New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 37: Jesus Christ: “The Author and Finisher of Our Faith” Epistle to the Hebrews

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 37: Jesus Christ: “The Author and Finisher of Our Faith”  
Epistle to the Hebrews

Background

Although traditionally attributed to Paul, the actual authorship of Hebrews is unknown.  In the fourth century AD, St Jerome supported Paul as its author and is likely the reason the tradition continues today.

However, unlike the other Pauline letters, Hebrews does not claim who wrote the epistle.  While the teachings are Pauline in nature, they are not in the language Paul would normally use.  Some scholars also note that Hebrews 2:3 suggests it could not have been Paul, as he was among the first generation that heard the Lord’s voice (albeit in a vision).

While there are many possible candidates for the authorship of Hebrews, scholars consider Barnabas (Paul’s missionary companion) and Apollos (one of Paul’s junior companions) as the two most likely authors of Hebrews.  Because it is traditionally attributed to Paul and is Pauline in nature, I will use traditional attribution.

To whom the letter was specifically written is unknown.   The writings show that it was probably directed to a group of Jews or Jewish Christians who had access to and knowledge of the Hebrew Bible.  It is based upon Psalms 110 as its theme, and so the reader would have been very aware of the text of that psalm.  

Because the epistle discusses the Tabernacle/temple imagery, it is thought by many to be written prior to the destruction of the Jewish Temple (70 AD).

Purpose of Epistle to the Hebrews

Hebrews was written to strengthen the waning faith of some Jewish Christian members, who were being harassed, perhaps by Jews and local leaders.  It was also written as a logical explanation of how Jesus as Messiah could fit into the Mosaic landscape.  The temple and the Law of Moses were administered by priests of Aaron, of the Levite priesthood line.  How then, could Jesus, who was descended from Judah, ever be able to fill the priestly duties of the Messiah.

While many Jews awaited a kingly Messiah (Messiah ben David), Jesus did not seem to fill those sandals in his mortal life.  Rather than leading armies to expel the Romans, Jesus taught to “render unto Caesar.”  Paul would describe Jesus as a priestly Messiah.

In the Dead Sea Scrolls (written around the time of Jesus), the Qumran people foresaw a coming priestly Messiah of Aaron that is similar to Jesus’ role as Savior of the world.  Given Jesus was not a descendant of Aaron, he could not be that Messiah.  Paul will spend much of the epistle, using Psalms 110 as his text, explaining how Jesus could not only be the descendant of King David, but also be the servant who would make the eternal sacrifice.

Christ - the Image of God
Hebrews 1-2

Paul begins by explaining to the Jewish Christians that Jesus has greater power than most realize.  Through Christ, God has created the worlds.  While God spoke through prophets anciently, he called his heir to speak to mankind during Jesus’ personal mortal ministry.  

Jesus was heir of all things, and different than the angels, because God proclaimed at Jesus’ baptism, “Thou art my son, this day I have begotten thee” (Heb 1:5, Luke 3:22 - where some early copies of Luke actually repeat Paul’s quote).  No one had been literally nor spiritually begotten of God before.  Because of the Fall, all mankind was removed from God’s presence.  But Jesus opened the door for a spiritual adoption and reconciliation with God.

Jesus receives the throne and sceptre from God (Heb 1:8, Ps 45:6).  Paul is using the ancient Jewish and important Christian writings to show Jesus is fulfilling them.  In fact, a major portion of his discussion on Christ will revolve around Psalms 110.

“But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?” (Heb 1:13).  

Compare this question regarding the status of angels to the Psalmist’s prophecy of the Lord:

“The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Ps 110:1).

God said unto the Lord Jesus to sit at his right hand until all things are finished and the wicked are destroyed.  Paul will continue using Psalms to explain Jesus’ divine nature and calling.

In Hebrews 2:6-8, Paul quotes Psalms 8:

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.”

He then explains that Jesus was below all the angels and all things in his death and suffering.  Yet, Paul previously noted that the resurrected and glorified Jesus “being made so much better than the angels” (Heb 1:4) as a stark contrast to the cross.

“For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham” (Heb 2:16).  

Jesus did not merely become an eternal servant of God, but an heir of Abraham and so an heir of God the Father, as well.  In his later discussion, Paul will explain how all can become heirs of Abraham, rather than merely servant angels.

Apostle and High Priest
Hebrews 3-4

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus” (Heb 3:1).

We find two interesting points here: First, Jesus is an apostle and a high priest.  Second, Paul insists that the members of the church are “partakers of the heavenly calling.”  

Discussing the second point, we may ask what is the heavenly calling?  It is exactly what Jesus’ life, ministry and resurrection has shown forth.  All mankind may become heirs of God, receiving all that God has through Christ, rather than being serving angels in the eternities.

That Jesus is an apostle and high priest denotes his holy calling.  Apostle is a Greek word meaning, “Sent”.   Jesus was sent as a special messenger of salvation to mankind.  Through the power of the apostleship, he would be able to restore the ancient authorities and powers, which the Jews had lost through disobedience. Included would be ordinances and teachings that would sanctify mankind.  Through the Gift of the Holy Ghost via the laying on of hands, mankind would be made holy and worthy of being divine and an heir with Christ of all God’s blessings and promises.

As high priest, Jesus would be in the position to perform the great sacrifice required to save mankind from sin.  Jesus’ sacrifice would open the door for mankind to believe and repent, making man guiltless.  Mankind receives justification through the Savior’s great expiatory event.

Jesus is compared to Moses.  Moses was a great prophet, but it was Jesus as Jehovah and Lord that created Israel in the first place.  While Jews focused much honor on Moses as the great law giver, Jesus gave Moses the law in the first place.  Israel sinned in Moses’ day and lost the promised land.  They were literally cast out of God’s presence when they chose to rebel against Moses, and so were not allowed to enter the Lord’s rest (presence).

In modern revelation, the Lord explained that Moses attempted to bring Israel into the presence of God on top of Mount Sinai.  The people refused to ascend the mount, and instead chose to rebel and sin below.  Because of this, the Lord took the higher priesthood and law from them, giving them the Law of Moses and the lesser priesthood (D&C 84:19-26).

“So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief” (Heb 3:19).

Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood vs Melchizedek Priesthood
Hebrews 5-7

So, how could Jesus perform high priest duties without being a Levite or holding the Aaronic Priesthood?  Paul explains that there was a priesthood that preceded and excelled above the Aaronic Priesthood:

“4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Heb 7).

No one could hold any priesthood office, unless called of God, as Aaron was called of God through the prophet Moses.  Just as God had proclaimed at Jesus’ baptism that he was begotten of God, so the Father also proclaimed him a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek was king of the ancient city of Salem.  The name “Melchizedek” literally means, “King of Righteousness.”  This king was so righteous that Abraham paid tithes to him.  Melchizedek offered a holy supper to Abraham and others after a successful conquest (Genesis 14, see JST Gen 14).  Melchizedek was a Gentile, and yet held a priesthood greater than Abraham.  Some traditions hold that Melchizedek was Shem, the son of Noah.  That Levi and Aaron were subordinate to Father Abraham shows that the Levitical or Aaronic priesthood is subordinate to the Melchizedek order of priesthood.

Of Melchizedek, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith:

“26 Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire.
27 And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch,
28 It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God;
29 And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name.
30 For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself; that every one being ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course;
31 To put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world.
32 And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven.
33 And now, Melchizedek was a priest of this order; therefore he obtained peace in Salem, and was called the Prince of peace.
34 And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world;
36 And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the king of heaven by his people, or, in other words, the King of peace.”

In Melchizedek, we get a prototype and foreshadow of Jesus Christ.  Melchizedek took a wicked people and made them fit to be translated or taken up into heaven.  He was able to do great works and miracles through the power of his priesthood.  This priesthood preceded him, held by Enoch and Adam, who received it from the premortal Christ.  Melchizedek was called the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), as a symbol of Jesus Christ’s role as the ultimate Prince of Peace.

So important was Melchizedek and his priesthood that in the Dead Sea Scrolls’ 11Q Melchizedek, the fragment tells us:  “Melchizedek is El (God)!”  and “Melchizedek is Yahweh (Jehovah).”

This is not to be taken literally that the mortal Melchizedek is God the Father  (El) or Jesus Christ (Jehovah).  It is to say that Melchizedek is a symbol of the Father and Son.  Yes, as a divine heir with Christ of all the Father has given, Melchizedek the man also became a king in heaven, sitting on God’s throne (we’ll discuss more in the upcoming lessons in Revelation), etc.  Remember, Melchizedek literally means, “King of Righteousness.”  Jesus is our eternal King of Righteousness under Father’s direction.

