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Features of The
Church of Jesus Christ in New Testament Times
"Jesus
established His Church when He was on the earth. It was called the Church of
Jesus Christ (see 3 Nephi 27:8), and the members were called Saints (see
Ephesians 2:19–20)" (Gospel Principles, The Church of Jesus Christ in
Former Times).
Q Why are each of these
essential features of the Church of Jesus Christ?
Q How are we blessed
by these features today in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Revelation
"When
Jesus established His Church, He personally instructed and directed its
leaders. He, in turn, received His instructions from His Father in Heaven. (See
Hebrews 1:1–2.) Thus the Church of Jesus Christ was directed by God and not by
men. Jesus taught His followers that revelation was the “rock” upon which He
would build His Church (see Matthew 16:16–18).
"Before
Jesus ascended into heaven after His Resurrection, He told His Apostles, “I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). True to His
word, He continued to guide them from heaven. He sent the Holy Ghost to be a
comforter and a revelator to them (see Luke 12:12; John 14:26). He spoke to
Saul in a vision (see Acts 9:3–6). He revealed to Peter that the gospel should
be taught not only to the Jews but to the whole world (see Acts 10). He
revealed many glorious truths to John, which are written in the book of
Revelation. The New Testament records many other ways in which Jesus revealed
His will to guide His Church and enlighten His disciples" (Gospel
Principles, The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times).
Authority
From God
"The
ordinances and principles of the gospel cannot be administered and taught
without the priesthood. The Father gave this authority to Jesus Christ (see
Hebrews 5:4–6), who in turn ordained His Apostles and gave them the power and
authority of the priesthood (see Luke 9:1–2; Mark 3:14). He reminded them, “Ye
have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you” (John 15:16).
"That
there might be order in His Church, Jesus gave the greatest responsibility and
authority to the Twelve Apostles. He appointed Peter chief Apostle and gave him
the keys to seal blessings both on earth and in heaven (see Matthew 16:19).
Jesus also ordained other officers with specific duties to perform. After He
ascended into heaven, the pattern of appointment and ordination was continued.
Others were ordained to the priesthood by those who had already received that
authority. Jesus made it known through the Holy Ghost that He approved of those
ordinations (see Acts 1:24) " (Gospel Principles, The Church of Jesus
Christ in Former Times).
Church
Organization
·
"The
household of God [is] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:19-20).
·
"And
he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of
the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children,
tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight
of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive"
(Ephesians 4:11-14).
·
"The
Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face
into every city and place" (Luke 10:1).
·
"Unlike
so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit" (2 Corinthians 2:17
NIV). Ordinances and priesthood authority could not be purchased (see Acts
8:18-21; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18; 2 Corinthians 11:7)
·
Apostles
regulated the church, settled divisions, and called and presided over local
leaders. New apostles were chosen to replace deceased ones (see Acts 1:23-26).
The
Principles, Ordinances, and Covenants of Gospel of Jesus Christ
·
How
to have and grow faith
o Matthew 7:21-23; Acts
4:10-12; Acts 14:22; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 6:7-10; Ephesians 2:8; 1 Timothy
2:1-4; 1 Timothy 6:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 2:14-20
·
The
need for repentance and how to repent
o Matthew 3:2; Matthew
6:12; Luke 13:3; 2 Corinthians 7:10; James 5:16; 1 John 1:9
·
Making
covenants with God through sacred ordinances, such as baptism, by Priesthood
authority and what a person promises to do for each covenant. For example, when
baptized a person promise to be willing to always remember Jesus Christ, take
His name upon them, and keep His commandments (see John 3:5; Acts 2:38; Romans
6:3-16).
·
Receiving
the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by those having Priesthood
authority, and having the fruits of the Spirit present in the lives of members
(see Acts 8:14-17; Acts 19:1-6; 1 John 3:24).
o "The fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, [self control]" (Galatians 5:22-23).
