Talking to Mormons

What did Jesus mean, when He said in Matthew 7:23 “I never knew you; depart from me”? What Jesus is referring to here is not an intellectual knowledge but a relationship.To understand a verse, we always have start with the context.  Jesus is wrapping up His Sermon on the Mount with a final warning.  Jesus foresees that false prophets will be coming as wolves in sheep’s clothing. (Matthew 7:15)  They may appear to have religious authority, but they will not belong to the Lord. Matthew 7:21-23“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” The phrase “In that day” is used throughout the Bible to refer to a future time of judgment.  A day when people – but not all – will stand before God and be judged.  I say, not all – because this judgment will not include those who have been saved through their belief on Jesus Christ.  The judgment for those believer’s eternal destiny was done on the cross.  Their sins were laid upon Jesus who paid the penalty for them.  When we repent and trust in Him – we receive forgiveness of our sins and His righteousness is imputed to us. (2 Corinthians 5:21).  We also receive the gift of eternal life (John 3:16) and the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. (John 16:13) We are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30). So, this judgment spoken of in Matthew 7 is the Great White Throne Judgment written about in Revelation 20:11?That’s right, Elder.  It is a judgment of non-believers – AND it’s a judgment of works.  Those who think their good works will merit salvation – who place their faith in the “many wonderful works” of their flesh – will be judged according to those works.But for the believers who trust that it is by Jesus’s work – not ours – they will have been made worthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.    When Jesus spoke those words in Matthew 7:21-23, he had just finished talking about how we can judge false prophets by their fruit. (Matthew 7:15-20)  The passage is very clear.  It speaks of wolves that look like sheep, thorns that look like grapes, and thistles that look like figs.  Jesus spoke of the contrast of good or fruitful trees and corrupt trees with bad fruit. Man’s fruits are his works.  We cannot judge the heart of man, but we can judge his works.  Both the profession of faith in Christ and the evidence of the fruits of faith and love should be apparent in every believer’s life. It seems that those in the Matthew 7 passage have evidence of good fruit – but are denied by Jesus.  That seems confusing.

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 Let me clarify it for you.  Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the WILL of my Father which is in heaven.”  We have to ask – What is the will of the Father?Since Jesus was obedient to the Father’s will – by living a perfect life and atoning for our sins on the cross – couldn’t we say that salvation is the will of God the Father?     Exactly!  Only, those who do the Father’s will – by accepting Jesus’ work – will be known by God and be allowed to enter heaven.The people spoken of in Matthew 7:22 are those who are numbered in the group Jesus spoke of in verse 21.  They will not enter the kingdom of heaven because they have not done the Father’s will.  They have not trusted in Christ.  Therefore, God does not know them.  It says in verse 22 that Jesus will judge them by their words and their works.  So, in that day of judgment they will call upon Jesus as Lord.  Bu

Does baptism for the dead have a basis in the Bible?  Was this Mormon temple rite originally established by Jesus, and taught and practiced by His apostles?    Chapter 14 is a continuation of Paul’s teachings dealing with – gifts of the Spirit in Chapter 12 – and charity in Chapter 13.  It would seem, that many of the Corinthian believers had gone overboard with speaking in tongues.  Paul had a lot to say in Chapter 14 about speaking in tongues – but we aren’t going to spend any time on it today – because the next Chapter has so much content to discuss.Chapter 15 is one of the most doctrinally important chapters in all the New Testament.  From Acts 17:32, we know that among some of the Greeks, the doctrine of the resurrection was regarded as ridiculous.  We know from the Gospel accounts that there were Jews who denied it.  As a means to counteract these errors, and to put the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead on a firm foundation of irrefutable truth – Paul addresses it – head on.  Verse 1 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;”  He’s saying, I Paul, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ declare unto you – believers in Corinth – THE GOSPLE.  The Good News!  What is the Good News Paul’s referring to here?  The things that he will include in the package of the Good News is given in Verses 3-4 “how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”  That is the definition of the Gospel – it’s that concise and simple.  When asked what is, the Gospel of Christ – you can go to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 to find the answer.  In this passage, we see three essential elements to the gospel message.  First, that Jesus “died for our sins.”  Second, that “he was buried.”  And, third, Jesus “rose again the third day.”  These are the concise essential elements of the gospel: the death of Christ on the cross to pay for our sins, the resurrection of Christ to provide life everlasting for those who will follow Him, and the offer of the free gift of salvation to all.  This is the foundation upon which Christians have to “stand.”  Now isn’t it interesting that Paul himself doesn’t include anything   includes today – for the Good News to have power to save?  He says nothing about baptism, being member of a church, having a priesthood authority, having a man calling himself a prophet, temple ordinances and rituals.  Nothing about doing works or being worthy.  These things are the non-essentials in the Gospel – which men have embraced and made part of the Good News.  But the Good News according to Paul here – stand on the works of Jesus Christ for the redemption of the world.  Paul warns in Galatians 1:6-9 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any many preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.“   Paul now adds the following in reference to Jesus rising on the third day – which is the general topic of this chapter – the resurrection – first of Christ and secondly of others.  So speaking of His rising after three days, Paul writes 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 “And that he was seen of Cephas (who was Peter), then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren (not counting women) at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep (meaning they have died).  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.  And last of all he was seen of me (Paul) also, as of one born out of due time.

