Justification, the Law, and Adoption (Galatians)

The Apostasy Continues

READ Acts 20:29-31

How do the “grievous wolves” enter among the Church?

In sheep’s clothing (see Matthew 7:15), otherwise they would be quickly rebuffed and would not be allowed to enter the Church and gain influence.

They appear to be “good members” – they keep the commandments (outward) and likely become leaders in the Church due to their talents.

How is Paul’s prophesy about apostasy in Ephesus reflected in the recipe for apostasy that we’ve discussed in previous posts?

Paul, a true messenger (he has stood in the presence of God and has a message from God) is gone from them.

He is replaced by subtle purveyors of priestcraft from within the current leadership of the Church – they act as stewards at first (the word “steward” implies that the “true king” is not in residence).

They reinterpret the true doctrine to become popular with the world and with Saints that are still connected to the world (which must have been a majority, otherwise why pander to them?  Actually, one answer is that the leaders were connected to the world and wanted to influence the Church to become more like they were and adopt their personal beliefs).

It is an inside job and was already in progress during Paul’s ministry – meaning the wholesale “apostasy” of the historic Christian Church started while the real apostles were still alive. 

 

 

Background for the Letter to the Galatians

The letter to the Galatian branches was written sometime between 48 and 58AD – more likely after the Great Jerusalem Council where the Judaizers doctrine of the need for Gentiles to convert to Judaism and be circumcised first, before becoming “Christian”, was denounced.  The Galatian branches were in modern Turkey and spanned from modern Ankara (called Ancyra anciently) in the north to Antioch towards the south. 

 

READ Galatians 1:6-8 and Galatians 2:3-4 and 14

What is the nature of the apostasy that has occurred in the Turkish branches?

The Judaizers have come from Jerusalem after Paul taught and baptized many pagans in what is now Turkey, and have convinced them that they should be circumcised and live the Law of Moses, as a part of the Christian religion – because the “Christian religion” is really the Jewish religion.

 

 

How Is A Person Justified?

READ Galatians 2:16

What does it mean to be justified?

To be declared “righteous”.

To be acquitted/declared innocent of ALL charges (it is a “court room” term).

The justified have committed no sins; or are looked upon as though they had never committed sin – they “never did it” rather than “they did it and paid their debt to society”.

 

READ D&C 88:36-39, Romans 3:10 and Alma 42:25

What are the principles in play when someone is declared “just”?

There are laws given (D&C 88:36).

There are certain bounds and conditions to all laws (D&C 88:38).

If we violate the conditions, we have broken the law and are no longer just or justified (D&C 88:39).

Everyone breaks the law or sins (Romans 3:10).

Payment must be made for broken law (Alma 42:25); there are natural consequences to breaking laws – and there may also be imposed penalties to enable karma to be satisfied.

If someone pays the complete penalty for all their sins (broken laws), are they now justified?

No, they are still guilty of breaking the law.

But they have now paid the price for disobedience.

They are “ex-cons” who have “served their time” and have “not sinned recently”.

They are not “justified” or innocent of ever having broken the law in the first place.

Who then is justified?

Jesus Christ.

No one else is justified by the works of the Law.

Those who, through covenant and sacrifice, exercise faith in Jesus Christ unto salvation (see Romans 3:24 JST, 2 Nephi 9:21, Alma 42:14-15) are also justified, due to the terms of the atoning sacrifice.

The question changes from “can I keep all of the commandments all of the time” to “can I become one with a perfect Savior”.

But, interestingly, keeping all the commandments all the time or in other words being perfect as Christ is perfect or becoming precisely as Christ is and nothing else is absolutely required of salvation (see LoF 7:9); however, it is not expected that we ascend to that level of perfection in this life – hence the need to be justified; however, as God gives us no commandments we cannot keep, we are expected to keep the commandments He has given us here and now.

 

 

What is the Relationship between the Law and the Gospel Covenant?

READ Galatians 3:10-11 and 3

How was the Law designed to save someone?

They had to keep all of the commandments all of the time or they were not justified by the Law – they were cursed because they broke the Law.

In reality, the Law was not designed to save anyone – it was impossible for all but Christ to keep it.

 

READ Galatians 3:19-21 (including JST Appendix) and 24-25

What was the purpose of the Law?

The Law was (and continues to be…) a “schoolmaster” to bring us to Christ.

The Law is the set of terrestrial rules designed to bring our conduct into alignment with God’s conduct.

As we act in obedience to God’s commandments (i.e. act as He does), we are filled with more light/glory/intelligence/truth.

As we are filled with more light, we are more likely to see our need for repentance/change and to desire to be righteous “naturally” or in other words, to lay our wills/whole souls on the Lord’s altar in sacrifice, that we might receive a mighty change of heart and be filled with His Spirit – receiving the Baptism of Fire, desiring to do His works ourselves – so that they are no longer imposed from outside by a set of rules, but they have become the desires of our hearts.

