his [[enemies]]. He is very [[loyal]] to us. While he does not [[hesitate]] to [[reprove]] us, it is plain to all that he truly [[loves]] us. The better you know him, the more you will [[love]] him. You will be [[charmed]] by his unswerving [[devotion]]. Through all these years of our failure to [[comprehend]] his [[mission]], he has been a [[faithful]] [[friend]]. While he makes no use of [[flattery]], he does treat us all with [[equal]] [[kindness]]; he is invariably [[tender]] and [[compassionate]]. He has [[shared]] his life and everything else with us. We are a [[happy]] [[community]]; we [[share]] all things in common. We do not [[believe]] that a mere [[human]] could live such a blameless life under such trying circumstances.

*2. 161:2.3 His life [[association]] with us exemplifies the [[ideal]] of human [[friendship]]; only a [[divine]] [[being]] could possibly be such a [[human]] [[friend]]. He is the most truly [[unselfish]] [[person]] we have ever known. He is the [[friend]] even of [[sinners]]; he [[dares]] to [[love]] his [[enemies]]. He is very [[loyal]] to us. While he does not [[hesitate]] to [[reprove]] us, it is plain to all that he truly [[loves]] us. The better you know him, the more you will [[love]] him. You will be [[charmed]] by his unswerving [[devotion]]. Through all these years of our failure to [[comprehend]] his [[mission]], he has been a [[faithful]] [[friend]]. While he makes no use of [[flattery]], he does treat us all with [[equal]] [[kindness]]; he is invariably [[tender]] and [[compassionate]]. He has [[shared]] his life and everything else with us. We are a [[happy]] [[community]]; we [[share]] all things in common. We do not [[believe]] that a mere [[human]] could live such a blameless life under such trying circumstances.

*3. 161:2.4 We think [[Jesus]] is [[divine]] because he never does wrong; he makes no mistakes. His [[wisdom]] is extraordinary; his [[piety]] superb. He lives day by day in [[perfect]] accord with [[the Father]]'s will. He never [[repents]] of misdeeds because he [[transgresses]] none of [[the Father]]'s laws. He [[prays]] for us and with us, but he never asks us to pray for him. We [[believe]] that he is [[consistent]]ly sinless. We do not [[think]] that one who is only [[human]] ever professed to live such a life. He claims to live a [[perfect]] life, and we acknowledge that he does. Our [[piety]] springs from [[repentance]], but his piety springs from [[righteousness]]. He even professes to [[forgive]] [[sins]] and does [[heal]] [[diseases]]. No mere man would sanely profess to [[forgive]] [[sin]]; that is a [[divine]] [[prerogative]]. And he has seemed to be thus [[perfect]] in his [[righteousness]] from the times of our first [[contact]] with him. We grow in [[grace]] and in the [[knowledge]] of the [[truth]], but our [[the Master|Master]] exhibits [[maturity]] of [[righteousness]] to start with. All men, [[good]] and [[evil]], recognize these elements of [[goodness]] in [[Jesus]]. And yet never is his [[piety]] obtrusive or [[ostentatious]]. He is both [[meek]] and fearless. He seems to [[approve]] of our [[belief]] in his [[divinity]]. He is either what he professes to be, or else he is the greatest [[hypocrite]] and [[fraud]] the world has ever known. We are persuaded that he is just what he claims to be.

*3. 161:2.4 We think [[Jesus]] is [[divine]] because he never does wrong; he makes no mistakes. His [[wisdom]] is extraordinary; his [[piety]] superb. He lives day by day in [[perfect]] accord with [[the Father]]'s will. He never [[repents]] of misdeeds because he [[transgresses]] none of [[the Father]]'s laws. He [[prays]] for us and with us, but he never asks us to pray for him. We [[believe]] that he is [[consistent]]ly sinless. We do not [[think]] that one who is only [[human]] ever professed to live such a life. He claims to live a [[perfect]] life, and we acknowledge that he does. Our [[piety]] springs from [[repentance]], but his piety springs from [[righteousness]]. He even professes to [[forgive]] [[sins]] and does [[heal]] [[diseases]]. No mere man would sanely profess to [[forgive]] [[sin]]; that is a [[divine]] [[prerogative]]. And he has seemed to be thus [[perfect]] in his [[righteousness]] from the times of our first [[contact]] with him. We grow in [[grace]] and in the [[knowledge]] of the [[truth]], but our [[the Master|Master]] exhibits [[maturity]] of [[righteousness]] to start with. All men, [[good]] and [[evil]], recognize these elements of [[goodness]] in [[Jesus]]. And yet never is his [[piety]] obtrusive or [[ostentatious]]. He is both [[meek]] and fearless. He seems to [[approve]] of our [[belief]] in his [[divinity]]. He is either what he professes to be, or else he is the greatest [[hypocrite]] and [[fraud]] the world has ever known. We are persuaded that he is just what he claims to be.

*7. 161:2.8 Recently [[the Master]] does not [[hesitate]] to assert his [[superhuman]]ity. From the day of our [[ordination]] as [[apostles]] right on down to recent times, he has never denied that he came from [[the Father]] above. He speaks with the [[authority]] of a [[divine]] [[teacher]]. [[The Master]] does not [[hesitate]] to refute the religious [[teachings]] of today and to [[declare]] the new [[gospel]] with [[positive]] [[authority]]. He is [[assertive]], [[positive]], and [[authoritative]]. Even [[John the Baptist]], when he heard [[Jesus]] speak, [[declared]] that he was the [[Son of God]]. He seems to be so sufficient within himself. He craves not the [[support]] of the multitude; he is indifferent to the [[opinions]] of men. He is [[brave]] and yet so free from [[pride]].

