#Mormon god has body of flesh and bones
Note
I just found out a girl i follow is "lds" what is that? There is a latter day saint church in my town but are they mormans? Why do people have to be apart of a denomination? it just seems confusing and divisive, isn't there only one bible?
LDS = Latter Day Saints = Mormons.
Mormonism is a cult. Yes, there is only one Bible - the inspired word of God. This is also why Roman Catholicism is so wrong - we are not to add human teaching/"revelation" to Scripture. LDS breakdown:
The following from this link: The Mormon religion (Mormonism), whose followers are known as Mormons and Latter-day Saints (LDS), was founded less than two hundred years ago by a man named Joseph Smith. He claimed to have received a personal visit from God the Father and Jesus Christ (Articles of Faith, p. 35) who told him that all churches and their creeds were an abomination (1 Nephi 13:28; Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith – History 1:18, 19). Joseph Smith then set out to "restore true Christianity" and claimed his church to be the “only true church on earth” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 670; 1 Nephi 14:10). The problem with Mormonism is that it contradicts, modifies, and expands on the Bible. Christians do not have a reason to believe that the Bible is untrue or inadequate. To truly believe in and trust God means to believe in His Word, and all Scripture is inspired by God, which means it comes from Him (2 Timothy 3:16).
Mormons believe that there are in fact four sources of divinely inspired words, not just one: 1) the Bible “as far as it is translated correctly” (8th Article of Faith). Which verses are considered incorrectly translated is not always made clear. 2) The Book of Mormon, which was “translated” by Smith and published in 1830. Smith claimed it is the “most correct book” on earth and that a person can get closer to God by following its precepts “than by any other book” (History of the Church 4:461). 3) Doctrine and Covenants, containing a collection of modern revelations regarding the “Church of Jesus Christ as it has been restored.” 4) The Pearl of Great Price, which is considered by Mormons to “clarify” doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible (Articles of Faith, p. 182–185) and adds its own information about the earth’s creation.
Mormons believe the following about God: He has not always been the Supreme Being of the universe (Mormon Doctrine, p. 321) but attained that status through righteous living and persistent effort (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345). They believe God the Father has a “body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22). Brigham Young taught that Adam actually was God and the father of Jesus Christ—although this teaching has been abandoned by modern Mormon leaders.
In contrast, Christians know this about God: there is only one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6–8). He always has existed and always will exist (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17). He was not created but is the Creator (Genesis 1; Psalm 24:1; Isaiah 37:16). He is perfect, and no one else is equal to Him (Psalm 86:8; Isaiah 40:25). God the Father is not a man, nor was He ever (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Hosea 11:9). He is Spirit (John 4:24), and Spirit is not made of flesh and bone (Luke 24:39).
Mormons believe that there are different levels or kingdoms in the afterlife: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, the telestial kingdom, and outer darkness (Mormon Doctrine, p. 348). Where mankind will end up depends on what they believe and do in this life (2 Nephi 25:23; Articles of Faith, p.79).
In contrast, the Bible tells us that after death we go to heaven or hell based on whether or not we had faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. To be absent from our bodies means, as believers, we are with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6–8). Unbelievers are sent to hell or the place of the dead (Luke 16:22–23). When Jesus comes the second time, we will receive resurrected, glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50–54). There will be a new heaven and new earth for believers (Revelation 21:1), and unbelievers will be thrown into an everlasting lake of fire (Revelation 20:11–15). There is no second chance for redemption after death (Hebrews 9:27).
Mormon leaders have taught that Jesus’ incarnation was the result of a physical relationship between God the Father and Mary (Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 115; Mormon Doctrine, p. 547). Mormons believe Jesus is a god, but that any human can also become a god (Doctrine and Covenants 132:20; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345–354). Mormonism teaches that salvation can be earned by a combination of faith and good works (LDS Bible Dictionary, p. 697).
Contrary to this, Christians historically have taught that no one can achieve the status of God—only He is holy (1 Samuel 2:2). We can only be made holy in God’s sight through faith in Him (1 Corinthians 1:2). Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16), is the only one ever to have lived a sinless life, and now has the highest place of honor in heaven (Hebrews 7:26). Jesus and God are one in essence, Jesus being the only man who existed before physical birth (John 1:1–8; 8:56). Jesus gave Himself to us as a sacrifice, God raised Him from the dead, and one day everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:6–11). Jesus tells us it is impossible to get to heaven by our own works and that only by faith in Him is it possible (Matthew 19:26). We all deserve eternal punishment for our sins, but God’s infinite love and grace have allowed us a way out. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Clearly, there is only one way to receive salvation and that is to know God and His Son, Jesus (John 17:3). Receiving salvation is not done by works but by faith (Romans 1:17; 3:28). We can receive this gift no matter who we are or what we have done (Romans 3:22). “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Although Mormons are usually friendly, loving, and kind people, they are deceived by a false religion that distorts the nature of God, the Person of Jesus Christ, and the means of salvation.
(Editor’s note: many of the references in our articles on Mormonism are Mormon publications, such as Mormon Doctrine, Articles of Faith, Doctrines of Salvation, History of the Church, Doctrine and Covenants, and so forth. Others are from the Book of Mormon itself, e.g., books such as 1 Nephi, 2 Nephi, and Alma.)
21 notes
·
View notes
Text
Mormons Deny: Jesus Said The Father Is Spirit
Mormons Deny: Jesus Said The Father Is Spirit
One of the worst things for Mormons to deny is that the Father is Spirit, having no body. This is because Jesus taught this. Because their beloved prophet Joseph Smith said the Father has a body of flesh and bones like unto the son, they believe him as if his words are scripture. In doing this, they are denying Jesus, who is God, at the same time. Out of the mouth of our Lord Jesus, it is…
View On WordPress
0 notes
Text
Is Mormonism Christian?
by Matt Slick
Are Mormons Christian? The answer is simple. No. Mormonism is not Christian because it denies the basic and essential doctrines of the Christian faith such as the teaching that there is only one God, that God has always been God, and that forgiveness of sins is by faith alone. Instead, Mormonism teaches that God is an exalted man from another world who has a goddess wife and that people have the potential of becoming gods. That is most assuredly not Christian according to the Bible.
To reiterate, Mormonism is not Christian because it denies one or more of the essential doctrines of Christianity that are stated in the Bible. Here is a basic list of what true Christianity teaches as Christian doctrine according to the Bible, not our interpretation.
1.) There is only one God in all existence (Exodus 20:1-4; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:5).
2.) Jesus is divine (John 1:1, 14; 8:24; Col. 2:9)
3.) Forgiveness of sins is by grace alone without works (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:28; 4:1-5)
4.) Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; Luke 24:39)
5.) The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
Mormonism denies that there is only one God in all existence and also denies the forgiveness of sins alone in Christ alone. Therefore, it is outside Christianity. It is not a Christian religion.
IS MORMONISM CHRISTIAN? LET'S LOOK AT WHAT IT TEACHES...
Mormonism teaches that God the Father has a body of flesh and bones (D. & C. 130:22) and that Jesus is a creation who was begotten in heaven as one of God’s spirit children (See the book, Jesus the Christ, by James Talmage, p. This is in strict contrast to the biblical teaching that he is God in flesh (John 1:1, 14), eternal (John 1:1, 2, 15), uncreated, yet born on earth (Col. 1:15), and the creator of all (John 1:3; Col. 1:16-17). Jesus cannot be both created and not created at the same time. Though Mormonism teaches that Jesus is God in flesh, it teaches that he is “a” god in flesh, one of three gods that comprise the office of the Trinity (Articles of Faith, by Talmage, pp. 35-40). These three gods are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. This contradicts the biblical doctrine that there is only one God (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:5).
WHAT ELSE DOES MORMONISM TEACH?
Mormon theology teaches that God is only one of countless gods, that he used to be a man on another planet, that he became a god by following the laws and ordinances of that god on that world, and that he brought one of his wives to this world with whom he produces spirit children who then inhabit human bodies at birth. The first spirit child to be born was Jesus.
Second (though this is disputed among Mormons) was Satan, and then we all followed. But, the Bible says that there is only one God (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:5), that God has been God eternally (Psalm 90:2) – which means he was never a man on another planet. Since the Bible denies the existence of other gods (and goddesses–there is a mother goddess in Mormonism), the idea that Jesus is the product of a god and goddess couple is rejected. The Bible tells us that Jesus–The Jesus of Mormonism – is definitely not the same Jesus of the Bible. Therefore, faith in the Mormon Jesus is faith misplaced because the Mormon Jesus doesn’t exist.