As before noted, justification, or being guiltless is brought forth by the blood sacrifice of Christ, the great High Priest.  The power and ordinances of the Lord’s great priesthood also provides for sanctification as we are made holy through faithfulness, obedience and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Lord is in his Temple - a New Covenant
Hebrews 8-10

Paul brings us to the Tabernacle or Temple of the Lord.  The Tabernacle was Moses’ portable Temple, where the children of Israel could remain in God’s presence (the temple represented the House of the Lord and his Shekinah [Presence]).  Later, King Solomon’s temple would replace the Tabernacle, but the same rites and teachings would continue regarding the sacrifices.

Jesus would be the high priest and king in the heavenly tabernacle, pitched by God and not man.  While in the earthly tabernacle, animal sacrifices continued day and night in order to atone for man’s sins under the Law of Moses, in the heavenly tabernacle would be only one divine sacrifice.  Rather than sacrifice an animal, this one sacrifice would be the lamb of God and Israel’s High Priest, Jesus Christ.  

With the divine sacrifice came a new covenant to replace the old one. No longer would the Levitical priests be required to sacrifice animals on the altars of the temple.  Instead, Jesus will redeem all mankind in his sacrifice.

How can it be that Jesus was not sacrificed in the temple, but we see this as pertaining to him?  Because during the last week of his life during Passover, Jesus taught daily in the women’s court of the temple.  And anciently, the entire city of Jerusalem was considered the outer court of the temple. It was the holy city, where the Lord’s presence shown in his house within the city.  To slay Jesus in Jerusalem was to essentially kill him in the outer parts of the temple or Tabernacle.

The ancient Tabernacle contained sacred emblems to represent God.  Paul mentions the Tabernacle containing different rooms, some more sacred than others, as well:

“1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly” (Heb 9).

Once one entered in from the outer court where sacrifice was made, the priest entered into the Holy place.  In this place was the menorah (candlestick with 7 candles), and the table holding the shewbread.  In Christian teaching, the menorah represents the Holy Ghost and how it lights our path in life.  The shewbread table (which often also held a cup of wine) represented the Savior Jesus Christ as the bread and wine represented his sacrifice.

Within the veil was the Holy of Holies.  Herein was found the most sacred of items representing God and his promises to man: manna as the Bread of Life, Aaron’s rod also representing life after death, and the Mercy Seat or throne of God sitting upon the ark of the covenant.  Each of these represents a member(s) of the Godhead, and more especially represent Jesus’ various roles as Sacrifice (shewbread), our Example (menorah), resurrection (Aaron’s rod), and eternal life (manna). Judgment and Mercy are shown forth at the Mercy Seat by Jesus, who is our Judge and Intermediary with the Father.

While the priests went daily to offer animal sacrifice and to care for the menorah and table of shewbread, only the chief high priest would enter into the Holy of Holies, and this only once per year.  His temple vesture included bells on the fringes of his robe, so that the priests outside could hear if he was still alive.  A rope was tied to the chief high priest, so that if God were to strike him down, they could pull the deceased out of the Holy of Holies without entering inside. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would perform an atonement for himself and all of Israel, sprinkling the blood of a sacrifice upon the Mercy Seat, the ark of the covenant, and all of the holiest of items.  

Jesus was the chief high priest who entered into the Holy of Holies of the Heavenly Tabernacle, and after shedding his own blood for himself and all mankind, would then go forth and take his rightful place sitting upon the throne or Mercy Seat.

In chapter 10, Paul tells us that sacrificing animals really cannot atone for our sins.  This is done as a symbol of the great sacrifice done by Jesus Christ for all mankind.  

“11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Heb 10).

Paul finishes explaining his quoting of Psalms 110, wherein the Lord will make his enemies his own footstool.  When the Lord ascends to the Mercy Seat, he will judge all mankind.  Those who have embraced Christ in faith and repented, will be his true disciples and receive the promises made.  Those who reject the Lamb shall be judged for their sins.

Faith and Endurance
Hebrews 11-12

Paul goes into a discourse on faith, describing how the ancient prophets were accepted of God because of their great faith.  Abel, Enoch, Abraham and others obtained great blessings of God due to their faith.  We are promised the same blessings as we become as they were, with unshakable and enduring faith in Christ.  

In verses 33-34, we see what power was given to the prophets (compare this with Melchizedek’s power above):

“ 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”

While they all experienced great trials, and many were slain for their testimonies, they will receive a great reward in heaven for that faithfulness.  In times of trial, studying their faithfulness through difficult time can give us the strength and faith to endure well.

In chapter 12, we find that the Lord chastens those he loves.  God allows difficult times to occur to the righteous, simply because gold is purified by the highest heat, while the dross is left behind.  We cannot easily increase in faith, hope, charity, compassioin, mercy, forgiveness, patience, love, or any other godly characteristic without a trial that will push us beyond our comfort zone and into the arms of God.  We only find joy when we find true meaning in life.  The plan of salvation shows us that the trials are necessary so we can learn to be and think as God does,  And it is necessary so that we come to truly appreciate the atonement of Jesus Christ.  If life were easy enough to get through without sinning, we would have no need of the atonement.  But then we would not really understand compassion.  Paul taught that Jesus suffered so that he would know how to succor us (Hebrews 2:18, Alma 7:12).

“ 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Heb 12).

If we are truly children of God, we will endure the trials he allows us to go through.  And we will seek to learn the lessons we need to learn, in order to be like him.  If we refuse to accept such trials and learn from them, we are not true children of God, but reject his corrections and guidance.  As stated above, such gives us meaning in our lives and from such comes the peace, holiness and the fruit of righteousness.

God is the “Father of our spirits.”  He has prepared his Only Begotten to be the great and final sacrifice.  God imbued Christ with the Melchizedek Priesthood, so that he could perform all his mighty works, and above all, make us holy and able to enter into the Holy of Holies with Jesus to stand in God’s presence once again.

Bibliography

Jim Faulconer’s notes on Hebrews:  http://feastuponthewordblog.org/2011/09/03/nt-sunday-school-lesson-37-jf-hebrews/

Theopedia on Hebrews: http://www.theopedia.com/Epistle_to_the_Hebrews

Wikipedia on Hebrews: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistle_to_the_Hebrews

Catholic Encyclopedia on Hebrews: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07181a.htm

Early Christian Writings on Hebrews: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/hebrews.html

Catholic Resources on Hebrews: http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Epistles-Hebrews.htm

Justification and Sanctification, see lesson 36 on Romans: http://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-testament-gospel-doctrine-lesson-36.html

Joseph Smith Translation concerning Melchizedek the King of Salem: http://lds.org/scriptures/jst/jst-gen/14?lang=eng

11Q Melchizedek in Dead Sea Scrolls:
http://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2010/03/gospel-doctrine-ot-lesson-10.html
http://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2010/02/lds-gospel-doctrine-class-old-testament_22.html

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 36: “Beloved of God, Called to Be Saints” Romans

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 36: “Beloved of God, Called to Be Saints”
 Paul's Epistle to the Romans

Introduction


Paul’s epistle to the Romans is universally accepted as being authentic. It is thought to have been written by Paul around 57 AD. Paul wrote many of his epistles prior to this time, encouraging the Corinthians, Galatians and Thessalonians to provide for the poor. In the Epistle to the Romans, Paul explains he is enroute to Jerusalem with the funds to deliver to the leadership there.

Paul repeats some discussions he has had in previous letters: justification, Abraham, Adam and Christ as the new Adam,

Romans’ topics have been the source for several key traditional Christian concepts, including Augustine’s original sin, Martin Luther’s justification by faith alone, John Calvin’s double predestination, and John Wesley on sanctification.

Paul had established several Christian churches around the Aegean Sea, and desired to preach where others had not yet established a church: Spain. His plan was to visit Rome on the way.

It is probable that the church in Rome was founded by Jewish Christians. Gentile Romans became interested and believed in Christ. The Jewish Christians in Rome taught the Roman converts to receive circumcision and obey the Law of Moses. In writing to Rome, Paul was explaining that the Gentile Christians were saved through faith, and not the law of Moses.

In 49 AD, the Roman leader Claudius expelled from Rome both Jews and Jewish Christians over their disruptive arguments over whether Jesus was the Messiah. His successor, Nero, allowed them to return in 54 AD, but would persecute them a decade later after the Great Fire, where he tradition states he fiddled while Rome burnt.

It is during Nero’s reign that Paul wrote the Romans, in hopes of establishing his branch of Gentile Christianity among them.

  I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ
Romans 1:18-32

 Referencing the “Wisdom of Solomon”, an ancient Jewish document, Paul condemned the sexual and violent sins of Rome. Nero was famous for orgies which often lasted from noon until midnight. He built a 50 foot round dining room, which rotated to simulate the movements of the earth and planets. Entertainment in Rome included violent depictions of battles, and often included the deaths of captured enemies or rebels.