*7. 161:2.8 Recently [[the Master]] does not [[hesitate]] to assert his [[superhuman]]ity. From the day of our [[ordination]] as [[apostles]] right on down to recent times, he has never denied that he came from [[the Father]] above. He speaks with the [[authority]] of a [[divine]] [[teacher]]. [[The Master]] does not [[hesitate]] to refute the religious [[teachings]] of today and to [[declare]] the new [[gospel]] with [[positive]] [[authority]]. He is [[assertive]], [[positive]], and [[authoritative]]. Even [[John the Baptist]], when he heard [[Jesus]] speak, [[declared]] that he was the [[Son of God]]. He seems to be so sufficient within himself. He craves not the [[support]] of the multitude; he is indifferent to the [[opinions]] of men. He is [[brave]] and yet so free from [[pride]].

*8. 161:2.9 He constantly talks about [[God]] as an ever-present [[associate]] in all that he does. He goes about doing [[good]], for [[God]] seems to be in him. He makes the most astounding [[assertions]] about himself and his [[mission]] on [[earth]], statements which would be [[absurd]] if he were not [[divine]]. He once [[declared]], " Before Abraham was, I am. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_8] He has definitely claimed [[divinity]]; he professes to be in [[partnership]] with [[God]]. He well-nigh [[exhausts]] the [[possibilities]] of [[language]] in the [[reiteration]] of his claims of [[intimate]] [[association]] with the [[Universal Father|heavenly Father]]. He even [[dares]] to assert that he and [[the Father]] are one.[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_10] He says that any one who has seen him has seen [[the Father]].[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_14] And he says and does all these tremendous [[things]] with such childlike [[natural]]ness. He alludes to his [[association]] with [[the Father]] in the same [[manner]] that he refers to his [[association]] with us. He seems to be so sure about [[God]] and speaks of these [[relations]] in such a matter-of-fact way.

*8. 161:2.9 He constantly talks about [[God]] as an ever-present [[associate]] in all that he does. He goes about doing [[good]], for [[God]] seems to be in him. He makes the most astounding [[assertions]] about himself and his [[mission]] on [[earth]], statements which would be [[absurd]] if he were not [[divine]]. He once [[declared]], " Before Abraham was, I am. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_8] He has definitely claimed [[divinity]]; he professes to be in [[partnership]] with [[God]]. He well-nigh [[exhausts]] the [[possibilities]] of [[language]] in the [[reiteration]] of his claims of [[intimate]] [[association]] with the [[Universal Father|heavenly Father]]. He even [[dares]] to assert that he and [[the Father]] are one.[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_10] He says that any one who has seen him has seen [[the Father]].[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_14] And he says and does all these tremendous [[things]] with such childlike [[natural]]ness. He alludes to his [[association]] with [[the Father]] in the same [[manner]] that he refers to his [[association]] with us. He seems to be so sure about [[God]] and speaks of these [[relations]] in such a matter-of-fact way.

*9. 161:2.10 In his [[prayer]] life he appears to [[communicate]] directly with [[the Father|his Father]]. We have heard few of his [[prayers]], but these few would indicate that he talks with [[God]], as it were, face to face. He seems to know the [[future]] as well as the [[past]]. He simply could not be all of this and do all of these extraordinary [[things]] unless he were something more than [[human]]. We know he is human, we are sure of that, but we are almost [[equally]] sure that he is also [[divine]]. We [[believe]] that he is divine. We are convinced that he is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] and the [[Son of God]].

*9. 161:2.10 In his [[prayer]] life he appears to [[communicate]] directly with [[the Father|his Father]]. We have heard few of his [[prayers]], but these few would indicate that he talks with [[God]], as it were, face to face. He seems to know the [[future]] as well as the [[past]]. He simply could not be all of this and do all of these extraordinary [[things]] unless he were something more than [[human]]. We know he is human, we are sure of that, but we are almost [[equally]] sure that he is also [[divine]]. We [[believe]] that he is divine. We are convinced that he is the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] and the [[Son of God]].

161:2.11 When [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]] had concluded their [[conferences]] with Rodan, they hurried on toward [[Jerusalem]] to join their fellow [[apostles]], arriving on Friday of that week. This had been a great [[experience]] in the lives of all [[three]] of these believers, and the other [[apostles]] learned much from the recounting of these [[experiences]] by [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]].

161:2.11 When [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]] had concluded their [[conferences]] with Rodan, they hurried on toward [[Jerusalem]] to join their fellow [[apostles]], arriving on Friday of that week. This had been a great [[experience]] in the lives of all [[three]] of these believers, and the other [[apostles]] learned much from the recounting of these [[experiences]] by [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]].

161:2.12 Rodan made his way back to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria Alexandria], where he long taught his [[philosophy]] in the school of Meganta. He became a mighty man in the later affairs of [[the kingdom]] of heaven; he was a [[faithful]] believer to the end of his [[earth]] days, yielding up his life in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece Greece] with others when the [[persecutions]] were at their height.

161:2.12 Rodan made his way back to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria Alexandria], where he long taught his [[philosophy]] in the school of Meganta. He became a mighty man in the later affairs of [[the kingdom]] of heaven; he was a [[faithful]] believer to the end of his [[earth]] days, yielding up his life in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece Greece] with others when the [[persecutions]] were at their height.

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_161 Go to Paper 161]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_161 Go to Paper 161]</center>