And as the Aaronic Priesthood holds the keys to the ministering of angels, who hold the required priesthood needed to give the Gift of the Holy Ghost/Baptism of Fire, the Law could/can lead any individual back into the presence of Christ if they follow the path taught them by the Spirit and angelic ministers (as taught over and over in the Book of Mormon – as they were living under the Law from 1 Nephi to 3 Nephi 11).

 

READ Galatians 3:17

Why was the Law of Moses given if the Gospel Covenant had previously been given to Abraham – and the line of Fathers from Adam to Shem before him?

Because the Children of Israel refused to come unto Jehovah themselves but sent Moses instead (see D&C 84:19-24 and Exodus 20:18-21).

Which caused them to lose the High Priesthood which would have enabled each of them to come into the presence of God (see D&C 84:25-27).

It is always up to us – how much light and truth will we choose to accept? 

It is not that God’s presence is so terrible that it drives mortals from Him – as Moses and Joseph Smith, for example, approached Him successfully.  However, God’s presence makes every person evaluate who and what they are.  Although we can lie to ourselves about how good we are, when we are in His presence we can no longer deceive ourselves – the difference between our “ragged righteousness” and His light, glory and intelligence is too obvious.  He withdraws Himself if we are not ready – that is how His “wrath” is manifested – because He desires to be one with us.  If He withdraws Himself from you, that should be felt keenly as an absence and rejection but it may also be a mercy, because to be in His presence unprepared is to be racked with a consciousness of guilt and misery (Mormon 9:3-5) and the very real possibility of incineration.  To the extent man has confidence in the presence of the Lord, it is wholly derived from Him, as He must decree us forgiven and clean, but we must want to be with Him because we love Him and then lay our whole souls at His feet in sacrifice. 

 

 

The Law of Adoption

READ Galatians 3:29-Galatians 4:7

What does it mean to be “Abraham’s seed”?

It means to have a part in the new and everlasting covenant that was restored to Abraham by God after the line of Patriarchs ended with Shem/Melchizedek’s city being translated and Abraham’s forefathers’ apostasy.

That includes first accepting the gospel through faith, repentance and baptism; second, receiving the baptism of fire/birth of the spirit; third, sacrificing and being tried at all hazards while seeking to be obedient and filled with more light/intelligence (sanctified); then receiving calling and election, second comforter and the eternal sealing in the Father’s heavenly temple.

Part of these latter ordinances include being sealed to the “fathers in heaven” or “fathers in eternal glory” (see TPJS 380-383), or Abraham, and be “adopted” by him as a “seed” or legitimate descendent – this could be by being sealed to Joseph Smith as his seed, who is then sealed up the line.

The principle here is to create the family or House of God, all of whom have entered the presence/rest of the Lord in this life and have been sealed up to Eternal Life.

In this we become “sons of God”, as the new and everlasting covenant is for that purpose – that we ultimately become Christ’s sons and daughters, spiritually reborn, redeemed and sealed to Him.

 

 

Christian Liberty

READ Galatians 5:1, 13-14

What is the “liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free”?

Christ gives us liberty from sin and death.

Christ gives us the liberty to choose – agency.

Christ gives us the liberty live by the “Spirit” not just the “Law”.

What is the difference between living by the Spirit vs the Law?

Living by the Spirit is harder than living by the Law.

Harder because it requires your heart and soul to be sacrificed while living the Law is much more about outward performance.

Harder because it requires us to love unconditionally, like Christ did.

Harder because it requires that we commune with God to obtain and follow His will moment to moment (not just to read and follow a set of rules from a book).

Harder because it requires us to use our own judgement based on revelation that we’ve received and sanctification that we’ve experienced to “test” us – did we learn the lessons?  Have we become what is required?  What lack we yet?

Harder because righteousness (following God’s will) is much more difficult than just being virtuous (i.e. Nephi’s killing of Laban was “righteous” but not “virtuous”) – He will customize trials for us to refine us in a very personal and tailored “furnace of affliction”.

Fruits of the Spirit

READ Galatians 5:22-25

What does “fruit of the Spirit” mean?

These are traits and behaviors that “flow” from those who have connected with the Spirit and received the baptism of fire.

They are not manufactured behaviors – fruit come naturally from a tree, they are not produced separately in a test-tube.

You cannot “work” on your fruits; you can only seek after the Spirit and sacrifice what is required to receive it.

What may be confusing is that those who are seeking after the birth of the Spirit attempt to act in line with these behaviors; the difference is that they are “white-knuckling” it to one degree or another; they are choosing to act that way vs. naturally being that way.

 

Justification, the Law, and Adoption (Galatians) QUESTIONS

The Apostasy Continues

READ Acts 20:29-31

How do the “grievous wolves” enter among the Church?

How is Paul’s prophesy about apostasy in Ephesus reflected in the recipe for apostasy that we’ve discussed in previous posts?

