"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
This lesson is very often misunderstood, distorted, and therefore, wrongfully taught.
Even though Jesus sat a child upon His knee and drew an analogy to him/her, His lesson was not about very young people, it was about adults who might seek recognition within His kingdom. Remember, the lesson started with this question," Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"(The Church) Note also that Jesus said, "be converted, and become AS little children". Jesus did NOT say that children, in the literal sense, would be the "greatest" in heaven, He was clearly referring to adults who must BECOME AS, or LIKE children in the sense that their minds should be made clear as if they had never learned of the old law and tradition.
In essence, one who wishes recognition in the Church, should devote themselves entirely to Jesus Christ. They must totally abandon all other restrictions or concepts.
This lesson leaves no space for the false doctrines of water "baptisms" or "good works". One seeking recognition in the kingdom of God must devote themselves wholly to the doctrine of Jesus Christ crucified, period.
In the last portion of this lesson, Jesus turned His to the child on His knee and said, "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
It is clear that Jesus had reverted His attention to the literal child sitting on His knee, when He made that last statement because He used the term "these" clearly identifying literal children as the subject of the last statement.~
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