MORMONISM SAYS JESUS' SACRIFICE IS NOT ENOUGH
Mormonism teaches that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross itself (and receiving it by faith) is not sufficient to bring forgiveness of sins. It teaches that the forgiveness of sins is obtained through a cooperative effort with God; that is, we must be good and follow the laws and ordinances of the Mormon church in order to obtain forgiveness. Consider the late James Talmage, an LDS apostle who said, “The sectarian dogma of justification by faith alone has exercised an influence for evil,” (Articles of Faith, p. 432), and “Hence the justice of the scriptural doctrine that salvation comes to the individual only through obedience,” (Articles of Faith, p. 81). This clearly contradicts the biblical doctrine of the forgiveness of sins by grace through faith (Rom. 3:28; 5:1; 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9) and the doctrine that works are not part of becoming saved (Rom. 4:1-5) but a result of them (James 2:14-18).
To further confuse the matter, Mormonism states that salvation is twofold. It maintains that salvation is both forgiveness of sins and universal resurrection. So when a Mormon speaks of salvation by grace, he is usually referring to the universal resurrection. But the Bible speaks of salvation as the forgiveness of sins – not universal resurrection. Where Mormonism states that forgiveness of sins is not by faith alone (2 Nephi 25:23; Moroni 10:32; D&C 82:7), the Bible does teach it is by faith alone (Rom. 3:28; 4:5; Gal. 2:21). Both cannot be true.
[MORMONISM]
2 Nephi 25:23, “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all, we can do.”
Moroni 10:32, “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.”
Doctrine and Covenants 82:7, “And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God.”
[BIBLE]
Romans 3:28, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”
Romans 4:5, “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.”
Galatians 2:21, “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”:
MORMONISM AND THE BIBLE
In order to justify its aberrant theology, Mormonism has undermined the authority and trustworthiness of the Bible. The 8th Article of Faith from the Mormon Church states, “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.” This means that when the Bible contradicts Mormonism, the Bible isn’t trustworthy. This allows them to say and teach whatever they want even when it contradicts scripture.
CONCLUSION: Is Mormonism Christian? No, it is not.
Mormonism is not Christian because it denies that there is only one God, denies the true Gospel, adds works to salvation, denies that Jesus is the uncreated creator, distorts the biblical teaching of the atonement, undermines the authority and reliability of the Bible, says that God used to be a man who came from another planet, that we can become gods, that there is a goddess mother in heaven, etc.
CARM does not deny that Mormons are decent, helpful people and that they do many good things. But that isn’t what makes someone Christian–nor does putting “Jesus Christ” in your title make you Christian if you deny who Jesus really is. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (NKJV).
Notice that Jesus condemns those who combine their faith with their works in order to be saved. If you doubt that, see also Luke 18:9-14 where Jesus teaches the same thing again.
Becoming a Christian does not mean belonging to a church, doing good things, or simply believing in a god from another planet. Being a Christian means that you have trusted in the true God for salvation, received the True Jesus–not the brother of the devil, not the god of Mormonism, not the gospel of Mormonism. Becoming a Christian means believing the gospel of Christ, who is God in the flesh, 2nd person of the Trinity, who was sent by the Father, bore our sins in his body on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24), died, was buried and rose again (1 Cor. 15:1-4). You must trust Jesus. Believe what he did. Put your faith in him.
Mormonism is false and cannot save anyone. Mormonism is not Christian.
17 notes
·
View notes
Text
THREE EXAMPLES OF WHY MEN SHOULD USE THE BIBLE ALONE BY STEVE FINNELL
Should mankind use the Bible and the Bible alone for teaching faith and practice? If God's truth is the template for you, then the Bible should be your source for truth.
THREE EXAMPLES OF WHY EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCES ARE NOT RELIABLE SOURCES FOR GOD'S TRUTH.
1. Quote from Pope Francis May 22, 2013: "The Lord created us in His image and likeness, and we are the image of the Lord, and He does good and all of us have this commandment at heart: do good and do not evil. All of us. "But Father, this is not Catholic! He cannot do good.' Yes he can..."The Lord has redeemed all of us,all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us not just Catholics Everyone! Father, the atheist? Even the atheists. Everyone! ....We must meet one another doing good. ' But I don't believe, Father, I am an atheist! But do good:we will meet one another there."
2. Quote from Billy Graham October 20, 1997: "I think everybody that loves Christ, or knows Christ, whether they're conscious of it or not, they're members of the Body of Christ......He's calling people out of the world for His name, whether they come from the Muslim world, or the Buddhist world,or the Christian world, or the non-believing world, they are members of the Body of Christ,because they've been called by God. They may not even know the name of Jesus, but they know in their hearts that they need something that they don't have, and they turn to the only light that they have, and I think they are saved, and that they're going to be with us in heaven."
3. Quote from Doctrine of Covenants -section 130:22 (Mormon supposed divine revelations): The "Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were is not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.
These quotes are all contrary to the Bible.
1 note
·
View note
Text
Mormonism cannot lead you to heaven because it departs from the biblical teaching of the triune God.
LDS adherents insist that they believe in the God of the Bible. The language on God and Christ in the LDS faith appears nearly identical to that of biblical Christianity. Mormon doctrine claims that Jesus is the Son of God, Savior, and Redeemer who died for us. However, there are fateful differences between the God of Mormonism and Christianity.
Mormon teaching denies one of the most important biblical teachings, that God is a Triune God; one God and three Persons, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Instead, the Persons of the Trinity are said to be three separate gods. That difference is catastrophic: it teaches polytheism, not monotheistic tri-unity, as Scripture does. Further, God the Father is said to be an exalted man who “…has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit” (Doctrine and Covenants, 130:22). The Father was once a mortal being who dwelt on earth and eventually ascended to his current god-like status. This puts the LDS god no higher than an exalted man.
Mormonism teaches that he is the father of human spirits (before creation, all humanity were spirits who lived with God the Father), among whom were Christ and the Holy Ghost. This is a different God altogether than the God of the Bible. It’s a God who is less than the eternal, immutable, infinite God, and thus, no god at all. The true God, however, was never a mortal being, but eternally an immortal, immutable, and triune Being with no beginning or end (Job 36:26; Ps. 90:2, 93:2, 102:25-27). For that reason, the god of Mormonism is an idol and a false god. Consequently, he is a god who cannot accomplish true redemption and in whom there is no salvation. To believe in a god different than that of Scripture is to adhere to an unsavable system.
~ Eric Davis
1 note
·
View note
Text
Many Gods
Mormonism is polytheistic. In addition to the Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, there are many other Gods. In each universe, there is a supreme deity endowed with a corporal presence: “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s,” according to Doctrine and Covenants. In our galaxy, God the Father reigns. He was once a holy man who descended to Paradise on earth in Missouri to give Adam a series of instructions that he later disobeyed. God’s spiritual children, born of the union with a goddess, include Jesus Christ, Satan, and all human beings. Just as God was once a man, so we also can achieve the exaltation of divinity.
Accordingly, it is understood that Mormons do not consider God the creator of eternal matter, but only its administrator. When sending the good angels to earth, His purpose was to encourage humanity to unite with the Divine. Some of the elect (such as Abraham, Moses, Joseph Smith and Nephi) were charged with special missions. In the final days the souls of the just, baptized in the Mormon church, will go directly to Paradise.
Source: Scriptures: Sacred Writings of the World’s Religions by Arturo Marcelo Pascual. Pg. 50.
#religion#mormonism#the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints#god#gods#deities#belief#divinum-pacis
31 notes
·
View notes
Text
DOCTRINES CONTRARY TO SCRIPTURE BY STEVE FINNELL
There are man-made doctrines and there are doctrines of the Bible. All doctrines that are contrary to the Scriptures are man-made traditions. What did Jesus have to say about the traditions of men?
Mark 7:1-13....3...holding the traditions of the elders....7 And in vain they worship Me , Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.8 "For laying aside the commandments of God, you hold the traditions of men---the washing of pitchers and cups, and many such things you do." 9 And He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandments of God, that you may keep your traditions.......13 "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down, And many such things you do.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
1. The Virgin Mary lived a sinless life.
GOD'S TEACHING
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
2. The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's....(Doctrine and Covenants 130:22)
GOD'S TEACHING
John 4:24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
MAN-MADE TRADITION
3. The Pope has all authority and is head of the church of Christ.
GOD'S TEACHING
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Colossians 1:13...the kingdom of the Son..18 And He is the head of the body, the church.....