 

 

Background for the Letter to the Galatians

The letter to the Galatian branches was written sometime between 48 and 58AD – more likely after the Great Jerusalem Council where the Judaizers doctrine of the need for Gentiles to convert to Judaism and be circumcised first, before becoming “Christian”, was denounced.  The Galatian branches were in modern Turkey and spanned from modern Ankara (called Ancyra anciently) in the north to Antioch towards the south. 

 

READ Galatians 1:6-8 and Galatians 2:3-4 and 14

What is the nature of the apostasy that has occurred in the Turkish branches?

 

 

How Is A Person Justified?

READ Galatians 2:16

What does it mean to be justified?

 

READ D&C 88:36-39, Romans 3:10 and Alma 42:25

What are the principles in play when someone is declared “just”?

If someone pays the complete penalty for all their sins (broken laws), are they now justified?

Who then is justified?

 

 

What is the Relationship between the Law and the Gospel Covenant?

READ Galatians 3:10-11 and 3

How was the Law designed to save someone?

 

READ Galatians 3:19-21 (including JST Appendix) and 24-25

What was the purpose of the Law?

 

READ Galatians 3:17

Why was the Law of Moses given if the Gospel Covenant had previously been given to Abraham – and the line of Fathers from Adam to Shem before him?

 

 

The Law of Adoption

READ Galatians 3:29-Galatians 4:7

What does it mean to be “Abraham’s seed”?

 

 

Christian Liberty

READ Galatians 5:1, 13-14

What is the “liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free”?

What is the difference between living by the Spirit vs the Law?

Fruits of the Spirit

READ Galatians 5:22-25

What does “fruit of the Spirit” mean?

Idolatry and Apostasy (Acts 16-17; 1 and 2 Thessalonians)

Paul’s First Mission to Greece

READ Acts 16:16-21

What issue do the men have against Paul and Silas?

By casting out the devil from the girl, they have nullified the men’s revenue stream, as she was their “oracle” and they received the money from the divining that she did through the evil spirit.

It’s not about religious or cultural differences between Jews and Romans – this was about business.

 

READ Acts 16:22-40

Why did the Magistrates fear when they were told that Paul was a Roman (citizen)?

It was illegal to beat or imprison a Roman Citizen.

The penalty for this who abused a citizen were severe.

Why did Paul not say anything when the police first took them and beat them?

He could use the leverage against them later.

He is buying the Church in Philippi some police protection by taking this beating.

Why did Paul not escape when the earthquake hit?

He knew the Jailer would be killed.

Again, he was buying some favor or leverage.

Why did the Lord send the earthquake if it wasn’t for Paul’s escape?

To give Paul a chance to show mercy – that he could have escaped but knowing it would cost a man his life.

To get the jailor’s attention and show His power as God – that He will take care of His servants, even if it requires direct intervention.

To give the jailor a chance to hear the gospel and be baptized.

 

READ Acts 17:1-10

How did Paul teach the Thessalonians?

He went to the Jewish synagogues to preach to them.

The content of this teaching was: The Messiah was the suffering servant, not the vanquishing hero; He was to be killed but would raise Himself from the dead; Jesus of Nazareth IS the Messiah.

He taught out of the scriptures – i.e. he opened the scriptures unto them (they already had them and thought they knew what they meant but, like the two on the Road to Emmaus, their traditions had clearly blinded them to the truth.

Who was open to the message?

Some Jews, a great multitude of devout Greeks (converts to Judaism?), and many of the leading women of the city (Gentile pagans).

What did the unbelieving Jews do?

They colluded with the rough element of town and kicked off a riot.

They attacked the home where the missionaries were staying and dragged the homeowner in front of the local government leaders (they couldn’t find Paul and Silas).

They extorted some “security money” from Jason (mob style protection money).

 

When the Jews in Thessalonica find out that Paul and Silas are preaching in Berea, they travel the 40 miles to break things up there, too.  Silas stays but Paul is carted off to Athens in a ship.

Why did Paul need to go but Silas could stay?

With his cultural background, Jewish education and Roman citizenship, Paul is the threat – he’s the one that the Jews are really targeting.

 

READ Acts 17:16-23

Who is Paul primarily targeting for his preaching?

The diaspora Jews who live in Greece.

Why is Paul so upset that Athens is “wholly given to idolatry”?

Greeks worship a pantheon of (false) gods.

It’s not just the Greeks that worship idols – but it appears that the Greek way has infiltrated the thinking of the Jews in the city; the philosophies of the Greeks (Plato) is the real problem, as it can subtly influence and change the thinking of what and how the Jews worship, without converting them to the worship of a Greek god. 

In effect, they turn the true God into a Greek god by influencing the Jews in their beliefs about the character and attributes of God, His plan for mortals, their ordinances & festivals, etc.  It is the same thing that continues today.  If we want to be respected by (i.e. popular with) the world, we will have to “reinterpret” some doctrines in line with the society at large.

What is wrong with wanting to hear “new things”?

Not all “things” are of the same value – i.e. the internet contains almost an endless supply of “new things” but little of it will save your soul.

