New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 9 - Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God - Matthew 6-7

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 9 - Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
Matthew 6-7

This week is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount. Last week’s blog discussed how the Sermon on the Mount, and particularly the Beatitudes, were stepping stones to prepare us to be like God and to return to his presence. The expectation and command Jesus gave his disciples was, “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which art in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). While we can determine that no one is absolutely perfect in mortality, it does seem that we can become perfect in a fashion acceptable to the Savior. The word “perfect” meant “completed” or “finished” as in the potter proclaiming his prize pot of clay completed/finished and ready to be used.

In this lesson, Jesus gives specifics of ways to achieve that perfection in a variety of activities and actions that the Jews did frequently according to the Mosaic Law.

Alms, Prayer and Fasting
Matthew 6:1-18

Alms

The Mosaic Law was a very visible one. Sacrifices were performed at the temple, where all could see whether you were wealthy enough to sacrifice a lamb, or among the poor who would offer a pair of turtle doves. One wore tefilin (scriptures in a small box attached to the wrist or forehead) as an outward display of continual devotion to God. The annual ritual festivals of Passover, Tabernacles, Atonement, and others, were very significant to the Jews. Many made the pilgrimage from throughout the Greek world to attend such festivals. To attend was an outward sign of one’s faith.

The Mosaic Law was, as we can see, based on outward expressions. For the prophets, these outward expressions were to display the inward motives and desires of the true believer. However, by Jesus’ time, inward motives were ignored as the outward expressions seemed sufficient to the religious leaders of the day. Jesus would show them that outward expressions were meaningless.

Alms was the paying of tithes and offerings in order to help the poor and finance the work of the temple. Many saw it as an opportunity to promote themselves, and so when they paid their alms, they made sure everyone else saw. Imagine an actor today announcing he has donated $1 million for a children’s cause. What was the purpose of announcing the donation? Would such an announcement induce others to also contribute to the cause? Probably not as many as one would think. The main purpose, then, was to use the charitable event as self promotion.

Jewish leaders and the rich were paying alms for the same reason. It increased their popularity, made them feel good, and they received applause from their rich friends.

However, in Jesus’ view, things were different:

“41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
“42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
“43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
“44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living” (Matthew 12:41-44).

Jesus knew that many of the rich had gained their wealth off the backs of the poor. To have someone drop $5 thousand dollars into the bucket may seem like a lot of money, but not if the person is a millionaire. Perhaps this is the reason Jesus tested the rich man who kept the commandments, calling on him to sell all he had and give it to the poor, “and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).

So, how much should we pay in alms or offerings? The Christian author C.S. Lewis suggested, “I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.”

Prayer

As for prayer, we are taught not to pray like the hypocrites, who do it openly in order to be seen of men. Perhaps the greatest thought I’ve seen on this come from Donna Nielson, who notes at her Connections blog a quote on prayer by Sadhu Sundar Singh, a Christian convert from Hinduism:

"The essence of prayer does not consist in asking for things, but in opening one’s heart to God. Prayer is continual abandonment to God. It is the desire for God himself, the giver of life. Prayer is communion with God, receiving him who is the giver of all good gifts, living a life of fellowship with him. It is breathing and living in God.
“A little child will run to his mother exclaiming: “Mother! Mother!” The child does not necessarily want anything in particular. He only wants to be near his mother, to sit on her lap, or to follow her about the house. The child longs for the sheer pleasure of being near her, talking to her, hearing her voice. This is what makes him happy.
“It is just the same with those who are truly God’s children. They do not trouble themselves with asking for spiritual blessings. They only want to sit at the Master’s feet, to be in living touch with him; then they are supremely content."

Prayer is our way to be with God, even here in mortality. When we forget those around us, and focus on being with God, giving ourselves fully to Him for those few precious moments, then we are in touch with Him, and He with us.

Fasting

Fasting goes hand in hand with prayer. It prepares our physical body to receive spiritual renewal. Our lives are constantly met with the pangs of hunger for physical nourishment and attention. Fasting allows us to put off the natural man for a time, and take upon ourselves the spiritual person. It is the overcoming of the outward appearance and needs, and focusing upon the inward spiritual contact with God. For the person who “uglifies” himself outwardly so that others may see him fast, he has his reward. It is the attention of those mortals around him. Yet such action denies the beauty one should seek by quietly fasting, throwing off temptation and appetites, and lifting one’s spirit to heaven so as to touch the face of God.

Treasures in heaven and earth
Matthew 6:19-34

The Savior then speaks concerning the “root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Whatever our real treasure is, that is where our heart is, and that is where our reward is.

I work as a counselor and hearing officer (judge) in a state prison. I often have to talk with individuals who have made very poor choices in their lives. Often, bad choices made within the prison system requires me to lengthen their prison stay. This often means children will not have father home as soon as they had hoped. I often ask the offender whether they love their children. They always answer, “yes.” I then ask them why they would risk months or years more in prison by using drugs, assault another, etc., if their children are waiting for them to come home soon. I point out that their behavior shows where their treasure truly is. I have no doubt they love their kids. But I’m convinced that they love their addiction or violence even more.

In 2011 as I write this, millions of Americans risk home foreclosure, bankruptcy, or other serious financial stress. The federal and many state governments are awash in red tape. Many are out of work, or working at jobs that do not pay what they are worth. Sadly, much of this is due to the choices and actions made by those same Americans. Americans in the government wished to stimulate the economy, and so made buying a house affordable and easy. The put pressure on financial institutions to open up the piggy bank to more and more individuals, regardless of their ability to pay. The financial institutions, seeing green, convinced home buyers they could afford more home than they really could. Home buyers took out second and third mortgages to buy furniture to put inside the home. Each American involved showed where their heart was at.

For those Mormons (and others) who listened to President Gordon B. Hinckley’s prophetic warnings of economic hardships, of getting out of debt, paying off one’s modest home, and preparing for hard times, they now have the blessing of being able to better weather this economic Great Recession.

In the long run, we cannot serve two masters. Elder Jeffrey Holland said, “such people know they should have their primary residence in Zion, but they still hope to keep a summer cottage in Babylon.”

When we think of those in the scriptures, or those around us, who have traded their birthright for a mess of pottage (vegetable soup), we cannot understand how they could be so foolish. Yet, because most of us place at least some worldly treasures in our hearts, we all find ourselves in folly. This is not to say we cannot live a comfortable life. It means we need to ensure God is first and foremost, and that when given a choice, we eagerly and quickly resolve to follow God.

“28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
“29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
“30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
“ 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
“ 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
“ 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Mat 6:28-33).

While not all of us will be clothed in this life with the silks and linens worn by Solomon, we can look forward to the white garments that will be placed upon the righteous as they enter heaven. And while our meals may often be meager in this life, nothing will compare to partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Life, or sitting at the marriage feast of the Savior.

Enoch and Isaiah sought God first, and were clothed in white garments that showed forth the glory of God in them. As Isaiah spoke with the dead prophets, he was told,

“And many will change the honour of the garments of the saints for the garments of the covetous, and there will be much respect of persons in those days and lovers of the honour of this world” (Ascension of Isaiah 3:25).

Compare the wicked to the righteous:

“But the saints will come with the Lord with their garments which are (now) stored up on high in the seventh heaven: with the Lord they will come, whose spirits are clothed, they will descend and be present in the world, and He will strengthen those, who have been found in the body, together with the saints, in the garments of the saints, and the Lord will minister to those who have kept watch in this world” (ibid ch 4:16).

As Isaiah ascended the levels of heaven, he reached the 7th heaven where the beginning of the most holy heavens began:

“AND he (the angel) took me into the air of the seventh heaven, and moreover I heard a voice (one of the sentinels) saying: ‘How far will he (Isaiah) ascend that dwelleth in the flesh?’ And I feared and trembled.
“And when I trembled, behold, I heard from hence another voice being sent forth, and saying: ‘It is permitted to the holy Isaiah to ascend hither; for here is his garment’” (ch 9:1-2).

God seeks to clothe us with wonderful white garments, even as the white lilies of the field are clothed by God. But we must have our treasure in heaven, if we wish to obtain such a treasure as this.

More Celestial Teachings
Matthew 7

Judging and Hypocrites

In the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, we are taught “Judge not unrighteously”. This is a major change to what we read in the KJV. Still, it is important that we use care in any judgments we do. Often, we do not know the whole story behind an event or decision, and so are only judging with a partial understanding. While God can see the thoughts and desires of all men, including their life struggles that brought them to where they are, we can only see a brief moment of behaviors. We may not see how the murderer was abused as a child, or how the addict was directed to drugs by his parents. While this does not excuse behavior, it allows God to judge it differently than we are able to do so.

