Jesus is God (1Tim. 3:16, Phil. 2:5-6). He took on the form of man and dwelt among His creation on earth (John 1:1,10,11,14). His name Jesus is above all His other names (Phil. 2:9-11). His Spirit is all powerful (2Chron. 20:6). He is holy (1Pet. 1:16).
To be like Jesus, we need His name and His Spirit (James 2:7, Acts 2:38, Rom. 8:9). We need to be holy, as He is holy (1Pet. 1:15, Heb. 12:14).
When we are born again, we receive Jesus’ name in water baptism, and receive His Spirit when we receive His Holy Ghost (John 3:3,5, Acts 2:38). With His Holy Ghost in us, we have the power of God to live a holy life (Acts 1:8).
To be like Jesus, we must not only be born a son of God (John 1:12-13), but we must grow up and become perfected, as Jesus is perfect (Gal. 4:5-6). To do this, we must assemble ourselves together so that we can hear the preaching of the word (Col. 1:27-28). The word “perfected” and “perfect” in the Bible often refers to maturity.
Jesus gave us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to perfect us so we can measure up and become like Him. He does not want us to be immature children tossed about by false doctrines, but rather to grow up (Eph. 4:11-15).
Mature saints are skilful in the word and by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. They teach others. They have grown from milk to strong meat (Heb. 5:12-14).
It is by going to church that we can be equipped to become like Jesus. We hear the preaching of the word, we can be baptized in Jesus name and receive His Holy Ghost. By hearing the word of God our faith is increased (Rom. 10:17).
It is essential to assemble together so we can play an active part in the kingdom of God, prepared and helping to prepare others for Jesus' soon coming.
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25
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