The sense is that the Athenians loved to talk about titillating “new things” but never managed to manufacture enough faith to act on any of them; they loved to be thrilled – like going to the movies to live vicariously through ideas and stories.

If the “new things” are the “mysteries of Godliness”, there is nothing more important than seeking after, obtaining, and then acting on those “new things”.

Being open and teachable to those “new things” is absolutely necessary to salvation – “I have a Bible/Book of Mormon/D&C and I need no more revelation” is an unwise route to take (see 2 Nephi 29:3, 8 and 10) – it assumes that you know everything that God wants or needs you to know; the only way that is true is that you’ve already rent the veil and know Him personally and the things He instructed you to do, you are doing (see 2 Nephi 32:4-7) – but even then, you’re still very much learning and growing. 

What is the problem with “ignorantly worshiping” the “unknown god”?

Without a correct idea of God’s character, perfections and attributes (and an actual knowledge that the course of life one is pursuing is according to His will), a rational and intelligent being cannot exercise faith in God unto salvation (see LoF 3:2-5).

Enough doubt will exist in the heart of the individual to undermine the ability to exercise saving faith – either they will initially act in faith based on a set of supposed attributes about God which in all likelihood are incorrect or incomplete and thus they are “let down” because their expectations didn’t align with reality/truth, or they grow “weary in the minds and faint” (see LoF 6:4) because they don’t know their status before God or if they are even on the right “way” at all.

Things may be fine while the sun is shining but when things don’t go well, doubt creeps in: Is He listening?  Does He care about me?  What is His will?  What am I doing wrong?  Does He even exist?

How do we find out what the “unknown god” is really like?

Initially, He must be “declared” unto us by one who KNOWS Him (not just one who knows about Him – which would be hearsay and would only engender further doubt when pressed – the speculation of scholars or priests is not the same as the testimony of true prophets who have been in God’s presence).

This witness from a credible human witness will either engender a desire to find God for oneself (with insight regarding the Way to pursue the inquiry), or the faith of the individual will fade and die, having never been acted on.

Ultimately, the “unknown god” only becomes “known” when you meet Him (a “glorious discovery”) and receive promises of Eternal Life that He cannot break (an “eternal certainty”), as some things must be learned but cannot be taught by man – they must be experienced personally and/or taught/told by God to us directly (see LoF 2:56).

 

READ Acts 17:24-32

What does it mean that God “dwelleth not in temples made with hands”?

We are the “temple of God” (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

The Spirit of God dwells in us (ditto).

The Holy Spirit is the mind of God, and those who inherit the Celestial Kingdom possess the “same mind, being transformed into the same image or likeness, even the express image of Him who fills all in all, being filled with the fullness of His glory” (see LoF 5:2).

Note that this is not referring to the Second Comforter – who does not dwell in us but visits us, but to the Holy Spirit – this is how we become “holy” or like Him ourselves: we are animated by His Spirit – we are truly one with Him.

What does it mean that “in Him we live and move and have our being”?

Christ is “in all things” – everything in this creation is sustained by the Light of Christ; He occupies it all by His light – He is more intelligent that all of it – He keeps it organized by the Light emanating from Him (see D&C 88:6-13).

This means at this very moment, you are in contact with Him through His Spirit. He is giving you the life you are presently living. The materials that our bodies are created of, and all the elements and energy/light that sustain our lives belong to Him (see Mosiah 2:21, 25).

Why did God make the world?

For us to have a place to exercise faith in God.

So that mankind, cast out of His direct presence, could seek and find Him.

Using these mortal bodies as an avatar in which to do so, in a world of pain and suffering where our decisions have real consequences on ourselves and each other.

What was easy to have faith in while in God’s presence and what was difficult to have faith in?

Faith in His/Their omniscience.

Faith in His/Their power.

Faith in His/Their love.

Hard to have faith in His/Their existence – we KNEW them intimately, so it was not faith – it would have been difficult for us to even imagine doubting their existence.

Hard to have faith in our autonomy – difficult to have faith in agency – it took an act of faith by us to believe in our existence or independence from Him/Them.  Christ took the first step and showed the way for others to follow.  He began the process of acting by faith, independently, proving for the rest of us that we could have faith in the Father’s word.

What does it mean to “feel after” God?

The initial connections with God in this mortal world are as light and seemingly intangible as gossamer.

It is like we are blind (well we are, spiritually – our minds are “darkened” without the Lord and His Spirit), and we are “feeling” our way along without the light in this dark and dreary world (D&C 88:49-50 and D&C 84:54).

Like the blind, we make use of other senses to discern what is going on around us, but, like the blind, we miss much of what is really happening because we cannot see the spiritual realm.

Only God has the light to quicken us or heal us – which enables us to see things as they really are (see D&C 93:24).

We could not develop the kind of faith God has while living in His presence.  Here on earth, we all think we are independent of Him.  In fact, it takes an act of faith to even believe in His existence, while in Heaven it took an act of faith to believe in our own existence or independence from Him.  He is so far veiled from us that everything is now reversed.  We have to be taught about Him before we believe in Him.  It is now more challenging to believe in HIS existence than it is to believe in our own – this is the opposite of how it was in heaven.  

