ARTICLES
The Grace Divide
Calvary Boise brochure
If we could only speak to Mormons
about one thing, it would have to be about grace. We should count
none of it as loss if we never spoke with another Mormon about the
nature of God, pre-mortality, veracity of the Book of Mormon, or the
credibility of Joseph Smith as a prophet, seer, and revelator but
could only focus on the grace of God.
In this booklet, we will look at
what grace is and is not, how grace is viewed in Mormon and biblical
doctrine, and what role faith and works play in apprehending grace.
Our intent is to create an understanding of why we need God’s grace
and why it is sufficient apart from anything that we could, if
possible, add to it.
If you are a Christian who holds
to sound biblical doctrine, you will immediately recognize why the
grace of God is the foundation of your witness. For if a person does
not recognize the need for God’s grace, they will have no incentive
and no inclination to reach out and take hold of it through faith.
As Paul wrote to the Ephesians, you are called “to shine like stars
in the universe as you hold out the word of life.”
The foundation of the word of life is grace flowing from God’s love.
That’s the heart of the gospel.
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According to the Holy Bible, salvation is by Jesus alone.
It is difficult to understand the
complexity of Salvation according LDS teaching and doctrine.
LDS Prophet Spencer Kimball taught that salvation and exaltation are
synonymous.
BIBLE: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of
regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5)
Nothing we do in order to glorify ourselves applies. All Glory
belongs to God. Therefore our righteousness is counted as filthy
rags, as written in Isaiah. It is not our righteousness but the
righteousness of Jesus Christ who is in us. He is operable only when
we fully submit our will to him, and allow his will to operate in
our lives. In such a relationship, we have no need to worry about
tomorrow, especially if God is at the helm. He knows our needs,
fully!
BIBLE: “…the word is near you, even in your mouth and in your
heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you
CONFESS with your mouth the Lord Jesus and Believe in your heart
that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with
the heart one BELIEVES to righteousness, and with the mouth
CONFESSION is made to salvation.” (Romans 10:8-10)
BIBLE: “For by Grace you have been SAVED through FAITH, and
that NOT OF YOURSELVES; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest
any man boast” (Ephesians 2: 8-9).
We are saved by the pure grace of God. It is God’s power working
through his Sword and Spirit that brings about our new birth.
BIBLE: “And this is the testimony: that God has given us
eternal life and this life is in His Son. HE WHO HAS THE SON HAS
LIFE; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These
things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of
God, THAT YOU MAY KNOW that you have eternal life, and that you may
continue to BELIEVE IN THE NAME of the Son of God” (1John 5: 11-13).
This does not refer to belief in a religious corporation, group, or entity; it
simply reaffirms belief in Jesus.
BIBLE: “For if by ONE man’s offence death reigned through the
one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift
of RIGHTEOUSNESS will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ”
(Romans 5:17)
BIBLE: “There is NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ
Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the
spirit”. (Romans 8:1)
We are free indeed! Those who know Him!
BIBLE: “There is no other name (beside Jesus) under heaven
given among men whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
BIBLE: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life;
he that believeth not the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of
God abideth in him.” (John 3:36)
BIBLE: “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh
unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6)
BIBLE: “Those who are lost are under the power of darkness,
though they think they have free will, in reality they are in
bondage to sin and Satan, and can no more do good than the leopard
can change its spots.” (Jer 13:23)
BIBLE: “ I am he that liveth, and was dead: and behold, I am
alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys to hell and death.” (Rev
1:1
BIBLE: “By grace we are saved,” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
BIBLE: “Our righteousness is as filthy rags” Isaiah 64:6)
SALVATION BY...?
