Gospel Principles
Unit 5: The Church of Jesus Christ
Chapter 16: The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times
Comments and Resources

  "In the dispensation of the meridian of time Jesus Christ established His Church upon the earth, appointing therein the officers necessary for the carrying out of the Father's purposes (James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, p. 198.)"

  "If there is anything great or good in the world, it came from God" (Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 201). 

  "The Lord's 'law is truth' (Psalms 119:142), all his 'commandments are truth' (Psalms 119:151), and his 'works are truth' (Daniel 4:37), and his 'Word is truth.' (John 17:17)...
Truth...conforms to reality, is centered in God, and is as enduring as Diety himself" (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 810).

  "Then knowledge through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the grand key that unlocks the glories and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 5:388-89).


  During the study of this topic, we will learn how Christ organized a church when he was on the earth, how his church was organized, and that there was an apostasy during which the true church was taken from the earth.

Resources.
Gospel Principles, chapter 16.
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, chapter 4.
Jesus the Christ, chapters 38, 40.

Scriptures:
Articles of Faith 1:9  We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 

Topical Guide: <http://scriptures.lds.org/en/tg/contents> 
               Church Organization
               Gospel
               Knowledge
               Learn, Learning
               Light
               Mysteries of Godliness
               Revelation
               Scriptures, Value of
               True
               Trust in God
               Trust Not in the Arm of Flesh
               Truth
               Signs
               Apostasy of the Early Christian Church

Bible Dictionary: <http://Scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/contents>
                  Church
                  Revelation
                  Knowledge
                  Light of Christ'
                  

Concept 1: Introduction

'"We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth" (Articles of Faith 1:6).

Jesus established his Church when he was on the earth.  It was called the Church of Jesus Christ (3 Nephi 27:8 "And how be it my church save it be called in my name?  For if a church be called in Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if so be that they are built upon my gospel."), and the members were called Saints.  Through the persecution and martyrdom of Church leaders and the general wickedness of the people, the Church of Jesus Christ was take from the earth.

Today the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored and is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  All of the offices and functions of the Church in the days of Jesus are present in the Church today.

Discussion

Reread the 6th article of faith.  Compare to Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;".  Discuss the similarity  of this scripture and the article of faith.'



Concept 2: Some Features That Identify the Church of Jesus Christ; Revelation

'When Jesus established his Church, he personally instructed and directed it's leaders.  He, in turn, received his instructions from his Father in Heaven.  Thus the Church of Jesus was directed by God and not by men (Hebrews 1:1-2 "1. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;").  Jesus taught his followers that revelation was the "rock" upon which he would build his Church (Matthew 16:16-18  "16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17. And Jesus answered and said unto him, blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.").

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 revelator to them (Luke 12:12 "For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say"; John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, who the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.").  He spoke to Saul in a vision (Acts 9:3-6 "3. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus; and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecute thou me? 5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  6. An he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.").  He revealed to Peter that the gospel should be taught not only to the Jews but to the whole world (see acts 10, Peter in a vision is commanded to take the gospel to the Gentiles).  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.'


Concept 3: Some Features That Identify the Church of Jesus Christ: 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  (Hebrews 5:4-6 "  4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 
  5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 
  6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."), who in turn ordained his Apostles and gave them the power and authority of the priesthood  (Luke 9:1-2 "  1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 
  2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.").  He reminded them, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it 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 chef Apostle and gave him the keys to seal blessings both on earth and in heaven (Matthew 16:19 "  19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.").  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 (Acts 1:24 "And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, .").' 


Concept 4: Some Features That Identify The Church of Jesus Christ; The Church Organization

'The Church of Jesus Christ was a carefully organized unit.  It was compared to a perfectly formed building that was "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" (Ephesians 2:20).

Jesus appointed other priesthood leaders to assist the Apostles in the work of the ministry.  He sent officers called seventies in pairs to preach the gospel (Luke 10:1 "After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.").  Other officers in the Church were evangelist (patriarchs), pastors (presiding leaders), high priests, elders, bishops, priests, teachers and deacons (see chapter 14, "Priesthood Organization").  These officers were all necessary to do missionary work, preform ordinances, and instruct and inspire Church members.  The officers helped the members come to a "unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God" (Ephesians 4:13).

The Bible does not tell us everything about the priesthood or the organization and government of the Church.  However, enough of the Bible has been preserved to show the beauty and perfection of the Church organization.  The Apostles were commanded to go into all the world and preach.  They could not stay in any one city to supervise new converts.  Therefore, local priesthood leaders were called and ordained, and the letters to the leaders in the various branches.  Thus our New Testament contains letters written by the Apostles Paul, Peter, James, John and Jude, giving counsel and instruction to the local priesthood leaders.

The New Testament shows that this Church organization was intended to continue.  For example, the death of Judas left only eleven Apostles.  Soon after Jesus had ascended into heaven, the eleven Apostles met together to choose someone to take the place of Judas.  Through revelation from the Holy Ghost, the chose Matthias.  (Acts 1:23-26  "  23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 
  24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 
  25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 
  26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.").  
Later, other Apostles died or were killed.  Paul, Barnabus, and James, the brother of the Lord, were all ordained in their places.  Jesus had set a pattern for twelve Apostles to govern the Church.  It seemed clear that the organization was to continue as he had established it.'  


