JEHOVAH ended his work on the seventh day. "And he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made." (Gen. 2:2,3) Without doubt this statement relates to the creative work of Jehovah insofar as the same pertains to things earthly. God is never idle. Long after the creation of man Jesus said: "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." — John 5:17.

Man was the climax of the work of God, as his creation related to things earthly, which work was perfect. (Deuteronomy 32:4) Thereafter Jesus came to the earth; and it may be asked, Was not he the creative work of Jehovah as that work related to the things of the earth? No; he was not. He was the second perfect man on the earth, but he was not created as Adam was created. His life or existence, together with the right thereto, was transferred from heaven to earth. He was begotten in the womb of Mary by the power of Jehovah, even as the prophet had foretold that a virgin should conceive and bring forth. (Isaiah 7:14) He was not created, but he was the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16) The Scriptures frequently speak of him as God's only begotten Son.

Many make the mistake of thinking that God is responsible for the birth of every child. God delegated to Adam the power and authority to transmit life; and when Adam was sentenced to death the right to life was taken from him and he could not transmit the right to existence or life, but he did transmit life to a limited

degree. Jesus was born in a similar manner to other children; but his birth was perfect, because his existence and the right thereto emanated directly from Jehovah. "The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." — 1 Corinthians 15: 47.

Since all the human race sprang from Adam and were begotten and born after his sin, all were born sinners. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all other men were under this same disability. The exception to this rule was Jesus; and he was perfect, for the reason that he was not begotten by man, as above stated. It therefore is clear that when he had created Adam, Jehovah rested from his creative work relative to the earth.

At the time Abraham offered his son Isaac in the mountain God said to him: "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 22:18) Any blessing of mankind that would be of lasting value must include an opportunity for man to gain everlasting life. The son of Abraham being imperfect, it is manifest that the promised blessing could not come through him. The fact that Isaac died and that the blessing did not come in his day is of itself proof that Isaac was not the real One meant, but that Isaac foreshadowed the real One intended by the promise. "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. . . . Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many: but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ."  — Galatians 3: 8, 16.

For centuries the "seed of promise" through which the blessing must come to the peoples of earth was shrouded in mystery. God ordained it so. That mystery began to be made known at Pentecost, and was then made known only to those who were consecrated and

faithfully devoted to the Lord God. (Colossians 1: 26; Ephesians 3:4, 9) That "seed of promise", which is the mystery of God, is the new creation, and constitutes the agency employed and to be employed by Jehovah in carrying out his plan to bless all the families of the earth as promised.

The new creation is The Christ. The Christ is a composite body made up of many members. The Head of The Christ is Jesus Christ, God's beloved Son. Those who are taken from amongst men, justified, begotten and anointed by the spirit of Jehovah, and who then continue faithful unto death, will constitute the members of The Christ complete. (Ephesians 1:32, 23) "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." — Colossians 1:18, 19.

The new creation while on earth is a real thing, not an imaginary or reckoned thing. It does not consist of all who claim to be Christian, but consists of only those who have been adopted into the family of God through Christ. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17.

The human body is taken as an illustration of The Christ, the Head and the members of the body being referred to as one. "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. . . . For the body is not one member, but many." (1 Corinthians 12:12, 14) The Christ and the new creation therefore mean one and the same thing.

Christ means the Anointed One of God. The pouring of the oil on the head of Aaron symbolically said: 'This one is anointed and is set aside to serve the Lord God

in the priest's office to which he is appointed.' This foreshadowed the anointing of Christ Jesus. God did the anointing; therefore Christ Jesus is The Christ of God, appointed, anointed and installed in the office of High Priest for the service of Jehovah. (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:17) "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." — Hebrews 1: 8, 9; Psalm 45: 6, 7.

The Christ is the "seed of promise", or "seed of Abraham", the official channel through which the blessings of all the nations of the earth must come. (Galatians 3:27-29; 4:28; Hebrews 6:17; 2 Peter 3:13) The 'seed of Abraham according to the promise' being definitely identified as The Christ, it is manifest that God would delay the blessing of all the peoples of earth until he selects, develops, and completes that "seed", which "seed" is God's new creation.

The clergy of the denominational systems have taught the people that the only place of salvation is in heaven, that no one can be saved unless he joins himself unto some denominational church system, and that then when he dies he will go to heaven. They have made the people believe that God has been putting forth a strenuous effort to get men into heaven. Satan the deceiver has been responsible for this scheme advocated by the preachers. His purpose has been to turn the minds of the people away from God and to blind them concerning God's provision for their salvation and blessing. Up to this time Satan has well succeeded in blinding mankind; but now the change is at hand, because it is God's due time to let the people know the truth.

It seems clear that the time is at hand when the people may understand that the mystery of God is The Christ, the "seed of promise" through which their blessing must come. Christ is God's way for man to obtain life. Life is a gift from God through Christ Jesus. (John 14: 6; Romans 5:18; 6: 23) The people must have some knowledge before they can accept God'3 gracious gift. In due time God will bring all men to an accurate knowledge of the truth, and that time seems now at hand. Men may take courage now and study God's plan with a hope of finding the way that leads to everlasting life and blessings. This is true, not because men are any wiser today, but because it is the due time of Jehovah. — 1 Timothy 2: 3-6.

The Head

The perfect man Jesus consecrated himself unto God. Consecration meant his agreement to do the will of God. He said: "I come to do thy will, 0 my God." (Psalm 40:7, 8; Hebrews 10:7) This he did when he presented himself at the Jordan and was baptized by John the Immerser. His baptism was a picture, symbolically testifying of his death as a man in order to be the Redeemer of men. (Romans 6:3, 4) From the time of his birth as a babe until the moment of his baptism he was a human creature; nothing more and nothing less. He was perfect.

At the time of his baptism Jesus was begotten by Jehovah to the divine nature. Then and there God anointed him with his spirit. (Matthew 3:13-17) There he became Jesus Christ, the Anointed One of God. "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy spirit and with power." (Acts 10: 38) There the new creation began; and there Christ Jesus was made the Head over the members of the new creation, which is his body. (Colossians 1:18) His anointing carried with it a

commission from Jehovah God to do a specific work. (Isaiah 61:1, 2) After Jesus was thus anointed he understood what his relationship was to Jehovah and the work that he had to do. — Luke 4:16-21.

At the time of the baptism and anointing of Jesus he was appointed and installed in the office of Priest unto Jehovah God. He was and is a Priest "after the order of Melchizedek". (Hebrews 5:3-6; Psalm 110: 4) As a man he sprang from the tribe of Judah, and there was no provision for a priesthood from that tribe. As a new creature he was a Priest of the similitude of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 7:1-22) As such Priest he was, and is for ever, the honored Servant and Executive Officer of Jehovah God. As a great High Priest he offered himself as a human sacrifice to provide, and he did provide, the ransom price.