 Paul was not ashamed to preach the gospel of Christ against such evils, noting that God would someday punish the wicked for such great sins. A major portion of his epistle would point to two main issues: the intense focus by some on following the Mosaic Law on the one hand, and the licentiousness of the Roman pagan society. Paul would have to teach them a middle view of what salvation meant. In speaking about the sins of Rome, Paul explained,

“Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile... (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness)” (Romans 2:9-15).

God has given a basic law, which not all have officially received via commandment of God. Many Gentiles lived chaste and non-violent lives without a prophet to command them, but following their conscience. Paul speaks of justification here. Those who keep God’s commandments, whether commanded through prophets, or inspired by the Holy Spirit to the conscience of man, are blessed for it. But it requires us to do, and not just hear or know a law. Many of the Jewish Christians knew the law, but were not following it.

 Instead, the gospel became a point for them to contend with Jews, and some of the Jewish Christians picked and choose the laws to be obeyed. They were not justified in knowing, but not doing. Paul then teaches that the Mosaic Law is one method, as is the method for the Gentile Christians. All have sinned, and therefore none can save themselves (Romans 3:9-11), but there is a salvation offered for both those under the Mosaic Law and those not under the law:

“ 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”

So, Paul confusingly seems to be saying we both need and don’t need the law. In fact, he is teaching that the law is not an ends in itself. One is not saved by being circumcised or offering animal sacrifices. Nor is one saved by making prayers and offerings. But the Jew or Gentile Christian who develops his faith, will follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance to his conscience, and such a person will want to live the laws of God as a normal outpouring of faith. A person obeys because of faithfulness. As Jesus stated, “if ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). What the Lord meant is that if we love him, keeping the commandments will be a natural outcome of that love. Our faith and love of Christ will naturally have us desire to be like him.

 Obedience flows from faith, but not necessarily the other way around. Many Pharisees paid tithes and offerings and prayed, but their obedience did not bring them to believe in Christ. Of course, faith is more than just a belief. According to the Lecture on Faith, faith is a moving power for God and in all things. The greater the faith, the greater the power of God that is with us. In chapter 4, we find that Paul discusses Abraham - a Jewish ancestor that he seeks to use to inspire both the Jew and Roman believers. Abraham was blessed because he believed or had faith, not because he was circumcised. Yet his faith led him to do great works of obedience, including offering up Isaac, his son. As we learn from the Nephite King Benjamin, we cannot obey enough laws or do enough to ever pay back God for our sins and disobedience in life. First off, he gave us life, and then gives us food and other blessings along the way, for which we owe him. When we obey God, he blesses us, so we still are ever in his debt. Benjamin noted that we are not even worth the dust we are created from, because God created the dust (Mosiah 2-5). Nephi taught us that “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. (2 Nephi 25:23). But what exactly does that mean? The Lamanite king Anti-Nephi-Lehi encouraged his people to bury their weapons of war and violence. In doing so, he explained to the people:

“it has been all that we could do (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get God to take them away from our hearts, for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain” (Alma 24:11).

In essence, faith and repentance are all we can do. Jesus does the rest. The greater our faith and repentance, the more Jesus can do for us. We find from Alma’s Near Death Experience and his intense sufferings in hell for his sins that a very basic faith and repentance are required for us to be saved from hell and death:

“ 12 But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins. 13 Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments. 14 Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.... 16 And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul. 17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. 18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. 19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. 20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!” (Alma 36).

We find that Alma’s sins and disbelief cast him from God’s presence and into a darkness of his own making. Only his repentance could save him from the eternal torment that was upon him. So it is with all of us. A basic faith and repentance save us from hell and death. In chapter 5, Paul explains we are “justified by faith” through the blood of Christ. When we accept the atonement through faith and repentance, we are rescued from hell and death. We are basically made guiltless for our sins, reconciled to God, and therefore made eligible for heaven (or in LDS teaching, one of the levels of heaven). Although Paul does not speak here of it, we can then seek to be sanctified by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, which purifies us as we become more faithful and obedient. As with Christ, we can go from grace to grace, receiving grace for grace, until we receive a fulness (D&C 93). At each new level of grace, we are sanctified by the Holy Ghost, purifying us and making us worthy to a higher level of glory and heavenly reward.

  Faith, Repentance, Baptism
Romans 6-7

 Interestingly, Paul follows the key principles and ordinances of the gospel in his epistle to the Romans. In chapter six, he discusses baptism. Baptism is the first ordinance of the gospel. Paul explains it is an outward sign of our following Christ as a true disciple. Previous to baptism, we demonstrate faith and repentance. In baptism, we are buried in his death, and follow Christ in the resurrection and rebirth as a child of God. Even after baptism, Paul notes that the believer must continue to believe, repent, and be obedient. He warns that the “wages of sin is death.” In chapter seven, he explains that the Law of Moses is replaced with the law of Christ. This new law is written in the heart of the believer. He naturally follows what is right, because the Spirit guides the conscience of the inner man.

  Joint heirs with Christ
Romans 8

 Paul then taught that the rebirth of faith, repentance and baptism adopts us into the family of God. He emphasizes a belief long lost among the Jews, but restored by Jesus: inheritance.

“ 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Those reborn are adopted into the family of God. Unlike some Christian ideas of the adoption, where we are still something less than God (i.e., angels that forever play harps), Paul insists that we are literal “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.” If Christ has a fulness of the Father, then so shall those who are justified by the blood of Christ into being guiltless, and sanctified in the Spirit to being holy. We will be glorified together with Christ. It cannot be made any clearer than that: If God and Jesus are perfect and divine, so we too will become divine and perfect through justification and sanctification.

  Bibliography

 Elder Todd D Christofferson, Justification and Sanctification, Ensign, June 2001: http://lds.org/ensign/2001/06/justification-and-sanctification?lang=eng

 Wikipedia on Romans: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistle_to_the_Romans

 Early Christian Writings on Romans: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/romans.html

 Catholic Encyclopedia on Romans: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13156a.htm

 Wisdom of Solomon: http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/text/wisdom.html

 Nero’s rotating banquet hall: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33077263/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/neros-rotating-banquet-hall-unveiled-rome/

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 35: “Be Ye Reconciled to God” - Second Corinthians

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 35: “Be Ye Reconciled to God”

Second Corinthians

Second Corinthians is accepted by almost all scholars as being authentically written by Paul. There is a twist, however. There is evidence that suggests that 2 Corinthians isn’t one letter, but actually two letters that were later combined. Chapters 1-9 focus on harmony and reconciliation. The last four chapters focus on divisions occurring in Corinth. In fact, 2 Cor 2:4 mentions a “sorrowful letter” or “letter of tears” that Paul had written them. Several scholars believe that the chapters 10-13 of Second Corinthians are that sorrowful letter.

In chapters 2-6, Paul attempts to establish himself with the Corinthian Christians, explaining his authority compared to that of others who had arrived in Corinth with claims of authority from elsewhere. He has had a painful visit with them, and wants to show that his love for them is greater than the pain caused during the visit. Chapters 1 and 7 show Paul’s effort to reconcile with the saints in Corinth and to reestablish the gospel in its proper form.

In the “sorrowful letter” found in chapters 10-13, Paul discussed his sadness from a visit he made to Corinth, where he was humiliated by others who had obtained power in the church there. In fact, it becomes a polemic defense of his apostleship against those who attacked his authority.

So disconcerting is this letter that Paul has to strongly chastise the people for rejecting him and following others. He establishes that he never has taken money from them, but was provided by the churches in other areas, such as Macedonia. He warned the Corinthians:

“13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Cor 11).

They were deceived by pretenders, who came to town with forged letters of authority, who then gained power in Corinth and attempted to turn the members away from Paul and the real apostles of God. Paul told of his conversion and dedication to the gospel, as well as his call to preach by the apostles in Jerusalem. Why? To establish his authority once again among the Corinthians, as well as to help them reject the falsehoods that plagued the Christians there.


Paul’s Vision of the Heavens
2 Corinthians 12:2-4

Paul continued to explain his authority and power that God had given him through visions:

“2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”

Most scholars agree that Paul is speaking about himself when he refers of “a man” who was caught up to heaven. Such an experience would show that Paul was worthy of being an apostle of God, and with knowledge of God to share with the people of Corinth.

These verses are perhaps the best in all scripture to denote a separation between paradise and heaven, and that there are levels of heaven. LDS belief is along these lines. For Mormons, Paradise is the place the spirits of the dead go to as they await the resurrection and final judgment of God. So, when Jesus told the thief on the cross, “today shalt thou be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43) we get a better understanding of what was going on. Jesus went to the “spirits in prison” to preach to them (1 Peter 3:18-20, 4:6) - obviously there are two sections to the world of Spirits (paradise and prison). The thief could not have been that day with Jesus in heaven, for Jesus told Mary Magdalene he had not yet ascended up to God (John 20:17).