Often our judgment is clouded by personal beliefs, perceptions, and idiosyncrasies. There are many good Christians who believe Mormons are a cult and will burn in hell, regardless of whether they proclaim Jesus their personal Savior or not. There was a time when some white people did not believe blacks had souls, or to give them full rights as citizens would destroy the nation. There are many who believe the earth is only 6000 years old and those who do not believe it will be damned.

Such are the beams or wood planks that inflict our own spiritual vision. We cannot help save others if we insist on fiercely holding onto our own perceptions and beliefs. Jesus said that all who believe in him and follow him will be saved. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that there are exceptions to this rule. Nowhere in scripture does it say blacks are without souls, or are the descendants of Cain. And both the Creationist and Evolutionist have a seat at Jesus’ supper.

Our responsibility is to use judgment with great care, ensuring we are not turning Christ’s pure and sacred doctrine into a Pharisaical set of complex rules geared towards condemning all but our own group.

Sacred Pearls

Some things the world is not ready for. Sacred things are often made trivial by being made common place. When Jesus cleansed the temple of the money changers, those charging exorbitant prices to travelers who wanted to exchange foreign money for local money and animals for sacrifice, he showed the importance of keeping sacred things sacred.

Places, doctrines, and experiences may all be sacred. God often uses holy space (Eden, Sinai, temple) as a place to speak with mankind. His doctrines are sacred, and He often gives us “line upon line” as we are ready for it, so that we do not reject or ignore it. At Sinai, Israel was not ready for the doctrine of Christ, and so were given the lower law of Moses (D&C 84:19-27). Moses and Joshua were commanded to remove their shoes in sacred places. Isaiah, Enoch, Moriancumer, Jacob, Abraham, Moses stood in the presence of God; what experience could be greater than that?

Yet, many people today speak of such sacred things in such common ways. Many Christians will share their most sacred experiences to just about anyone around them. They do not realize they are taking sacred experiences and events, and tossing them before swine. Swine are the unclean; those who are not truly interested in the sacred. Swine are those who constantly dwell in filth, and root around in the mud to fulfill their personal appetites.

When we keep things sacred, God knows he can trust us with more sacred experiences. So when we ask him for a fish, he will give us a fish. He desires to give us good things, but only as we are ready for them (Alma 29:8).

Beware of False Prophets

The warning concerning false prophets is one often tossed out at Mormons: Jesus warned about false prophets, therefore Mormon prophets must be false ones.

Herein lies the fallacy of that assumption. The Bible continues to have prophets (Acts 21:10), and even John the Revelator prophesied of two prophets who would dwell in Jerusalem in the last days (Rev 11). If there are to be no more prophets after Jesus, then Agabus and the two prophets foreseen by John must be false prophets. Yet, they are not.

What Jesus warns about is that there are false prophets among us, and we must learn to distinguish them from the true prophets. How do we tell a true prophet from a false one? By his fruits. We do not believe any of the prophets to have been perfect, and we even see mistakes among some of them in the Bible. But we should be able to study their main teachings and acts, and see if they are generally good or evil. It is easy to see a self-proclaimed prophet like Jim Jones as a false prophet, because his actions led to the death and murder of his congregation. It is not as easy when a prophet foresees things in the far distant future, or makes claims that tend to turn everything on its head.

For the Pharisees and Sadduccees, Jesus was such a prophet. His teachings turned theirs upside down. It required each of them to look at how they were praying, fasting, giving alms, and preaching. That Jesus also told them that it wasn’t enough to say, “Lord, Lord, haven’t I done this marvelous thing” in order to be saved. Such was what the Pharisees were already doing, when they said, “look at me! I’m praying/fasting/giving alms!”

For the Lord, it meant learning the true doctrine of Christ, teaching it, and living it. This is how one becomes a true disciple of Jesus, and how we can tell if a person is a true prophet or not. For if we believe, truly believe, in Jesus with all our heart, then we will want to be his true disciple and follow his example.

Bibliography

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (on Alms giving - Google books): http://tinyurl.com/4be65yr

Connections: Sitting at the Master’s Feet (on prayer): http://donna-connections.blogspot.com/2011/02/sitting-at-masters-feet.html

President Gordon B. Hinckley, “To the Boys and to the Men”, Nov 1998 Ensign: http://lds.org/ensign/1998/11/to-the-boys-and-to-the-men?lang=eng

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Best is Yet to Be”, Jan 2010 Liahona:
http://lds.org/liahona/2010/01/the-best-is-yet-to-be?lang=eng

Book of Enoch: http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/boe/boe074.htm

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

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 8: The Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 8: The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5




The Law and the Prophets

“17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
“18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

For most Christians, we see the teachings of Jesus as an altogether different religion than that found in the Old Testament. In reality, Jesus did not replace the Law of Moses, but fulfilled or transcended it with a higher law. In Jesus’ teachings, we do not find a rejection of the Mosaic Law, but a newer and higher interpretation of it.

The purpose of all prophets is to get the people prepared to enter into the presence of God and experience personally the glory of the Almighty. D&C 84 teaches us that this is what Moses had in mind when he took Israel to Mount Sinai, immediately after escaping the Egyptians at the Red Sea.

“19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
“20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
“21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
“22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
“23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God. (D&C 84)”

It goes further and explains that because Israel refused to enter into God’s presence, and chose instead to rebel and worship the golden calf, they were given the lesser Aaronic priesthood with its gift of ministering angels instead of the Melchizedek Priesthood and its gift of the mystery of godliness, or to stand in God’s presence and have Him revealed personally to them. Along with the lesser priesthood, the Israelites received a lesser, terrestrial set of laws and rules to follow, called the Mosaic Law, or Law of Moses. This included the Ten Commandments, and hundreds of other rules that each person was expected to abide by.

Jesus did not tell people to stop following the Ten Commandments, stop paying tithes, stop praying, or stop eating according to the dietary commandments of the Mosaic Law. Instead, he gave the people key principles of the higher law to abide by.

Today, General Authorities of the Church encourage us to focus on the key doctrines and principles of the gospel. For example, President Boyd K. Packer stated:

"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior."

The key doctrines and principles never change. However, the implementation of certain teachings, practices, and policies can change. Why? Because they are not at the foundation of all the doctrines and principles God gives us.

“Thou shalt not kill” is forever important, but not as great or challenging a law as “whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”

“Thou shalt not commit adultery” is just the beginning of the Law of Chastity, wherein Christ warns us against lusting in our hearts.

Swearing oaths and keeping them is important in the Mosaic Law. Even more important is to always speak the truth, so one does not have to make oaths in the first place.

“An eye for an eye, tooth for tooth” is important for Israelites who were used to killing the person who harmed them. Forgiving is a very difficult thing to do, but is the higher order of things. Imagine the end of violence, because people and nations forgave, rather than seeking vengeance.

And, instead of loving only your neighbors (dear friends), you must even love your enemies. How often have we actually prayed for those who seek us harm? How often have we sought to forgive them with all our heart? For Jesus, this higher way of doing things, tied to the higher priesthood, was the way for one to become perfect, even as God is perfect. The term used here actually means “completed” or “finished.” We are pottery in God’s hands. We will either end up a completed and finished pot that can be used, or tossed. We get to choose how well we work under His guiding fingers. We can form smoothly into a masterpiece, or resist Him and become dross.

As we’ve seen so far, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus focused on key doctrines and principles, and the correct way to implement them. There is the terrestrial/Mosaic Law method, and then the higher method of the celestial/Law of Christ.

The Beatitudes

In the Book of Matthew, there are 8 Beatitudes. The term in Latin means, “Blessed.” It can be compared to Luke’s version at the Sermon on the Plain, where Luke has 4 Blessed, contrasted with 4 Woes (Luke 6). According to some scholars, the Beatitudes are part of the early sayings of Jesus found in an original source (called “Q” or Quelle, source) used by both Matthew and Luke to write their gospels. Many believe that Luke used a literal translation from the source, so that “the poor” were those who were physically hungry and homeless. Matthew, then, used the spiritual reading of “Q” and so we read, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

In the Sermon at the Temple in Bountiful, the Book of Mormon actually adds a few Beatitudes to the beginning of the list. Jesus proclaimed:

“...Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am.
“2 And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins. (3 Nephi 12)”

Jesus taught in the previous chapter that the Doctrine of Christ consists in a few key things. First, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost “are one.” Then Jesus explained that his doctrine also consisted in Faith in Christ, Repentance, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins (and we could add other ordinances to this), and receiving the baptism of fire, the Gift of the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 11:31-40). In Jesus’ continued teachings to the Nephites, he will frequently refer back to these two concepts: unity, and the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. He will tell the Nephites they must be one, even as the Godhead is one, and that the principles and ordinances are the stepping stones to achieving this.

