Genesis 1: 26. And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth.

(Note: Let us make man to our image... This image of God in man, is not in the body, but in the soul; which is a spiritual substance, endued with understanding and free will. God speaketh here in the plural number, to insinuate the plurality of persons in the Deity.)

Genesis 1: 27-28. And God created man to his own image: to the image of God he created him: male and female he created them. And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth.

(Note: Increase and multiply... This is not a precept, as some Protestant controvertists would have it, but a blessing, rendering them fruitful; for God had said the same words to the fishes, and birds, (verse 22) who were incapable of receiving a precept.)

Wisdom 2: 23-24. For God created man incorruptible, and to the image of his own likeness he made him. But by the envy of the devil, death came into the world.

Genesis 2: 15-17. And the Lord God took man, and put him into the paradise of pleasure, to dress it, and to keep it. And he commanded him, saying: Of every tree of paradise thou shalt eat: But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat. For in what day soever thou shalt eat of it, thou shalt die the death.

(Note: Death: not only the death of the body but also that of the soul which is the loss of Sanctifying Grace. The supernatural image of God in Adam, which made him resemble God and hence the child of God, would be lost. The natural image of man with intellect and free will would remain. Thus, those with Sanctifying Grace are called "supernatural children of God" and those without it, "natural children of God". St. Paul calls the latter the bearers of "the image of the earthly" and the former, the bearers of "the image of the heavenly." (1 Corinthian 15: 47-50, see below.)

Genesis 3:17-19. And to Adam he said: Because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee, that thou shouldst not eat, cursed is the earth in thy work: with labour and toil shalt thou eat thereof all the days of thy life. Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee, and thou shalt eat the herbs of the earth. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the earth out of which thou wast taken: for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return.

Genesis 3: 22. And he said: Behold Adam is become as one of us, knowing good and evil: now therefore lest perhaps he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.

(Note: Behold Adam, etc... This was spoken by way of reproaching him with his pride, in affecting a knowledge that might make him like to God.)

Genesis 3: 23-24. And the Lord God sent him out of the paradise of pleasure, to till the earth from which he was taken. And he cast out Adam: and placed before the paradise of pleasure Cherubims, and a flaming sword, turning every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Acts 7: 26-27. And hath made of one, all mankind, to dwell upon the whole face of the earth, determining appointed times and the limits of their habitation. That they should seek God, if haply they may feel after him or find him, although he be not far from every one of us. (Note: "hath made of one, all mankind" - from one man he has created the whole human race.")

Romans 5:12. Wherefore as by one man sin entered into this world and by sin death: and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned.

(Note: By one man... Adam, from whom we all contracted original sin).

Psalms 50: 7. For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.

(Note: King David referred to his original sin through natural generation because his mother's personal sins could not transmit to her children.)

Roman 5: 21. That as sin hath reigned to death: so also grace might reign by justice unto life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 3: 9. What then? Do we excel them? No, not so. For we have charged both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin. As it is written: There is not any man just.

(Note: There is not any man just, viz... by virtue either of the law of nature, or of the law of Moses; but only by faith and grace).

1 John 1: 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

1 Corinthians 15: 47-50. The first man was of the earth, earthly: the second man, from heaven, heavenly. Such as is the earthly, such also are the earthly: and such as is the heavenly, such also are they that are heavenly. Therefore, as we have borne the image of the earthly, let us bear also the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot possess the kingdom of God: neither shall corruption possess incorruption.

Part II: Doctrine on Redemption

Isaias 7: 14. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and his name shall be called Emmanuel.

Matthew 1: 18-21. Now the birth of Christ was thus: When Mary, his mother, was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph, her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: "Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."

John 1: 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us: and we saw his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Luke 2: 1-14. And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Ceasar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his espoused wife, who was with child. And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds, watching, and keeping the night-watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them, and they feared with a great fear. And the angel said to them: "Fear not : for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: For this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you : You shall find the infant wrapped in swadling-clothes, and laid in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying: "Glory to God in the highest: and on earth, peace to men of good will."

1 Corinthians 1: 23. But we preach Christ crucified.

2 Corinthians 5: 15. And Christ died for all: that they also who live may not now live to themselves, but unto him who died for them and rose again.

Isaias 53: 4-5. Surely he hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows: and we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed.