MAN-MADE TRADITION
4. Alma 7:10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalemwhich is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.(Book of Mormon)
GOD'S TEACHING
Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
MAN-MADE TRADITION
5. The Virgin Mary's body did not remain in the grave, but ascended into heaven.
GOD'S TEACHING
John 3:13 "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:50 Now I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God: nor does corruption inherit corruption.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
6. V. "Gods exist, and we had better strive to prepare to be one with them" (Discourses of Brigham Young, page 351).
GOD'S TEACHING
Mark 12:32 So the scribes said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.
Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
7. Absolution is the act of a priest whereby, in the Sacrament of Penance, he frees man from sin.
GOD'S TEACHING
Mark 2:7 "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this?"Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
There are many man-made traditions such as.
8. We are saved by grace alone.
9. We are saved by faith only.
10. Water baptism is not essential for the forgiveness from sin.
11. Men can live an unrepentant sinful lifestyle and still be saved.
12. Jesus is not the only way to heaven.
13. God has granted many different plans for salvation under the New Covenant.
14. All men can be saved like the thief on the cross.
CAN MAN-MADE DOCTRINES SAVE ANYONE?
(Scripture from NKJV)
0 notes
Photo
Three Simple Ways to Show Contradictions in the Mormon Belief of God
You’re at the park playing with your kids and two conservatively dressed young men are riding their bikes nearby, and you immediately recognize they are Mormon. Thoughts start whizzing through your mind: I hope they don’t come here. If they do, what will I say? Should I engage? I’m trying to spend time with my kids!
Sure enough, they approach your family and there is no way to avoid them. They begin by introducing themselves as Elder Smith and Elder Jones.
At this point, you have a few options: you could politely excuse yourself from the conversation and get back to your kids; you could talk about things you agree on, such as being pro-life and pro-family; you could say, “I’m Catholic and here’s what I believe,” and then ask them what they think.
Another approach is to challenge one of their beliefs, such as their belief about God. Since Mormons believe the Bible is inspired along with their Mormon scriptures, the challenge can take the form of “How can Mormons believe X about God, when the Bible says Y?” Below are a few examples that you can share.
Challenge #1: How can Mormons believe that God the Father has a body when the Bible says God is pure spirit?
In the Mormon book Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of God’s so-called revelations to Joseph Smith, God the Father “has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s” (130:22). But this directly contradicts the Bible. For example, the apostle John teaches that “God is spirit” (John 4:24), and according to Jesus, spirit has no flesh or bone (Luke 24:39). The Bible also teaches that God is invisible (Col. 1:15), which implies God he doesn’t have a physical body. How can God be pure spirit and have a body at the same time?
“But,” one of them may object, “the Bible teaches that God has a body when it says Moses talked to God face to face” (a reference to Exod. 33:11). Not to worry—this no more proves God has a body than Psalm 91:4 proves God is a bird because it says he has feathers and wings: “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust” (KJV). Just as “feathers” and “wings” is metaphorical language meant to teach us about God’s love for humanity, so too the language of Moses speaking to God “face to face” is metaphorical, and is meant to express “the intimacy that Moses had with God.”
Because they believe that God has a body, Mormons teach something else that contradicts the Bible, namely, that the Father does not dwell in man’s heart (Doctrine and Covenants, 130:3). This opposes Jesus’ teaching that he and the Father will make their home with the one who loves him (John 14:23). Jesus’ subsequent teaching on how Christians abide in him as branches abide in a vine (John 15:4-5) suggests that the residence the Father and Jesus will take is within man, which means the Father and the Son will dwell spiritually within man.
God can’t be the author of both the Doctrine and Covenants and the Bible because it would be absurd for God to contradict himself. Therefore, Mormons must choose which set of revelations they are going to believe: they can’t rationally believe both.
Challenge #2: How can Mormons believe in a plurality of gods when the Bible teaches there is only one God?
There are several authoritative Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) sources that teach Mormons believe in a multiplicity of gods. For example, the Book of Abraham, which is a part of the LDS scriptures called The Pearl of Great Price, ascribes the act of creation to multiple gods: “And they went down at the beginning, and they, that is the Gods, organized and formed the heavens and the earth” (4:1).
The multiplicity of gods is further supported by the Mormon belief that men who faithfully follow LDS teaching will themselves become gods (called “eternal progression”). As the fifth LDS president, Lorenzo Snow, put it: “As man now is, God once was; As God now is, man may be” (Eliza Snow, Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow, 46). Joseph Smith taught in his King Follett sermon (a funeral talk he gave in 1844) that men must “learn how to be gods…the same as all gods have done before” them. Smith’s successor, Brigham Young, followed suit: “The Lord created you and me for the purpose of becoming Gods like Himself” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, 93).
If there is one the thing the Bible is clear on, it’s the belief that only one God exists:
Deuteronomy 4:39: “Know therefore this day, and lay it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.”
Isaiah 44:8: “Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.”
Isaiah 44:24: “I am the LORD, who made all things, who stretched out the heavens alone, who spread out the earth—Who was with me?”
Isaiah 45:5: “I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God.”
These passages directly undermine Mormon belief. Since the belief that multiple gods exist contradicts the Bible, the Mormon has to consider whether he will continue to believe two contradictory beliefs.
Challenge #3: How can Mormons believe that God was once a man who became God, when the Bible teaches that God can’t change?
As mentioned above, Mormons believe that God the Father became God. Joseph Smith taught this himself in the King Follett discourse: “It is the first principle of the gospel to know for certainty the character of God . . . that he was once a man like us.” But if God once was a man and became God, then that implies God changed. The Bible proves this belief to be false.
Take Malachi 3:6 for example: “For I the Lord do not change.” How could God go from being imperfect to perfect, from being mortal to immortal, and not change? If one of the Mormons retorts, “Oh, but this passage simply refers to God never wavering in his faithfulness to mankind,” then quote James 1:17: “Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
James makes it clear that there is no change in God the Father.
You could also use Psalm 90:2, which says God is God “from everlasting to everlasting.” If God is God for all eternity, then there never was a time when God was not God; hence there never was a time when he was a man. Even the book of Moroni (the last book in The Book of Mormon) teaches that God “is unchangeable from eternity to all eternity” (8:18). Not only does this Mormon belief contradict the Bible, it contradicts its own scriptures.
End it with charity
There is always a fine line to walk when challenging the beliefs of others. We don’t want to come across as arrogant and triumphalist, but at the same time we want to show the inconsistencies in the opposing belief in order to bring them to the truth. So, the next time you have the opportunity to expose the inconsistencies of Mormon belief, remember St. Peter’s counsel to “do it with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pet. 3:15).
11 notes
·
View notes
Text
DOCTRINES CONTRARY TO SCRIPTURE BY STEVE FINNELL
There are man-made doctrines and there are doctrines of the Bible. All doctrines that are contrary to the Scriptures are man-made traditions. What did Jesus have to say about the traditions of men?
Mark 7:1-13....3...holding the traditions of the elders....7 And in vain they worship Me , Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.8 "For laying aside the commandments of God, you hold the traditions of men---the washing of pitchers and cups, and many such things you do." 9 And He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandments of God, that you may keep your traditions.......13 "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down, And many such things you do.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
1. The Virgin Mary lived a sinless life.
GOD'S TEACHING
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
2. The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's....(Doctrine and Covenants 130:22)
GOD'S TEACHING
John 4:24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
MAN-MADE TRADITION
3. The Pope has all authority and is head of the church of Christ.
GOD'S TEACHING
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Colossians 1:13...the kingdom of the Son..18 And He is the head of the body, the church.....
MAN-MADE TRADITION
4. Alma 7:10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalemwhich is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.(Book of Mormon)
GOD'S TEACHING
Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
MAN-MADE TRADITION
5. The Virgin Mary's body did not remain in the grave, but ascended into heaven.
GOD'S TEACHING
John 3:13 "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:50 Now I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God: nor does corruption inherit corruption.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
6. V. "Gods exist, and we had better strive to prepare to be one with them" (Discourses of Brigham Young, page 351).
GOD'S TEACHING
Mark 12:32 So the scribes said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.
Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
7. Absolution is the act of a priest whereby, in the Sacrament of Penance, he frees man from sin.
GOD'S TEACHING
Mark 2:7 "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this?"Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
There are many man-made traditions such as.
8. We are saved by grace alone.
9. We are saved by faith only.
10. Water baptism is not essential for the forgiveness from sin.
11. Men can live an unrepentant sinful lifestyle and still be saved.
12. Jesus is not the only way to heaven.
13. God has granted many different plans for salvation under the New Covenant.
14. All men can be saved like the thief on the cross.
CAN MAN-MADE DOCTRINES SAVE ANYONE?
(Scripture from NKJV)
0 notes
Text
DOCTRINES CONTRARY TO SCRIPTURE BY STEVE FINNELL
There are man-made doctrines and there are doctrines of the Bible. All doctrines that are contrary to the Scriptures are man-made traditions. What did Jesus have to say about the traditions of men?
Mark 7:1-13....3...holding the traditions of the elders....7 And in vain they worship Me , Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.8 "For laying aside the commandments of God, you hold the traditions of men---the washing of pitchers and cups, and many such things you do." 9 And He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandments of God, that you may keep your traditions.......13 "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down, And many such things you do.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
1. The Virgin Mary lived a sinless life.
GOD'S TEACHING
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
2. The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's....(Doctrine and Covenants 130:22)
GOD'S TEACHING
John 4:24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
MAN-MADE TRADITION
3. The Pope has all authority and is head of the church of Christ.
GOD'S TEACHING
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Colossians 1:13...the kingdom of the Son..18 And He is the head of the body, the church.....
MAN-MADE TRADITION
4. Alma 7:10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalemwhich is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.(Book of Mormon)
GOD'S TEACHING
Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
MAN-MADE TRADITION
5. The Virgin Mary's body did not remain in the grave, but ascended into heaven.
GOD'S TEACHING
John 3:13 "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:50 Now I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God: nor does corruption inherit corruption.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
6. V. "Gods exist, and we had better strive to prepare to be one with them" (Discourses of Brigham Young, page 351).
GOD'S TEACHING
Mark 12:32 So the scribes said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.
Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
7. Absolution is the act of a priest whereby, in the Sacrament of Penance, he frees man from sin.
GOD'S TEACHING
Mark 2:7 "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this?"Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
There are many man-made traditions such as.
8. We are saved by grace alone.
9. We are saved by faith only.
10. Water baptism is not essential for the forgiveness from sin.
11. Men can live an unrepentant sinful lifestyle and still be saved.
12. Jesus is not the only way to heaven.
13. God has granted many different plans for salvation under the New Covenant.
14. All men can be saved like the thief on the cross.
CAN MAN-MADE DOCTRINES SAVE ANYONE?
(Scripture from NKJV)
0 notes
Text
ARE MORMONS CHRISTIANS?-BY STEVE FINNELL
Can you accept the Mormon position about God and be a Christian?
1. Mormons say Adam is their God.
"When our father Adam came into the Garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body and brought Eve, one of his celestial wives.....He is our father and our God and the only God with whom we have to do" (Brigham Young, in The Journal of Discourses, Volume I, page 50)
Can you believe Adam is God and still be a Christian?
Adam was created by God. Adam was not God. (Genesis 2:1-25 Genesis 3:1-24)
2. "In the beginning the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it" (The Journal of Discourses, Volume VI, Sermon by Joesph Smith).
Can you believe in more than one God and still be a Christian?
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God....
Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well ; the demons also believe, and shudder.
(Even demons believe in one God)
1 Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord , Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.
Mark 12:29-32 Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel"The Lord our God is one Lord;....... 32 The scribe said to Him, "Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is one, and there is on one else besides Him; (The scribe agreed with Jesus that there is but one God)
3.The " Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as mans; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us. (Doctrine and Covenants Section 130:22)
John 4:24 "God is a Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (NKJV)
CAN YOU BE A CHRISTIAN AND DENY THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT OF GOD? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?
(Scripture quotes from: (NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE unless noted )
0 notes
Text
Book Of Mormon Contradiction: Alma 18:24-29
Book Of Mormon Contradiction: Alma 18:24-29
How interesting that in the Book of Mormon we learn that God is a Spirit, not a God with flesh and bones, just like the Bible teaches. However, in the core Mormon teachings, the Father has a body of flesh and bones like unto Jesus and us. At a young age, they teach children in their church this false doctrine. In their lesson for kids, the teacher instructs… “To help each child understand that…
View On WordPress
0 notes
Text
DOCTRINES CONTRARY TO SCRIPTURE BY STEVE FINNELL
There are man-made doctrines and there are doctrines of the Bible. All doctrines that are contrary to the Scriptures are man-made traditions. What did Jesus have to say about the traditions of men?
Mark 7:1-13....3...holding the traditions of the elders....7 And in vain they worship Me , Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.8 "For laying aside the commandments of God, you hold the traditions of men---the washing of pitchers and cups, and many such things you do." 9 And He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandments of God, that you may keep your traditions.......13 "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down, And many such things you do.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
1. The Virgin Mary lived a sinless life.
GOD'S TEACHING
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
2. The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's....(Doctrine and Covenants 130:22)
GOD'S TEACHING
John 4:24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
MAN-MADE TRADITION
3. The Pope has all authority and is head of the church of Christ.
GOD'S TEACHING
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Colossians 1:13...the kingdom of the Son..18 And He is the head of the body, the church.....
MAN-MADE TRADITION
4. Alma 7:10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalemwhich is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.(Book of Mormon)
GOD'S TEACHING
Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
MAN-MADE TRADITION
5. The Virgin Mary's body did not remain in the grave, but ascended into heaven.
GOD'S TEACHING
John 3:13 "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:50 Now I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God: nor does corruption inherit corruption.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
6. V. "Gods exist, and we had better strive to prepare to be one with them" (Discourses of Brigham Young, page 351).
GOD'S TEACHING
Mark 12:32 So the scribes said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.
Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
MAN-MADE TRADITION
7. Absolution is the act of a priest whereby, in the Sacrament of Penance, he frees man from sin.
GOD'S TEACHING
Mark 2:7 "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this?"Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
There are many man-made traditions such as.
8. We are saved by grace alone.
9. We are saved by faith only.
10. Water baptism is not essential for the forgiveness from sin.
11. Men can live an unrepentant sinful lifestyle and still be saved.
12. Jesus is not the only way to heaven.
13. God has granted many different plans for salvation under the New Covenant.
14. All men can be saved like the thief on the cross.
CAN MAN-MADE DOCTRINES SAVE ANYONE?
(Scripture from NKJV)
0 notes
Text
THREE EXAMPLES OF WHY MEN SHOULD USE THE BIBLE ALONE BY STEVE FINNELL
Should mankind use the Bible and the Bible alone for teaching faith and practice? If God's truth is the template for you, then the Bible should be your source for truth.
THREE EXAMPLES OF WHY EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCES ARE NOT RELIABLE SOURCES FOR GOD'S TRUTH.
1. Quote from Pope Francis May 22, 2013: "The Lord created us in His image and likeness, and we are the image of the Lord, and He does good and all of us have this commandment at heart: do good and do not evil. All of us. "But Father, this is not Catholic! He cannot do good.' Yes he can..."The Lord has redeemed all of us,all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us not just Catholics Everyone! Father, the atheist? Even the atheists. Everyone! ....We must meet one another doing good. ' But I don't believe, Father, I am an atheist! But do good:we will meet one another there."
2. Quote from Billy Graham October 20, 1997: "I think everybody that loves Christ, or knows Christ, whether they're conscious of it or not, they're members of the Body of Christ......He's calling people out of the world for His name, whether they come from the Muslim world, or the Buddhist world,or the Christian world, or the non-believing world, they are members of the Body of Christ,because they've been called by God. They may not even know the name of Jesus, but they know in their hearts that they need something that they don't have, and they turn to the only light that they have, and I think they are saved, and that they're going to be with us in heaven."
3. Quote from Doctrine of Covenants -section 130:22 (Mormon supposed divine revelations): The "Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were is not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.
These quotes are all contrary to the Bible.
GOD'S WORD IS FOUND IN THE BIBLE AND THE BIBLE ALONE.