Concept 5: Some Features That Identify the Church of Jesus Christ; First Principles and Ordinances.

"The Apostles taught two basic principles; faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance.  After new converts had faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and their Redeemer and had repented of their sins, they received two ordinances: baptism by immersion and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.  These were the first principles and ordinances of the gospel.  Jesus had taught, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. " (John 3:5).  Everyone needed these saving ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.'


Concept 6: Some features That Identify the Church of Jesus Christ: Ordinances Preformed 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 and opportunity to accept the gospel (1 Peter 3:18-20 "1  18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 
  19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 
  20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.", 
1 Peter 4:6 "For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. "; 
D&C chapter 138).  Living members of his Church then performed ordinances in behalf of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:29 "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?").  Ordinances such as baptism and confirmation must be done on earth.'


Concept 7: Some features That Identify the Church of Jesus Christ; 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. )  Spiritual gifts always exist in the true Church of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-11  "  4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 
  5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 
  6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 
  7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 
  8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 
  9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 
  10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 
  11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."). 
Jesus told his disciples that these signs or spiritual gifts always follow them that believe (Mark 16:17-18 " 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 
  18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.").  
Many of his disciples performed miracles, prophesied, or beheld visions through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Discussion

List the features that identify the Church of Jesus Christ.  Are all these features found in any other church?'


Concept 8: The Church of Jesus Christ in the Americas

'After Jesus was resurrected, he visited the people in America and organized his Church among them (see 3 Nephi chapters 11-28). 
<http://Scriptures.lds.org/en/3_ne/11>  3 Nephi 11
Jesus Christ did show himself unto the people of Nephi, as the multitude were gathered together in the land Bountiful, and did minister unto them; and on this wise did he show himself unto them. Comprising chapters 11 to 26 inclusive. 


Then he left them and ascended into heaven.  For over two hundred years they lived righteously and were among the happiest people whom God had created (4 Nephi 1:16 "And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God. ").'


Concept 9: Apostasy from the True Church

'Throughout history, evil people have tried to destroy the work of God.  This happened while the Apostles were still alive and supervising the young, growing Church.  Some members taught ideas from their old pagan or Jewish beliefs instead of the simple truths taught by Jesus.  In addition, there was persecution from outside the Church.  Church members were tortured and killed for their beliefs.  One by one, the Apostles were killed.  Because of the persecution, surviving Apostles could not meet to choose and ordain men to replace those who were dead.  Eventually, local priesthood leaders were the only ones who had authority to direct the scattered branches of the Church.  The prefect organization of the Church no longer existed, and confusion resulted.  More and more error crept into Church doctrine, and soon the destruction of the Church was complete.  The period of time when the true Church no longer existed on earth is called the Great Apostasy.

Soon pagan beliefs dominated the thinking of those called Christians.  The Roman emperor adopted this false Christianity as the state religion.  This church was very different from the church Jesus organized.  Members of this church believed that God was being without form or substance.

These people lost the understanding of God's love for us.  They did not know that we are his children.  They did not understand the purpose of life.   Many of the ordinances were changed because the priesthood and revelation were no longer on the earth.

The emperor chose his own leaders and called them by the same titles used by priesthood leaders in the true Church of Christ.  Church officers were given honor and wealth.  Bishops and archbishops fought among themselves to gain more power.  There were no Apostles or other priesthood leaders with power from God, and there were no spiritual gifts.  The prophet Isaiah had foreseen this condition, prophesying,  "The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." (Isaiah 24:5).  It was the Church of Jesus Christ no longer; it was a church of men.  Even the name had been changed.  In the Americas, apostasy also occurred (See 4 Nephi ).

Discussion

What does the term 'apostasy' mean?
Have someone review the story of the Apostasy.
What were some of the signs of the Apostasy?'

Additional Resource
Which Church?: Apostacy <http://salvation.scottsworld.info/which.htm#apostacy>


Concept 10: 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). 

Discussion

Daniel 2:44-45  "  44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 
  45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure."

What did Daniel see?  The Stone in Daniel's dream is the Church of Jesus Christ.

Additional Scriptures 

Ephesians 2:19 (members called Saints)
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 

1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (Church likened to a perfect body)

Luke 10:1; Acts 14:23; Titus 1:7; 1 Timothy 2:7 (Offices of the Church Identified)

Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 

Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 

Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 

1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 

John 8:26-29 (the Father directs Jesus)
  26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. 
  27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. 
  28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 
  29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 
 

Luke 9:1; James 1:17; 5:14-15 (spiritual gifts)

Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  

James 5:14-15
  14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 
  15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 


2 Peter 2:1; Matthew 24:9-12; John 16:1-3; Amos 8:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (Apostasy predicted)

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 

Matthew 24:9-12
  9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 
  10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 
  11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 
  12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 

John 16:1-3
  1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 
  2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 
  3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 

Amos 8:11  Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 
  4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 


Daniel 2:44-45; Matthew 24:14; Micah 4:1; Isaiah 2:2-4 (Restoration predicted)
Daniel 2:44-45
  44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 
  45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. 

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.  

Micah 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 

Isaiah. 2:2-4
  2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 
  3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 
  4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.' 



-----------------
Moroni 10:4-5
"4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 
  5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

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