Men and Jesus of the Same Order of Beings

     The Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ and men are of the same order of beings; that men are of the same race with Jesus, of the same nature and essence; that he is indeed our "elder brother."

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   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.  For both he that sanctifieth <the Christ> and they who are sanctified <men> are all of one:  for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.  (Heb. 2:10-11)

     Also the newly risen Christ said to Mary Magdala as she approached him on the resurrection morning:  "Touch me not; for I [am] <have> not yet ascended to my father:  but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; [and] to my God, and your God" (John 20:17).  A sweeter statement of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of the Christ to men may not be found.  Hence, while very far removed from us in that the Christ is perfect in all righteousness, and more highly developed in intellectual and spiritual powers than we, yet these differences are of degree, not of kind; so that what is revealed concerning Jesus the Christ may be of infinite helpfulness in throwing light upon the nature of man and the several estates he has occupied and will occupy hereafter.

-B.H. Roberts