In studying the Beatitudes, we find they are a step-by-step approach to becoming perfected (e.g., completed), or prepared to be one with the Godhead, ready to enter into the presence of God, as Christ restored the key of the higher priesthood: the mystery of godliness, or seeing God’s face. And in this, the culminating concept given us in Matthew chapter 5 is:

“48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

Or, as the resurrected and perfected/completed/glorified Christ commanded the Nephites:

“48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect. (3 Ne 11)”

Bibliography

Beatitudes in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatitudes

Beatitudes in Catholic Encyclopedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02371a.htm

Jim F’s Notes on Lesson 8: http://feastuponthewordblog.org/2011/02/06/nt-sunday-school-lesson-8-jf-matthew-5/

Feasting on the Word: Great site on the Scriptures: http://feastupontheword.org/Site:SS_lessons

Boyd K. Packer, "Do Not Fear", May 2004 Ensign: http://lds.org/liahona/2004/05/do-not-fear?lang=eng

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 7: “[He] Took Our Infirmities, and Bare Our Sicknesses” Mark 1-5, Luke 7

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 7: “[He] Took Our Infirmities, and Bare Our Sicknesses”
Mark 1-5, Luke 7

The Bible begins with the 4 gospels. Gospel literally means “good news”, and so these 4 books talk of the good news of the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just how old the earliest writings for the gospels are is questionable, because the earliest fragments are much later than the time of Christ. The earliest Matthew fragment is from 150-200 AD. Luke’s earliest known writing is from 175-250 AD. John’s earliest copy is from 125-160 AD. And the earliest Mark fragment available comes from about 350 AD!

Strangely enough, according to many Bible scholars, Matthew and Luke are based upon the gospel of Mark, even though we do not have earlier copies of the text. It is believed that Mark was originally written around 70 AD, and that Matthew and Luke were written later, using Mark as one of two main sources for their versions of the gospel. This belief is based upon a few concepts. First, Mark tends to be a simpler written book than the others. Second, Matthew and Luke both share common stories from Mark, often elaborating on such stories.

The other source believed to be used for Matthew and Luke is called “Q” for “Quelle” (German for “source”). This contains many of the sayings of Jesus.

One LDS view is that Matthew, or portions of Matthew may be older than Mark, because it is quoted in the Book of Mormon. Yet, we must note that the main portion quoted by Jesus is the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), which does not have any similar story or discourse in the book of Mark. Basically, Matthew may have used Mark for a source for the miracles and some teachings, while using a separate source for the greatest Sermon of Jesus’ teachings.

John the Baptist’s role
Mark 1

Mark explains quickly the difference between what John and Jesus came to preach.

“4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

When John the Baptist returned to restore the Aaronic Priesthood, by ordaining Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, he told them that this lesser priesthood “holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins” (D&C 13).

With John, we see a direct connection between repentance, baptism, and remission of sins. This shows that baptism is a requirement for entrance into the Celestial Kingdom (see also John 3:5). Yet, John also foresaw the coming of Christ, the Messiah.

“14 Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
“15And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14-15).

Not only would Jesus preach the gospel of repentance that John brought, but he would also bring forth the gospel, or good news, of the kingdom of God! He showed that repentance and belief went hand in hand as the first principles of the gospel.

Jesus teaches and performs miracles

There were many in Judea willing to preach to the people. Among the people were Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots, scribes, priests, and laymen, ready to share their views on Judaism. But Jesus did not teach as they did:

“22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”

Mark wrote his gospel to the Romans. It is believed Mark was a close disciple and friend of Peter’s, and thus wrote down Peter’s teachings regarding the life of Christ. In his focus on Jesus, he sought to impress the Romans with Jesus’ miracles, so that they would also believe his words. Rome and Greece were filled with philosophers and teachers of great renown. Mark would need to distinguish Jesus from such studious scholars by focusing on how the Savior taught and performed differently than they all.

Jesus did not teach like the scribes, who spent their lives studying the texts of the prophets and Moses. He taught with power and authority, which was backed up by his miracles.

This power and authority is plainly shown by the story of the man sick with palsy. Jesus was in the house of Peter’s mother (where he stayed while in Capernaum), a house that was filled with listeners and the sick. Men broke the roof and lowered their palsied friend down to Jesus inside the home, in order to heal him.

“5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
“6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
“7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
“8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
“9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
“10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
“11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house” (Mark 2).

In this instance, the scribes questioned not only Jesus’ teachings, but his authority and power. Jesus showed through this miracle that he not only had the power to heal the man with palsy, but to forgive his sins. His logic was impeccable, for if he had the power to do the more difficult thing, heal the man, then he should also have the power to do the easier, forgive him.

Not only did Jesus have the power to forgive, he had the power to make that which was unclean, clean. In the Mosaic Law, much focus and effort is placed on establishing what is clean and unclean, from the food Jews ate, to the things they touched.

In the miracles noted in the lesson, Jesus raised two people from the dead: Jairus’ daughter and the widow’s son. Dead people were definitely considered unclean, and the individual that touched the dead was considered unclean for several days, after which the person went through a cleansing ceremony.

Lepers were considered very unclean, to the extent that a person declared a leper was normally sent out of the city and to locations established especially for lepers. Those who would see a leper would point a finger and accuse the person, “Unclean! Unclean!”

Yet Jesus did not treat lepers in this manner. Instead, he made them clean. And as he made physical lepers clean from disease, he can heal spiritual lepers of sin. As he raised the dead back to mortal life, he can raise us to immortality and eternal life.

The Secret Book of Mark

Since this lesson is primarily on the book of Mark, it seemed a great place to discuss the Secret Book of Mark.

In 1958, Bible scholar Morton Smith found a letter in the back of an old book that was from Clement of Alexandria (a disciple of Peter). In this letter, he discussed a second book of Mark, known as the Secret Book of Mark. Smith took years to painstakingly translate and explain the document. However, some critics claimed it was a forgery and attacked it. The discussion still is ongoing in the Biblical Archaeological Review magazine, however more and more scholars now see it as authentic.

In the letter, Clement commends Theodore for silencing the Carpocratians, a Gnostic Christian sect. The Carpocratians claimed to have secret knowledge of Christ, but Clement insists that the secret knowledge was passed from Peter to Mark, and that Mark made two gospels: a standard one for the average follower, and then a secret gospel for the more spiritual.

“Thus he composed a more spiritual Gospel for the use of those who were being perfected. Nevertheless, he yet did not divulge the things not to be uttered, nor did he write down the hierophantic teaching of the Lord, but to the stories already written he added yet others and, moreover, brought in certain sayings of which he knew the interpretation would, as a mystagogue, lead the hearers into the innermost sanctuary of that truth hidden by seven veils. Thus, in sum, he prepared matters, neither grudgingly nor incautiously, in my opinion, and, dying, he left his composition to the church in 1, verso Alexandria, where it even yet is most carefully guarded, being read only to those who are being initiated into the great mysteries.“

Quoting from the Secret Book of Mark, Clement tells us:

"And they come into Bethany. And a certain woman whose brother had died was there. And, coming, she prostrated herself before Jesus and says to him, 'Son of David, have mercy on me.' But the disciples rebuked her. And Jesus, being angered, went off with her into the garden where the tomb was, and straightway a great cry was heard from the tomb. And going near, Jesus rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb. And straightaway, going in where the youth was, he stretched forth his hand and raised him, seizing his hand. But the youth, looking upon him, loved him and began to beseech him that he might be with him. And going out of the tomb, they came into the house of the youth, for he was rich. And after six days Jesus told him what to do, and in the evening the youth comes to him, wearing a linen cloth over his naked body. And he remained with him that night, for Jesus taught him the mystery of the Kingdom of God. And thence, arising, he returned to the other side of the Jordan."

Here we see Jesus performed the miracle of raising the widow’s son. Afterward, the boy wanted to know the secrets of heaven. Part of the ritual required him to wear a linen cloth and nothing else. Clement later states that the boy and Jesus were never naked, as the Carpocratians attempted to teach, but were always clothed. For temple going Latter-day Saints, they will see this as the clothing worn by modern initiates in the temple for a short while until the person is ceremonially clothed in temple robes.

In the discussions on the Old Testament lessons on my blog regarding the temple and ascension rites, we see this as the beginning point to where the person or initiate learns the “mystery of the Kingdom of God”. For Isaiah (Ascension of Isaiah) or Enoch (as Metatron), it meant to be clothed in celestial clothing and being given the glory of God. Enoch was allowed to sit on God’s throne, and the angels worshiped him! This is possibly the secret that Jesus taught the youth in the Secret Book of Mark.


