“Let him who wants a true church cling to the Word by which everything is upheld.”
ETERNAL FAMILIES
(next lesson)
THE RESTORATION
(this lesson)
GREAT APOSTASY
Restored Priesthood
Modern Prophets
Temple Work
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Apostasy. Retrieved March 22, 2019 from https://www.lds.org/topics/apostasy?lang=eng&_r=1&LANG=ENG&old=true
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Apostasy. Retrieved March 22, 2019 from https://www.lds.org/topics/apostasy?lang=eng&_r=1&LANG=ENG&old=true
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Retrieved March 22, 2019 from https://www.lds.org/topics/joseph-smith/testimony?lang=eng&old=true
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Restoration of the Priesthood. Retrieved March 22, 2019 from https://www.lds.org/topics/restoration-of-the-gospel?lang=eng
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Melchizedek Priesthood. Retrieved March 22, 2019 from https://www.lds.org/topics/melchizedek-priesthood?lang=eng
Retrieved April 24, 2020 from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2006/04/that-we-may-always-have-his-spirit-to-be-with-us?lang=eng
Retrieved April 24, 2020 from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/priesthood-ordinances-and-blessings/baptism-and-confirmation?lang=eng
Retrieved April 15, 2020 from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/36920_01188_198_eng.pdf?lang=eng
Retrieved April 15, 2020 fromhttps://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/prophets?lang=eng
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Temples. Retrieved March 22, 2019 from https://www.lds.org/topics/temples?lang=eng
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple. Retrieved March 22, 2019 from https://www.lds.org/manual/preparing-to-enter-the-holy-temple/preparing-to-enter-the-holy-temple?lang=eng
Retrieved April 15, 2020 from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/sealing?lang=eng
Discipleship
DOCTRINE
DEFINITION
New Testament churches are groups of born-again Christians who gather for the purpose of being a church.
To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours… (1 Corinthians 1:2)
New Testament churches vary by size and location.
As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. (Acts 16:4–5)
The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 16:19)
New Testament churches picture the universal, unconquerable church of which Christ is the Head.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)
And he [God] put all things under his [Christ’s] feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22–23)
New Testament churches have pastors (also called elders)
to shepherd their souls.
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:1–3)
New Testament churches have deacons to facilitate service.
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:1–4)
New Testament churches must pursue sound doctrine.
If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. (1 Timothy 4:6)
New Testament churches must reject false doctrine.
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. (1 Timothy 1:3–4)
Sound or false doctrine? How can we tell the difference?
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain….(1 Timothy 6:3–6)
New Testament doctrine teaches that believers are priests already.
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:4–6)
New Testament doctrine teaches that believers are temples already.
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)
New Testament doctrine teaches that believers have the promise of glory already.
And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:30)
[Jesus] said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)
True disciples follow the word of Christ.
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:66–69)
The word of Christ creates Christian community.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common.…And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42–47)
The word of Christ compels corporate worship.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)
The word of Christ commands teaching and preaching.
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2)
The word of Christ encourages personal investment.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24–25)
Do you identify with either of these objections?