Blessings
of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Forgiveness
of sins, assurance of salvation, godly character/divine attributes, comfort,
joy, peace, happiness, overcome weaknesses, knowledge, strength, personal healing.
Spiritual
Gifts
"All
faithful members of the Church were entitled to receive gifts of the Spirit.
These were given to them according to their individual needs, capacities, and
assignments. Some of these gifts were faith, including the power to heal and to
be healed; prophecy; and visions. (The gifts of the Spirit are discussed in
more detail in chapter 22 [of Gospel Principles].)" (Gospel Principles,
The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times).
Ordinances
Performed For the Dead
"Jesus
has provided for everyone to hear the gospel, whether on earth or after death.
Between His death and Resurrection, Jesus went among the spirits of those who
had died. He organized missionary work among those who were dead. He appointed
righteous messengers and gave them power to teach the gospel to all the spirits
of people who had died. This gave them an opportunity to accept the gospel.
(See 1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6; D&C 138.) Living members of His Church then
performed ordinances in behalf of the dead (see 1 Corinthians 15:29).
Ordinances such as baptism and confirmation must be done on earth" (Gospel
Principles, The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times).
Missionary
Work
"Go
ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20).
Charity,
Service, Sacrifice of Members
"By
this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to
another" (John 13:35).
Standard
of Worthiness for Church Members
See
1 Corinthians 5 and 6
True
Doctrine
·
Attributes
of God; He is our loving Heavenly Father, and He has a plan for us to receive
every blessing that He has (see Matthew 5:16, 48; Matthew 6:9; Acts 7:55-56; Acts
17:28-29; Romans 8:16-17; Hebrews 12:9; Revelation 3:21).
·
The
plan of salvation: a universal physical resurrection, spirit world, we shall be
judged by our works, kingdoms of glory (see Luke 24:36-43; 1 Corinthians 15:22,
40-41; 2 Corinthians 12:2; Philippians 3:21; 1 Peter 3:18-19; 1 Peter 4:6; Revelation
20:12).
Q What are other
features of the Church of Jesus Christ in New Testament times?
Apostasy
from the True Church
General
rejection of Christ's apostles was predicted. This is often referred to as the
Great Apostasy (see Matthew 24:9-11, Acts 20:28-30, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 2
Peter 2:1-3, Amos 8:11-12).
"After
the deaths of the Savior and His Apostles, men corrupted the principles of the
gospel and made unauthorized changes in Church organization and priesthood
ordinances. Because of this widespread wickedness, the Lord withdrew the
authority of the priesthood from the earth.
"During
the Great Apostasy, people were without divine direction from living prophets.
Many churches were established, but they did not have priesthood power to lead
people to the true knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Parts of the
holy scriptures were corrupted or lost, and no one had the authority to confer
the gift of the Holy Ghost or perform other priesthood ordinances. This
apostasy lasted until Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son appeared to Joseph
Smith in 1820 and initiated the restoration of the fullness of the gospel"
(True to the Faith, Apostasy).
"Throughout
history, many people have sincerely believed false creeds and doctrines. They
have worshiped according to the light they possessed and have received answers
to their prayers. Yet they are “kept from the truth because they know not where
to find it” (D&C 123:12)" (Preach My Gospel).
For
more information about the Great Apostasy, see
A
Restoration Foretold
"God
had foreseen the Apostasy and prepared for the gospel to be restored. The
Apostle Peter spoke of this to the Jews: “He shall send Jesus Christ, which
before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of
restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy
prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:20–21).
"John
the Revelator had also foreseen the time when the gospel would be restored. He
said, “I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting
gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and
kindred, and tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6)" (Gospel Principles,
The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times).
Q Why was the
Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ necessary?
For
more information about the restoration of the church of Jesus Christ, see
http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/2014/03/Restoration.html
Key talks about the restoration of the Church of Jesus
Christ can be found at
Key talks about the Atonement of Jesus Christ can be found at
Key talks about the Priesthood can be found at
Key talks about prophets and apostles can be
found at
Key talks about sharing the gospel can be found at
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