Bibliography

Jim F’s notes on Lesson 7: http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2011/02/nt-sunday-school-lesson-7-mark-1-2-435-41-5-luke-71-17/

Dating the Bible, Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dating_the_Bible#The_New_Testament

The Gospel of Mark, Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Mark

Secret Gospel of Mark: http://www.bib-arch.org/scholars-study/secret-mark-translation.asp

My Blog on Secret Mark: http://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2009/10/clement-of-alexandria-and-secret-book.html

Biblical Archaeological Review magazine articles on Secret Mark:
http://www.bib-arch.org/bar/article.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=35&Issue=6&ArticleID=21

http://www.bib-arch.org/scholars-study/secret-mark-handwriting-analysis.asp

Enoch/Metatron: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metatron

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

Why the struggles in the MIddle East won't bring freedom - freedom of religion as a necessary to have freedom

History is a stubborn thing. While many try to make history, and occasionally some do, it tends to go back to the status quo. As in science we find that all things tend towards entropy, so it is in history.

Countries in the Middle East have sought freedom many times. However, democracy and real freedom has always struggled just to get a foothold.

The Shah of Iran ruled the country from 1941 until he was overthrown in 1979. The people wanted freedom from dictatorship. The problem was that the overthrow was caused by radical religionists, lead by the Ayatollah. Rather than setting up a free nation with full elections and a voice to the people, they replaced a secular dictatorship with a religious dictatorship. Thirty years after the Islamist radicals took control in Iran, many people marched in the streets for real freedoms. They were crushed by tanks, and the status quo of tyranny continues.

Beirut, Lebanon was considered the Paris of the Middle East. It encouraged most religions, including Christianity to prosper. However, as radical Palestinians, Hezbollah, and other religious factions took control, the booming economy collapsed into chaos, and then into dictatorship. Portions of Lebanon have been controlled by Syria, Israel,and Islamic radicals. But it has not been able to fully regain its freedom and ability toward self-determination, as radical Islamists have clashed with Christians within its borders and with Jews across national boundaries.

In the 1980s, the Afghans fought to kick Russia out of their country. The Soviet Union entered to establish a presence, but also to stabilize a rocky country on their border. Radical Islamic beliefs helped the Afghans succeed against the Russians, but did not deliver freedom. Instead, women were forced into their homes and out of society, where some had been teachers, doctors, and equals. They supported terrorist organizations, such as Al Qaeda, who believed in radical Islam as they did. Even today, the battle goes on between those desiring freedom and those who would re-establish tyranny. Because of the radical religious and political views, we even struggle with President Karzai, who allows his brother to be a drug kingpin, and is forced to deal with regional warlords. History goes against Afghanistan ever being a peaceful democracy.

The same goes with Iraq and the rest of the Middle East. If the moderate Saud family is ever overthrown, Saudi Arabia will be governed by religious fanatics, who will not support true democracy, but only a radical version of Islam.

In Egypt, many of the leaders of the current revolution are the Muslim Brotherhood. This is a trans-national organization that seeks an Islamist Middle East. They will not be interested in maintaining peace with Israel, and possibly not with the United States. Their radical version of Islam will possibly rob women of their rights as Sharia law replaces Mubarak's dictatorship. Tyranny will replace tyranny. There will not be any true freedom, because radical religion will get in the way.


This is no different than Christianity was a millennium ago. Kings and dictators used religion to promote their intolerances. Crusades, Indulgences, and Inquisitions were tools for dictators to maintain control of the peasantry. No one had a voice, except the few in power. Back then, one sought freedom by moving somewhere else. The discovery of the Americas to Europe opened the door for many to escape persecutions and establish freedom. It required the radical concepts of freedom of speech and religion being inculcated into the Constitution of the United States and other key documents in western nations that have opened the door for real and lasting freedom.

Unless moderate Muslims step up and take control of these new revolutions, they will just replace one form of dictatorship with another. And unless they allow for freedom of speech and religion, there can be no real freedom for anyone in the Middle East or elsewhere.

Book giveaway: the Only True God

Joel (no relation to this blog) gives away scholarly religious books on occasion on his blog. For February it is "the Only True God" by Dr James McGrath. It talks of the ancient view of God from the 2nd Temple, monotheism, etc.

Check out Joel's blog: http://thechurchofjesuschrist.us/2011/02/februarys-bloggership-giveaway-the-only-true-god/

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 6: “They Straightway Left Their Nets“ Luke 4-6, Matt 10

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 6: “They Straightway Left Their Nets“
Luke 4-6, Matt 10

In just a few short chapters in the gospels, we read of Christ’s birth, and events leading up to that miraculous birth. In just one verse we find that Jesus grew in wisdom and understanding. With the exception of his trip to the temple at 12 years of age, we know nothing from the Bible about his youth, or of the years leading to the beginning of his ministry at age 30.

Suddenly, the quick fly by through Jesus’ life ends, and we get to spend some time in the beginning of his ministry. We read of the preparation for his mission, the calling of the 12 apostles and others to assist him, and see his teachings and miracles touch the lives of those around him.


The Messiah
Luke 4

In the ancient synagogue there was a traditional set of events that occurred. A synagogue service required at least ten men to be present. During the service, the Shema would be recited:

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
(Deut 6:4-9)

Next, would come a series of prayers, including the Tephillah, a series of praises/songs that were worn on the body (wrist or forehead), and included Exodus 12:2; Exodus 13:11; Deut. 6:4; and Deut 11:18. These were called “tephillin” or prayers. These prayers were often sung in a sing-song fashion, and many passages in the Old Testament are written in this form.

Once the prayers were sung, a section of the Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy) was read. Then the reading moved to a section from the Prophets. The service then ended with a closing prayer. It was probably during the section on the Prophets where Jesus stood to read from the book of Isaiah. Unlike most sermons, his is very brief. He read Isaiah 61:1-2 which reads:

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.

Unlike most commentaries on the Prophets, his commentary was short and to the point: "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Jesus announced his Messiah-ship! The acceptable year of the Lord was the year of Jubilee. Jubilee occurred every 50th year in the Law of Moses. Anyone who had acquired a debt prior to that year, whether in the first or 49th year was released from that debt. This was tied in with the Sabbath of years (every seventh year), wherein anyone who was enslaved during the previous 6 years would be freed with his children and family. Those in debtor’s prison were released. During the Jubilee, lands that were taken or purchased were returned to their original owners, ensuring the lands remained under the control of those who inherited it.

Jesus came to establish a new Jubilee. The Jews had not fully honored the Jubilee of Moses for years. It was a major event during the period of the Temple of Solomon (approx 950BC to 600BC) that during the period of the 2nd Temple (approx 500BC to 70AD) was conveniently ignored, or nominally observed. Freeing slaves and returning property was not good for business. Isaiah had condemned the wealthy of his day for this exact purpose:

13 The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.
14 The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.
15 What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord God of hosts. (Isaiah 3:13-15).

8 Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! (Isaiah 5:8).

Now the Lord would bring forth his own version of the Jubilee. He would bring sight to those who were physically and spiritually blind. He would free those who were imprisoned by ignorance, in chains of tyranny, or were taken captive by Satan and his devils. In him as Messiah, he would not just deliver the Jews from Roman captivity, he would free the world from Satan’s grasp.

The Calling of the Twelve

Many Bible scholars argue that Jesus did not establish a church in his day, that the Christian church actually was developed later by James the Just among the Jews, and Paul among the Gentiles. However, for those who understand priesthood authority, which Christ gave to his apostles, we understand that anywhere there is proper authority of God, there is the Church of Christ.

Christ called 12 apostles, and later the 70, to serve as missionaries and preach his gospel. This shows organization and an established order. After the death of Judas Iscariot, the 11 living apostles gathered and prayerfully selected Judas’ replacement, Matthias (Acts 1). If there were no Church, such restructuring would not have been necessary.

Apostles are prophets that are established in a quorum or council. Together they hold the keys or special rights to establish and run God’s work here upon the earth. They are special witnesses to the resurrected Christ (D&C 107:23). Whether in the early years after the resurrection of Jesus, or today, we have witnesses that Jesus really did resurrect and is the Messiah, the Anointed One of God. Such a witness was very important anciently among the Sadduccees, who did not believe in resurrection, and today among atheists and others who are uncertain of life after death.

While even among Christians many doubt the actual resurrection today, we can consider the testimonies of not only the original 12 apostles, but of apostles and prophets of today:

22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father (Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, D&C 76:22-23)

Or we can read the testimony of modern apostles regarding “the Living Christ.”