LDS: “No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter
into the celestial kingdom of God without consent from Joseph
Smith.” (Brigham Young, Oct. 9 1859)
LDS: “Salvation-blessed, hallowed, wondrous word- salvation
is available to men on earth today because of Joseph Smith.” (A New
Witness For the Articles of Faith p. 1 McKonkie)
LDS: “If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him
(Joseph Smith); if we enter into our glory, it will be through his
authority that he has received. We cannot get around him.” (Gospel
Truth, vol. 1. p. 255 quoted in He That Receiveth My Servants,
Recieveth Me. P. 54)
LDS: “He will make me god to you in his stead; and the elders
to be mouth for me; and if you don’t’ like it, you must lump it.”
Joseph Smith (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.363)
LDS: they cannot “enter into the celestial glory without his
(Joseph Smiths) approbation.” (J.O.D Vol. 4 p.119)
LDS: “salvation is through Jesus and Joseph Smith” (JOD 7:
289)
LDS: "Well, now, examine the character of THE SAVIOR, and
examine the characters of those who have written the Old and New
Testaments; and then COMPARE them with the character of JOSEPH
SMITH, the founder of this work... and you will find that HIS
[Smith's] CHARACTER STANDS AS FAIR AS THAT OF ANY MAN'S MENTIONED IN
THE BIBLE. We can find NO person who presents a better character to
the world when the facts are known than JOSEPH SMITH, JUN, the
prophet...." LDS "Prophet" Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses,
Vol. 14, p. 203, p. 11-2.
LDS: "I [Smith] HAVE MORE TO BOAST OF THAN EVER ANY MAN HAD.
I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church
together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have
stood by me. Neither Paul, John , Peter, NOR JESUS ever did it. I
BOAST THAT NO MAN EVER DID SUCH A WORK AS I [Smith]. THE FOLLOWERS
OF JESUS RAN AWAY FROM HIM; BUT THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS NEVER RAN AWAY
FROM ME YET." Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 6, pp. 408 -
409, as quoted in Where Does It Say That?, Bob Witte (Grand Rapids,
MI: Gospel Truths, n.d.), p. 11-2.
LDS: JOSEPH SMITH, JUNIOR, was foreordained to come through
the loins of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and so on down through
the Prophets and Apostles; and thus HE [Smith] came forth in the
last days TO BE A MINISTER OF SALVATION, AND TO HOLD THE KEYS OF THE
LAST DISPENSATION OF THE FULNESS OF TIMES." LDS "Prophet" Brigham
Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p. 290.
LDS: "It was decreed in the counsels of eternity, long before
the foundations of the earth were laid, that HE [Smith] SHOULD BE
THE MAN, in the last dispensation of this world, TO BRING FORTH THE
WORD OF GOD TO THE PEOPLE, AND RECEIVE THE FULNESS OF THE KEYS AND
POWER OF THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE SON OF GOD. The Lord had his eye upon
him, and upon his father, and upon his father's father, and upon
their progenitors clear back to Abraham, and from Abraham to the
flood, from the flood to Enoch, and from Enoch to Adam. He has
watched that family and that blood as it has circulated from its
fountain to the birth of that man [Smith]. HE was fore-ordained in
eternity TO PRESIDE OVER THIS LAST DISPENSATION, as much so as
Pharaoh was fore-ordained to be a wicked man, or as was Jesus to be
the Saviour of the world because he was the oldest son in the
family." LDS "Prophet" Brigham Young
LDS: "I was also witness of the introduction (secretly,) of a
KINGLY form of government, in which JOSEPH [Smith] suffered himself
to be ORDAINED A KING, TO REIGN OVER THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
FOREVER...." Former LDS Council of Fifty member William Marks
LDS: "I tell you, JOSEPH [Smith] holds the keys, and NONE OF
US CAN GET INTO THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM WITHOUT PASSING BY HIM. ...[H]E
[Smith] stands there as the sentinel, HOLDING THE KEYS OF THE
KINGDOM OF GOD...." LDS "Apostle" Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses,
Vol. 6, p. 154
LDS: "IF WE GET OUR SALVATION WE SHALL HAVE TO PASS BY HIM
[Smith]; IF WE ENTER INTO OUR GLORY IT WILL BE THROUGH THE AUTHORITY
THAT HE [Smith] HAS RECEIVED. We cannot get around him; we cannot
get around President Young; we cannot get around President Taylor;
we cannot get around the Twelve Apostles. If we ever attain to that
eternal glory that God has promised to the faithful we shall have to
pass by them. IF WE ENTER INTO OUR EXALTATION, IT WILL BE BECAUSE
THEY, AS SERVANTS OF GOD, PERMIT US TO PASS BY.... JOSEPH [Smith],
then, STANDS AT THE HEAD.... HE [Smith] WILL SIT AS A JUDGE TO JUDGE
THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED OR THOSE WHO HAVE REJECTED HIS [Smith's]
TESTIMONY." LDS President Geo. Q. Cannon, Journal of Discourses,
Vol. 23, p. 361.