Ancient Jews and Christians believed in three or more levels of heaven. Some think these statements referenced the Hebrew belief of a tripartite world: heavens above, earth, and Sheol or hell beneath. And while this may apply, there is definite evidence from early sources of levels within heaven itself, such as the Ascension of Isaiah.

There is an ancient Christian text entitled, “the Apocalypse of Paul”, wherein Paul ascends through the ten levels of heaven. Like Nephi, Moses, the apostle John, and others, Paul is caught up to an exceedingly high mountain. There, he is given a special guide to direct him through the vision. In this case, as with Nephi (1 Nephi 11), it is the Holy Spirit.

Paul tells us:

“Then the Holy Spirit who was speaking with him caught him up on high to the third heaven, and he passed beyond to the fourth heaven.”

The fourth heaven was filled with angels, presided over by the “toll collector” or sentinel. People were judged for their sins, with witnesses and books brought forth to judge them. With the Holy Spirit as his guide, Paul continued through the fifth and onto the sixth heavens.

“Then we went up to the sixth heaven. And I saw my fellow apostles going with me, and the Holy Spirit was leading me before them. And I gazed up on high and saw a great light shining down on the sixth heaven. I spoke, saying to the toll-collector who was in the sixth heaven, "Open to me and the Holy Spirit who is before me." He opened to me.
Then we went up to the seventh heaven, and I saw an old man [...] light and whose garment was white. His throne, which is in the seventh heaven, was brighter than the sun by seven times. The old man spoke, saying to me, "Where are you going, Paul? O blessed one and the one who was set apart from his mother`s womb." But I looked at the Spirit, and he was nodding his head, saying to me, "Speak with him!". And I replied, saying to the old man, "I am going to the place from which I came." And the old man responded to me, "Where are you from?" But I replied, saying, "I am going down to the world of the dead in order to lead captive the captivity that was led captive in the captivity of Babylon." The old man replied to me saying, "How will you be able to get away from me? Look and see the principalities and authorities." The Spirit spoke, saying, "Give him the sign that you have, and he will open for you." And then I gave him the sign. He turned his face downwards to his creation and to those who are his own authorities.
And then the heaven opened and we went up to the Ogdoad. And I saw the twelve apostles. They greeted me, and we went up to the ninth heaven. I greeted all those who were in the ninth heaven, and we went up to the tenth heaven. And I greeted my fellow spirits.”

In this instance, we see there are ten levels or layers of heaven. At least some of them are guarded by sentinels, who question Paul concerning his purpose and require a sign before he is allowed to pass on to the next higher level.

While this series of events may seem strange to most Christians, they make perfect sense to Mormons, whose temple rites include practicing going through levels of heaven and returning back into the presence of God. Speaking of these rites, President Brigham Young stated:

"Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the House of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels, being enabled to give them the key words, the signs and tokens, pertaining to the Holy Priesthood, and gain your eternal exaltation in spite of earth and hell." (Journal of Discourses 2:31).

Bibliography

Early Christian Writings on 2 Corinthians: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/2corinthians.html

Wikipedia on 2 Corinthians: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Epistle_to_the_Corinthians

Bible.org’s Intro on 2 Corinthians: http://bible.org/article/introduction-second-corinthians

Ascension of Isaiah: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ascension.html

The Apocalypse of Paul: http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/ascp.html

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 34: “Keep the Ordinances, As I Delivered Them” 1 Corinthians 11-15

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 34: “Keep the Ordinances, As I Delivered Them”
1 Corinthians 11-15

Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians, as discussed in lesson 33, focuses on the many problems the Christians in Corinth faced due to differing teachings and beliefs entering in from many factions. These included issues regarding chastity, idols, the resurrection of Christ, and many other issues. In this second lesson on First Corinthians, we focus on more of the issues Paul covers.

Selfishness

“Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Cor 10:24).

The Corinthians were seeking their own. They had personal agendas, with which they sought to change the church to meet their own desires. They were selfish to the point that it was affecting their relationships within the church, and even within their families.

Paul was forced to give them guidance on the roles of husbands and wives, according to Jewish tradition. That tradition was that all should wear a covering, symbolizing that men are subject to God, and women to their husbands. Such guidance is still followed by some Christian religions, while others have adapted it some to modern times. The LDS belief is that the man and woman are equal, and can also be found in chapter 11:

“11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.”

The LDS Church teaches they are equal, yet there is still a hierarchy in the family to ensure order prevails. The parents make a presidency, with the father presiding and the wife as his counselor. The husband should ensure his wife’s counsel is listened to, considered, and generally heeded in many cases. From the Proclamation on the Family, we read:

“By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.”

The Lord’s Supper

There seems to have been a tradition in Corinth, where people would attend the religious meetings of the various temples primarily for a free meal. The Lord’s supper seemed to have been used as a meal by many, and so was causing dissensions.

Paul complained that some were coming to the Lord’s supper only to fill their bodies or get drunk. He insisted they eat at home, and attend the Lord’s supper for the purpose of renewing the covenant with Christ.

“27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”

The focus here is: those who partake of the bread and cup must be remembering the Lord’s sacrifice, and not their bellies. To partake of the blessed sacraments with no thought to the covenant one makes with God causes condemnation, for such a person does not take his covenants with God seriously. For the Corinthians, it became a very serious issue, because many were using the Lord’s supper as a place for food and wine, just as they did with at the pagan temples. Many in our day partake of the divine without first making themselves holy. They profane the sacrifice of Christ’s flesh and blood by their insincere actions and indifference.

Gifts of the Spirit
1 Cor 12

That Paul had to explain to the Corinthians how the Holy Ghost worked with people is telling of how far they drifted from the core Christian teachings. The pagan religions, which led people to worship “dumb idols” also encouraged many to believe Jesus was accursed: the common assumption of people who were crucified. Yet, Paul insisted that only through the Holy Ghost can a person know that “Jesus is Lord” (vs 3).

With such an understanding, we can see that most Christians have been touched by the Holy Ghost with at least one gift: a testimony of the Savior.

Yet, Paul exclaims there are many different gifts available, all from the same Holy Spirit. And not only Christians, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (vs 7). All mankind is touched on some level by the Holy Spirit. This is not the same as the “Gift of the Holy Ghost” which in its fullest regard means the Spirit becomes a constant companion and guide in all aspects of a person’s life. It does mean that God inspires all mankind, giving them special abilities. And all of these special gifts come from the Holy Ghost.

Most of us know people who seem inspired with wisdom or knowledge. Did Einstein figure out his theories of relativity on his own? Or did God inspire him, enlightening his mind so he could figure out such amazing theories? The ancient Greeks believed mankind was inspired by the muses. We know mankind is inspired by the Holy Ghost.

For those who embrace Christ, Paul seems to suggest a greater level of such gifts of the Spirit. Whether a person is Jew or Gentile, when they embrace Christ, are baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:18, 19:6), they become a vessel able to receive a greater portion of the Holy Ghost and its powerful gifts.

“28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

There is a pattern set forth from Adam on down that helps us see how the Spirit and God’s power work. The pattern begins with apostles and prophets, those holding the priesthood authority to perform ordinances of salvation (baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, Lord’s supper, etc), establish doctrine, and guide the Church in all things, even as the apostle Paul was now doing for Corinth.

Next, are teachers to explain the doctrines of the church to the believers and those investigating the claims of Christ as Lord. Paul sent this epistle to Corinth with teachers to correct the wrong occurring among the Christians there. Only after the foundation of leadership is established can the miracles and gifts occur in an orderly fashion.

“29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?”

Not all are apostles or prophets. Not all have the gifts mentioned. These are important and necessary things in the Church of Jesus Christ. Without these holy men and gifts of the Spirit, the Church cannot function properly. Both are needed. As apostle Dallin Oaks recently noted, there are both formal and informal lines of power in the Church of Christ. The informal line is often called by the Protestants the “priesthood of all believers”, or the personal inspiration and guidance given each of us through the Holy Spirit. This is extremely important to our personal salvation and personal growth in Christ.

Yet the formal line of power and authority through apostles and prophets is also extremely important. Paul notes the struggle the Corinthian church was going through, precisely because they were listening to many claims of teachings by a variety of speakers. Yet none of these were apostles and prophets. No Christian prophet or apostle taught the Corinthian Christians to be unchaste, to eat the food of idols, or to be selfish. The key doctrines of salvation had to be established and preached by living prophets and apostles, or as in Corinth, they would sink into apostasy.

“ 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”

Many believe that the “more excellent way” is a rejection of the Gifts of the Spirit, a rejection of prophets and apostles, a rejection of miracles. Some even believe it to be a rejection of the commandments. But Paul’s original epistle was not divided into chapters. His most excellent way is found in chapter 13: charity.

Faith, Hope and Charity
1 Corinthians 13

Paul now teaches of the greatest gifts we can aspire to as a priesthood of all believers. There are three great gifts, greater than all the others: faith, hope and charity. Of these, Paul explains that faith and hope lead to charity, which is the pure love of Christ (Moroni 7:47-48). When it comes to spiritual things, if we do not have charity, we are nothing.