“We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”

Bibliography

Early synagogue service: http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Luke/Overview-Jesus-Ministry

Tephillah: http://www.angelfire.com/adazio/page59.html

Jubilee: http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=18&letter=S

The Living Christ: http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,90-1-10-1,00.html

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 5, Born Again John 3-4

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 5, Born Again
John 3-4


Born of Water and Spirit
John 3

Jesus went forth proclaiming faith and repentance to the Jews. Beginning a new Jewish sect that offered a Messiah to save them, and that condemned the works of the current Jewish sects often made an uproar among the people and its religious leaders. Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a leader of the Jews (probably a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of the Jews) came to Jesus at night. Why? Because he feared losing his position in his own sect, and as a leader. in the Sanhedrin The Pharisee and Sadduccee sects shared power, as the Sadduccees held power in the temple, while the Pharisees were popular among the people. They often had an uneasy peace between the two sects. They were, however, quick to protect their turf by challenging other sects, such as the Essenes and Zealots. For a new sect of Judaism to arise, especially during turbulent times, meant a new challenge that risked their power and the status quo.

Even though he was trained as a religious leader, Nicodemus could not understand Jesus’ requirement for salvation: a man must be born again. He imagined going again through the womb as an infant, but this is not what the Savior had in mind. Nicodemus was being lazy in his thinking, as he was very aware of John the Baptist’s baptisms and preaching of Christ, in which John baptized with water, but the Messiah would come baptizing by water and fire.

As the Lord explained to Adam, Enoch and Moses:

“58Therefore I give unto you a commandment, to teach these things freely unto your children, saying:
“59That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory;
“60For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified” (Moses 6:58-60).

Symbolism is extremely important to the Lord. Symbolism was placed everywhere in the ancient temple of Solomon, and in the law of Moses, “every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal” (Alma 34:14).

Baptism in water does not save us. It is a symbol of our accepting the atonement and sacrifice of Christ. But that symbol is necessary for us to receive, as we must be born again of water (baptism), spirit (Holy Ghost) and blood (atonement of Christ. The water symbolizes our covenant with Christ. The Holy Ghost changes us so we believe and desire to follow Christ, while Christ’s blood cleanses us of our sins.

In the Book of Mormon, we find that the “Doctrine of Christ” is the concept that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are “one God” and we must become one as well through 1) faith in Christ, 2) repentance, 3) baptism by water (ordinances), and 4) receiving the Holy Ghost (2 Nephi 31-32, 3 Nephi 11-18). This unity we seek is greater than just being united in purpose. The Godhead is one in all things except their physical persons, and to become Christ-like means we must also become one with Christ and his disciples, so that we may become one with the Father.

Being born again is not a one time event, as some Christians believe. Instead, it is a daily event. We must continually grow in our faith and faithfulness. As we spiritually approach Christ, we spiritually discern that we fall short. Our faith leads us to repent of sins, and we are then ready to make a new covenant with God through the ordinance of baptism, the Sacrament (communion), and other ordinances we receive. Then, we receive the Holy Ghost, which justifies us to a higher level of faithfulness and righteousness. At that point, we are ready to develop greater faith, and repeat the process. It is through this process of the Doctrine of Christ that we are then able to perfect ourselves, going from grace to grace, receiving grace for grace (D&C 93).


The Gospel of Nicodemus

One old Christian text, entitled the Gospel of Nicodemus, describes events after the resurrection of Christ. It details the story of two deceased sons of the chief high priest, who resurrect and enter into the city of Jerusalem. They are questioned by the Sanhedrin (of which Nicodemus is a member) regarding how they can be alive when previously dead.

They tell of being in a Spirit World where they were held by the being Death. With them were the prophets of old and all good people, but they were trapped by Death. Satan showed up and boasted about his victory over Jesus, having slain him. When Death heard this, he protested, saying he did not have the power to hold Jesus. When the Lord arrived, the gates of Death were broken down, and all within were resurrected. For Latter-day Saints, this story relates rather well our belief in a Spirit World, the place where all the dead go while they await the resurrection.


Living Waters at the Well in Samaria
John 4

Samaria in Jesus time was located north of Judea, and covered much of the original territory of the original Kingdom of Israel, after the split of Israel into the two kingdoms in Rehoboam’s day. However, 700 years before Christ, the nation of Israel was carried off by the Assyrians, leaving just the poor in the land. Assyria brought many from other lands to dwell in Samaria, leaving it with a mixed genealogy.

When the Jews returned from their Babylon captivity, the Samaritans wished to help them build the new temple. The Jews refused to allow it, as they were not pure blood Israel. Josephus tells us that the Samaritans built their own temple on Mount Gerizim. Archaeologist Yitzhak Magen has been excavating the site for 25 years, and has found signs of its existence.

Still, even in the times of Jesus, the Samaritans were treated as second class citizens by the Jews. They were not allowed into the temple at Jerusalem, and their form of worship for God had changed over the centuries, a mixture of Israelite faith and pagan belief. In this environment, the Jew Jesus Christ went north to Samaria and sat by a well to speak with a Samaritan woman.

“9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.”

She was shocked that a Jew would even talk with her. His response was wholly unexpected:

“10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

The Lord then explains to her that he is the living waters that save the soul. The Samaritan faith system was flawed, and needed major fixing. In speaking of these things, the woman notes that Samaritan belief looked forward to the Messiah, who would teach them all things. At this moment, Jesus noted that he was the Messiah, even the Anointed One, they sought.

Their temple works and faith were all fulfilled in Christ. He was and is the living waters that flow next to the Tree of Life, which both symbolize the Love of God (1 Nephi 11:25).

“God is a Spirit”

In talking with the Samaritan woman, the Lord explained to her:

“22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
“23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
“24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Verse 24 contains one of the few verses used by traditional Christianity to express that God is [a] Spirit. From this comes the development of the belief in the Trinity, established with the Nicene Creed three centuries after Christ. Then and now, it is a contentious issue. As discussed in New Testament lesson One in my blog, there were differing views on the Trinity/Godhead.

Discussing religion often in their later years by letter, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams discussed how they viewed Christianity. Both were Christian, yet differed greatly from ertain traditional beliefs. Jefferson was a Deist Christian, believing God wound up the universe and then pretty much left it alone to wind down on its own. Adams, known as a strong Christian of his day, still questioned certain issues. He wrote Jefferson once saying, “Ye will say I am no Christian” because he disagreed with the concept of the Trinity. He noted that Jesus said “God is [a] Spirit” and agreed with it. But then asked, “what does that mean?” The concept of Trinity expands further than what the Lord states in John’s Gospel. For John Adams, it meant that God is real, He lives, and he is our true God.

That God is a Spirit is true. The Bible also tells us that “God is love” (1 John 4:16), and a “consuming fire” (Deut 4:24, Hebrews 12:29), This does not mean either of these statements is the only thing God is, but only descriptive of some of his attributes. For we also know he is the “father of spirits” (Hebrews 12:9), and Christ commanded us to call God, “our Father which art in Heaven.”

God is our true Father of spirits, and Christ is our Messiah, the living waters who will cleanse us, purify us, and bring us back into the presence of the Father.

Bibliography

Symbolism in ancient temple of Solomon: http://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2010/06/ot-gospel-doctrine-lesson-26-king.html

Gospel of Nicodemus/Acts of Pilate: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/gospelnicodemus.html

The Samaritan Temple, Yitzhak Magen, Biblical Archaeological Review: http://www.bib-arch.org/bar/article.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=36&Issue=6&ArticleID=2

The Trinity/Godhead in early Christianity, NT lesson 1 in my blog: http://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2010/12/gospel-doctrine-new-testament-lesson-1.html

“Ye will say I am no Christian” by Bruce Braden: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Ye+Will+Say+I+Am+No+Christian&x=0&y=0

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 4 - “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” Matthew 3-4, John 1:35-51

New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 4 - “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord”
Matthew 3-4, John 1:35-51

Jesus’ baptism
Matthew 3:13-17



John baptizing Jesus

Early Christians viewed the baptism of Christ as a singular event. Many Gnostic Christians, in particular, viewed Jesus’ baptism as the specific event that denoted his becoming Christ. Some early sects used the text in Luke regarding Jesus’ baptism to demonstrate this, as some early manuscripts of Luke have God’s voice stating, “Thou art my Son. Today I have begotten/chosen you.”

Some Gnostics went so far as to believe that Jesus and Christ were two separate beings. The mortal Jesus was baptized, upon which the Spirit of Christ entered into him, and remained with him until the cross. When Jesus exclaims, “My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” it is because the Christ has left the mortal to suffer on the cross alone. For his sacrifice, the dead Jesus is resurrected and given a great responsibility to teach the apostles. It would be due to such heresies that the apostle John and others would warn of anti-christs: those who claimed the Christ never was mortal or resurrected.

Today, modern revelation through latter-day prophets show that Christ’s work began before the world began. Nephi saw in vision the birth of Christ by the virgin Mary, and this event was one of two condescensions of God, the other being Jesus’ baptism (1 Nephi 15). Each of these events is a sign of his divinity, as Christ was fully human, but also fully divine. That even God had to receive the ordinances of the Gospel meant that he was not above men. It also meant that as he would later be lifted up on the cross, he would be able to lift up those who followed him.