Christ Jesus died upon the cross and thereby gave himself a ransom for all mankind. (1 Timothy 2:5, 6; Hebrews 2:9) He was put to death in the flesh and raised from the dead in the spirit. (1 Peter 3:18) He was the first one that was raised from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:1-20) He was given immortality even as Jehovah God had promised; and while he died as a man, he was raised from the dead, and is now alive for evermore. — John 5:26; Revelation 1:18.

Because Christ Jesus was God's anointed Priest to minister in the office to which he was appointed, he said: "I can of mine own self do nothing: . . . because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." (John 5:30) From the time that he was anointed all work and judgment concerning the execution of the divine plan with reference to the salvation of men was committed to him. (John 5:22) When he said, "I can of mine own self do nothing," that did not mean that he was coerced into obedience

by Jehovah; but it did mean that his devotion to his Father was so absolute and complete that he would and could do nothing except in harmony with his Father's will.

As the divine High Priest of the Melchizedek order Christ Jesus was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven, and there he appeared in the presence of Jehovah and presented the value of his human sacrifice as an offering for sin. (Hebrews 9:24-26) His sacrifice was acceptable to Jehovah, and was accepted; and the acceptance was made manifest by the cloven tongues of fire that rested upon his disciples at Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-4) Thus Jehovah God opened the way for life and immortality through Jesus Christ, his beloved One.  — 2 Timothy 1:10.

The Scriptural proof establishes therefore the fact that the Logos, Jesus, and Christ Jesus, are one and the same. That he did not die when he came to earth, but that his life was transferred from heaven to earth is proven by the words: "Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8:58) These words imply a continuous existence. To die means to go out of existence. Jesus' words therefore must be construed to mean that from the time of the beginning of creation until the moment he spoke those words he had existed and had the right to exist. He died upon the cross as a man and must, as a man, for ever remain dead, but the right of his life as a man he gives for the life of the world. This is proven by his words: "I have power to lay it [my life] down, and power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." — John 10:18; 6:51.

His Body Members

Christ Jesus alone is sufficient to execute Jehovah's plan. He alone provides the ransom price. It has

pleased Jehovah God, however, in the exercise of his loving kindness, to select others to be members of his body and therefore to be a part of The Christ. In doing this he does not select angels to be a part of The Christ, but he selects men and women who have the faith like unto Abraham. (Hebrews 2:16, 17) God visits the nations to take out from them a people for his name, (Acts 15:14) These are made acceptable unto God through Christ Jesus, and in no other way. God did not predestinate the individuals who will make up the body of Christ, but he did predestinate that there should be a number selected from amongst men to make up that body. Concerning this it is written:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself." — Ephesians 1: 3-9.

Foreshadowed

The nation of Israel was the chosen people of God. They did not constitute the new creation, but that nation foreshadowed the new creation, which is God's people: selected and elected for a purpose. Israel after the flesh was the moving picture which was provided by Jehovah and which foreshadowed the real thing.

which real thing is, to wit: spiritual Israel, the new creation. Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, was the beginning of the Israelites after the flesh. Jacob's seed was born to its favor under the terms of the covenant made at Mount Sinai. The new creation is spiritual Israel begotten and brought forth under the terms of another covenant.

The Israelites entered into a covenant with Jehovah, by and through Moses as their mediator or go-between. By agreeing to the terms of the covenant they bound themselves to be obedient to God's will. That covenant made at Sinai served as a schoolmaster to safeguard and lead obedient ones of the Israelites until God's due time to begin the new creation, which is The Christ. The nation as a whole failed to keep the terms of the covenant and lost everything that that covenant promised. A small remnant of that people, however, did accept Christ as the great Redeemer and Deliverer; and by the grace of God such became a part of the new creation.  — Romans 11: 5.

To natural Israel God said at Mount Sinai: "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." — Exodus 19: 5, 6.

To spiritual Israel, foreshadowed by natural Israel, that is to say, to those who have accepted Christ as their Redeemer and have come into Christ, the Lord God says through his appointed witness: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a purpose." (1 Peter 2:9, Diaglott) These scriptures conclusively prove that Israel after the flesh was the picture foreshadowing Israel after the spirit, which is the reality; and that the reality is God's new creation.

How Formed

The new creation, which is spiritual Israel, is begun and completed by the terms of a covenant. Jesus the Head thereof made a covenant with Jehovah at the Jordan to do his Father's will. That covenant entailed upon Jesus the sacrificing of himself as a man. There is no evidence that he knew at the time he made the covenant that he was to die. He spent forty days and nights in the mountain, studying God's plan and communicating with Jehovah after having his mind illuminated by the holy spirit. Then he would know, and then and thereafter he intelligently and faithfully carried out his covenant.

The members of his body must follow in the same way. (1 Peter 2:21) All who become members of the new creation must do so by and through a covenant of sacrifice. (Psalm 50: 5) When the disciples of Jesus believed he was the Messiah, and became his followers, they thereby agreed to do the will of God. A covenant is a solemn agreement to do or not to do a certain thing. When they accepted Jesus as the Messiah, that was the beginning of their covenant. That marked their consecration. They could not be justified until the ransom sacrifice was presented in heaven as a sin offering and accepted. The acceptance was manifested at Pentecost, and then and there these disciples were justified and begotten by God's holy spirit.

The new creation is a select or elect company who are taken out from amongst men, and then adopted into the family of God through Christ. God's manner of i selecting and forming the new creation is important.: His Word tells in what manner he selects and develops: the members thereof. This information discloses how one becomes a real Christian.

Since all the human race is born in sin and no man who is a sinner can approach God, what can a sinner

do to become a Christian and thereby a member of the new creation? The Scriptures declaring that life is a gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord, it is manifest then that knowledge of the gift and of how it is given is the first essential. Man must first learn, either by being informed by some one or by reading from the Word of God, that he is a sinner, that he needs help, and that he is unable to help himself. Seeing that the course of mankind is unrighteous he must have a desire for righteousness. He learns that Jehovah is God and believes that fact. This constitutes faith in God, without which it is impossible for him to please God. (Heb. 11: 6) He then learns that Jesus Christ is the beloved Son of God, whose life is given as a ransom for mankind.

His reverence for God is the beginning of wisdom. (Psalm 111: 10) That means that he is now beginning to apply his knowledge in harmony with God's will, and this he does when he begins to reverence Jehovah. He has a desire to know more about Jesus and why he died and arose from the dead. By this knowledge and desire God draws him to Jesus. This is in harmony with the statement made by Jesus: "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him." (John 6: 44) It is thus seen that an honest and righteous desire to live, and to live in harmony with the Creator, is one of the first essentials for one to become a Christian.

It is reasonable to conclude that God so surrounds such an one with circumstances that would attract him to the Lord Jesus, and thereby draw him to Jesus. Proof of this is found in the experience of Cornelius. He knew nothing of the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, but he did have faith in and reverence for Jehovah. He had an honest and righteous desire to be in harmony with God. He prayed to God, and

his prayer ascended unto God as a memorial. (Acts 10:1-48) In due time Jehovah brought to his attention the knowledge of his way to life, by sending Peter to him to tell him.