Posted by
Steve Finnell
at
2:07 AM
No comments:
Email This
BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
Share to Pinterest
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015
IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE A CHRISTIAN EVOLUTIONIST? BY STEVE FINNELL
According to a 2013 survey by the Pew Research Center 27% of white evangelical Protestants, 68% of white Catholics and 78% of white mainline Protestants believe that humans have evolved over time.
Is it possible to be a Christian evolutionist? How is that possible?
God is either the creator of all things or a human evolutionist. He is not both.
Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said , "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.......27 So God created man in His own image...(NKJV)
God did not say let man evolve into His own image.
Matthew 19:4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female." (NKJV)
Jesus said, male and female were made at the beginning. Male and female did not evolve, they were created.
Some who claim to be Christians, say that the Genesis account of creation is allegorical or mythical. Is Matthew 19:4 allegorical and mythical as well?
Others claim to believe in theistic evolution. God is either creator of all things or a humanist evolutionist, God is not both.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE CHRISTIAN AND AN EVOLUTIONISTS? GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!
Posted by
Steve Finnell
at
2:27 AM
No comments:
Email This
BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
Share to Pinterest
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2015
DID THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH GIVE THE WORLD THE BIBLE? BY STEVE FINNELL
The Roman Catholic Church claims they they gave the world the Bible when it was canonized by the Catholic Church councils of Hippo in 393 A.D..
If the Catholic Church gave the world the Bible?
1. Why does the Bible not mention the Pope as being the vicar of Christ on earth?
2. Why does the Bible not mention purgatory?
3. Why does the Bible not mention a sacrificial Mass?
4. Why does the Bible not mention that it is forbidden to ordain bishops who are married?
5. Why does the Bible not mention that the Virgin Mary was free from all actual sin.
6. Why does the Bible not mention saying The Rosary?
7. Why does the Bible not mention praying to the Virgin Mary and other dead saints?
8. Why does the Bible not mention transubstantiation?
9. Why does the Bible not mention the office of priest?
10. Why does the Bible not mention absolution from sin granted by the church through a priest?
11. Why does the
Bible not mention the Roman Catholic Church?
12. Why do Catholics not accept the Bible as their final and only authority in faith and practice?
13. Why does the Bible not refer to the Pope as being God here on earth?
14. Why does the Bible not say the apostle Peter was the first Roman Catholic Pope?
15. Why does the Bible not mention the assumption of the Virgin Mary?
16. Why does the Bible not mention that Mary was a perpetual Virgin?
17. Why does the Bible not mention that anyone who is not a member of the Roman Catholic denomination cannot be saved?
GOD GAVE US THE BIBLE---NOT THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURC
Posted by
Steve Finnell
at
3:11 AM
No comments:
Email This
BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
Share to Pinterest
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015
DOES MAJORITY OPINION INDICATE GOD'S TRUTH? BY STEVE FINNELL
Does majority opinion indicate God's truth? No, God is the majority of one.
John 18:37 Pilate said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come to the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."(NKJV)
Everyone who is of the truth hears the voice of Jesus.
It is estimated that there are 7.3 billion people in the world, however, only 2.4 billion claim to believe that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God.
Everyone who is of the truth hears the voice of Jesus.
1 John 2:18-23......22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son......(NKJV)
There are 4.9 billion antichrists in the world. The majority is not an indicator of God's truth.
Everyone who is of the truth hears the voice of Jesus.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (NKJV)
There are 43 million Baptists in the world and the majority of them do not believe what Jesus said in Mark 16:16"He who believes and is baptized will be saved...NKJV) Most of the 43 million Baptist do not believe the words of Jesus when He said, "and is baptized will be saved." They deny water baptism is essential for salvation. They believe baptism is done after a person is saved.
Everyone who is of the truth hears the voice of Jesus.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.(NKJV)
There are many who say, that Jesus meant be born of the water of childbirth in order to enter the kingdom of God.
There are others who say you do have to be baptized in water, sprinkled with water, nor have water poured on you to enter the kingdom of God. They assert men only have to be born of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God.[ Who believes no water at all should be used in the their denominations? To name two, the Salvation Army and The Friends Church AKA Quakers]
Everyone who is of the truth hears the voice of Jesus.
Only those who seek God's truth will find the truth. Reading the Bible to confirm your denominations teaching is not seeking the truth.
Men must seek God's truth and not try to validate their own version of the truth.
Posted by
Steve Finnell
at
2:31 PM
No comments:
Email This
BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
Share to Pinterest
UNLESS THE FATHER DRAWS HIM BY STEVE FINNELL
John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
What is the meaning of John 6:44?
1. Does it mean only a few, who have been selected by the Father, will be saved? No, it does not.
2. Does it mean that men only respond to the gospel because of irresistible grace? No, it does not.
WHO ARE THOSE THAT THE FATHER DRAWS?
John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught of God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.
The Father draws all who hear and learn. The Father does not force anyone to hear or learn. Men have free-will. God does not impute faith into a few so they will believe and be saved. Faith does not come by injection.
HOW DO MEN HEAR AND LEARN?
Romans 10:13-14 for "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
Men need to hear the gospel before they can learn and believe. The Father draws men by the gospel.
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Faith comes from hearing the gospel. Faith does not come because the Father selected a chosen few, before the world began, to be saved. All who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior are the chosen and that includes whoever accepts God's terms for pardon. Faith does not come because of irresistible grace.
God the Father draws men to Jesus with the gospel.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,
IT IS THE GOSPEL THAT DRAWS MEN TO JESUS!
IRRESISTIBLE GRACE IS NOT THE METHOD THAT THE FATHER USES TO DRAW MEN TO JESUS.
Romans 10:21 But as for Israel He says, "All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."
Israel as a nation rejected the gospel. How could that be possible if irresistible grace were in play? Israel turned away from God.
Matthew 23:37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.
Jerusalem was unwilling to be drawn to Jesus by believing the gospel. They had a choice.
John 5:39-40 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.
The Jews had the opportunity to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, but they were unwilling. There was no irresistible grace in play. The Father draws all who are willing to believe the gospel.
John 6:40 This is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."
IF YOU ARE READING THIS BLOG YOU ARE ONE OF THE "EVERYONE" WHO HAS A CHANCE TO BE BELIEVE THE GOSPEL AND BE SAVED.
MEN REJECT GOD.
GOD DOES NOT REJECT MEN DUE TO NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.
THE FATHER DRAWS MEN TO JESUS THROUGH THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL. MEN ARE NOT DRAWN TO JESUS BECAUSE THEY WERE PRESELECTED FOR SALVATION!
Posted by
Steve Finnell
at
1:26 AM
1 comment:
Email This
BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
Share to Pinterest
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015
KINGDOM ARRIVES
IN ACTS
by David Vaughn Elliott
Hades could not stop Jesus' plans.
He had promised: "On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). Neither the Jews nor the Romans nor Hades could stop Jesus' plans. The gates of Hades would burst open to let Jesus out. Jesus would prevail and build His church!
Immediately following this promise to build His church, Jesus told Peter: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven." The kingdom is "of heaven." But Peter was to "bind on earth," thus during his lifetime. This is in complete harmony with another promise Jesus made to His followers: "there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:27).
THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM
Upon considering everything the New Testament says about both the kingdom of heaven and the church of Jesus, one finds it extremely difficult to differentiate between the two--what is affirmed of the kingdom is also affirmed of the church.
Very early in His ministry, "Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel' " (Mark 1:14,15). Jesus, affirming that the kingdom was just around the corner, interconnected four vital elements: 1) the gospel, 2) the kingdom, 3) repentance and 4) faith. And is not the church of Jesus Christ precisely involved with the same gospel, repentance and faith? Most assuredly.
The gospel, of course, is the Good News of salvation based on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Therefore, the gospel of the kingdom could not be transformed from prophecy into reality until after Jesus' death and resurrection. In Matthew 16, Jesus said the same about the church: Hades would not stop Him from building the church. In other words, He would indeed die, go to Hades, come out victorious, and then build His church. Thus, the church and the kingdom are equally predicted to commence following Jesus' death and resurrection.
Everyone knows that no physical kingdom of God was set up in the first (or second) century. On the other hand, many recognize that in the first century, a spiritual kingdom of God was set up! Also, everyone knows that a church was set up. There simply is no escaping the reality that the church of Jesus Christ is that kingdom of heaven which Jesus promised would soon arrive.