LDS can’t get around Joseph or Brigham.
LDS: "When we get before FATHER ADAM and the innumerable
company that will come before him -- when we draw near to the
Ancient of Days with the rest of his children, and receive his
approbation, shall we not be safe? IF WE CAN PASS THE SENTINEL
JOSEPH THE PROPHET, WE SHALL GO INTO THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM, and not
a man can injure us. If HE [Smith] says, `God bless you, come along
here;' IF WE WILL LIVE SO THAT JOSEPH [Smith] WILL JUSTIFY US, and
say, `Here am I, brethren,' WE SHALL PASS EVERY SENTINEL; there will
be no danger but that WE WILL PASS INTO THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM." LDS
"Prophet" Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, p. 271.
LDS: "JOSEPH SMITH holds the keys of this last dispensation,
and is now engaged behind the vail (sic) in the great work of the
last days. ...NO MAN OR WOMAN IN THIS DISPENSATION WILL EVER ENTER
INTO THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM OF GOD WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF JOSEPH
SMITH. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to
the winding-up scene of all things, EVERY MAN AND WOMAN MUST HAVE
THE CERTIFICATE OF JOSEPH SMITH, JUNIOR, AS A PASSPORT TO THEIR
ENTRANCE INTO THE MANSION WHERE GOD AND CHRIST ARE -- I with you and
you with me. I cannot go there without HIS [Smith's] consent." LDS
"Prophet" Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p. 289.
Mormons must seek consent from Joseph Smith for their salvation.
LDS: "...[H]e [God] selected Joseph Smith to be the first
Apostle in his Church.... HE [Smith] WAS ENDOWED WITH POWER AND
AUTHORITY which was given HIM for that purpose, that HE [Smith]
might be THE LEGITIMATE REPRESENTATIVE OF GOD UPON THE EARTH." LDS
President John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 19, p. 303."
LDS: "... F JOSEPH [Smith] SHALL SAY to a man, or if brother
Brigham [Young] say to a man, I FORGIVE YOUR SINS, `Whosoever sins
ye remit THEY ARE REMITTED unto them....'" LDS "Apostle" Orson Hyde,
Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 155.
Orson compares Joseph and Brigham with Jesus, making them equal.
Only Jesus forgives men of their sin. We were bought with a price,
and here we have men saying it is not so.
LDS: "IF YOU FIND OUT WHO JOSEPH [Smith] WAS, YOU WILL KNOW
AS MUCH ABOUT GOD AS YOU NEED TO AT PRESENT; for if He said, "I AM A
GOD TO THIS PEOPLE," He did not say that He was the only wise God."
LDS "Prophet" Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, p. 271,
1857.
LDS: "...God made Aaron to be the mouthpiece for the children
of Israel, and HE WILL MAKE ME [Smith] TO BE GOD TO YOU IN HIS
STEAD, and the Elders to be mouth for ME; AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT,
YOU MUST LUMP IT." LDS "Prophet" Joseph Smith, History of the
Church, Vol. 6, pp. 319-320, as quoted in Where Does It Say That?,
Bob Witte (Grand Rapids, MI: Gospel Truths, n.d.), p. 11-4.