 

 

Paul’s Letters to the New Converts in Thessalonica, Greece:

Thessalonica was the chief city of Macedonia (northern Greece) due to commerce from its port.  It was a “free city” within the Roman Empire (no military occupation or taxation, and was allowed self-government).  There was a sizable Jewish population in the city.  These two letters to the new branches of the Church in Thessalonica were written shortly after Paul was forced to leave the city (see Acts 17) in approximately 50 or 51 AD.

 

First Thessalonians contains an account of the missionaries visit to the city (1 Thes 2-3), an exhortation to righteous living (1 Thes 4:1-12 and 5:8-22) and a doctrinal exposition on the Second Coming of Christ (1 Thes 4:13-5:7).

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:3-7

How did Paul and the missionaries teach the gospel?

With boldness and plainness – they did not sugarcoat the message to make it pleasing to those that heard it.

They risked being rejected because of their plainness – because they feared/worshipped/respected God more than man.

They did not set themselves up as a light or as a burden to be taken care of (i.e. paid or given gifts/charity to) but they worked for their own support (see v 9).

Despite their boldness, they taught with love and gentleness.

 

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:13

How did the Thessalonians who converted receive the message?

They did not take the word of the men who taught them, regardless of any bonafides/credentials or authority that they may have possessed (remember Paul’s background which would give him the first, although perhaps not the second, as he was cast out by the Sanhedrin).

They heard the voice of God through His Spirit in the message; and no doubt prayed for a confirmation of its truth (see 1 Thes 5:17 and 19-21).

 

Second Thessalonians was written not long after the first letter.  It revisits the subject of the Second Coming of Christ from the first letter. 

READ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (including JST) and 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

What is Paul’s warning to the Saints with regards to the events and timing of the Second Coming of Christ?

There will be a falling away or apostasy from the truth first.

The Second Coming was not an imminent event for the saints at that time – or at least, they would suffer through an apostasy first.

How does Apostasy take place?

Apostasy is always an “inside job” – it does not come from an attack from outside the Church.

Apostasy is a “falling away” and happens at a personal level; having said that, if there is a Church organization in place and those in leadership roles (i.e. have power in the organization) “fall away”, they will subtly influence what is taught and how it is interpreted, and the falling away will accelerate.  This is particularly true when leaders enjoy leadership and want to stay in power in the organization – even if it’s for the members own good (implied is that the leaders know better, likely because of their advanced righteousness and intelligence vis-à-vis the rank and file members).

Why is apostasy from within a much more effective tool for Satan than persecution from without?

If you are subtle enough, you can make it appear that nothing has really changed – “lull the people to sleep” and then don’t “frighten them and wake them up” is the strategy, otherwise they may fight you.

People may choose to die fighting for what they believe in, but if you can change what they believe in – especially if it can be like in the movie “Inception” where they think it comes from God or themselves and not a third party, all the better.

What does being a “son of perdition” require?

That the person sins against the greatest light; i.e. they have received their calling and election and the High Priesthood of God but then turn away from Christ, “crucifying Him again”, as it were (see D&C 84:40-41).

In other words, they REALLY know what they are doing but they desire power and authority in this world more.

What does this “son of perdition” do?

He seeks authority, honor, credentials, position, and recognition.

He seeks to control others, placing himself between mankind (e.g., Church members) and God.

He wants to be worshipped as if he was God or has His power; he claims to have God’s own authority given to him and seeks to exalt himself.

He sits in the Temple of God – i.e. the place of spiritual power and authority, acting as if he was God himself – that he speaks for God.

He is then free to change the religion revealed to the Saints by Christ, His angels, and His actual mortal prophets/messengers – because he appears to be God or His true messenger.

What doctrines does Satan attack first?

The nature of God (a perfect man vs. the Trinity vs. no god exists).

The nature of Man (a child of God who can attain to theosis vs. a favorite creation vs. the enlightened humanistic man).

The gospel of Christ (come unto Christ in the flesh and be justified, sanctified, redeemed and sealed up to Eternal Life by the Father vs. saved by grace or saved by works vs. saved by the authority of men’s ordinances and priesthood power vs. no need to be saved at all because this life is all there is).

What is the process Satan follows to perpetrate an apostasy?

Make the true message very unpopular – rile up the world against the message (i.e. the Hellenistic philosophers).

Discredit and then kill the true messengers (Peter, Paul, Joseph Smith etc).

Replace the true messengers with subtle purveyors of priestcraft; they seem like stewards of the faith at first but gain control in time (some early Bishops).

Establish that the Priesthood authority to lead through the Spirit is still with the Church and its councils; that God will not allow them to be led astray (Catholic doctrine of the infallibility of the Pope).

Establish that the authority to conduct saving ordinances is not tied to the personal righteousness (spiritual power) of the person administering it, but exists in the “keys” that the Church holds (the Catholic Donatist Heresy).