UNIQUENESS OF THE BOOK OF ACTS
The book of Acts is unique. To ignore it is to miss a vital link in God's dealings with the human race. Acts is the only book in the New Testament dedicated to the history of Jesus' apostles after the ascension. After studying the Gospels, a student of the Word should turn to the book of Acts, confidently expecting to find the historical fulfillment of Jesus' prophecies of the kingdom and the church. It was time for their arrival.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PENTECOST
Religious people often talk longingly of a return to Pentecost. They usually are referring either to speaking in tongues or to great multitudes being converted. I dare say that neither concern is of chief importance when evaluating what transpired on that particular Jewish Pentecost.
It was the year 30 A.D., less than two months since Jesus' death and resurrection. But before Jesus left for heaven, He gave His apostles a very important command: "not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait" (Acts 1:4. Except where otherwise noted, all quotes in this Insight will be from the book of Acts).
Remember that Jesus had promised Peter "the keys of the kingdom." It is no coincidence, therefore, that Peter was the leading spokesman on the day of Pentecost. Keys open doors. Peter was chosen by God to initiate the kingdom of heaven, to inform people how they could enter. How did Peter unlock the doors? It was he who answered the anguished cry of the Israelites, "Men [and] brethren, what shall we do?" (2:37). "Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit' " (2:38).
Most have no difficulty in recognizing this as the beginning of the Lord's church. But we should equally recognize that Peter's statement is a variation and divine explanation of what Jesus told Nicodemus: "unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). Notice the parallelism between, "born of water and the Spirit" on the one hand and "repent... be baptized... receive... the Holy Spirit" on the other. Entering the kingdom and entering the church are one and the same.
Attention has been called to Mark 1:14,15, where Jesus interconnected four vital elements: 1) the gospel, 2) the kingdom, 3) repentance and 4) faith. On the day of Pentecost, Peter clearly preached the gospel, based on the death and resurrection of Jesus. In his entire message, he clearly called the Jews to faith in Jesus. Then in 2:38 he calls them to repentance. The gospel, faith and repentance are three things that Jesus connected with the kingdom. Certainly the kingdom of heaven was making its appearance as Peter spoke.
POWER OF THE KINGDOM: THE HOLY SPIRIT
In Mark 9:1, Jesus prophesied that the kingdom of God would come with power during the lifetime of His listeners. After His resurrection, He told the apostles: "I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). Before Jesus ascended, he further clarified the matter: "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you" (1:8). That happened exactly ten days later, on the day of Pentecost. So the power of the kingdom was provided by the Holy Spirit.
On the night of his betrayal, Jesus had explained to the Apostles: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear [them] now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:12,13). These words are extremely important for understanding the relationship between the four Gospels and the Book of Acts. Red letter Bibles make a grave mistake. Jesus said that He did not reveal all the truth during His earthly ministry. He said all truth would be revealed when the Holy Spirit came to the Apostles.
Thus, the Gospels cannot be fully appreciated nor understood unless they are connected to the Book of Acts. It is in the book of Acts that the power of the Holy Spirit comes upon the Apostles. It is in the Book of Acts that the kingdom of God comes with this power of the Holy Spirit. It is on the day of Pentecost following Jesus' ascension that the real meaning of the cross and the empty tomb is made known to the world.
Speaking in tongues, of itself, was not the important thing. Rather, the tongues were proof of the important thing--that Peter was not preaching his own ideas, but that he was infallibly inspired by the Holy Spirit to interpret the Old Testament prophecies, to explain the meaning of the cross and the empty tomb and to offer to the Jews the divine means of entering the kingdom of God!
POWER OF THE KINGDOM: MIRACLES
The kingdom also arrived with the power of miracles. Peter and John were instruments of God to heal a 40-year-old man who had been lame from birth. The healing was immediate and sent the man leaping. As the crowd gathered, Peter and John used the opportunity to preach salvation from sin through the very Jesus whom the mobs had killed.
This miracle was a demonstration of a power that no human has. Peter told the crowd: "Why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" (3:12). Peter and John were arrested. The next day, when the council assembled, they wanted to know, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" (4:7). When they later conferred among themselves, they admitted, "Indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them [is] evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny [it]" (4:16). The kingdom had arrived with the power of miracles.
Soon afterward, Luke records that "with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus" (4:33). Not a little power. Great power. This might refer to the continuance of the signs and wonders done by them in connection with their preaching. It could equally refer to the manner in which the Holy Spirit spoke through them. Later, the same type of statement is made regarding Stephen, "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people" (6:8).
Meanwhile, in Samaria, Simon the sorcerer was considered by the masses to be "the great power of God" (8:10). But when he saw the real power of God, Simon was converted to Christ. Peter and John then came to Samaria and laid hands on the brethren to impart to them the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Simon was not only astonished; he thought there was something in it for him personally. He offered to buy this power, saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit" (8:19). There was power, but it was not for sale. "Peter said to him, 'Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!' " (8:20). Truly, the kingdom had arrived with miraculous power.
THE KING ON HIS THRONE
On Pentecost, Peter dwelt at length on the resurrection and ascension. In that context, he referred to the prophecy that the Messiah would sit on the throne of David. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Peter said that this prophecy had already been fulfilled! How? Notice carefully what Peter says in relation to David and Jesus. "David... being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ... Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God" (2:29-33).
David, foreseeing that the Messiah would sit on his throne, spoke of the resurrection. Since His ascension, Jesus has been seated at the right hand of God. He is on His throne. According to the way Peter expressed it, the throne in heaven is the fulfillment of Jesus sitting on the throne of David.
Peter's climax is recorded in verse 36: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Accomplished fact. The Jews had crucified Him; but God had made Him Lord and Christ. "Lord" is Ruler, Sovereign. "Christ" is Messiah, anointed One, Prophet, Priest and King. Peter was declaring that Jesus of Nazareth is King now! He is exalted. He is at the right hand of the Father. He is on the throne of David.
Jesus reigns! And no one reigns unless they have a kingdom to reign over. So, the kingdom came on that day of Pentecost. It had been called "the kingdom of heaven." The King was ruling from heaven. As promised, He had sent the power of the Holy Spirit so that the kingdom would arrive with power.
Years later in Thessalonica, the Jews accused the Christians of "saying there is another king--Jesus" (17:7). There is another king. Present tense. The accusation was true. This is exactly what the Christians were preaching since Pentecost: "God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" (2:36). Jesus is Christ--Messiah--King. The kingdom of heaven is here now.
THE REJECTED STONE CRUSHING THE OPPOSITION
Peter and John were arrested and brought before the "Supreme Court" of the Jews. Peter said that the risen Messiah had healed the lame man. Then he charged, "This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone' " (4:11). The Jewish leaders had rejected Jesus, the stone, but that had not stopped God's plans with the Jews nor with the Messiah.
Notice the difference between Jesus and Peter's use of Psalm 118:22. Jesus asked if they had never read that Scripture and proceeded to quote it. Peter, on the other hand, via paraphrase, said, "This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone." Peter thus affirms that the prophecy had been fulfilled.
Jesus had quoted this "stone" prophecy when He explained the parable of the vineyard: "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder" (Matthew 21:42-44).
First notice: "kingdom... taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits." That is practically an outline of the book of Acts. Over and over Paul is rejected by the Jews and turns to the Gentiles. "Behold, we turn to the Gentiles" (13:46). This is a clear fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy.
Notice secondly: "Grind him to powder." That calls to mind Daniel's stone prophecy: "A stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces... the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed... it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms" (Daniel 2:34,44). (For more details on Daniel's prophecy,
see Insight #83: "Daniel Foretells Indestructible Kingdom."
)
This breaking process was already starting in the first century (though not completed until much later). In Thessalonica great numbers of Greeks were being converted. The unbelieving Jews stirred up the populace and the mob cried out: "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too" (17:6). The followers of the humble Carpenter were turning the world upside down. Later, in Ephesus, so many people were being converted and leaving their idolatry that the bottom was falling out of the idol market. See Acts 19. The Stone was conquering.
CHURCH AGE PREDICTED BY AMOS
Probably the biggest doctrinal disturbance in the early church was the question of the salvation of the Gentiles. God had to work several miracles to convince the apostles that Cornelius' household could be saved through the same gospel that saved the Jews. However, there continued an element in the church, especially among converted Pharisees, who believed Gentiles had to become Jews before they could become Christians. Hence the consultation in Jerusalem recorded in the 15th chapter of Acts.