So it often occurs when one has an honest desire to know the Lord that some one comes his way and places in his hand a book, or tells him something of God's gracious plan of salvation. When he receives this knowledge into a good and honest heart he learns that God's way for man to return to him and get life everlasting is through Jesus Christ. The testimony of Jesus is: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." — John 14: 6.

Up to this point the man has been going in the way of sinners. His mind has been devoted to things selfish. Having a desire for life, and now seeking the way to life, he repents. Repentance means a change of mind. By the knowledge thus obtained he has changed his mind, and desires to know God's way to life. In this inquiring attitude the words of Jesus now apply to him: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." — Matthew 16:24.

Consecration

To obey the above injunction from Christ Jesus means to make a consecration. One who consecrates himself to God thereby agrees to do God's will. The man, now believing that he is a sinner and that Christ Jesus is his Redeemer, and that the way back to Jehovah and to life is through Christ Jesus, says, in substance if not in terms: "I am determined to do God's will"; and then solemnly and reverentially in his mind or by his lips he says to Jehovah: "Trusting in thee and in thy Word, and believing in the

precious blood of Christ, I do now agree to do thy holy will." This constitutes a denial of self; this is his consecration; and since it is his agreement to do the will of God it is man's part of his covenant with God.

It may now he properly said that the man is converted. To be converted means to change one's course of action. He changes his course of action by turning away from following selfish things and agreeing to follow and following the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus now stands sponsor for the one thus consecrating, because of his faith; and as man's sponsor or advocate presents him to Jehovah.

Justification

The man is still imperfect, and God cannot receive an imperfect thing. God, however, can justify the man. Justification means to be made right with God. The process of justification may be properly defined as the judicial act of Jehovah whereby he determines that the man is right and at peace with him. Three things are vitally essential to the justification of the man thus seeking the Lord, to wit: (1) Faith in God and in Christ Jesus' sacrifice; (2) the blood of Jesus, representing his life applied for such an one; and (3) the judicial act of Jehovah justifying the man. The man desires life and is seeking the way to it, and he knows that that way is through Christ Jesus back to God. Faith means to have a knowledge of these things and then to confidently rely upon that knowledge, which comes from the Word of God.

Abraham believed God, and his faith was counted unto him for righteousness. That was written not for Abraham's sake alone, "but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for

our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4: 20-25) The way was not open to Abraham to get life, for the reason that the blood of Jesus had not been shed as the ransom price nor presented as a sin offering. The blood of Jesus is the basis for justification. The one who, exercising faith therein, consecrates himself unto God by agreeing to do his will, thereby exercises faith in the blood of Christ. Then God is the one who justifies him.

Now mark the Scriptures showing the three things essential: Faith; the blood of Jesus; and the judicial determination by Jehovah. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5:9) "It is God that justifieth." — Romans 8: 33.

Justification results in the right to life, for the reason that all righteous creatures are entitled to life. The man thus justified is granted the right to live as a human being, by virtue of his faith exercised in making a consecration. Why would God justify a man? Would it be for the purpose of enabling him to live as a human being for ever on earth? The will of God concerning all those justified in the Christian era, or day of sacrifice, which was foreshadowed by the day of atonement, is that such shall be made a part of the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. The justification during that period is for no other purpose. God accepts such an one and justifies him; and thereby is the covenant between man and God made through Christ Jesus, which is a covenant by sacrifice. (Psalm 50:5) Man having agreed to do God's will and God having accepted that agreement, and it being the will of God that man shall die as a part of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus, this constitutes a covenant by sacrifice.

Recall now the tabernacle picture made on the day of atonement, and that two goats were brought into the court. The court pictured the condition of justification. The two goats represented all who in the Christian era are justified by faith in the blood of Christ. Lots were cast, and one of the lots fell upon the Lord's goat. This indicated that Jehovah is not arbitrary, but that he sets before the one thus justified the privilege of fulfilling his covenant; and the one who does fulfil his covenant was pictured by the Lord's goat, and the sacrificing of that goat foreshadowed that such will form a part of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The question then is, What does the man sacrifice? The answer is, He sacrifices his right to live as a human being on the earth. Being born a sinner, where did he get that right to live? It resulted to him by reason of God's justifying him. The sacrifice of his life was pictured by the slaying of the Lord's goat in the court. It was the priest who did the sacrificing, foreshadowing that in the reality Christ Jesus the High Priest sacrifices the justified ones as a part of his own sacrifice. The man therefore does not sacrifice anything himself; but the High Priest sacrifices him, and the man agrees thereto by agreeing to do God's will at the time of consecration.

Call of the New Creation

Concerning the new creation it is written: "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." (Romans 11:29) The gift of God is life, and to the one whom God justifies he gives life. The call of God is an invitation to a higher position or plane of life. Henceforth the man must live on a spirit plane or not live at all. This call, says the apostle, is irrevocable, not subject to change. The question is then, What

constitutes the call? Can it be said that God has been promiscuously issuing a call for men to come to heaven? The answer is, No. God calls no one except those whom he justifies, and justification is for the purpose of making the justified one a part of the sacrifice of his beloved Son.

God predestinated the new creation, not the individuals but the class who should compose the body. "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified." (Romans 8:30) This proves that the justified ones are the ones called and that no one is called until he is justified, because God does not call sinners to a high position with his beloved Son. To what then are the justified called? The answer is, They are called to an heavenly calling. (Hebrews 3:1) It is God who calls with an holy calling, as it is written: "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." — 2 Timothy 1: 9.

This scripture cannot be construed to mean that the call was before the world began, but it was his purpose before the world began to provide for and call this class. The apostle's argument is that we are saved and then called with an holy calling. As the apostle puts it concerning himself: He was "called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, . . . even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you." (1 Corinthians 1:1, 6) Such are called to an heavenly vocation (Ephesians 4:1); and all are called in one hope, which hope is to attain unto the resurrection of Christ, the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 3:11, 14.

It is manifest from these scriptures that it is the new creation that is called, justification being granted

in order that the one justified might be a part of the sacrifice. It follows then that justification, in conjunction with that which takes place practically simultaneously, to wit, the begetting, constitutes the call or invitation to a position in the body of Christ. God justifies, to the end that he may accept the sacrifice and beget such an one; therefore the call takes place at the time of justification and spirit begetting.

Recall now that the high priest took the Lord's goat and killed it, and then with its blood made the journey into the holiest of all, as he did with the blood of the bullock. The death of the Lord's goat foreshadowed the sacrifice of the human life that results to the one whom God justifies. Then and there such an one is begotten as a new creature in Christ.

Spirit Begetting

Some have understood and taught that the new creature in Christ is the seed of God, or immortality, planted within him; and that such seed goes about in the human being on the earth until it is taken either to heaven or hell. That doctrine is unscriptural and therefore untrue. An immortal creature cannot die. If the above doctrine were true, and one should become a new creature and then repudiate Christ and God, he could continue to live notwithstanding his repudiation of the Lord. On the contrary the Scriptures show that if one is begotten as a new creature in Christ, and thereby has tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the world to come, if he then repudiates the Lord he dies and there is no resurrection for him. — Hebrews 6: 4-6; 10:26-39.

