"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his might power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." Ephesians 1:17-23

In being a disciple of Christ, we are being Spiritually Enlightened in all things that pertains unto life and godliness. I am Charles Burke, Minister. Let me describe our Spiritual Enlightenment of life so that we can enjoy the Divine Blessings of New Testament Christianity.

I. We need to know the hope of our heavenly calling so that we can have the proper attitude in this life. "Brethren, I (Paul) count not myself to have apprehended: but this one things I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the highly calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

II. We should know some of the characteristics of our own Spiritual Heritage which will be in heaven. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5

III. We ought to know the exceeding greatness of God's power to us ward who believe. "Jesus said unto his disciples, Very I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:23-27

I. If we want to be Spiritually Enlightened, we must increase our knowledge of God. "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filed with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness." Colossians 1:9-11

II. If we want to be Spiritually Enlightened, we should be crucified with Christ. "I (Paul) am crucified with Christ (dead to the old sinful life which I once lived) : nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

III. If we want to be Spiritually Enlightened, we need to be rooted and grounded in love. "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any things, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. And above all these things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness." Galatians 5:6, Colossians 3:14

I. If we become Spiritually Enlightened, we would know that our light afflictions are working for our own good. "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man (our physical body) perish, yet the inward man (our Soul and Spirit) is renewed day by day. for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

II. If we become Spiritually Enlightened, we would be built up in the most holy faith. "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." Acts 20:32

I. Our life is precious because God has properly informed us concerning the Divine Blessings of New Testament Christianity.

II. We should become Spiritually Enlightened so that we can walk in the pathway of righteousness.

If you will observe the following precepts of life, you will realize the beauty of your own divine nature of life because you in being a New Testament Christian possess a created and a redeemed nature of life. For instance:

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

I. Who are the Persons that are called the Lord God in being our Creator?

A. The Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are called the Lord God in being our Creator because the Lord God in being the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit created our own divine nature of life free of sin. Moses said, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." John said concerning those three Persons who equally are called the Lord God in being our Creator. "For there are three (Persons) that bear record (of our creation) in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit: and these three (Persons) are one" (equal) in power, rule and authority because They equally possess the same Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of the one and only Lord God in reference to Their Own Individual Nature of life. Genesis 2:7, 1 John 5:7

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

II. Why should we learn that the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are called the Lord God in being our Creator?

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

The Bible says, "And I (the Lord God) will put enmity between thee and and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; he (Christ the Lord) shall bruise thy head, and thou (the Devil) the shalt bruise his heel. For unto you is born this day in the city of David as Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Blessed be the God and Father (Originator) of our Lord Jesus Christ. What think ye of Christ, Whose Son (Offspring) is he?' Genesis 3:15, Luke 2:11, Ephesians 1:3, Matthew 22:42

I. What is the meaning of the Father and the Son Relationship which exist between the Lord God and Christ the Lord?

Now, the Father and the Son Relationship which exist between the Lord God and Christ the Lord is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Person because the Lord God (a God-Person) was born Christ the Lord (a God-Man) upon the earth so that He could do the Divine Work of human redemption. This allowed those three God-Persons, who are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in being our Creator, to equally make Themselves to work and rule in the Title Name of Christ the Lord in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that They could be our Redeemer. This was achieved because "The Lord (God) said unto my Lord (Christ), sit thou on my right hand, until I make the foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that the Lord God (who was the being of the Father and the Holy Spirit in heaven) hath made that same Jesus (who was the Incarnated Word upon the earth), whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Jesus (who was made both Lord and Christ in being our Redeemer) said concerning those three Persons who equally would be called Christ the Lord in matters of our own redemption of life, "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:34-36, Matthew 28:18-20 Therefore, the Father and the Son Relationship which exist between the Lord God and Christ the Lord is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons because the Reign of the Lord God brought the Reign of Christ the Lord into being upon the earth so that sinful man could be redeemed.

II. Why should we learn that the Father and the Son Relationship which exist between the Lord God and Christ the Lord is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Person?

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

The Bible says, "The Lord (God) said unto my Lord (Christ), Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make the foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that the Lord God (who was the being of the Father and the Holy Spirit in heaven) hath made that same Jesus (who was the Incarnated Word upon the earth), whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Jesus (who was made both Lord and Christ in being our Redeemer) said concerning those three Persons who would be called Christ the Lord in matters of our own redemption of life, "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Paul said, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creatures: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Acts 2:34-36, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17

I. Who are the Persons that are called Christ the Lord in being our Redeemer?

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

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

II. Why should we learn that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are called Christ the Lord in being our Redeemer?

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

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

II. The Father and the Son Relationship which exist between the Lord God and Christ the Lord is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons because those three God-Persons, who are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in being our Creator, equally made Themselves to work and rule in the Title Name of Christ the Lord in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that They could be our Redeemer. 

III. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three Persons who equally are called Christ the Lord in being our Redeemer because Christ the Lord in being the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit redeemed our own divine nature of life from the guilt of sin. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charles Burke