On that memorable occasion, Peter told the brethren: "So God... made no distinction between us [Jews] and them [Gentiles]... through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they"(15:8-11).
Soon, James took the floor, and quoted a prophecy of Amos. Introducing the quote, he said: "Simon [Peter] has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written" (15:14,15). Then he quotes Amos 9:11,12, which in part says, "So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles." Thus, the Gospel Age, the Church Age, the salvation of Gentiles were in direct fulfillment of O.T. prophecy.
Before the portion already quoted, Amos had said (as quoted by James) "After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down" (15:16). All of this in the context of accepting the Gentiles into the Church. Now the only other text in the Bible which uses the expression "tabernacle of David" is Isaiah 16:5: "In mercy the throne will be established; And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David."
Amazing! It prophetically speaks of someone sitting on the throne in the tabernacle of David. But neither the literal tabernacle of David nor the literal temple of Solomon had a throne. The tabernacle-temple was one thing; the palace was another. The altar was one thing; the throne another. The priest was one thing; the king another. But this prophecy combines the two! What other fulfillment can it have than that of our Prophet, Priest and King Jesus? And James indicates that it was already being fulfilled. The tabernacle of David, the throne, the Priest, the King, the Savior not only of the Jews but also of the Gentiles was a present reality. Truly the kingdom of heaven had arrived.
THEY PREACHED THE KINGDOM
The summary of Philip's preaching in Samaria is this: "he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" (8:12). The summation of Paul's three months of preaching in Ephesus is this: "reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God" (19:8). Paul's two years of preaching in Rome is summarized thus: "preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ" (28:31).
These three accounts--Philip in Samaria and Paul in Ephesus and Rome--are remarkable. Here we have 3 instances in which days and even years of preaching are summed up to consist of two elements: the kingdom and Christ. Yet, in all the book of Acts, there is no record of Philip or Paul ever mentioning anything about a future Jewish 1000-year earthly reign headquartered in Jerusalem. Therefore, such a millennium concept must not be what Luke had in mind when he recorded that Philip and Paul preached the kingdom of God.
Yes, there is one time in the book of Acts, where Paul clearly speaks of the kingdom in a future sense. In 14:22, he told the brethren, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." Even so, the kingdom here is a promise to faithful Christians--certainly not to the Jews who were the cause of their tribulations (see 14:19-23).
The kingdom in the present sense can be seen by examining the details of what Paul did teach and preach. A detailed example is given in Acts 13:
--that Jesus was the descendent of David and the Savior, according to the promises (vss. 22,23);
--that there are glad tidings, namely that God raised Jesus from the dead in fulfillment of the promise made to the fathers (vss. 30-37);
--that faith in Jesus can do what the Law of Moses could not do, namely cleanse from sin (vss. 38,39);
--that since the Jews rejected eternal life through Jesus, the message was sent to the Gentiles in fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy (vss. 46,47).
Paul preached the kingdom by declaring Jesus as the Son of David--that involves Jesus being King. Paul preached the gospel of the kingdom by proclaiming that the promises to Israel were being fulfilled--they include the King's kingdom. Assuredly, in the first century, a spiritual gospel and a spiritual kingdom appeared on the world stage--exactly within the timeframe prophesied by Daniel and Jesus. The kingdom of heaven is a present reality.
(Scripture in the preceding article is taken from the New King James Version. Copyright (c) 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.)
0 notes
Link
The doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) are very interesting. Most of the 'odd' ones are not initially taught to potential converts, but they should be. Instead, "they are revealed later as one matures and gains the ability to accept them." The LDS Church tries to make its official doctrines appear Christian, but what underlies those Christian-sounding terms is far from Christian in meaning.
Following are the teachings of its officials throughout the years. Please note that these teachings are documented from Mormon writers--not anti-Mormon writers.
Finally, many Mormons respond that most of the citations below are not from official Mormon writings as if that disproves the doctrines they teach. If they are not official, fine. But if not, then why have the Mormon apostles and high officials taught them and written them, and why are their books sold in Mormon bookstores? The truth is the following is what Mormons are taught.
~ Matt Slick
"Jesus paid for all our sins when He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane," (Laurel Rohlfing, “Sharing Time: The Atonement,” Friend, Mar. 1989, p. 39.).
"We accept Christ's atonement by repenting of our sins, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and obeying all of the commandments," (Gospel Principles, Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1979, p. 68.).
Baptism for the dead, (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. II, p. 141). This is a practice of baptizing each other in place of non-Mormons who are now dead. Their belief is that in the afterlife, the "newly baptized" person will be able to enter into a higher level of Mormon heaven.
"We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. . ." (8th Article of Faith of the Mormon Church).
"Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God," (1 Nephi 13:28).
The book of Mormon is more correct than the Bible, (History of the Church, 4:461).
The Devil was born as a spirit after Jesus "in the morning of pre-existence," (Mormon Doctrine, p. 192).
Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163).
A plan of salvation was needed for the people of earth so Jesus offered a plan to the Father and Satan offered a plan to the father but Jesus' plan was accepted. In effect the Devil wanted to be the Savior of all Mankind and to "deny men their agency and to dethrone god," (Mormon Doctrine, p. 193; Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 8).
God used to be a man on another planet, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 321; Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons, vol. 5, p. 613-614; Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p. 345; Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 333).
"The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s . . . " (D&C 130:22).
God is in the form of a man, (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 3).
"God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!!! . . . We have imagined that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea and take away the veil, so that you may see," (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345).
God the Father had a Father, (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 476; Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, vol. 5, p. 19; Milton Hunter, First Council of the Seventy, Gospel through the Ages, p. 104-105).
God resides near a star called Kolob, (Pearl of Great Price, p. 34-35; Mormon Doctrine, p. 428).
God had sexual relations with Mary to make the body of Jesus, (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, 1857, p. 218; vol. 8, p. 115). This one is disputed among many Mormons and not always 'officially' taught and believed. Nevertheless, Young, the 2nd prophet of the Mormon church taught it.
"Therefore we know that both the Father and the Son are in form and stature perfect men; each of them possesses a tangible body . . . of flesh and bones," (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 38).
After you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god, (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345-347, 354.)
"Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them," (D&C 132:20).
There are many gods, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163).
"And they (the Gods) said: Let there be light: and there was light," (Book of Abraham 4:3).
There is a mother god, (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 443).
God is married to his goddess wife and has spirit children, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 516).
The trinity is three separate Gods: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. "That these three are separate individuals, physically distinct from each other, is demonstrated by the accepted records of divine dealings with man," (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 35).
The true gospel was lost from the earth. Mormonism is its restoration, (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 182-185.)
Consists of laws and ordinances: "As these sins are the result of individual acts it is just that forgiveness for them should be conditioned on individual compliance with prescribed requirements--'obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel,'" (Articles of Faith, p. 79)
There are three levels of heaven: telestial, terrestrial, and celestial, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 348).
The Holy Ghost is a male personage, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, (Le Grand Richards, Salt Lake City, 1956, p. 118; Journal of Discourses, vol. 5, p. 179).
The first spirit to be born in heaven was Jesus, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 129).
Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163; Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15).
Jesus' sacrifice was not able to cleanse us from all our sins, (murder and repeated adultery are exceptions), (Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, 1856, p. 247).
"Therefore we know that both the Father and the Son are in form and stature perfect men; each of them possesses a tangible body . . . of flesh and bones," (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 38).
"The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood--was begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers," (Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 115).
"Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers," (Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce McConkie, p. 547).
"Christ Not Begotten of Holy Ghost . . . Christ was begotten of God. He was not born without the aid of Man, and that Man was God!" (Doctrines of Salvation, by Joseph Fielding Smith, 1954, 1:18).
"Elohim is literally the Father of the spirit of Jesus Christ and also of the body in which Jesus Christ performed His mission in the flesh . . . " (First Presidency and Council of the Twelve, 1916, "God the Father," compiled by Gordon Allred, p. 150).
If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation. There is no salvation [the context is the full gospel including exaltation to Godhood] outside the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 670).
We were first begotten as spirit children in heaven and then born naturally on earth, (Journal of Discourse, vol. 4, p. 218).
The first spirit to be born in heaven was Jesus, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 129).