Others have taught and teach that the begetting and birth of an animal creature illustrates the beginning and birth of the new creation in Christ; that is to say, that there is a begetting and then the gestation

and quickening into life and growth, and then the birth. Such a doctrine is likewise erroneous, because it finds no support in the Scriptures. If such a theory were true then there would be no responsibility on the part of the new creature during the period of gestation, quickening and growth until birth. On the contrary the Scriptures show that the new creature is responsible from the very beginning. — Romans 8:1-13.

The Scriptural teaching is that the new creature is begun and completed by and according to the terms of a covenant. The begetting is an act of Jehovah and therefore is his part of the covenant with the one who is consecrated. "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." (James 1:18) This means that it is the will of God that the one thus justified shall be begotten, and this he does by his Word of Truth and the exercise of his holy spirit or invisible power.

Upon this point it is again written: "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue; whereby are given unto us 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." (2 Peter 1:3, 4) The Apostle Peter here is addressing the new creature; and his argument is that God in the exercise of his divine power and will has given to this creature the exceeding great and precious promises whereby he promises him that he shall be partaker of the divine nature, and the condition is that the one who is a new creature must fulfil his part of the covenant.

The begetting means the beginning of a creature, with a hope set before him of seeing the completion of that which is promised. To what then is the new

creature begotten? The apostle answers: "God . . . 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." — 1 Peter 1:3, 4.

There is nothing in these scriptures to indicate that the new creature in Christ is a foetus and that there is a period of gestation and then quickening. On the contrary such an one becomes a new creature from the very moment that God begets him, and his responsibility begins from that moment. The one thus begotten is inducted into the body of Christ and is made a member of the body of Christ by adoption. The apostle says: "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." — Romans 8:15.

Baptized into Christ

When one becomes a new creature in Christ his right to life as a human being is gone. That right to life as a human being existed only for a brief space of time, to wit, from the time he was justified until he was begotten, which is practically simultaneous. Concerning this point the apostle writes: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" — Romans 6: 3.

How could this be true of one who is still in existence on earth? Life means to exist and possessing the right to existence; and as a man the one consecrated existed and had the right of existence as a human being only till begotten. When begotten by the holy spirit of God his right to live as a human being ceased. When he is accepted by Jehovah as a part of the sacrifice of the Lord he is immersed or baptized into Christ. He is baptized into Christ's death, because

he must die a sacrificial death as Christ died in order that he might live with Christ. "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection." — Romans 6:4, 5.

Does this baptism into Christ's death take place at the moment when the full surrender or consecration is made to do the will of God? The answer is, No. The consecration may be some time before justification. He could not be accepted as a part of the sacrifice until justified. The baptism into Christ's death takes place at the time the covenant between the consecrating one and Jehovah is made, to wit, at the time he is justified and begotten of the holy spirit and thereby inducted into and made a part of Christ. This is clearly shown in what transpired with the disciples. They were consecrated to do the will of the Lord long before they were justified. Their consecration dated at least from the time they accepted Jesus as the Messiah and began to follow him.

Some time thereafter Jesus said to them: "Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with." (Matthew 20: 22, 23) It is manifest from this language that he had been baptized into death, and that this began to take place at the time his covenant was made and accepted by Jehovah. His baptism would be completed when he died upon the cross.

In speaking of his baptism Jesus said to his disciples: "But I have an immersion to undergo; and

how am I pressed, till it may be consummated?" (Luke 12: 50, Diaglott) It is also manifest from the language of Jesus, "Ye shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with," that the disciples had not yet had that baptism. Then when were they baptized into Christ's death? The answer must be, At Pentecost, at the time they were justified and begotten by the holy spirit. The same rule applies to all who are immersed into Christ, namely, that their baptism into Christ takes place at the time they are justified and begotten by the holy spirit, both of which must follow consecration.

This conclusion is further supported by the inspired statement concerning the new creature, to wit: "Mind the things above, not the things on the earth. For you died, and your life has been hidden with the Anointed One by God." (Colossians 3:2, 3, Diaglott) The apostle's argument here is that the one begotten died as a man at the time he was begotten as a new creature; and that henceforth his existence and right to existence are hid by Jehovah, with and in Christ Jesus. That this baptism into Christ's death is essential to get into Christ the apostle makes plain when he says: "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." — Galatians 3: 27.

There is a clear distinction between completing a covenant and an executed covenant. The covenant of sacrifice between the consecrating one and Jehovah is complete at the time of justification and spirit begetting by Jehovah. It is not an executed covenant, however. It will be fully executed when the one who is now a new creature finishes his course and enters fully into the glory of the Lord. It is at the time that the covenant is completely made that the baptism takes place into the death of Christ. "Having been buried with him by immersion; in which also you were raised

with him, through the belief of the energy of that God who raised him from the dead." — Colossians 2:12, Diaglott.

The covenant of sacrifice having been completely made at the time the man is begotten as a new creature in Christ, he thereafter must make good his covenant by faithfully performing his part. God is just and faithful to keep his part of the covenant; and if the new creature is faithful to his part, it will ultimately be fully consummated or executed.

The new creature in Christ is anointed by the holy spirit. Anointing means to designate one to a position of authority or service for or in behalf of God, as his representative. Aaron the priest was anointed to serve in the priest's office. (Exodus 40:13) He was officially designated to that place. The anointing of Aaron foreshadowed the anointing of Jesus as The Christ. Jesus Christ was anointed to be the Head of the new creation. (Colossians 1:18, 19; John 1:32) God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy spirit and with power. (Acts 10: 38) He anointed him above all others. (Hebrews 1:9) He was thereby officially designated as the great High Priest.

All the members of the body receive the anointing of the holy spirit, but not in the same manner that Jesus received it. A picture of this is given in the anointing of Aaron. There the precious ointment was poured upon the head and ran down upon his beard and down to the hem of his garments. (Psalm 133: 2) The sons of Aaron wore bonnets and did not receive the anointing directly, but they were counted in as a part of the priesthood by virtue of being under Aaron. This foreshadowed the new creation. The members of the body are anointed by virtue of being inducted into the body of Christ. They are counted in as part of Christ, which indeed the members are from the time they are inducted

into Christ. (Isaiah 61:1, 2) God anointed the Head, Christ Jesus, and he anoints all the members of the body through the Head. — 2 Cor. 1:21; 1 John 2:20.

He that is thus brought into the body of Christ is an actual, real new creature. The apostle says: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things arc become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) He did not say that the one thus begotten is reckoned or counted as a new creature, but the statement is plain and positive that he is the real thing.

Of what does the new creature consist? A mind, will, heart and body wholly devoted to the Lord compose the creature. The mind is that faculty of the being which is employed to search out the facts and weigh them and reach a conclusion. The will is that faculty of the being which determines to do or not to do a certain thing. The heart is that faculty of the creature from which emanates the motive. It is the seat of affection, also. No creature can exist without an organism; therefore the organism of the new creature now is the body of flesh.