In this world we often confuse the things of most worth for the things that glitter. The Corinthians had their focus on the things of the flesh: sex, food, drink, selfishness and the philosophies of the Greek idol worshipers. None of these things would make a real positive difference in the world. None would make any difference in the world to come.

Even to give all ones belongings to feed the poor did not mean anything without charity. Why would someone give everything up, if that person did not have charity? What would be the motivation in doing so? Power? Fame? Glory?

Charity is everything the Corinthian Christians are not. It is longsuffering, not selfish, loves truth, hates sin, not given to anger. Only in developing our faith, hope and charity can we ever hope to have our works truly mean something here on earth and in the eternities.

Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues
1 Corinthians 14

In this chapter, Paul explains that not all gifts are of equal importance. The gift of tongues is a good gift for the individual. But without an interpreter, it means nothing to others listening. Only in the instance where the gift of tongues is used to let a prophet speak in someone else’s language is it of great worth to all who listen, such as what happened with the apostles on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

But prophesying, whether of current truths or future events, benefits all who listen. So important is prophesy that an angel told the apostle John, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). As Paul explained with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, without this special witness from above, we cannot know that “Jesus is Lord”.

Jesus, Resurrected
1 Corinthians 15

Obviously there were also contentions in Corinth over the resurrection of Jesus and all people. Paul begins by reminding them of the witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection. This physical witness is very important in establishing the things he is about to explain, because for the Greeks, the concept of a man being ignominiously crucified as a traitor to the state, then resurrecting, seemed foolish.

If there is no resurrection, there was no need for Jesus to ever be sent down to save us. With death, all would end. We would only be worm food, forever non-existent. If there is no resurrection, then our hope in Christ would make us the most miserable of all people, because we would place our faith in a false hope. But Paul shows there was a resurrection, and how it applies to all mankind from Adam til now.

Paul explained in depth how the resurrection of Jesus overcomes death. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (vs 22). Jesus became the second Adam. The first Adam brought about death, so that we may have the experience of mortality, of learning, and of building faith in God. Christ came to overcome the affects of the first and second deaths (Alma 11-12), that we may all live again. The resurrection means that Jesus and all mortals who have ever lived, will have their bodies and spirits restored again, only this time in an incorruptible form. We will never die, be sick, injured, or suffer physical ailments again.

As to the resurrection, we find that there is not one level of resurrection, but levels of resurrected glory:

“40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead.”

In the next lesson, we’ll expound more on what this means, as Paul explains it in 2 Corinthians 10:1-4. What we find here is that God has different levels of reward or glory for those who resurrect. This is also reflected in the ancient Christian prophecy of the Shepherd of Hermas, who saw that each person was given a willow twig to care for. On the day of judgment, each twig was reviewed. They differed in quality: some had not changed, others had buds, some had grown branches and leaves, while a few had also sweet fruit growing. For each there was a place given. For those who produced nothing, they were left out of the castle. For those who produced, they were given different rewards within the castle.

The rods or twigs represented the laws of God. As one obeyed the laws, they changed into ever growing rods of life and beauty. So it is with us. As we seek to know Jesus, follow his example, and learn to be Christ-like, we too can receive a glorious resurrection.


Bibliography

Proclamation on the Family: http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,161-1-11-1,FF.html

Dallin Oaks, “Two Lines of Communication”, October 2010 General Conference: http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/two-lines-of-communication?lang=eng

Shepherd of Hermas, (see Parable 8): http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot.html

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 33: “Ye Are the Temple of God” 1 Corinthians 1-6

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 33: “Ye Are the Temple of God”
1 Corinthians 1-6

Corinth and Paul
Corinth was a major sea port on the Mediterranean Sea on the southern portion of Greece. For almost 1000 years it was a major port and city, larger than Athens, until in 146 BC they rebelled against Rome, and the city was levelled. The men were slain, women and children sold into slavery. In 44 BC, Julius Caesar began construction anew on the seaport. In Paul’s day, it was a city that was just over one hundred years old, but so profitable that within just a short time had become a large metropolis once again.

The Athenians looked down upon the Corinthians, slandering them about their sexual perversions. It was claimed that the temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, had 1000 sacred prostitutes serving at her temple on the top of a1886 foot hill. A Greek verb for fornication is korinthiazomai, which stems from the city’s name.

In the town center were many other temples, including temples and shrines for Apollos, other Greek gods, Asklepios (Apollos’ son, the god of healing), and shrines to the Emperor and his family.

This cosmopolitan city of trade and commerce was one of Paul’s first major mission areas.

Paul formed the Christian Church in Corinth and then spent three years in Ephesus, about 180 miles away. During this time (about 53-57 AD), Paul heard of problems arising in the Church at Corinth, and used this epistle to address them.

Corinth consisted mainly of Greek converts, many of whom tried to bring concepts from their pagan religions into the Christian faith. Being a cosmopolitan city, there would be input from Jews, Gnostics, and the philosophies of the Greeks. The variety of beliefs trying to take over the basic Christian faith were causing huge divisions among the members there. Some scholars believe that only Jewish-Christians or Jewish-Gnostics were the actual rise of problems, but many of the problems occurring included sexual impurity - something unlikely from a member of any Jewish sect.

Paul begins his epistle

“Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God” (1 Cor 1:1).

Why would Paul have to establish his authority and apostleship to a people he had spent at least two years with? Because many had since come claiming authority and power from one source or another. In establishing at the very front of his epistle his authority, he hoped to be able to quell the divisions of those who would teach different things.

“10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.”

Obviously, the Corinthian members were claiming authority from the various missionaries that passed through the area or claimed to have been taught by, including Paul, Peter and Apollos (an early Christian missionary, not the pagan god). Paul was having to compete with a false image of himself! He was glad he only baptized just a few, so none could claim they received their authority from being baptized by Paul.

This shall be a common theme in areas that experience apostasy, and will even be dealt with decades later by the apostle John in his epistles and Revelation. Some members come forth claiming to have additional information or authority, sometimes hidden truths, as the Christian and Jewish Gnostics would claim to have. By the second century of the Christian era, some Gnostic and Christian/pagan groups would become so powerful as to threaten the young orthodox church.

Here, Paul seeks to stop it before it spreads. Explaining the problems he finds with the wisdom of men, he stated:

“22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty”

The rich and wealthy of Corinth were not necessarily being called as the leaders of the church. The Jewish-Christians were not necessarily being called as leaders, even though they had a background in the Law. Meanwhile, the Greeks often looked down on the simplicity of the gospel, because it didn’t fit in with their philosophy. Paul was trying to pull all the members back together into unity in Christ and his basic gospel.

So concerned was Paul that he would explain that they were not ready for gospel meat, but only the milk. Their divisions showed Paul that they were still babes needing the basic nourishment, even though others were offering to stuff heavier meals down their gullets (1 Cor 3:1-2).

Paul brought them back to the basics: faith in Jesus Christ, the atonement, repentance, and commandments. As explained in the Bible.org referenced below:

“Basically 1 Corinthians deals with abuses of liberty (just as Galatians deals with the stifling of the Spirit because of legalism). The correction Paul gives is not to question their salvation, but to challenge them in their sanctification. Although the apostle is dealing with several different issues, the general theme of the epistle is “the practical implications of progressive sanctification in the context of the Christian community.””

Salvation vs Sanctification

Salvation in Christ is a free gift. All mankind will resurrect. The only requirement to escape hell is to believe in Christ and repent of one’s sins. However, our degree or level of salvation is determined by sanctification: how holy we become as an individual. The greater our personal holiness and Christ-like abilities, the greater our personal reward and glory in the heavens (more on the levels of heaven will be discussed in the upcoming lesson 35).

The Book of Mormon notes that all will be resurrected among both good and evil. Then all will be brought to the presence of God through Christ. There, those who have repented and become worthy of Christ’s grace will remain, while those who refuse to repent will suffer from being filthy in God’s presence (Alma 11-12, Mormon 9:1-7).

Paul spends significant time discussing the commandments of God (1 Cor 3) and living by the power of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor 2). The Lord has taught us that as we move from one grace to a higher grace, we receive grace for grace until we receive a fullness of grace (D&C 93, 1 Cor 3:10). Grace is described as the sanctification process that occurs as we progress in the path of righteousness, once we’ve accepted Christ as our Savior. As such, we become sanctified little by little, until we become fully perfected in Christ, meet to receive his greatest rewards.

Such, our works are tested to see if we have truly become sanctified in Christ. As Paul explained:

“13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Cor 3).

And the greater the work we have brought forth on what we have truly become, the greater the reward.