The Devil was born as a spirit after Jesus "in the morning of pre-existence," (Mormon Doctrine, p. 192).
We need prophets today, the same as in the Old Testament, (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 444-445).
"One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation," (Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W. Kimball, p. 206).
A plan of salvation was needed for the people of earth so Jesus offered a plan to the Father and Satan offered a plan to the father but Jesus' plan was accepted. In effect the Devil wanted to be the Savior of all Mankind and to "deny men their agency and to dethrone god," (Mormon Doctrine, p. 193; Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 8).
Jesus' sacrifice was not able to cleanse us from all our sins, (murder and repeated adultery are exceptions), (Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, 1856, p. 247).
Good works are necessary for salvation (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 92).
There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet of God (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p. 188).
"The first effect [of the atonement] is to secure to all mankind alike, exemption from the penalty of the fall, thus providing a plan of General Salvation. The second effect is to open a way for Individual Salvation whereby mankind may secure remission of personal sins (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 78-79).
"As these sins are the result of individual acts it is just that forgiveness for them should be conditioned on individual compliance with prescribed requirements--'obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel,'" (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 79).
"This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts," (LDS Bible Dictionary, p. 697).
"We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do," (2 Nephi 25:23).
The trinity is three separate Gods: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. "That these three are separate individuals, physically distinct from each other, is demonstrated by the accepted records of divine dealings with man," (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 35.).
"Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are only one God. I say that is a strange God [anyhow]--three in one and one in three. . .It is curious organization . . . All are crammed into one God according to sectarianism (Christian faith). It would make the biggest God in all the world. He would be a wonderfully big God--he would be a giant or a monster," (Joseph Smith, Teachings, p. 372).
Some Mormons may disagree with a few of the points listed on this page, but all of what is stated here is from Mormon authors in good standing of the Mormon church.
1 note
·
View note
Text
Julian of Norwich and metaphors of the Divine
This is the full text of Chapter VI of the “long text” version of Revelations of Divine Love, by Julian of Norwich, c. 1373. Julian was a 14th century English anchoress who, at the age of 30, experienced a series of visions of the Divine that she spent the rest of her life pondering and interpreting. Scholars have argued that this book is the first written by a woman in the English language.
In the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 31:3 teaches that God “speaketh unto men [and women!] according to their language, unto their understanding.” Julian’s written revelations are rich in metaphorical language that she uses to try to convey in imperfect language the ineffable experiences that she had. What do Julian’s metaphors reveal of the nature of Divine Love? Why does it matter what metaphors we use to understand God and God’s love?
Julian’s text is in normal type, while my comments are in italics.
THIS Shewing was made to learn our soul wisely to cleave to the Goodness of God.
And in that time the custom of our praying was brought to mind: how we use for lack of understanding and knowing of Love, to take many means [whereby to beseech Him].
Barry Windeatt translates “means” as “intermediaries” here: praying by the cross, the Saints, by Mary, etc. as explained further below.
Then saw I truly that it is more worship to God, and more very delight, that we faithfully pray to Himself of His Goodness and cleave thereunto by His Grace, with true understanding, and steadfast by love, than if we took all the means that heart can think. For if we took all these means, it is too little, and not full worship to God: but in His Goodness is all the whole, and there faileth right nought.
Perhaps we could paraphrase Julian’s words this way: while using “means” [intermediaries] to access God, it is more spiritually mature (“more worship to God”) to access him directly without the aid of intermediaries. In other words, it’s good to pray to God through the Saints or through symbols like the cross, but it’s better to pray directly to God without going through these intermediaries.
While Julian may have had in mind praying by means of the Saints and the Virgin Mary, what other other “intermediaries” or “means” are there through which we may be in the habit of accessing and communicating with God? Could these include our theologies? Our religions? Our rituals? Our religious ideologies? Our political ideologies? Our conceptions of God and God’s nature?
For this, as I shall tell, came to my mind in the same time: We pray to God for [the sake of] His holy flesh and His precious blood, His holy Passion, His dearworthy death and wounds: and all the blessed kindness, the endless life that we have of all this, is His Goodness. And we pray Him for [the sake of] His sweet Mother’s love that Him bare; and all the help we have of her is of His Goodness. And we pray by His holy Cross that he died on, and all the virtue and the help that we have of the Cross, it is of His Goodness. And on the same wise, all the help that we have of special saints and all the blessed Company of Heaven, the dearworthy love and endless friendship that we have of them, it is of His Goodness. For God of His Goodness hath ordained means to help us, full fair and many: of which the chief and principal mean is the blessed nature that He took of the Maid, with all the means that go afore and come after which belong to our redemption and to endless salvation. Wherefore it pleaseth Him that we seek Him and worship through means, understanding that He is the Goodness of all.
“Wherefore it pleaseth Him that we seek Him and worship through means, understanding that He is the Goodness of all.” Perhaps Julian is trying to tell us that even if the way we access God and understand God is a metaphorical “means” or “intermediary,” that’s okay. God speaks to us in our language (read: culture, symbols, religions, doctrines, theologies, metaphors, paradigms, etc.) so that we can understand, because that is the most effective way to communicate with us given the physical realities of our brains and the nature of consciousness. In Julian’s time and culture, this included the cross, Mary, and the Saints. What is the parallel “language” that we speak today that are the “means” by which we understand and conceptualize God? Are these the “intermediaries” of our day? How can we best take advantage of these intermediaries to help us come closer to God?
For the Goodness of God is the highest prayer, and it cometh down to the lowest part of our need. It quickeneth our soul and bringeth it on life, and maketh it for to waxen in grace and virtue. It is nearest in nature; and readiest in grace: for it is the same grace that the soul seeketh, and ever shall seek till we know verily that He hath us all in Himself enclosed.
“He hath us all in Himself enclosed.” How can the metaphor of being “enclosed” in God help us better understand the nature of our relationship with God?
For He hath no despite of that He hath made, nor hath He any disdain to serve us at the simplest office that to our body belongeth in nature, for love of the soul that He hath made to His own likeness.
How could God ever despite or disdain any of us? Or any of God’s creations? One of the most consistent themes in Julian’s revelations is the unconditional and absolute love and joy that God has for all of God’s creations.
For as the body is clad in the cloth, and the flesh in the skin, and the bones in the flesh, and the heart in the whole, so are we, soul and body, clad in the Goodness of God, and enclosed. Yea, and more homely: for all these may waste and wear away, but the Goodness of God is ever whole; and more near to us, without any likeness; for truly our Lover desireth that our soul cleave to Him with all its might, and that we be evermore cleaving to His Goodness. For of all things that heart may think, this pleaseth most God, and soonest speedeth [the soul].
What kind of language do we use to describe God? Common metaphors in contemporary Christianity include “Lord” or “King” or “Master.” Here, Julian says that God is our “Lover” who desires that our souls “cleave” unto God’s. How could our relationship with God change if we more often thought of God as our “Lover” than of our “King” or “Master”?
For our soul is so specially loved of Him that is highest, that it overpasseth the knowing of all creatures: that is to say, there is no creature that is made that may [fully] know how much and how sweetly and how tenderly our Maker loveth us. And therefore we may with grace and His help stand in spiritual beholding, with everlasting marvel of this high, overpassing, inestimable Love that Almighty God hath to us of His Goodness. And therefore we may ask of our Lover with reverence all that we will.
For our natural Will is to have God, and the Good Will of God is to have us; and we may never cease from willing nor from longing till we have Him in fullness of joy: and then may we no more desire.
For He willeth that we be occupied in knowing and loving till the time that we shall be fulfilled in Heaven; and therefore was this lesson of Love shewed, with all that followeth, as ye shall see. For the strength and the Ground of all was shewed in the First Sight. For of all things the beholding and the loving of the Maker maketh the soul to seem less in his own sight, and most filleth him with reverent dread and true meekness; with plenty of charity to his even-Christians.
God’s will is that we love God, the first commandment, and that we have charity toward “even-Christians,” or more inclusively, toward all humankind, the second commandment. What powerful language Julian uses to try to capture the essence of what she experienced.
Julian of Norwich and metaphors of the Divine published first on https://bitspiritspace.tumblr.com/
0 notes
Last Seen Blogs
navegadordos7amares
Navegador dos 7 Amares
iriswashername
infinitelytiedtogether
nappilla
NAPPILLA
En Mode Zéro Déchet
sugarsweets9987
Certified in tired of people's shit