For convenience we will call the man who has become a new creature John. When he was born as a human being of the Adamic creation he was a sinner. As a man he possessed a mind, will, heart and organism in keeping therewith. These, however, were not devoted to the Lord. The spirit or invisible power of God did not work in his mind; and his hopes and prospects and desires were directed in a selfish way. When he became a new creature in Christ the holy spirit began to work in him, because he has exercised his will to do the will of God, and uses his mind to ascertain what is the will of God; and his motive is to do what God would have him do and to do what is right. When the spirit of the Lord operates in him, the old

things have passed away, and all things have to him become new.

There is a distinction between the creation of the first man Adam and the beginning of the new creature. Adam was made of the elements of the earth and without the exercise of his will power. The new creature is made of willing earthly material in the hands of God and by the exercise of the man's will power which leads him to completely and fully surrender himself to do God's will. In the creation of Adam the body was first formed from the elements of the earth; and then God breathed into his nostrils the 'breath of lives', and a moving, sentient being resulted. In the new creation the order is exactly reversed. The will is exercised to make a consecration to do God's will. The mind is transformed as the spirit of God operates thereupon.

But while this transformation process is going on the mind must have a body in which to function. No creature can exist without a body or organism. The body of the sinful man John was dominated by the selfish will of the flesh. The new creature John now begotten must have a body suited to his environment. God therefore counts the body of flesh of John as righteous, because he is a consecrated new creature. "But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you." — Romans 8:11.

The text last quoted does not say and does not mean that a new creature is begotten or conceived like an animal creature, and that then the foetus is quickened and gives signs of life. It says and it means that he who is now a new creature in Christ by reason of the holy spirit of God operating in him is stimulated to activity to use all the faculties with which he is endowed, including his mortal body, to the glory of God. In the

text there is no thought of quickening as we use that word with reference to animal creation. The thought is that the new creature must now be the servant of Jehovah, and that the body of that creature must be used to the glory of God and will be so used in proportion to the measure of the spirit of the Lord possessed by him.

Bride and Bridegroom

In the creation of man God established the relationship of husband and wife, or bride and bridegroom. (Genesis 2:18-24) The same relationship is recognized between Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, and his body members, the bride, which is his church. (John 3: 29) This was foreshadowed when Abraham sent his servant to select Rebecca as a bride for his son Isaac. She was betrothed to Isaac before she became his wife. Likewise the members of the body of Christ are betrothed to him before becoming the wife. The betrothal takes place at the time of the spirit begetting and anointing. This betrothal is foretold by God's prophet. This betrothal is irrevocable so far as the Lord is concerned; and as long as the betrothed bride is faithful that relationship will exist.

"I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord." (Hosea 2:19, 20) In order therefore to be ultimately in glory with the Lord as a member of his body one must be righteous, just, loving, kind, merciful and faithful unto death. All who are thus will be presented faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. The Apostle Paul speaks of the same thing when he says: "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to

one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:2) When the members of the new creation are complete, this marriage of the Bridegroom and bride will be consummated. — Revelation 19:7; 21:2.

Sanctification

In the memorable prayer of Jesus to Jehovah just before his crucifixion he said concerning those who should become one with him as his bride: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17) Again it is written that Christ loved the church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it. (Ephesians 5: 25) "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." — Ephesians 5:26, 27.

To sanctify means to make holy, to purify. Jehovah is holy, because all his ways are right. (Psalm 18: 30) Jesus Christ is holy, because always in harmony with Jehovah in doing his will. The members of the new creation must be made holy, like unto their Head. God reconciles these to himself by Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:18) All creation is from Jehovah and by Christ Jesus. (Colossians 1:16) When one enters into a covenant with God he agrees to do God's will. When he is adopted into the body of Christ he is set aside for the Lord's service. Now he must be wholly devoted to God. The Devil turned Adam and all of his offspring away from God; but in the new creation God will have a nation and people absolutely and completely devoted to him, who will refuse to even sympathize with the Devil or any part of his organization.

The world is the Devil's organization. It is composed of the commercial, political and religious elements. The Devil has inveigled millions of professed Christians into his organization. He has made them entirely misunderstand the meaning of holiness. Through his paid agents who preach for hire he has entirely misrepresented sanctification and holiness. Their false teaching has induced many people to believe that sanctification means to make an outward show of solemn and assumed piety, to exhibit an exaggerated degree of gravity and solemnity. To this end many wear a certain kind of apparel and assume long and solemn faces and speak with great and assumed gravity; while others fold their hands and try to look good, while at the same time scheming to see what they can do to cooperate with the commercial and political elements of this world.

For one to pretend to be a Christian and at the same time to support the commercial and political powers of the world, and conform himself unto a part thereof and have sympathetic relation therewith, makes him a fornicator or adulterer in the sight of God. No honest man could approve of the wife of one man having illicit sexual relationship with some man other than her husband. The laws of the land denounce such as adultery. Neither does God approve of a member of the new creation having relationship with the Devil's organization, which is this world. As husband and wife should be faithful to each other, so must Christ and his betrothed bride. Christ Jesus is always faithful, and any one to remain a part of the new creation must be faithful to him. Concerning this it is written: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." — James 4:4.

Everything out of harmony with God is unholy. Satan and his organization are opposed to God and therefore unholy. There can be no fellowship between holiness and unholiness. "No servant can serve two masters." (Luke 16:13) No one can devote part of himself to God and the remainder to Satan's organization. Members of the new creation can have no sympathy with the Devil's organization or any part thereof.

Members of the new creation cannot be a part of this world, which is the Devil's organization. The members of the new creation must be in the world but not of the world, even as Jesus was in the world but not a part thereof. To his body members he said: "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." — John 15:19.

When one becomes a Christian he may think for a time that it is right and proper for him to participate in and pursue a course similar to that of the respectable part of the world. But he cannot do this and be holy. He must leave the politics, the reformations, the temperance organizations and every similar thing, and become absolutely and completely dedicated to the Lord, and use his faculties with which he is endowed to the Lord's glory; and in no other way can he become holy. The Apostle Paul confirms this when he says: "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  — Romans 12: 2.

The Devil has led some to believe that sanctimoniousness is holiness or saintliness. It is really a hypocritical devoutness. A hypocrite may look pious and speak piously, be quiet and submissive in the presence of others, and be regarded by them as very saintly; but he does not deceive the Lord. What is really required

of the Christian is, insofar as possible, to live up to the highest standard of purity and righteousness, and also to be dedicated to the Lord, absolutely and completely using his faculties to the Lord's glory and refusing to make any compromise with the Devil's organization. The true sentiment of the Christian's heart is thus expressed: "For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, 0 Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name." "Lead me in the way everlasting." — Psalms 86:10, 11; 139: 24.

He who thus earnestly prays will diligently seek to know the Lord's way and will refuse to conform himself to the way of the Devil's organization. The way of the world at its best is a false way. Its good things the Christians desired before they became God's children. Now they must have no sympathy therewith. "Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way." (Psalm 119:104) To walk in the right way the affections of a Christian cannot be divided between the Lord's organization and something that is included in the Devil's organization.