So far, Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth has really gone into some depth in terms of apostolic instruction on the way to live – in that day and age.  And, at this point he speaks about the Christian relationship to idols.  We remember that idolatry was almost the universal practice of the Greeks.  And there – located in Corinth – was the temple of Diana.  And where there are idols – there are sacrifices to idols.  Sometimes those sacrifices included edible items that could be later consumed by others – including Christians.  Paul says in Chapter 8:4 “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.”  Therefore, Paul’s advice seems to be that there is no danger in partaking of the food offered in sacrifice to idols.  He is implying that there is nothing wrong with buying meat left over from pagan idol worship to help feed the family.  Paul summarizes the point by saying “that an idol is nothing in the world.”  And then he emphasizes “and that there is none other God but one.”  This line hearkens back to what the Jews called the Great Shema: Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.”  That is straight up – pure monotheistic worship of the true and living God.  Okay, listen carefully to the wording in 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 “For though there be that are called gods (lower-case g), whether in heaven or in earth (as there be gods (lower-case g)  many, and lords many,)  But to us there is but one God (upper-case G), the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”  Joseph Smith taught in the Section concerning the plurality of wives – Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20  that all who are worthy will become gods over their own worlds and will send their own spirit offspring to those worlds to go through the same plan of salvation as we are going through here.  Therefore, there are many gods in the universe.  But there is only one Heavenly Father for us.  If that is how the LDS want to twist Paul’s teaching to fit Smith’s theology, then they simply don’t understand what Paul is speaking about here.  Paul has been talking about the pagan gods Greeks worship – that they believe resided in heaven – like Jupiter, Juno, Mercury, and others.  And those deities they believe resided in earth – like Neptune, Ceres, and others.   Again, Verse 6 “But to us (Christian believers) there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”  Everything comes from God, through His only Human Son, Jesus Christ our Lord!1 Corinthians 9:1 “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?”  From the start in this chapter, Paul mentions the first qualifier of being an apostle – being a firsthand, eyewitness of Jesus – called directly by Jesus.  I think it’s important to realize that the “word” apostle and the “office” of apostle have two very different applications.  Apostle, the word, simply means a person sent – a messenger.  The office of apostle was occupied by twelve men who Jesus entrusted the organization of His church and the dissemination of His gospel.  Any one after that, claiming the office of Apostleship are false apostles.   Just want to make that clear.  For a good portion of Chapter 9, Paul argues that Christian workers should be paid by those they serve.  Paul’s explanation that God’s ministers should be supported by the churches – came as an order from the Lord.  Verse 14 “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”  But Paul supported himself so that no one would have any reason to think he was ministering with a financial motive.   This is true devotion.  The question I ask

Romans 1-3 – Come Follow Me

https://talkingtomormons.com/podcast-player/4434/romans-1-3-come-follow.mp3

We will now begin to study the epistles in the New Testament.  The manual introduces them by saying, “The Bible epistles are letters written by Church leaders to Saints in various parts of the world.  The Apostle Paul wrote most of the epistles in the New Testament – starting with Romans and ending with Hebrews.  His epistles are organized by length.  Although Romans is the first epistle in the New Testament, it was actually written near the end of Pau’s missionary journeys.” 

Paul boldly declares his testimony by saying in Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”   

Paul teaches us that everyone has received a knowledge of God.  Romans 1:19-20 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”  One

What became of the papyrus scrolls – that the Book of Abraham was translated from.

Once Joseph Smith was killed in 1844, the papyri collection remained in the possession of his widow, Emma.  Remember she refused to follow the leadership of Brigham Young, and remained in Nauvoo with her children while the Saints moved west to the Utah Territory.

In October of 1880, the Book of Abraham was included in The Pearl of Great Price which was officially canonized at the Church’s semi-annual General Conference in Salt Lake City. 

The Introduction to the Book of Abraham reads, “The writings of Abraham while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus.”