In considering Jesus’ baptism, we can see that it was a day in which he was chosen or spiritually begotten, just as all of us are spiritually begotten of God when we are baptized. It officially began his earthly mission, which culminated not on the cross, but at his resurrection.

Temptation in the Wilderness
Matthew 4:1-11

Imagine beginning one’s mission with head-on temptations of Satan! Most new missionaries pass out after missing two meals while fasting, yet Christ fasted for 40 days. This is one of the special numbers in Israelite belief, representing the 40 days Moses fasted, the 40 days and nights of Noah’s Flood, 40 years Israel wandered in the wilderness, etc.

Each of these events ties in closely to Jesus’ fasting and temptations. Moses and Jesus both fasted for 40 days, prior to beginning an important mission for God. Moses’ fasting brought forth the Ten Commandments for Israel to follow, Jesus’ fasting would allow him to call his apostles and begin his preaching. While the children of Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness due to disobedience, and the earth was destroyed by 40 days of flooding; Jesus came to save the disobedient and rebellious. His 40 days would prepare him to take upon himself their sins, even the pains and sorrows of the whole world.

Jesus then experienced three temptations, even the three main temptations any of us face in our own lives: temptations of the flesh, pride, and the riches and power of the world. In each instance, Jesus did not discuss the temptation with Satan. Nor did he evaluate or consider all aspects of it, especially when Satan quoted scripture to him. Instead, the Savior quoted scripture to establish the right. Only in quickly and fully dismissing the temptation was Jesus triumphant, and he shows us that pattern in doing so. Had he stopped to think about it in the moment, rather than making the complete decision before and in its final form, he would have faltered and failed. If we choose ahead of time what our full decision must be, then in the moment of temptation, we will not have to think twice. The decision will already be made.

While Jesus was tempted with hunger (turn stone into bread), we also face the temptation of many other physical appetites: lust, desire, jealousy, anger, doubt, fear. Each of these can crush our spirit, as the physical body seeks to overthrow it, because it wants its appetites sated. But physical appetites never are satisfied. As with a fire, when you add wood, it only grows hotter and higher. Jesus understood that you starve a fever, or any other physical temptation.

In the Book of Mormon, we find that: “Behold, the pride of this nation, or the people of the Nephites, hath proven their destruction” (Moroni 8:27). Pres Ezra Taft Benson, in warning us against pride, noted:

“Pride is a very misunderstood sin, and many are sinning in ignorance....Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing.
The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.”

Satan was hitting Jesus below the belt. He sought to create enmity between God and God, Father and Son, by tempting Jesus to misuse his powers. The temple’s corner was very high, and below it was one of the major market places in the city. For Jesus to toss himself down and be caught by angels would mean all of Jerusalem would quickly know that Jesus had huge powers. Rather than quietly using those powers to bless others, it would have only been used to satisfy his own pride, instantly distancing himself from Heavenly Father, and invalidating his ability to save mankind.

In the third temptation, for Satan to insist Jesus worship him in exchange for great wealth and power was a sign of pure hubris. Nothing belongs to Satan, and everything already belongs to God! Satan was cast out of heaven for trying to place himself above the throne of Heavenly Father, and now sought to place himself above the Son of God, by having Jesus worship him!

Yet, as crazy as the story seems, how many of us walk away from God, bought off with the riches of the world? How many of us do not pay tithes or keep the Sabbath holy, because our money and time are more important to us than God? How often do we say “no” to God, but “yes” to the world? It reminds me of an LDS actress, who has stopped doing most things Mormon for now while she is enjoying her moment in the Hollywood Sun, even though she acknowledges that someday she will return to her Mormon roots and lifestyle. In other words, she has put God off for now while she worships Mammon and fame.

An Israelite Indeed!
John 1:43-51

After the temptations, Jesus called forth his apostles. One disciple, Philip, sought out his best friend, Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew), and told him that the Messiah had been found in Nazareth. Nathanael’s response was quick, “can anything good come out of Nazareth?” For those in Jerusalem, the area of Nazareth was viewed as the scum of the earth. Much of this view came from the strong Roman influence in the area, but also perhaps from its distance from the big city of Jerusalem, and therefore being a country hick area.

Yet, when Nathanael saw Jesus, the Lord called him an “Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael was stunned that someone who did not know him could make such a pronouncement. When Jesus said he saw Nathanael praying under a tree in a vision, it was all that was needed for him to become a disciple.

Today we live in a world where few are so easily convinced to believe. Worse, few are “without guile.” Guile means crafty, fraudulent, or deceptive. To be without guile means you are honest and faithful in all things. Few are without guile in modern society, where “greed is good” and it is okay to “dig a pit for your neighbor” as long as you get ahead. Among Mormons and other Christians today, do we seek to be an “Israelite indeed” without guile? It seems that such are the type Jesus looks for in his closest and most trusted disciples.

Bibliography

Bart Ehrman, Jesus Interrupted: http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Interrupted-Revealing-Hidden-Contradictions/dp/0061173932

Bart Ehrman, Lost Christianities: http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Christianities-Battles-Scripture-Faiths/dp/0195182499/ref=pd_sim_b_4

Ezra Taft Benson, Beware of Pride: http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d8ff27cd3f37b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____

Karl D’s NT lesson 4: http://feastuponthewordblog.org/2011/01/16/new-testament-lesson-3-kd-matthew-3-4/

Jim F’s NT lesson 4:
http://feastuponthewordblog.org/2011/01/16/nt-sunday-school-lesson-4-jf-matthew-3-4-john-135-51/

NT Gospel Doctrine Lesson 3 - Unto you is Born a Savior - Matthew 2, Luke 2

NT Gospel Doctrine Lesson 3 - Unto you is Born a Savior -
Matthew 2, Luke 2

Due to a family death, I did not have the chance to prepare much for this week’s lesson. However, I did want to share a story that ties the Wise Men’s gifts in with Adam and the Garden of Eden.




In the early text, Conflict of Adam and Eve Against Satan, we find the couple have been cast out of the Garden, and spend much of the 2 books mourning their loss of the beauty and glory of the Garden. After a series of events, where Satan tempts and tries Adam and Eve, he appears to them and tries them again. In this instance, he appears with his demonic host as angels of light. Satan tells them that God has sent him to take them near the Garden, to be bathed or baptized in water, in order to be cleansed so they can re-enter the Garden. Adam and Eve follow Satan, who takes them to the top of a mountain, where he intends to push them off and kill them.

4 Then Satan, the hater of all good, said unto Adam, "O Adam, I am an angel of the great God; and, behold the hosts that surround me.
5 "God has sent me and them to take thee and bring thee to the border of the garden northwards; to the shore of the clear sea, and bathe thee and Eve in it, and raise you to your former gladness, that ye return again to the garden." ….
10 But when they came to the mountain to the north of the garden, a very high mountain, without any steps to the top of it, the Devil drew near to Adam and Eve, and made them go up to the top in reality, and not in a vision; wishing, as he did, to throw them down and kill them, and to wipe off their name from the earth; so that this earth should remain to him and his hosts alone. (1st Book of Adam and Eve, chapter 28).

In fact, Satan pretended to be the chief of the host of heaven, Yahweh the Angel of the Lord’s Presence, and the Captain of the army or host of heaven. In this precarious position, God calls to Adam and warns him of the deception. Adam weeps and begs for some boon or blessing from the Garden. God calls forth his three main arch-angels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

1 BUT when the merciful God saw that Satan wished to kill Adam with his manifold devices, and saw that Adam was meek and without guile, God spake unto Satan in a loud voice, and cursed him.
2 Then he and his hosts fled, and Adam and Eve remained standing on the top of the mountain, whence they saw below them the wide world, high above which they were. But they saw none of the host which anon were by them.
3 They wept, both Adam and Eve, before God, and begged for forgiveness of Him.
4 Then came the Word from God to Adam, and said unto him, "Know thou and understand concerning this Satan, that he seeks to deceive thee and thy seed after thee."
5 And Adam wept before the Lord God, and begged and entreated Him to give him something from the garden, as a token to him, wherein to be comforted.
6 And God looked upon Adam's thought, and sent the angel Michael as far as the sea that reaches unto India, to take from thence golden rods and bring them to Adam.
7 This did God in His wisdom, in order that these golden rods, being with Adam in the cave, should shine forth with light in the night around him, and put an end to his fear of the darkness.
8 Then the angel Michael went down by God's order, took golden rods, as God had commanded him, and brought them to God. (chapter 29).