To become holy the Christian must set his affections on things above and not on things in the earth. (Colossians 3:2) To be holy the child of God must "be conformed to the image" of God's holy Son. (Romans 8: 29) The word image here means likeness or resemblance. The Lord Jesus withstood the temptations of Satan, and remained firm and stedfast in his devotion to God. (Matthew 4:1-11) The world is the Devil's organization. The Christian is in the world. Jesus overcame the world by being faithful to his Father. He said: "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." — John 16:33.

The apostle further says: "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1) The adversary has deceived many into believing that all that is required by this text is to clean up oneself from filthy habits of the flesh and from filthy thoughts and words. That must be done, of course; yet the noble people of the world clean themselves up from filthiness of the flesh, filthiness of the mind and filthiness of speech and conduct. But note that the apostle goes further and says: "Perfecting holiness in the fear of God." This means an absolute and complete separation of oneself from everything that has to do with the Devil's organization, and to be completely and absolutely devoted to God.

Again it is written concerning the new creation: "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified, are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren." (Hebrews 2:11, 12) The members of the new creation are sanctified through Christ Jesus. He is not ashamed to call them his brethren. This of itself is conclusive proof that each one who receives God's approval must be absolutely holy and unreservedly devoted to God. Jesus was. The members of his body must be like him, and they must all declare his name and sing the praises of Jehovah. This is sanctification in the truest sense and meaning of that word.

Law of the New Creation

Law means a rule of action, commanding that which is right and prohibiting that which is wrong. The laws of the land are made for the unrighteous, to restrain them and to protect people one from another. The law of the new creation is the rule of action

by which it must be governed and directed. Jesus Christ, as the Executive Officer of Jehovah, laid down the rule of action or law by which the new creation must be governed, when he said: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." — John 13: 34, 35.

Love is the complete expression of unselfishness. The Lord Jesus was completely unselfish when he laid down his own life that man might have an opportunity for life. (John 15:13) The commandment is that the members of the new creation shall love one another even as Jesus loved them. Love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10) That means then that if each one is directed and controlled in his course of action toward his brethren by an unselfish desire to do them good, and is putting that desire into operation to the limit of his ability, then he is fulfilling the law. That will mean that each member of the new creation will have a keen interest in the welfare of his brother, and will seek to aid him and never to do him injury.

Then the Lord laid down the rule concerning the course of action of the new creation toward Jehovah and the Lord Jesus: "If ye love me, keep my commandments. . . . He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." — John 14:15, 21.

A code of procedure is a statement of specific rules governing a course of action to be taken in specific cases. As long as members of the new creation are on the earth difficulties will arise between them, because of their inability to do perfectly. Of course the Lord knew this, and he provided a code of procedure

that must be followed under such circumstances; and that code is as follows: "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." — Matthew 18:15-17.

If one member of the new creation offends another and he asks his forgiveness he should be forgiven. If he offends an ecclesia of the new creation and asks for forgiveness he should be forgiven. There is a maxim amongst men: "I can forgive, but not forget." This does not proceed from the Lord, but proceeds from the Devil. There can be no true forgiveness one of another so long as the wrongful act is held in the mind of the injured one against the one who commits the injury. When one repents and asks forgiveness, the forgiveness should be complete and absolute, even as the Lord forgives us. To remember the contumacy of the offender against him thereafter is not a true forgiveness. Jesus taught us to pray: 'Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us.'  — Matthew 6:14.

As a part of the code of procedure Jesus states that there shall be no limit to the times of forgiveness. "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." — Matthew 18: 21, 22.

There is no other code of procedure by which the new creation can be governed to settle their difficulties

among one another except that which the Lord has laid down. Any course followed contrary thereto is wrong, the opinions of men to the contrary notwithstanding.

Faithfulness Required

God is always faithful. Having made a promise he keeps it absolutely. (Isaiah 46:11) "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:9) "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it," (1 Thessalonians 5:24) Jesus is always faithful; and because of his faithfulness he won the title, 'The Faithful and True.' (Revelation 19:11) The Lord having committed into the hands of the spirit begotten and anointed ones certain interests and duties to perform, it is required of each one that he be faithful as a steward of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 4:2) As God's great High Priest the Head of the new creation addresses his body members thus: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2:10) It is life eternal that the new creature is seeking, and the condition precedent thereto is faithfulness.

There is a distinction between loyalty and faithfulness. The Lord requires the members of the new creation to be both loyal and faithful. To be loyal means to be obedient to the letter of the divine law; that is to say, serving God as his rules of action laid down in the Scriptures direct. Faithfulness means not only obedience to the letter and to the spirit of the law or rules of action, but it means an unswerving devotion to the Lord at all times, never for one moment willingly rendering allegiance to the enemy nor even, sympathizing with any part of the worldly organization, which is the Devil's organization. Loyalty and faithfulness therefore mean the carrying out of one's

covenant, prompted in so doing by an unselfish devotion to the Lord.

The inspired witness of the Lord, himself a member of the new creation, wrote: "Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." (2 Peter 1:10) The things mentioned in the same connection are faith, fortitude, knowledge, self-control, constancy in the performance of duty, God-likeness or holiness, brotherly kindness, and love. Doing these things with diligence is the performance of the new creature's part of his covenant. His organism, which is the body of flesh, must serve God. To make his calling and election sure means that he must make it firm, stable and certain; and this is done by the joyful performance of God's will in harmony with the terms of the covenant of sacrifice.

Therefore serving the Lord with mind, will, heart and body is essential to the well-being of the new creature. His body and all his faculties must be employed to the glory of the Lord. It is written: "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid." (1 Corinthians 6:15) This is the reason why the Scriptures forbid a new creature in Christ to intermarry with an un-consecrated or non-Christian person.

The justified human being becomes a part of the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. Only the High Priest offers the sacrifice. A member of the body does not sacrifice himself; but Christ Jesus, as the High Priest, does the sacrificing. The member of the body, however, must keep himself always in the attitude of devotion to the Lord. To this end it is written: "Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar." (Psalm 118:27) In harmony with this it is written:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."  — Romans 12:1.

In substance, this latter scripture says: 'You who have been begotten and anointed enjoy the greatest privilege. Your body is holy, because it is a part of the Lord's sacrificial body. Your reasonable service is to see to it that your body and all the faculties with which you are endowed are used to the Lord's glory.' For this reason every new creature is bound by his covenant to use his faculties and organism in the service of the Lord as opportunity affords. To be opposed to the service of the Lord therefore means to be in opposition to the creature's own interests.

The natural tendency of the flesh is evil; but the flesh or humanity, now counted right because of justification, must be brought into subjection to the will which is in harmony with God. The will of the new creature must always be in harmony with God's will, because the creature has agreed to do God's will without reservation. The mind therefore searches out the Word of the Lord and thereby ascertains God's will. For this reason it is necessary for the new creature to study God's Word, not occasionally but constantly. As he looks into the Scriptures and searches God's will, there is a transformation of mind going on. For this reason it is written: "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  — Romans 12:2.