Are there qualifications on scripture for who is to be called and apostle of the Lord and who is not to be? So far, Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth has really gone into some depth in terms of apostolic instruction on the way to live – in that day and age.  And, at this point he speaks about the Christian relationship to idols.  We remember that idolatry was almost the universal practice of the Greeks.  And there – located in Corinth – was the temple of Diana.  And where there are idols – there are sacrifices to idols.  Sometimes those sacrifices included edible items that could be later consumed by others – including Christians.  Paul says in Chapter 8:4 “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.”  Therefore, Paul’s advice seems to be that there is no danger in partaking of the food offered in sacrifice to idols.  He is implying that there is nothing wrong with buying meat left over from pagan idol worship to help feed the family.  Paul summarizes the point by saying “that an idol is nothing in the world.”  And then he emphasizes “and that there is none other God but one.”  This line hearkens back to what the Jews called the Great Shema: Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.”  That is straight up – pure monotheistic worship of the true and living God.   Okay, listen carefully to the wording in 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 “For though there be that are called gods (lower-case g), whether in heaven or in earth (as there be gods (lower-case g)  many, and lords many,)  But to us there is but one God (upper-case G), the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”  Joseph Smith taught in the Section concerning the plurality of wives – Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20  that all who are worthy will become gods over their own worlds and will send their own spirit offspring to those worlds to go through the same plan of salvation as we are going through here.  Therefore, there are many gods in the universe.  But there is only one Heavenly Father for us.  If that is how the LDS want to twist Paul’s teaching to fit Smith’s theology, then they simply don’t understand what Paul is speaking about here.  Paul has been talking about the pagan gods Greeks worship – that they believe resided in heaven – like Jupiter, Juno, Mercury, and others.  And those deities they believe resided in earth – like Neptune, Ceres, and others.   Again, Verse 6 “But to us (Christian believers) there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”  Everything comes from God, through His only Human Son, Jesus Christ our Lord! 

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1 Corinthians 9:1 “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?”  From the start in this chapter, Paul mentions the first qualifier of being an apostle – being a firsthand, eyewitness of Jesus – called directly by Jesus.  I think it’s important to realize that the “word” apostle and the “office” of apostle have two very different applications.  Apostle, the word, simply means a person sent – a messenger.  The office of apostle was occupied by twelve men who Jesus entrusted the organization of His church and the dissemination of His gospel.  Any one after that, claiming the office of Apostleship are false apostles.   Just want to make that clear.  For a good portion of Chapter 9, Paul argues that Christian workers should be paid by those they serve.  Paul’s explanation that God’s ministers should be supported by the churches – came as an order from the Lord.  Verse 14 “Even so hath the Lor

Romans 1-3 – Come Follow Me

https://talkingtomormons.com/podcast-player/4434/romans-1-3-come-follow.mp3

We will now begin to study the epistles in the New Testament.  The manual introduces them by saying, “The Bible epistles are letters written by Church leaders to Saints in various parts of the world.  The Apostle Paul wrote most of the epistles in the New Testament – starting with Romans and ending with Hebrews.  His epistles are organized by length.  Although Romans is the first epistle in the New Testament, it was actually written near the end of Pau’s missionary journeys.” 

Paul boldly declares his testimony by saying in Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”   

Paul teaches us that everyone has received a knowledge of God.  Romans 1:19-20 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”  One

What became of the papyrus scrolls – that the Book of Abraham was translated from.

Once Joseph Smith was killed in 1844, the papyri collection remained in the possession of his widow, Emma.  Remember she refused to follow the leadership of Brigham Young, and remained in Nauvoo with her children while the Saints moved west to the Utah Territory.

In October of 1880, the Book of Abraham was included in The Pearl of Great Price which was officially canonized at the Church’s semi-annual General Conference in Salt Lake City. 

The Introduction to the Book of Abraham reads, “The writings of Abraham while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus.”

Romans 1-3 – Come Follow Me

https://talkingtomormons.com/podcast-player/4434/romans-1-3-come-follow.mp3

We will now begin to study the epistles in the New Testament.  The manual introduces them by saying, “The Bible epistles are letters written by Church leaders to Saints in various parts of the world.  The Apostle Paul wrote most of the epistles in the New Testament – starting with Romans and ending with Hebrews.  His epistles are organized by length.  Although Romans is the first epistle in the New Testament, it was actually written near the end of Pau’s missionary journeys.” 

Paul boldly declares his testimony by saying in Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”   

Paul teaches us that everyone has received a knowledge of God.  Romans 1:19-20 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”  One

What became of the papyrus scrolls – that the Book of Abraham was translated from.

Once Joseph Smith was killed in 1844, the papyri collection remained in the possession of his widow, Emma.  Remember she refused to follow the leadership of Brigham Young, and remained in Nauvoo with her children while the Saints moved west to the Utah Territory.

In October of 1880, the Book of Abraham was included in The Pearl of Great Price which was officially canonized at the Church’s semi-annual General Conference in Salt Lake City. 

The Introduction to the Book of Abraham reads, “The writings of Abraham while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus.”