Bibliography

First Corinthians at Bible.org: http://bible.org/seriespage/1-corinthians-introduction-argument-and-outline

First Corinthians at Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Epistle_to_the_Corinthians

Corinth: http://www.abrock.com/Greece-Turkey/corinth.html

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 32: “Live in the Spirit” Acts 18-20, Galatians

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 32: “Live in the Spirit”
Acts 18-20, Galatians

Apollos and Paul - partial versus fullness of the Gospel
Acts 18:23-19:41

The work of preaching to both Jew and Gentile continued across the eastern section of the Roman Empire, primarily in Macedonia, Greece and in what now is modern Turkey. Paul and Barnabas were not the only missionaries actively preaching the gospel of Christ. Aquila and Priscilla were also engaged in sharing the gospel. In their travels, they found a young man named Apollos who was trying to preach the gospel from what he learned from John the Baptist or John’s followers. Aquila and Priscilla spent time teaching him the correct understanding of the scriptures regarding Jesus and the atonement. Once ready, Apollos was sent out with a letter of recommendation to preach the gospel.

Paul found himself traveling through Ephesus, a place where Apollos had previously preached the gospel according to John the Baptist. When Paul asked if they had received the Holy Ghost, the disciples noted they had never even heard concerning the Holy Ghost. When asked what baptism they had received, they answered: “unto John’s baptism”. They had received Apollos’ preaching of John the Baptist, but not the fullness of Christ’s gospel. Paul taught them, and then baptized them anew “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5). He then laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Paul continued preaching and performing miracles by the power of the apostolic priesthood he held. Others, particularly Jews, sought to use this same power to do exorcisms, saying “we adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth” (19:13). What they did not realize is it takes more than words to perform true miracles in God’s name. It requires faith, and often also requires the power of priesthood. In this instance, the demon inside the man responded, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” (19:15). The demon then trounced them exorcists, sending them fleeing into the street.

So amazed were the people that they took all of their pagan religious books and symbols and burnt them in the street, recognizing that Paul held the true priesthood.

This is a challenge that has occurred many times in scripture. Satan challenged Christ’s authority in the pre-mortal Divine Council (Moses 4:1-4). Abraham and Moses were challenged by Pharaoh. Elijah competed with the priests of Baal to show which God was real. In mortality, Jesus was challenged by both Pharisee and again by Satan. For Paul, he would be challenged by Jewish-Christian seeking to live the Law of Moses as well as pagans worshiping the Roman/Greek gods.

We can see from this example that a partial baptism is just that. Not only must a person be baptized, but they must be baptized in Christ’s name, be taught about the atonement of Christ, and all of it done by one with proper authority from God. Finally, the authorized priest must lay hands on the person’s head so the person may receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

In Ephesus, the craftsmen who built idols of the Roman goddess Diana (Greek: Artemis) were jealous of Paul’s missionary success. He was killing their craft and trade, and so they caused an uproar against him, saying he had blasphemed Diana’s name. Diana was the virgin goddess of the hunt, sister of the god Apollo and daughter of Jupiter (Zeus). Diana means “heavenly” or “divine” and was called the Queen of Heaven by her followers.

Paul soon left and preached in Macedonia and elsewhere.

Paul bores a man to death with his preaching....
Acts 20

A few years ago, BYU professor Daniel C Peterson was involved in developing the Church curriculum for this chapter of the New Testament. In coming across the story of Paul preaching until midnight, and poor Eutychus falling asleep in the rafters, falling down dead, until Paul can restore him to life; Doctor Peterson decided to place in his comments a few funny questions. Basically he asked, “have you ever killed anyone with a talk you gave in Sacrament?” “If so, how did it make you feel?”

The questions actually went all the way through correlation, and he voluntarily pulled them out before publication.

However, the questions do have value. While I’d imagine most of us have not killed anyone with our Sacrament monologues, perhaps we have put many to sleep. Worse, maybe we’ve left many leaving uninspired or with nothing memorable to think about or to remember the talk.

Elder Jeffrey Holland spoke in General Conference a few years back on such an issue, saying,

“Now, at a time when our prophet is calling for more faith through hearing the word of God, we must revitalize and reenthrone superior teaching in the Church—at home, from the pulpit, in our administrative meetings, and surely in the classroom. Inspired teaching must never become a lost art in the Church, and we must make certain our quest for it does not become a lost tradition....
No eternal learning can take place without that quickening of the Spirit from heaven. So, parents, teachers, and leaders, we must face our tasks the way Moses faced the promised land. Knowing he could not succeed any other way, Moses said to Jehovah, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.”
I am just simple enough to think that if we continue to teach them—with the same Christlike spirit, conviction, doctrine, and personal interest the missionaries have shown them—new converts will not only stay with us but, quite literally, could not be kept away. “ (Elder Jeffrey Holland, “A Teacher Come From God”, May 1998 Ensign).

A few years ago at a stake conference I attended, Elder Holland noted that we need to “set our pulpits on fire” with the Spirit of God as the early prophets and apostles did.

While our uninspired and boring talks may not kill anyone in the congregation, it may be the thing that causes a weak member, convert or visitor to walk away disinterested, because we offered nothing heavenly and inspiring to them.

The Epistle to the Galatians

Another Gospel
Chapter 1

Paul made a bold statement to protect the gospel in his day from apostates’ false claims. Today, this is often misquoted by some Christians to show that other Christian faiths (such as Mormons) are evil:

“6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

Some modern Christians use this to claim that Mormons preach another gospel, and that the angel mentioned is Moroni. This claim may be useful to them, if it were not taken out of context. Just reading a few more verses explains much more:

“10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

The gospel Paul received was not given him by any man, but through revelation. Revelation that Paul received initially came from his vision Jesus Christ, but also by other revelations: angels, impressions from the Holy Ghost, and revelations shared by other apostles and prophets (like Peter). Paul was warning about regular men corrupting the teachings of Christ, perhaps claiming that an angel taught them something different. Why? Because beginning already in Paul’s day were men who were corrupting the gospel with false claims. Paul warned that after he left a region, “grievous wolves” would enter in to tear the flock with false doctrines (Acts 20:28-35). Some would later claim that the Jesus had already returned for the Second Coming, and others would insist that the resurrection was not a physical/bodily resurrection.

That Joseph Smith had a First Vision of Jesus Christ, telling him regarding the truth of religion, just as Jesus did for Paul, should help us realize that it was not another angel preaching another gospel, but it was God restoring gospel truth via revelation of Jesus Christ! Joseph Smith did not preach another gospel given him by an angel. He preached the same early gospel that Christ preached, but was taught to restore teachings and authority, even as Paul had to bring the proper authority and fullness of the gospel to places like Ephesus after others had gone before with only a portion of the gospel and authority with them.

Controversy over the Law of Moses

However, apostate concepts were already apparent among the Galatians, as Jewish-Christians came among them insisting that the members had to live by the Law of Moses. For several years, the young Christian Church had lived with the apostolic order that Gentiles did not have to abide the Law of Moses, yet here came members preaching false teachings!

Paul explained that the issue was already resolved years before in Jerusalem. By revelation, the Spirit sent Paul to Jerusalem to discuss the matter, and the apostles Peter,James and John spoke on behalf of the Gentile converts: they did not need to be circumcised nor follow the Law of Moses. A small list of laws were given for them to follow, including being chaste and not worshiping idols. But the Law of Moses would not apply to the Gentiles.

“9 And when James, Cephas (Peter), and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.”

The Galatians could live by the difficult law of Moses or by faith in Christ. The Law of Moses would not save them, but Christ could and would through faith on his name. This is not to say they didn’t have to keep commandments. It does mean they did not keep all the hundreds of commandments in the law of Moses. Instead, they lived a higher law: by growing in faith and repentance in Christ, they would naturally seek to serve Christ and their fellow man. Loving others, forgiving others, helping others would come naturally as an outpouring of the Holy Spirit due to their faith on Christ.

Paul explained that the promises were made to Abraham and his seed. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as well as the original Twelve Tribes of Israel did not live the Law of Moses and its many restrictions. They worked through faith, and were blessed and considered holy because of their faith.

Moses tried to bring Israel the fullness of the gospel and bring them into the presence of Christ at Mount Sinai (D&C 84:19-26). Israel refused to go up the mountain to see Christ, and so the Melchizedek Priesthood’s fullness was taken from them. They were given the lesser priesthood of Aaron/Levi, and the many rules of the Mosaic Law in the stead of the higher laws of Christ. Paul explained that the Law “was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). Once we find ourselves walking in the path of Christ’s fullness, we no longer need the Law of Moses, as we are now made holy in Christ and will walk by faith, and not by physical works of the Law of Moses.

“26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

By faith in Christ, repenting of our sins, and making a covenant with Christ through baptism, we put on Christ, or become Christ-like and holy. We become the family of Christ, the seed of Abraham and heirs of God through Christ.