An unregenerate creature uses his mind and will to the gratification of his selfish desires. That evil tendency and course of action is called "the old man",

because, that was the tendency of Adam. The "old man" must be put off, and the "new man" must grow.

The new man is the new creature in Christ, with the mind, will, heart and organism devoted to the Lord. As such he is growing forward and upward into a perfect stature of a man in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 4:13) To accomplish that desired end the apostle said: "If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off, concerning the former conversation [behavior, course of action] the old man [depraved man], which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed [made over] in the spirit [invisible power] of your mind [intellect]; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."  — Ephesians 4: 21-24.

Members of the new creation are not dual creatures, but one. The body of flesh being the organism of the creature which is now new, the expression "dual creature" leads to confusion and shows that the words of the apostle are misunderstood. The apostle says: "But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16) The "outward man" means that which is seen by all others. The "inward man" means that which God looks upon and sees, to wit: the mind, will and heart devoted to him in harmony with the terms of the covenant. Man looks upon and judges from the outward appearance. God sees the heart and mind and intent of man, and judges him accordingly. (Hebrews 4:12) What the apostle really means here is that the "outward man", which other creatures on earth see, is perishing; but that if it is being used up in harmony with the terms of his covenant with God the "inward man", namely, the mind, will and heart, is growing day by day more into the likeness of the Lord.

In writing to the church at Colosse the Apostle Paul makes the clear distinction between the old man and the new. In this statement he says: "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth." (Colossians 3:5) The word "mortify" means to deaden or put to death. The apostle, then, says in substance: 'If you are a new creature in Christ then seek the things which are above, and set your affections on things above and not things earthly. As a man you are dead, but as a new creature your life is hid with Christ in God.' "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: . . . But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth." Thereby he defines the "old man" and plainly states that it is the one who takes the wrongful course of action, taken by Adam and those who follow in the same way. — Colossians 3: 3, 5-9.

Then the apostle shows the course of action of the "new man", and how the "new man" is renewed by knowledge of the Lord. "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: . . . Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."  — Colossians 3:10, 12-15.

Sufferings

When God expelled Adam from Eden his decree, entered at that time, amongst other things stated: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15) Both terms, "woman" and "serpent", were used symbolically. 'The seed of the woman' is the new creation. 'The seed of the serpent' is the Devil's agencies on earth, particularly the hypocritical teachers who claim to serve the Lord, but who in fact serve the Devil. — John 8: 44.

Satan the Devil, knowing Jesus to be the Anointed One of God and therefore "the seed of promise", tried to destroy Christ Jesus. This he attempted before the child was born. (Matthew 1:19, 20) He again attempted his destruction when Jesus was a babe. (Matthew 2:16-18) By fraud and deceit he tried to destroy Jesus at the beginning of his ministry. (Matthew 4: 1-11) Failing in these attempts the Devil caused the clergy of that time to accuse Jesus of every crime known to their calendar. For his telling the truth these enemies time and again tried to kill him. Jesus informed them that they were the "seed" of the Devil. "Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." — John 8:43, 44.

Those hypocritical clergymen and their supporters were a part of the world of which Satan was and is the god or invisible ruler. It was the opposition and contradiction of Jesus by these pious-faced hypocrites

and sinners from which he suffered. (Hebrews 12:3) He was in the world but he was no part of the world. "And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world." (John 8:23) He was the great Light that came into the world. (John 9:5) His disciples and those who have since become his true followers have received and profited by that great Light. For centuries God's holy name had been reproached by the Devil and his "seed"; and now the reproaches had fallen upon Jesus, as it was foretold by the prophet. — Psalm 69: 9; Romans 15: 3.

The members of the body of Christ, being a part of the new creation, must suffer as he suffered. "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." (1 Peter 2:21) As he was not a part of Satan's evil world, neither are his body members, his true followers, a part thereof. As he was hated by the world, so are his body members hated. To them he said: "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (John 15:18, 19) And again, when he was giving them final instructions before departing from the earth, he said: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." — John 16:33.

Many have wondered why it has been so difficult to be a true and constant Christian. The answer is that the world, being the Devil's organization, has always opposed anything and everything in harmony with God, and that the Devil and his agencies have caused Christians to suffer because of their faith-

fulness to God. Keeping always in mind that the world includes the visible part of Satan's organization, which rules the people, and that the clergy as a rule are a part of the world, it is easy to see why many clergymen who claim to be Christians persecute the true and humble followers of the Lord Jesus.

The new creation is separate and distinct from the world and therefore must be always on the Lord's side. Millions of people have thought themselves to be Christian, and at the same time have tried to keep in favor with the world and please the financiers, the politicians, and the clergymen; and by doing so they have quickly fallen into the Devil's trap. (1 John 2:15; James 4: 4) It is a well-known fact that all the religious persecution that has come upon true Christians has been incited by those who claim to be Christians. As Esau foreshadowed these hypocritical, fraudulent, so-called Christians, and Jacob foreshadowed the true Christians, even as Esau persecuted Jacob so have the nominal Christians persecuted the true. Esau therefore foreshadowed the Devil's representatives, while Jacob foreshadowed the Lord's representatives.

Purpose of Suffering

Why was it necessary for Jesus Christ to suffer at the hands of the enemy? Did his suffering have anything to do with the ransom or sin offering? The answer must be No, for the reason that a perfect man, Adam, had sinned and forfeited his life, and the perfect human life of Jesus poured out constituted the ransom, regardless of any suffering from contradiction of sinners. In considering this question, recall that the slaying of the animals representing the death of our Lord took place in the court, which pictures the condition of righteousness with God; and that the presentation of their blood foreshadowing the sin offering took place

in the holiest of all, which represents heaven itself. The sufferings of Jesus are shown outside the court, even outside the camp. Then why should Jesus suffer? It is written: "For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach."  — Hebrews 13:11-13.

In the eyes of the Jews a man was a sinner and accursed in the sight of God if he died upon the cross, because it was written in the law: "Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." (Deuteronomy 21: 23; Galatians 3:13) The blood of Jesus, representing his life poured out, must be presented in heaven as an offering for the sins of mankind; and without that blood being presented as a sin offering the people could not be sanctified. "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:14) But before Jesus could appear in heaven and present that life blood as a sin offering, he must prove his worthiness thus to appear in the presence of God. In order to do this he must prove his loyalty and faithfulness to God. He must be put to the test of the severest kind, and prove under the test loyal and faithful.

Suffering opposition from sinners, the representatives of the enemy, pictured as outside the camp, was the great cross of suffering which was actually fulfilled and completed when Jesus was crucified as a sinner. The things which Jesus suffered therefore were these, to wit: the reproach cast upon his Father's name; the reproach of himself because of his faithful service to his Father; the contradiction of himself by sinners; and being denounced as a sinner and then dying as a sinner upon the cross. He endured this suffering

and yet rejoiced in it, because he knew that he was doing his Father's will. His covenant was to do the will of God, and it was the will of God that his faithfulness and loyalty should thus be proven; and should he meet this test, and stand it faithfully, such would prove his perfection.