Isaias 53: 9-12. And he shall give the ungodly for his burial, and the rich for his death: because he hath done no iniquity, neither was there deceit in his mouth. And the Lord was pleased to bruise him in infirmity: if he shall lay down his life for sin, he shall see a longlived seed, and the will of the Lord shall be prosperous in his hand. Because his soul hath laboured, he shall see and be filled: by his knowledge shall this my just servant justify many, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I distribute to him very many, and he shall divide the spoils of the strong, because he hath delivered his soul unto death, and was reputed with the wicked: and he hath borne the sins of many, and hath prayed for the transgressors.

Hebrews 9:11-17. But Christ, being come an high Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hand, that is, not of this creation: Neither by the blood of goats or of calves, but by his own blood, entered once into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption. (Note: Eternal redemption... By that one sacrifice of his blood, once offered on the cross, Christ our Lord paid and exhibited, once for all, the general price and ransom of all mankind: which no other priest could do). For if the blood of goats and of oxen, and the ashes of an heifer, being sprinkled, sanctify such as are defiled, to the cleansing of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who by the Holy Ghost offered himself unspotted unto God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God? And therefore he is the mediator of the new testament: that by means of his death for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, they that are called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where there is a testament the death of the testator must of necessity come in. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is as yet of no strength, whilst the testator liveth.

Hebrews 4: 15. For we have not a high priest who cannot have compassion on our infirmities: but one tempted in all things like as we are, yet without sin.

1 Timothy 2:6. Who gave himself a redemption for all, a testimony in due times.

(Note: a redemption for all.... He is also the only mediator, who stands in need of no other to recommend his petitions to the Father. But this is not against our seeking the prayers and intercession, as well of the faithful upon earth, as of the saints and angels in heaven, for obtaining mercy, grace, and salvation, through Jesus Christ. As St. Paul himself often desired the help of the prayers of the faithful, without any injury to the mediatorship of Jesus Christ.)

Colossians 1:20. And through him to reconcile all things unto himself, making peace through the blood of his cross, both as to the things that are on earth and the things that are in heaven.

John 4:25-26. The woman saith to him: I know that the Messias cometh (who is called Christ): therefore, when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith to her: I am he, who am speaking with thee.

Acts 18:5. And when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, Paul was earnest in preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. (Note: it is Jesus of Nazareth that is the Christ, not Maitreya.)

Luke 3: 21-22. Now it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also being baptized and praying, heaven was opened. And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape, as a dove, upon him. And a voice came from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son. In thee I am well pleased.

John 1:32-34. And John gave testimony, saying: I saw the Spirit coming down, as a dove from heaven; and he remained upon him. And I knew him not: but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me: He upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him, he it is that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw: and I gave testimony that this is the Son of God.

Exodus 3: 14. God said to Moses: I AM WHO AM. He said: Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel: HE WHO IS, hath sent me to you.

(Note: I am who am... That is, I am being itself, eternal, self-existent, independent, infinite; without beginning, end, or change; and the source of all other beings).

John 8:58. Jesus said to them: Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham was made, I AM.

John 5:23. That all men may honour the Son, as they honour the Father. He who honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father who hath sent him.

John 10:30. I and the Father are one. (Note: I and the Father are one... That is, one divine nature, but two distinct persons.)

Matthew 16: 16-17. Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.

John 7:16-17. Jesus answered them and said: My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do the will of him, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

John 8:12. Again therefore, Jesus spoke to: them, saying: I am the light of the world. He that followeth me walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life. They said therefore to him: Where is thy Father? Jesus answered: Neither me do you know, nor my Father. If you did know me, perhaps you would know my Father also.

John 14:6. Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.

John 15:23-24. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no other man hath done, they would not have sin: but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.

Acts 4:12. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved. (Note: No religions founded by mere men whose bones are still buried in their graves can save. Only the religion established by God Himself coming down from Heaven can provide salvation).

John 1:17. For the law was given by Moses: grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:7-8, 10. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his grace, which hath superabounded in us, in all wisdom and prudence. . . in the dispensation of the fulness of times, to re-establish all things in Christ, that are in heaven and on earth, in him.

1 Corinthians 1:30. But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and justice and sanctification and redemption.

Philippians 2:5-11. For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But debased himself, taking the form of a servant, being made to the likeness of men, and in shape found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath exalted him and hath given him a name which is above every name: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and in hell: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

Ephesians 1:19-23. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us, who believe according to the operation of the might of his power, which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead and setting him on his right hand in the heavenly places. Above all principality and power and virtue and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And he hath subjected all things under his feet and hath made him head over all the church, which is his body and the fulness of him who is filled all in all.

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"Who is like unto God?"

Created July 16, 1996. Seventh update 8:45 AM 2/10/98.