Heirs of God through Christ

Paul continues in chapter four, explaining that we are all born slaves and servants on earth because of sin. We have no way to change our eternal path on our own. Without Jesus, we would forever be slaves to death and hell.

But God has seen fit to send us a Savior. We are spiritually adopted into the family of God through our covenant with Christ. We exercise faith in him, we repent, and we accept the covenant. In turn, he promises to make us the seed of Abraham and heirs of God.

“6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

Because of the Fall of Adam, we are out of God’s presence. Christ provides the reconciliation between the natural and spiritual man, so that we may be made holy and return as heirs of God into His presence.

Paul was afraid for the Galatians and he feared he wasted his time on them. For even after accepting the gospel, they were wont to go after other gods, They celebrated the festivals of the pagan gods, whether they lasted days, weeks or months. One cannot be a true son of God through Christ, if also proclaiming to follow other gods as well.

Abraham had two wives: Sarah and Hagar. One was called the daughter of God, the other lived and acted the part of a slave. The children of Israel were slaves in Egypt, but given the chance to be sons of the Divine at Mount Sinai. We and the Galatians both have to decide whether to remain slaves in unbelief, or rise above our current state and choose to be like Sarah: chosen by Jehovah to be his daughter and heir, knowing she would be faithful to Abraham, the covenant, and the Lord.

Finally, in chapter five Paul explains:

“6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”

It does not matter whether we are circumcised or not. Outward evidences are only useful as symbols of our inward love, faith and devotion to Christ and Heavenly Father. As the Lord explained through Moses:

“Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked” (Deut 10:16).

Paul taught that the commandments are important and necessary to keep. Obedience keeps us from following Satan and being in his power. Keeping the commandments may bring us earthly blessings and good fortune. But the keeping the commandments cannot save us. The Pharisees kept many commandments, rules, regulations, and even made up more to follow in order to build a wall of protection around the Torah (Books of Moses). Yet, these efforts only led them away from Christ, as they focused on the external changes, and not on changing from within.

We must BECOME Christ-like in order to be a son or daughter of God. This change occurs as we grow in faith and repent of our sins. The Holy Ghost inspires us to live righteously, and in following his inspiration, we naturally keep the commandments of God more and more, until we become perfected in Christ. We keep the commandments because we desire to be holy and find joy in being like Jesus. For those struggling with such a concept, we have repentance. We are called upon to keep commandments, and Paul gives a laundry list in Galatians of the commandments we need to follow. But we do not follow them as one would follow the Law of Moses, except that they become a schoolmaster to lead us to faith in Christ, where our faith fills us with the Holy Ghost, heals us, and makes us whole. We become true disciples of Christ, and heirs of God.


Bibliography

Diana: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_%28mythology%29

Elder Jeffrey Holland, “A Teacher Come from God”: http://lds.org/general-conference/1998/04/a-teacher-come-from-god?lang=eng

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 31: “And So Were the Churches Established in the Faith” Acts 15-18, 1&2 Thessalonians

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 31: “And So Were the Churches Established in the Faith”
Acts 15-18, 1&2 Thessalonians

Paul’s Balancing Act on Circumcision and the Law of Moses
Acts 15-16

As mentioned in the previous lesson regarding Acts 15, a large dispute occurred on whether the Gentiles needed to be circumcised or obey the Law of Moses. It was determined by a council in Jerusalem, headed by Peter and James that the Gentiles would not have to live under such a yoke.

However, in Acts 16, we see that Paul takes a new convert, Timothy, under his wing as a fellow missionary in Greece. In taking the young lad with him, Paul first circumcised him. Why, do this if the Gentiles were not required to be circumcised? After all, we are told that Timothy’s father was a Greek, and therefore he was at least half-Gentile. The reason was on account of the Jews they would encounter in the cities they would come to. The Jews were commanded to not listen to the unclean Gentiles preach. This would severely limit Paul’s efforts to first preach to the Jews in those quarters. Gentiles would not be concerned as to whether the person preaching to them was circumcised, but the Jews would be. So Timothy, whose mother was Jewish, was circumcised in order to serve effectively as a missionary.

Paul goes to Macedonia

Paul and his missionary companions went to many cities and towns on their mission. In some areas, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to enter. It is possible that they were forbidden because the areas were not yet ready to hear, or would even be violently opposed and seek to kill them. Eventually, the Spirit told Paul to go to Macedonia where people were prepared to receive him.

Macedonia is a north-eastern state in Greece. Just 375 years earlier, Macedonia was an independent nation, ruled by Philip II of Macedonia. When Philip was assassinated, his son, Alexander II became king. This Alexander would continue his father’s dream of conquest and ruling the world. Alexander the Great would go on to conquer Greece, Persia, the Levant (where Israel is), Egypt and to the borders with India. With his conquest, Alexander brought with him the philosophy, education, and culture of Greece. Centuries later, even under the Roman Empire, people would still use Greek as the common language.

Having success in city after city, Paul eventually arrived in Thyatira, where a woman possessed of a “spirit of divination” cried out telling everyone that he and his companions were “servants of the Most High God” and told people to listen to them. Fearing that such a woman would harm his efforts more than help, he cast the demon from her, and she lost the gift of divination. Just as Jesus silenced demons who cried out at him, so Paul would also silence the possessed woman.

The owners of the woman, as she would have been a slave and misused to enrich her owners, were angry at the loss of income and riled the city up against the missionaries. Beaten and then imprisoned with their feet in stocks, a miracle occurred that night. An earthquake occurred, breaking down the prison doors and some walls. The jailer feared the prisoners had escaped, and readied to kill himself, as he would be tortured to death for their escape, when Paul calmed him and told him the prisoners remained in the prison. Such an example of faith amazed the guard, and he asked Paul how he too may be saved. The guard and his family were baptized that night.

In the morning, the centurion (leader of 100 Roman soldiers) ordered Paul and his friends released. But Paul insisted on an audience, refusing to be beaten in public and then released quietly. Learning that Paul was a Roman citizen, they feared retribution from Caesar, and so begged Paul’s forgiveness and that he would leave the area.

Paul had some success in Thessalonica, but false witnesses were brought forth to cause a riot. Paul had to leave town and went to Berea, where the missionaries had much success. For some reason, evil men cannot leave the gospel alone, even when it isn’t in their own town. Those Jewish Thessalonians who sought to destroy Paul came to Berea to try again. Paul fled again, this time to Athens.

Athens and Mars Hill

Athens was a cosmopolitan place, and the center of Greek philosophy, gods and culture. In the city were several schools of philosophy: from the Sophists and Cynics, to the followers of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle. There were also found the temples and altars to many of the Greek and Roman gods, as well as other gods picked up along the way from other nations.

Paul saw the whole city caught up in idolatry. He even disputed in the synagogues with the Jews because of his concerns. The Jews of Athens were obviously worshiping the Greek gods along with their worship of Jehovah.

Mars Hill, or Areopagus, was a place where philosophers and religionists met to discuss ideas and faith and to hear new things. Paul was invited by some philosophers of the Epicurean and Stoic schools to preach on Mars Hill, for he brought with him concepts they had not considered before, such as a human god named Jesus and of resurrection.

Paul was not interested in being a circus side show attraction, by introducing his teachings as completely new to the Greeks, who prided themselves in the age-old beliefs and religions they espoused.

“22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To the Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.”

Paul was going to teach them something they already should have known. The Unknown God was an ancient God of the Greeks that they simply knew nothing about. Paul was to teach them that this unknown God was the only real God, and was going to show them how they were mistaken in worshiping any others.

“ 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;”

This unknown God has created all things. He does not need to be created by man’s hands or need to have people bring food sacrifices to him, as though he needs to eat. Temples are not needed for God to exist. He can be accessed anywhere, especially for Gentiles who did not have access to the Jerusalem temple, God could be personally reached through prayer and faith.

“26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”

Here is an ancient Jewish concept that was lost during the Deuteronomic Reformation of the Jewish King Josiah. Ancient Jews believed that God was anthropomorphic - man like. He was not made by hand of any material, such as gold, silver, wood, stone, etc. Instead, Paul explained that the relationship is that of a literal father-child. God is the “Man in Heaven” and Jesus is the “Son of Man in Heaven” (John 3:13). Jesus and his apostles sought to restore this ancient concept of man’s true relationship with Heavenly Father, and here Paul clarifies it to the idolatrous Athenians.

God “winked at” the concept of God being something else besides our Father, but now with the coming of Christ and his apostles, this ancient belief was again restored. Sadly, the concept would again be lost for centuries among Christians. The early Christians from about 300 AD on would embrace Hellenist (Greek) beliefs that God is an unknown Spirit that is made of pure matter utterly different than the stuff we are made from. Somehow, with the exception of Jesus, God in this concept is unable to make something that is his literal offspring. For centuries the concept of the Trinity not being human-like and of a different substance than his greatest creation (mankind) has held many Christians from fully understanding our true nature and relationship with God. Yet Paul understood and taught it to the same Greeks who came up with the concept of a God that is the Unmoved Mover.