The Lord then called forth Gabriel, the angel of the Annunciation:

AFTER these things, God commanded the angel Gabriel to go down to the garden, and say to the cherub who kept it, "Behold, God has commanded me to come into the garden, and to take thence sweet smelling incense, and give it to Adam."
2 Then the angel Gabriel went down by God's order to the garden, and told the cherub as God had commanded him.
3 The cherub then said, "Well." And Gabriel went in and took the incense.
4 Then God commanded His angel Raphael to go down to the garden, and speak to the cherub about some myrrh, to give to Adam.
5 And the angel Raphael went down and told the cherub as God had commanded him, and the cherub said, "Well." Then Raphael went in and took the myrrh.
6 The golden rods were from the Indian sea, where there are precious stones. The incense was from the eastern border of the garden; and the myrrh from the western border, whence bitterness came upon Adam.
7 And the angels brought these three things to God, by the Tree of Life, in the garden.
8 Then God said to the angels, "Dip them in the spring of water; then take them and sprinkle their water over Adam and Eve, that they be a little comforted in their sorrow, and give them to Adam and Eve.
9 And the angels did as God had commanded them, and they gave all those things to Adam and Eve on the top of the mountain upon which Satan had placed them, when he sought to make an end of them.
10 And when Adam saw the golden rods, the incense and the myrrh, he was rejoiced and wept because he thought that the gold was a token of the kingdom whence he had come, that the incense was a token of the bright light which had been taken from him, and that the myrrh was a token of the sorrow in which he was.
(chapter 30)

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

So the three arch-angels brought to Adam gifts or tokens from the Garden of Eden, to remind him of his former life in glory and paradise. The Lord then explained to Adam and Eve:

AFTER these things God said unto Adam, "Thou didst ask of Me something from the garden, to be comforted therewith, and I have given thee these three tokens as a consolation to thee; that thou trust in Me and in My covenant with thee.
2 "For I will come and save thee; and kings shall bring me when in the flesh, gold, incense and myrrh; gold as a token of My kingdom; incense as a token of My divinity; and myrrh as a token of My suffering and of My death.
3 "But, O Adam, put these by thee in the Cave (of Treasures); the gold that it may shed light over thee by night; the incense, that thou smell its sweet savour; and the myrrh, to comfort thee in thy sorrow." (chapter 31)

Adam placed the tokens of the Garden in the Cave of Treasures and was comforted. The Cave of Treasures was the place where Adam and Eve dwelt after being cast out of the Garden and God's presence. It was a holy place, and would also become the tomb for Adam and many of his righteous descendants.

10 These remained by Adam in the House of Treasures; therefore was it called "of concealment." But other interpreters say it was called the "Cave of Treasures," by reason of the bodies of righteous men that were in it.
11 These three things did God give to Adam, on the third day after he had come out of the garden, in token of the three days the Lord should remain in the heart of the earth. (chapter 31)

With this early story, God foreshadowed and foretold the birth of Christ, with the Magi bringing the sacred gifts to the holy child. Just as great beings brought the gifts from the Garden of Eden to Adam and Eve, so the wise men brought the same gifts to Christ, recognizing his royalty, his life, and his death. In attending the temple, we, as with Adam and Eve, receive the gifts of the Garden, that tie us to the birth of the Savior of all mankind. And in coming to Christ and giving him our hearts and souls, the Savior cleanses us that we may return to the Garden of Eden, even back into the presence of God.

Bibliography

First Book of Adam and Eve: http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/fbe/index.htm#section_000

Also, check out Jim F’s lesson: http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2011/01/nt-sunday-school-lesson-3-luke-2-matthew-2/

Gospel Doctrine New Testament Lesson 2 - My Soul Doth Magnify My Lord - Matthew 1, Luke 1

Gospel Doctrine New Testament Lesson 2 - My Soul Doth Magnify My Lord
Matthew 1, Luke 1


The Annunciation

The previous lesson discussed the mission of the Messiah, as foreseen by Isaiah. It also discussed Christ as the premortal Word, the Son of God. Lesson 2 begins the Annunciation, where angels foretell the births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ to Zechariah and Mary, respectively. In Roman Catholic theology, the Virgin Mary is a saint with incredible reserves of holiness to share with believers. However, for many modern Christians, the role of the Virgin Mary is downplayed, as the role of Christ is focused upon.

For the average Latter-day Saint, we should find our view of Mary in between that of Catholic and Protestant. We do not worship nor pray to her, yet we should see her in a very important real and symbolic role. We also see in LDS teaching a similar position for John the Baptist.

The Vision of the Tree of Life

John the Baptist

Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life (1 Nephi 8-10) and previous visions (see 1 Nephi 1) emphasize the coming Messiah. For Lehi, the concept of Messiah was an idea that still needed fleshing out, and the visions provide much of the details. Lehi sees the Tree of Life, after which he sees the Messiah come down to earth to save mankind.

“7And he (Lehi) spake also concerning a prophet who should come before the Messiah, to prepare the way of the Lord—
“8Yea, even he should go forth and cry in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for there standeth one among you whom ye know not; and he is mightier than I, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. And much spake my father concerning this thing.
“9And my father said he should baptize in Bethabara, beyond Jordan; and he also said he should baptize with water; even that he should baptize the Messiah with water.
“10And after he had baptized the Messiah with water, he should behold and bear record that he had baptized the Lamb of God, who should take away the sins of the world” (1 Ne 10).

In all of LDS scripture, very few people’s missions are foreseen. John the Baptist, Mary, Moses, Joseph Smith, the Three Witnesses, and Jesus Christ are pretty much the whole extent of it. Clearly, their missions were so important as to be foreseen in scripture.

The mortal Savior would say this of John:

“7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
“8But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
“9But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
“10For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
“11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
“12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
“13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
“14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come” (Matthew 11).

John was not an ever-bending reed blowing in the wind. He was a solid oak that stood firm and unbending. The only way to change him would be pull him up from his roots, or behead him. John the Baptist is Elias, or rather AN Elias. Elias is a title for a messenger who is to prepare the way for a great work. Noah was the first Elias as he warned the people of the Flood to come. Later, as the archangel Gabriel, Noah as Elias would announce Jesus’ birth to Mary. John not only would announce the mortal Christ as the Messiah, but would also baptize him. No other prophet or man would have that opportunity. Even Joseph Smith, as the Elias of the Restoration, would not do as John did in preparing the way for the Savior’s work of redemption.

Mary, The Virgin

Nephi sought to understand his father Lehi’s vision. His version is more detailed and gives us interesting concepts regarding ancient Israel and of the virgin birth.

Lehi saw the religious reforms done in King Josiah’s reign. These included the “finding” of the book of Deuteronomy in the temple. Most scholars today believe that some ancient Deuteronomy fragments were found and amplified into the book we now have by the temple priests. This was in order to establish their power. With the reforms came the loss of certain things in the temple, including the Tree of Life, God’s wife (known as Wisdom or also Asherah), and even the idea of angelic visitations.

Nephi saw in his Vision of the Tree of Life. His spiritual guide explained to him that what he would then see would be the things Nephi would have to bear witness of, as these would explain the Tree and the white fruit of the tree.

“8And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me: Look! And I looked and beheld a tree; and it was like unto the tree which my father had seen; and the beauty thereof was far beyond, yea, exceeding of all beauty; and the whiteness thereof did exceed the whiteness of the driven snow.
“9And it came to pass after I had seen the tree, I said unto the Spirit: I behold thou hast shown unto me the tree which is precious above all....
“12And it came to pass that he said unto me: Look! And I looked as if to look upon him, and I saw him not; for he had gone from before my presence.
“13And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white.
“14And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou?
“15And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.
“16And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?
“17And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.
“18And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.
“19And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!
“20And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. “(1 Nephi 11).

Jesus is the fruit of the tree. He is the love shed forth for all mankind. But the tree itself is Mary. Anciently, the Tree of Life was a symbol for the wife of God, known as Wisdom and as Asherah. She symbolized both wisdom and fertility, and was honored as such (see Proverbs 8 for an example).

Mary is the “mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.” She symbolizes the Heavenly Mother, wife of Heavenly Father, who is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the spirit.
So important is the work of Mary and what she symbolized that early Christians wrote stories about her life, including the “Gospel of the Birth of Mary”, wherein is described her miraculous birth and childhood. While the stories are probably fictitious, they do show that many ancient Christians did revere her for her important role as the mother of the Son of God.

The Tree of Life is only as important as the fruit it gives to mankind in order to give them life. While the fruit of an apple tree can sustain us here in mortality, the exceedingly white fruit of the Tree of Life can give us eternal life. The fruit fills us with the love of God, as only Christ can bring us back into the presence of our loving Heavenly Father and Mother. Imagine then the great resolve of the young teenage girl, when Gabriel spoke to her and told her she would bear God’s child! Knowing she would be ostracized and perhaps even killed for being pregnant outside of wedlock, she told the angel, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1). She would stand by her sacred calling and her sacred son, even when grown men fled while Jesus hung on the cross.