Reinterpret the true doctrine to become more popular with the world (reducing persecution of the Church members, and leaders), then destroy or change the parts of the scriptures that are most plain and precious to adhere to those reinterpretations (see 1 Nephi 13:26).

Make people fear seeking after and receiving personal revelation and spiritual experiences; show them that there is greater safety in a unity of faith through councils that are “aligned” through the “Holy Ghost” as revealed to the Church leaders (“witch trials” for anyone displaying spiritual gifts or discounting their testimonies as “weird” or “fundamentalist”).

Tie righteousness to Church positions so that only leaders should receive revelation and major spiritual experiences anyway, because only they cannot be deceived, and only they are worthy to receive them because of their greater personal righteousness as demonstrated by the fact that they’ve been called into a certain Church position (power of the Catholic priest).

Help the people to realize that they no longer need new revelation anyway, they have all they need – they just need to do a better job of living it (Closed Biblical canon).

Keep people fearful for their eternal salvation and under the control of the Church leadership; cast out or kill those who are a threat to the regime (the confessional; mandatory religious taxes; Spanish Inquisition or equivalent).

Tie material blessings to righteousness to show that “all is well in Zion, yea, Zion prospers” so all must be well (wealth of Vatican City).

Then use the wealth that comes with grinding the faces of the poor to consolidate power within and outside of the Church.  And use all of that as proof that God is with the Church - so don’t leave it and you’ll be saved! (the political power of the Holy Roman Empire).

 

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:8-13

What is the example that Paul gives to the Thessalonians?

That true priesthood works for its food – it does not trade “blessings” or “religion” for financial support.

He is warning them against priestcraft.

He is telling them that the leader is the servant of all – like Christ washing the feet of the apostles – “be not weary in well doing”, i.e. do the things Christ did = serve and minister to the least.

Do not use tithing or offerings or temple revenues (or the investment or interest income from such) to support the priests and leaders in their lifestyles. 

 

Idolatry and Apostasy (Acts 16-17; 1 and 2 Thessalonians) QUESTIONS

Paul’s First Mission to Greece

READ Acts 16:16-21

What issue do the men have against Paul and Silas?

 

READ Acts 16:22-40

Why did the Magistrates fear when they were told that Paul was a Roman (citizen)?

Why did Paul not say anything when the police first took them and beat them?

Why did Paul not escape when the earthquake hit?

Why did the Lord send the earthquake if it wasn’t for Paul’s escape?

 

READ Acts 17:1-10

How did Paul teach the Thessalonians?

Who was open to the message?

What did the unbelieving Jews do?

 

When the Jews in Thessalonica find out that Paul and Silas are preaching in Berea, they travel the 40 miles to break things up there, too.  Silas stays but Paul is carted off to Athens in a ship.

Why did Paul need to go but Silas could stay?

 

READ Acts 17:16-23

Who is Paul primarily targeting for his preaching?

Why is Paul so upset that Athens is “wholly given to idolatry”?

What is wrong with wanting to hear “new things”?

What is the problem with “ignorantly worshiping” the “unknown god”?

How do we find out what the “unknown god” is really like?

 

READ Acts 17:24-32

What does it mean that God “dwelleth not in temples made with hands”?

What does it mean that “in Him we live and move and have our being”?

Why did God make the world?

What was easy to have faith in while in God’s presence and what was difficult to have faith in?

What does it mean to “feel after” God?

 

 

Paul’s Letters to the New Converts in Thessalonica, Greece:

Thessalonica was the chief city of Macedonia (northern Greece) due to commerce from its port.  It was a “free city” within the Roman Empire (no military occupation or taxation, and was allowed self-government).  There was a sizable Jewish population in the city.  These two letters to the new branches of the Church in Thessalonica were written shortly after Paul was forced to leave the city (see Acts 17) in approximately 50 or 51 AD.

 

First Thessalonians contains an account of the missionaries visit to the city (1 Thes 2-3), an exhortation to righteous living (1 Thes 4:1-12 and 5:8-22) and a doctrinal exposition on the Second Coming of Christ (1 Thes 4:13-5:7).

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:3-7

How did Paul and the missionaries teach the gospel?

 

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:13

How did the Thessalonians who converted receive the message?

 

Second Thessalonians was written not long after the first letter.  It revisits the subject of the Second Coming of Christ from the first letter. 

READ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (including JST) and 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

What is Paul’s warning to the Saints with regards to the events and timing of the Second Coming of Christ?

How does Apostasy take place?

Why is apostasy from within a much more effective tool for Satan than persecution from without?

What does being a “son of perdition” require?

What does this “son of perdition” do?

What doctrines does Satan attack first?

What is the process Satan follows to perpetrate an apostasy?

 

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:8-13

What is the example that Paul gives to the Thessalonians?

The Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10-15)

The Gospel to the Gentiles

READ Acts 10:1-4

What is Cornelius, the Roman Centurion, being told by the angel?