Thankfully God has chosen to restore this ancient teaching again in our day through modern prophets and apostles, such as Joseph Smith. We again know that God IS anthropomorphic, the “Man in Heaven” and we are his offspring. This will be a concept that Paul will discuss again in his epistles, emphasizing this great teaching that was long lost among the Jews.

Paul’s Epistles

At this point, we should look at the overall view of scholars regarding Paul’s epistles. The epistles we currently have were gathered together around 380 AD by St Jerome as he wrote the Latin Vulgate Bible. Jerome went through many books and epistles that were available in his day, and tried to determine which ones were authentic, and which were not. Occasionally, politics entered into his decision making. To have the western portion of the Church accept his list of approved books meant he had to include Hebrews and Revelation, though he personally believed they were not originally from Paul and John.

Today, scholars have determined that only about half of the epistles of Paul were actually written by the apostle. The remainder were possibly written by some of his followers or others who created forgeries - a very common practice in the first few centuries of Christianity, as different Christian sects sought to impose their views upon all Christians.

The Pauline epistles are now separated into three groups by modern scholars: authentic Pauline epistles, those which are disputed to be authentic by various scholars, and those that are very likely or definitely not written by Paul.

The epistles that are generally undisputed are: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon.

Those that are disputed by scholars on authenticity: Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians - these are known as the Deutero-Pauline epistles, as a second person(s) who may have known Paul most likely wrote these.

Finally come the Pastoral-Pauline epistles, which were most likely written by someone else: 1 & 2 Timothy, and Titus.

Whether they were actually written by Paul or not, they are accepted by Christians as inspired writings that can help us understand concepts and teachings of the early Christian Church.

1 Thessalonians

First Thessalonians was probably written by the year 52 AD, and is believed to be the oldest written book of the New Testament. Paul wrote the epistle either in Corinth or Athens. Most of the letter was written to encourage the Christians of Thessalonica, due to the persecutions they were suffering. The last two chapters, however, are doctrinal.

Paul had taught in the area of Thessalonica on at least two occasions. This is the first known epistle of Paul to the members in that unruly and violent city.

Just a note or two on 1 Thessalonica then. In chapter 4, Paul discusses the hope of the second coming with the Thessalonians, as a hope that their tribulations will one day end.

“ 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

We see that the Second Coming will be a grand event. Jesus will “descend from heaven with a shout” and a trump or in a manner that all shall know. The dead shall resurrect. At that time, the holy saints of Christ will also be raptured and caught up to be with the Lord. Whether those who are caught up are resurrected at that time, or are changed to a semi-immortal state called “translation” is not apparent. Many LDS believe that at this moment, those caught up will be translated, and later will be resurrected.

Translation is the sudden changing of the body from its mortal state to a semi-immortal state. From this, a person shall never taste death, but shall change in the “twinkling of an eye” into a fully immortal state at resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Some Christians believe that this and a couple other verses refer to a pre-tribulation rapture, where the righteous will be caught up 3 ½ years before the Coming of Christ, and all others will be Left Behind (as in the book series). A close study of the scripture, however, notes that this translation or rapture comes AT the time of the Second Coming, and not before. We see that the dead resurrect and that Christ comes with a loud trump and voice. These are not events of a pre-tribulation, where the righteous escape the horrors of the last days, but instead are events that occur in the midst of such tribulations. Jesus comes in his Second Coming to save the day. He will rescue both physical and spiritual Israel against their enemies in the physical and spiritual world. The righteous dead will resurrect. The righteous living will be caught up to be with Christ.

To show even more conclusively that this event ties to the Coming of Christ in glory, we need only jump over to chapter five. When Paul wrote his epistle, there were no chapters, headings, etc. These have all been added in modern scripture for ease of use. But for Paul, our chapter 4 and 5 were part of the same thought.

“ 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
....
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

If there is a rapture 3 ½ years before the tribulation, then why must the saints be watchful for the sudden destruction at Christ’s coming? Instead, they would prepare for the rapture and avoid the destruction altogether.

In his final words, Paul gives a laundry list of things the Thessalonians should do to be good Christians and be prepared for the Second Coming of Christ:

“15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

These are important enough to think about and ponder how well we do them:
1. Do not be mean to those who are mean to you.

2. Always rejoice. How often do we grumble and complain? How can we grumble and rejoice at the same time? Obviously, if we focus on Christ and his Coming, we may rejoice through all our tribulations. Otherwise, the trials of life will seem overwhelming.

3. When you aren’t on your knees, carry a prayer in your heart. This keeps us ever remembering the important things. It is hard to sin when we are praying.

4. Give thanks in all things. When did you thank God for your last trial or hardship? Was there a hidden blessing in that trial that you missed because you forgot to be grateful?

5. Do not quench the Holy Ghost. How can we have inspiration, revelation, comfort, peace, joy and the other gifts of the Spirit, if we douse out its flame? Keep the fire of the Holy Ghost burning bright.

6. Prophesy, both ancient and modern is for us. It may make us feel uncomfortable at times. It may not always be politically correct. We may not always agree, but we must not despise it.

7. Do not take things at face value. Too many people reject the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or Christ because of some problematic concern. A true seeker of truth and light will actually prove it and all things. If a pastor tells someone to not read the Book of Mormon, how are we proving it? We remain in ignorance and cannot make a full decision regarding whether it is God’s word or not. And once proved, we must hold onto that thing.

8. Abstain from all evil. Just don’t do it. Evil comes because we give into it. No one forces it from us.

These concepts will help prepare us well for the Coming of Christ in glory.

2 Thessalonians

This letter was probably written between 52-54 AD, shortly after the first epistle. It is considered a pseudo-epistle because although it has a colophon that states Paul wrote it, its style is very different than the other Pauline epistles. Still, of all the pseudepigrapha (questionable books) it has perhaps the most evidence towards it actually being authentic.

The Thessalonians had a major concern on the timing of Christ’s Second Coming. Paul’s first letter obviously confused many of the members into thinking the event was imminent. It caused a lot of contention and confusion among them and required Paul to explain the Second Coming and the timing for it.

“ 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thess 2).

Paul clarifies that there are yet things to occur prior to the Second Coming of Christ. the Son of Perdition, or Anti-Christ, must set himself up as God in the temple. Paul states that this being is hidden for a purpose, but the day would come when he would be fully revealed (vs 8), and it is finally in that day when Christ will come, reveal the anti-Christ, and destroy him.

The term “falling away” can also be translated as “apostasy.” Some consider this the sign of a Great Apostasy away from Christ, to a worship of the Son of Perdition who sets himself up as a replacement for the Savior.

Over the centuries, many have been viewed as this anti-Christ, including the early entrant and Roman Emperor Nero (who blamed the Christians for burning Rome) and the Pope. Given that Nero never actually sat on God’s throne in the temple, and that the Pope preaches people to follow Christ and not him, it is safe to say that neither of these qualify as the actual son of Perdition.

But it will be a person with much power and influence in the world. We may never know in our lifetime who it is, as the person may not be revealed to us. But we can watch to see if anyone attempts to set him/herself up as a savior for mankind in the ways of economics, world government, and giving people hope during a period of intense trials. Many will be caught up in such a charismatic leader who offers earthly salvation from hardship and risk.

Interestingly, we live in a day unlike any day since Christianity took hold in the western world. We now have Christian nations that are no longer Christian, but are secular. People no longer look to Christ for answers, happiness, salvation and hope; rather to their governments, leaders, movie and rock stars. It would not be hard for such a Son of Perdition to set himself up in God’s temple today, offering happiness to those who are willing to follow.

Conclusion

There is only one Christ and one God. God Most High is the Unknown God of the Greeks. He has always been, even though we’ve often been ignorant of him. It is easy to follow after idols and gods of our own choosing. Having curiosity to learn of new things, we grow tired of old philosophies and religions, and seek to sate our thirst with odd novelties.

Such a stance as the philosophers had on Mars Hill can only lead us nowhere. There is but one God Almighty and his son, Jesus Christ. Our relationship is apparent in that we are God’s offspring. Yet many of us choose to seek after a more charismatic savior or philosophy that can save us from the doldrums of truth and earth life.

But though they may seem to offer us eternal fun and peace, their promise only holds as long as the paper bag it is in holds up. True hope, joy, peace, and power comes from turning to God through Christ and his atonement. He will help us through our trials. He will heal us. Through Christ we are resurrected and forgiven of sins. We are not bound by any philosophies of men that offer something less than the best.

Satan will offer us charismatic counterfeits of perdition. But the real hope comes from God’s true grace, Jesus Christ.


Bibliography

Authorship of the Pauline Epistles: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorship_of_the_Pauline_epistles

1 Thessalonians: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Epistle_to_the_Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Epistle_to_the_Thessalonians