Bibliography

Great New Testament Introduction by Kevin Barney: http://bycommonconsent.com/2011/01/01/nt-intro/

Jim F’s Lesson 2: http://feastuponthewordblog.org/2011/01/02/nt-sunday-school-lesson-2-jf-luke-1-matthew-1/

Karl D’s Lesson 2: http://feastuponthewordblog.org/2011/01/02/new-testament-lesson-kd-matthew-1-luke-1/

Old Testament lessons containing info on Deuteronomists, The Tree of Life, the Virgin Mary and Asherah/Wisdom:
http://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2010/08/ot-gospel-doctrine-lesson-31-happy-is.html
http://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2010/08/ot-gospel-doctrine-lesson-30-come-to.html
http://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2010/02/lds-gospel-doctrine-class-old-testament_22.html

Margaret Barker on the Josian Reforms, the changes to the Temple, Asherah, and the Deuteronomists:
http://www.margaretbarker.com/Publications/GreatAngel.htm

“The Gospel of the Birth of Mary”: http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/lbob/lbob05.htm

Gospel Doctrine New Testament Lesson 1 - “That Ye Might Believe That Jesus Is the Christ” Isaiah 61:1-3; John 1

Gospel Doctrine New Testament Lesson 1 - “That Ye Might Believe That Jesus Is the Christ”
Isaiah 61:1-3; John 1

The Christ



The English word “Christ” comes from the Greek Χριστός (Khristós), and means “the Anointed One”. It is equivalent to the Hebrew word מָשִׁיחַ (Messiah). According to the Old Testament scholar, Margaret Barker, the Messiah is the “Angel of the Lord’s Presence”, or the angel that stands in Elohim’s presence as his chief messenger. Early Christians equated Jesus with the Messiah and the Great Angel who would deliver Israel.

In Luke 3, Jesus’ first discourse occurred in the synagogue. He was at least 30 years old, as that was the age when a man became a rabbi/religious leader, and was allowed to speak in the synagogue. The normal pattern was to stand, read a passage of scripture, sit, and then explain it to the people:

“16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
“17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
“18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
“20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
“21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
“22And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 3:16-22, see Isaiah 61:1-3).

Isaiah 61 was a key prophecy regarding the coming Messiah. Yet, for those in Nazareth who knew him, this was blasphemous. The Messiah would not be born of someone like Joseph, whom they knew. Many others at this time had proclaimed to be the Messiah, promising to free Judah from the Roman captivity. However, as we study the New Testament, we shall see that only Jesus offered a different promise. In his mortal ministry, he would not offer physical liberation from Roman captors, but spiritual liberation through faith and repentance in the atonement.

To preach the “gospel to the poor” meant preaching “good news” to them. He would heal the sad of heart, and would preach spiritual deliverance to those captive to Satan’s power. While he would literally heal the blind, he would heal even more who were spiritually blind so that they could again see with new eyes. They would be freed from the chains of death and hell, healed from the bruises brought on by sin and the struggles of this life.

The Gospels

The gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) as we now have them were written decades after Christ’s death. Most scholars believe Matthew and Luke were written based upon the writings of the earliest written gospel, Mark, and perhaps from another source named Q (Quelle, German for source). John was written in the 2nd century after the Book of Revelation. Some scholars do not believe these were written by the original apostles (Matthew and John) and missionaries (Mark and Luke). It may be that they were later written by followers of those leaders, who learned from their teachings about Christ. This was a very common thing done anciently, where the disciple would write a book and name their teacher as author. Whether the books were indeed written by the original Church leaders or not, the key is that these books are inspired.

In the Beginning was the Word
John 1

“1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2The same was in the beginning with God.
3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

In a look at the Greek, we find that these verses actually describe Jesus and God as separate Gods. Russell McGregor and Kerry Shirts did a great article which explains:

“How does Jehovah appear in the Greek New Testament? As Kyrios. This gets translated as "Lord" in English.
How does Elohim appear in the Greek New Testament? As Theos - especially Ho Theos [The God]. This, of course, gets translated as "God" in English.
Of course, the same words appear in many places in the New Testament that are not merely quotes from the Old. And you will find that Lord usually refers to Jesus - especially after his resurrection - while God usually refers to the Father....
[In Isaiah] the Lord announces that he is the one and only Savior (see Isaiah 43:3, 11; 45:15). And when the angel appeared to the shepherds in he field outside Bethlehem, he said to them, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
Now we may never really know what the angel's words were in the original Aramaic, but it seems reasonable that it would be something like, "a Savior, who is the anointed Jehovah."
But don't just take Luke's word for it. In John 1:1-2 we read, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." ... [T]he first and third "God" in this passage comes from Greek Ho Theos - the God - while the second occurrence was simply Theos. So this could be rendered, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with The God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with The God." (Russell C. McGregor and Kerry A. Shirts, "Letters to an Anti-Mormon," FARMS Review of Books, Vol. 11, No. 1, 1999, p. 139).

So, we see that there is a distinction between The God Elohim, and his Son Jesus. Both are God, but are separate beings.

Godhead vs Trinity

The religious argument between one united Godhead of three distinct beings versus one God of one substance but three separate persons, has raged on for almost 2000 years. One of the earliest Christian teachers and defenders was Origen. Origen taught that the Father and Son were two separate beings, but both are Gods. He explained that Christ is a subordinate God to the Father, such as John 1:1 seems to tell us. This was the main belief for early Christianity regarding the Godhead until the times of Athanasius, Arius, and Eusebius of Caesarea. Over the first few centuries of the Christian era, Greek ideas trickled into the Christian church, including the idea that there is only one God, who is made of a perfect substance, while all other things are made of other impure substance. Arius belonged to the Eastern Church and taught that Father and Son were separate beings, and since there is only one God, Jesus was not God, but Lord. Athanasius, eager to defend the godhood of Christ, developed a different concept we now call the Trinity. It states that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one God, made up of three separate persons, but of one substance. The term “consubstantiation” or “homoousias” (of one substance) became key to his teaching. Followers of Athanasius sought to have Arius deposed as bishop, creating a huge rift in the Christian Church. To try and repair the damage to the Church and unity of his kingdom, Roman Emperor Constantine brought 318 bishops together in the first major ecumenical council at Nice in 325 AD.

Eusebius of Caesarea is known as a key bishop of the time, as well as the best chronicler of early Christian history. Eusebius was an ardent student of the Bible scholar Pamphilus and devout follower of Origen. In the battles between Arius and Athanasius, Eusebius sought the middle ground, agreeing that Father and Son were separate beings, yet also stating that Christ was also God. When the Council of Nice ended, the Arians were temporarily routed by the Athanasians. The Trinitarian creed, also known as the Athanasius Creed, was set in place. However, for the next century there would be continued battles over this teaching, wherein the Arians almost succeeded in establishing their own belief.

Eusebius agreed with certain tenets of the creed, such as Christ is eternal and uncreated. However, he drew the line at the term “consubstantiation” as it is not in the scriptures, and he insisted the gospel of Christ should be established on Biblical writings, and not on non-scriptural creeds. Today, while the majority of traditional Christianity follows the teachings of Athanasius on the Trinity, the Jehovah’s Witnesses tend towards an Arian view of God and Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) holds a similar belief to the Origen/Eusebius belief that Father and Son are members of the Godhead, with Christ subordinate to the Father. As we can see from the Greek translation of John 1:1, this seems to be the correct interpretation. Christ IS God who is with THE God of all, Heavenly Father.

When was Christ born?

December 25th is the traditional celebration for Christ’s birth. This date came about centuries after Jesus’ death, when early Christians sought to celebrate the date.

For about a century, Latter-day Saints have believed that Christ’s birth was actually April 6, 1 BC, based upon a reading of D&C 20:1 by Elder James Talmage in his book, Jesus the Christ. We have since found that verse one was not part of the original revelation, but was a header put in the revelation by the scribe. Also, more recent General Authorities statements and research clearly show that Jesus must have been born around 5 BC.

Why? For one thing, Herod the Great, who spoke with the wise men and ordered the death of infants in Bethlehem, died in spring of 4 BC. Jesus could not have been born in 1 BC and still have Herod in the story. This and several other clues within the Bible and Book of Mormon suggests that Christ was probably born around December 5 BC. So December 25th could actually be the right date!



Bibliography

Wikipedia on Christ: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ

“Letters to an Anti-Mormon”, McGregor and Shirts: http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/review/?vol=11&num=1&id=310

Eusebius of Caesarea: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eusebius_of_Caesarea

Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History: http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2501.htm

When was Jesus Born? Michael De Groote in Deseret News: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700094707/What-was-the-real-date-of-Jesus-birth.html