Therefore it is written: "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Hebrews 5: 8, 9) This of itself proves conclusively that by suffering he learned obedience and was thus perfected as the Author of the eternal salvation of the human family. "For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." — Hebrews 2:10.

It is claimed by some that the perfection of Jesus here constituted his 'developing a perfect character'. This could not be true. Jesus was and is a character. A perfect character is a perfect creature or being. Jesus was perfect as a man, therefore a perfect character. What then is meant by being made perfect? He thereby proved his loyalty and faithfulness under the most adverse conditions, which entailed upon him great suffering. Thereby he proved that he was and always would be true and faithful unto Jehovah, and that Jehovah could for ever entrust him with the highest position in all his universe. Being thus perfected would entitle him to an entrance into heaven as the great representative of Jehovah, that he might there present his life blood as a sin offering on behalf of the human race. This is the reason why the apostle says, "That he might sanctify the people with his own blood, [Jesus] suffered without the gate." — Heb. 13:12.

God purposed to have a creation which would be always loyal and faithful to him. In no way could he prove this new creation except by putting each one to the severest test. By suffering, Jesus was put to the test and proved faithful and loyal, and one of the titles he received was "The Faithful and True". It would have been impossible for him to present his life blood in heaven as a sin offering unless he proved faithful and true. This proof he must give by and through suffering. Because of his complete obedience to the Father's will, even unto suffering an ignominious death, God granted unto him the divine nature and the highest position in the universe, as it is written:

"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." — Philippians 2:7-11.

Body Members

Those who are privileged to be the members of the body of Christ of necessity must have the same nature. All of the new creation must be of the divine nature. All must appear before Jehovah God. It would be wholly unreasonable even to permit the body members to have this exaltation without the test, when God required the test to be met by his beloved Son. Therefore it is written: "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." — 1 Peter 2:21.

The sufferings of the body members are not for the purpose of providing a purchase price or a sin offering, but that they might be made a part of The Christ. Therefore it is written: "I am now rejoicing in the sufferings on your account, and I am filling up the remainder of the afflictions of the Anointed One, in my flesh, on behalf of his body, which is the congregation." (Colossians 1:24, Diaglott) Each one of the new creation must be proven as loyal and faithful unto God; and the apostle here is rejoicing that he is privileged to partake of the sufferings of Christ, since this is the condition precedent to being made members of The Christ. Again it is written: "The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." — Romans 8:16, 17.

As a further proof that each member of the new creation must be put to the test and prove his faithfulness, it is written: "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us." (2 Timothy 2:10-12) Each body member must die as a human being, and die a sacrificial death, in order to live on the divine plane; and he must suffer the contradiction of sinners and opposition of the Devil, even as Jesus suffered, and under such tests prove his loyalty to God, in order that he might be made part of the great royal priesthood and reign with Christ.

Many have erroneously believed that God has been trying to get people into heaven in order to escape eternal torment. This is what the preachers have taught.

The Devil induced this teaching in order to misrepresent Jehovah and turn many honest minds away from him. When a Christian can see the reason for his suffering he can rejoice in it. When he sees that he thus has an opportunity to prove to God that he is loyal and faithful he delights to have that opportunity, regardless of what causes the suffering. When he sees that the world is the Devil's organization, and that the opposition comes from this, and that he suffers because thereof, then he delights or takes joy in his suffering.

Such is what the Apostle Peter meant when he said: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." — 1 Peter 4:12-16.

This is the reason why a Christian cannot support the world and be a Christian at the same time. He cannot engage in war, because the Lord commands that he must not do so. As the Lord's kingdom is not of this wicked world, so his followers must wait until his kingdom is established. They cannot be sympathetic with the unrighteous systems of this world, but must wait until God establishes through Christ a righteous government.

The Apostle Paul was a man of much more than ordinary affairs. He was a zealous advocate of the law. When he became a Christian he saw the privileges that

were set before him. He said that he had suffered the loss of all things and that he counted them as nothing that he might win Christ. "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." (Philippians 3:10, 11) The apostle did not say that he was suffering in order to "develop a character", nor that he was suffering for the benefit of somebody else; but he partook of the sufferings of Christ and desired to be made conformable to his death in order that he might be made partaker of "his resurrection".

The Resurrection

Jesus was put to death, and on the third day God raised him out of death. (1 Corinthians 15:4) He had stated when on earth that God had given to him the great privilege of inherent life, or immortality. (John 5: 26) When he arose from the dead he was brought forth the express image of Jehovah, of the divine nature, possessing immortality, and alive for evermore. (Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 1:18) The resurrection of Christ Jesus to the divine nature is a guarantee that all his body members must be raised to the same nature and immortality. This is why the Christian is admonished to seek glory, honor and immortality, eternal life. (Romans 2:7) Immortality is life on the highest plane, and indestructible. It is written: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." (1 Corinthians 15: 23, 23) Christ Jesus was the first one resurrected; and his body members are resurrected at his second coming; and they are resurrected to immortality, to an inheritance incorruptible.

The Apostle Paul wrote: "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with. him in glory." (Colossians 3: 3, 4) The argument here is that the one who is begotten to the divine nature is dead as a human being and that his right to life is hid with Christ Jesus, and that when Christ appears at his second coming then the resurrection takes place. Again it is written concerning the same ones: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." — 1 John 3: 2.

This is proof that members of the new creation while on earth do not know what their resurrection glory will be, but that they will be like Christ Jesus because they will be with him and see him as he is, and be members of his royal family in heaven. This is further corroborated by the statement: "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." — Revelation 20: 6.

Concerning the time of the resurrection, it is written: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first." (1 Thessalonians 4:16) This proves that the Christians who have died throughout the Christian era have not gone straight to heaven at death, but that they must remain dead until the second coming of our Lord; and then when he takes his power to reign, those faithful ones in Christ shall be raised first. The word "shout", as used in this text, means a command of authority, which shows it has reference to the time when the Lord

Jesus, as the great High Priest of Jehovah, takes authority and begins his reign. — Psalm 110:2.

The new creation complete will constitute the great royal priesthood of God, which priesthood was foreshadowed by Melchizedek. This new creation will also constitute the "seed of promise" or "seed of Abraham" complete. It constitutes the crowning feature of all of God's creation. It is that creation which is granted life and immortality, and shall be for ever to the glory of Jehovah God.

More than six thousand years have passed since Jehovah created the perfect man Adam, who failed. For more than two thousand years God caused great living pictures to be enacted, foreshadowing the development of his new creation. For nearly two thousand years more he has been selecting and developing this new creation. In all this period of time the human race has suffered sickness, sorrow and death. Satan has taken advantage of the time, to endeavor to turn the minds of men away from Jehovah. Many professed Christians have asked, Why should there be so much suffering amongst the peoples of earth?