His heart is known, his actions have been weighed, his prayers have been heard and the Lord is putting the process in place to save him in the kingdom of God.

What is implied by this?

God truly is no respecter of persons – i.e. being part of a “chosen people” doesn’t mean you’re any better than anyone else.

The only advantage being part of a chosen people may give you is better access to the truth; however, that is a double-edged sword, as you will be responsible for not advancing in light that much further, if you choose not to pursue what has been made available to you. 

 

READ Acts 10:34-35

So, if God is no respecter of persons, what does it mean to be a “chosen” people?

Chosen to receive the revelations from God which will make it easier to walk back into His presence and be saved (as you can’t be saved in ignorance).

Chosen to be a “peculiar people” out of alignment with the world – to be hated of the world because the world loves its own and hates all others who don’t comply with its culture and values.

Chosen to serve all others – to follow Christ’s example and minister to, teach and bless all who do not yet have the knowledge of God and His ways.

What does it mean that God is no respecter of persons?

The deeds and salvation gained by your ancestors means nothing with regards to YOUR salvation.

One’s calling gives them no automatic access to spiritual blessings – regardless of the calling. 

ANYONE can humble themselves before God and successfully seek Him out if they offer their whole souls on His altar in covenant with Him, and exercise faith in His love and power to save them.

 

READ Acts 10:5, 9-16

What do the “unclean” or “common” animals represent?

The Gentiles.

When Christ talked about “salt that has lost its savor”, it has become “profaned” because it has come in contact with something that has contaminated it.  This is our common lot in mortality. 

But what does it mean that “what God hath cleansed, that call not thou common”?

God has the opposite affect – coming into contact with Him, even if you are “profane” or “contaminated” will make you clean or sanctified or it will make you incinerated and racked with torment if He does not declare you clean  (see Isaiah 6:5-8, 1 Kings 2:28-34, and Matthew 23:35, where the altar of the Temple was believed to not be capable of being profaned, but would make any in contact with it holy or clean like it was).

Our uncleanness does not make Him unclean by our contact with Him – but to enable us to not be destroyed, His Word can make us absolutely clean; we are perfect in Christ, not perfect in ourselves.

What is the message of this vision to Peter?

The Gospel is to be taken to the Gentiles (see Acts 11:18).

What is the significance of the proclamation being given to Peter three times?

It is eternally binding.

It is the opposite of a “wo, wo, wo” curse, from which there is no going back.

 

READ 1 Nephi 13:42

What does this prophecy mean?

Christ and His gospel would first be given to the Jews (at the time of His birth and ministry).

Then it would be given to the Gentiles (which we are now reading about in Acts).

In the last days, Christ would manifest Himself first to the Gentiles (via Joseph Smith and the Latter-day Saints).

And then unto the Jews, including the remnant of Lehi’s descendants.

Why was this revelation so shocking to Peter?

Even the Samaritans were seen as unclean apostates, much less the Gentiles, who believed in all kinds of heathen gods – this revelation was abhorrent to someone raised in the Jewish traditions at this time.

 

READ Acts 10:19-20, 24-32, and 44-48

What is the sign that the gospel is really to be preached to the Gentiles?

They receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost/Baptism of Fire (see Acts 11:15-17).

The spiritual, inward change has already taken place, leaving only the formal, official outward performance of the ordinance of water baptism to be completed.

Implied is that while the outward ordinance extending the covenant is required, not only is it insufficient on its own, but the Lord can work with people independent of the administration of the outward ordinance and enable them to experience the mighty change of heart through the Holy Spirit and baptism of fire without having first participated in water baptism, because that baptism of fire comes through Him directly, based on the person’s willingness to offer their whole soul to Him, not through a Church or their outward ordinances.  If this is true, then why do we even need a Church?  Because most people require the symbolism and learning that comes through the administration of outward ordinances to understand what the true inner covenant and spiritual experience might be.  Ordinances are invitations to experience more, through covenant with God.    

 

 

Peter’s Escape from Prison

READ Acts 12:1-5

In the context of Christ, Stephen and James deaths, what might have the Church assumed would happen to Peter?

He would also be killed in short order.

What was their reaction?

Petitioning the Lord for Peter’s release.

They practiced the Parable of the Importuned Friend at Midnight – “weary the Lord until He blesses you”.

 

READ Acts 12:6-11

How did the Lord release Peter from prison?

Through an angel from God.

How did Peter react?

He followed the angel – shades of Mission Impossible or Jason Bourne – one heck of an angel – the angel must have been having fun.

But Peter thought he was asleep and dreaming.

Is there precedent for this kind of intrusive action from heaven?

Yes – Daniel; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; Elisha; Alma; Nephi.

 

 

Paul vs. the Judaizers

READ Acts 11:1-3

What happened when the rest of the Church in Jerusalem heard what Peter had done in opening the Gospel to the Gentiles?

Some (many) were deeply offended.

They felt that Gentiles should not be preached the gospel.

Later they will espouse a belief that if Gentiles are to be baptized, they need to become Jews first and live the Law of Moses.

This will eventually split the Church.

 

READ Acts 11:22-26

Why do they get Saul/Paul from Tarsus?

He is the perfect missionary to the Greeks and Romans – being one (culturally) himself and also being a Roman citizen.

And its also possible that they didn’t want to carry out this “abomination” personally.

 

Paul and Barnabus preach Christ as the Messiah in the Jewish synagogue in Antioch (see Acts 13:14-41). 

READ Acts 14:42-48

How did the Jews generally react to Paul’s preaching that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah?

While they didn’t cast the missionaries out or attack them, they didn’t really believe them, either.

How did the Gentiles react to the missionary message?

They embraced it – and the whole city showed up to hear it.

Many were baptized (ordained to eternal life).

 

READ Acts 14:50

How did the Jews react to the Gentiles accepting the Gospel of Christ?

They ran Paul and Barnabus out of town.

This was too much for some; implied is the power that the traditions of the scribes and pharisees over hundreds of years had on the people -even those that were spiritually awake enough to recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah and to understand the nature of His first coming. 

 

READ Acts 15:1-5

What do the Jewish Christians want to do with the Gentile converts?

Make them Jewish proselytes (converts) first.

So that they will live the Law of Moses – with Christ the object of the Law.

Why do they want this?

Because they believe that the Messiah can/will only save Jews.

It is a bridge WAY too far to think that the Law of Moses was just a schoolmaster – that it didn’t have saving properties in and of itself.

This reminds me of a conversation I listened in on at BYU back in the early 1990s, where two professors were talking about the difficulty the Church was having with the native cultural traits of new members in Africa (i.e. drumming in Church meetings), and what, if any “Western Yankee” cultural traits should be exported with the Gospel (i.e. the “priesthood uniform” of white shirts, boring ties and dark suits).  Although it is merely rhetorical until we rend the veil, we might also wonder which cultural traits we espouse that will be wildly inappropriate in heaven, or even in the terrestrial Zion, for that matter.

What is the problem with conflating culture and traditions (of the fathers) with the doctrine of Christ?

Only the doctrine of Christ will save you.

The cultural mores and traditions are philosophies of men, perhaps inspired (at some point or to some degree) but perhaps not.

If they do not exist in heaven, they are transitory anyway.

The danger is that a) they may not be true, b) they may detract from the truth, c) regardless, they will not save you so they constitute a distraction.

What is the problem with settling for a “starter” gospel rather than the “mysteries of godliness”?

You will never enter and abide (stay) in the presence of God in this life (D&C 84:19-26) – there is just not enough truth and light in a starter gospel to enable that.

You will be under condemnation (D&C 84:49-59) for not seeking for and obtaining more.

You will not be redeemed from the Fall (Ether 3:13-14).

You will not receive a Celestial glory (D&C 76:51, 74 and D&C 88:75).

And it is all just, because you chose it yourself (2 Nephi 32:6-7).

Is the gospel going to the Gentiles a sea-change for God, and if so, why did He do it?

It may be a change in mortal time but not an eternal doctrinal change – God does things “in season”, according to His own wisdom (D&C 5:30, D&C 89:11, D&C 127:1, D&C 19:21-22).

God is no respecter of persons; chosen blood does not matter – obedience and sacrifice matter (Acts 10:34-35).

And He is not a changeable God – His doctrine is His doctrine – if He changes, He will cease to be God (Moroni 8:18 and Mormon 9:19).

 

READ Acts 15:6-18

Why were the Apostles and elders disputing?

They were struggling with the culture vs doctrine and the Mosaic Law vs Celestial Principles issues – they loved what they were comfortable with and “knew” to be right.

They had not gone to the Lord for revelation to truly understand Peter’s vision and how it should be applied.

Why was there no difference between converted Gentiles and Jewish Christians?

Because they all had equal access to the Gift of the Holy Ghost and mighty change of heart – all who would receive it, received it in the same manner and by living the same terms.

All are saved by the grace of Christ, not through personal works (whether it be adherence to a Jewish Law of Moses or an LDS “For the Strength of Youth”).

The Jews couldn’t live the Law of Moses perfectly anyway – so why impose that senseless burden on the Gentile converts?  It was pride in the outward shows of righteousness and a proof that the gospel covenant hadn’t been entered into by many Church members.

What had Simeon declared to them?

That God has already visited Gentiles previously in history to introduce the gospel to them and they accepted it and became His people (taking upon themselves His name) – not sure who he is referring to here – either pre-Abrahamic people like Enoch or perhaps a group of gentiles (Arabs or some other group descended from Abraham but not Jacob, or maybe another group entirely, like in Babylon or Persia) that we don’t know about.

Other prophets have also testified of this.

God knows the works of all mankind, from the beginning – and is not a respecter of persons but will reward those that seek after Him in humility with the gospel and His presence.

So, there was precedent for this sharing of the gospel beyond the twelve tribes of Israel.