Spoken like a true prophet? We can test a prophet: DEUT 18: 20
“20But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name,
which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the
name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 21And if thou say
in thine heart, how shall we know the word, which the LORD hath not
spoken? 22When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the
thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD
hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou
shalt not be afraid of him.”
LDS: "MORMONISM as it is called, MUST STAND OR FALL ON THE
STORY OF JOSEPH SMITH. He was either a prophet of God, divinely
called, properly commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds
this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground. If Joseph Smith
was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to mislead the people, then
he should be exposed; his claims should be refuted, and his
doctrines shown to be false, for THE DOCTRINES OF AN IMPOSTER CANNOT
BE MADE TO HARMONIZE IN ALL PARTICULARS WITH DIVINE TRUTH. If his
claims and declarations were built upon fraud and deceit, THERE
WOULD APPEAR MANY ERRORS AND CONTRADICTIONS, which would be easy to
detect. THE DOCTRINES OF FALSE TEACHERS WILL NOT STAND THE TEST WHEN
TRIED BY THE ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF MEASUREMENT, THE SCRIPTURES." LDS
"Prophet" Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1, p.
188, 1954.
SALVATION
LDS:
“The doctrine of Salvation teaches us that we do not step into the
vestibule of the gospel merely by confessing Christ or by being
baptized” (Ensign, Nov 1988 p. 81)
LDS:
“Some churches teach…that salvation comes simply by professing a
belief in Christ…” (Church News, Dec 10 1988 p. 14)
The
Bible tells us that all who BELIEVE in Jesus "will" be saved.
<LDS>
"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and
also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to
God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we
can do." Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:23.
LDS: “
Without the "priesthood" there would be NO SALVATION, for it is
"through the church" that the Lord saves his faithful people…”
(Priesthood p. 48, Mark E. Petersen)
This
is a very strong statement. The Priesthood that Mark is referring to
here is one that the LDS believe Peter, James, and John, came from
the dead to restore. I find it interesting that dead apostles could
restore something that was apparently lost because the apostles
died…especially by the laying on of hands! The LDS church is not
exactly sure when this occurred. This statement also says that it is
through the LDS religion that one can be saved. This insinuates that
it is not possible through any other medium.
In the
Christian world it is understood that Jesus is our great High
Priest, and all power is given through his name. Biblically the
great High Priest was the mediator between God and man who performed
sacrifice in the holy place of the temple. He singularly performed
this act once a year on behalf of himself and his people. Jesus
became this great High Priest, forever, and is also the spotless
lamb. He is the mediator between God and man. He put an end to the
need for temples built with man’s hands. We are now the temple of
God. Jesus is now with us, in us. We have no need to go to a
building to fellowship with God. He is with us always now. He said,
“where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I”. One does
not have to meet the requirements of time, or special services
rendered, or meeting the stringent “rules of the club”, or be a
white male, or any such things to partake of the full power and
blessings of God. The veil of the temple was ripped in two when
Jesus died on the cross, thus signifying that we have access to God,
anytime, anywhere, anybody, unhindered. Women can pray with Gods
power for their babies, and receive miracles, Black brothers and
sisters have always been able to ask of Jesus anything in his name
and receive the full and complete blessings of their request.
Mormonism tries to claim a foothold on the power of God through its
own opinion of what the priesthood is thus confusing the word of
God, changing the meaning.
<LDS>
"Priesthood then is God acting through man." LDS "Historian" B.H.
Roberts, The Seventies Course in Theology, p. 19.
THE
TRUTH: "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord
of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And
He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because
He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else." Acts
17:24-25.
Note:
Our omnipotent God does not require the assistance of human hands to
accomplish His plan of salvation.
THE
TRUTH: "Then they asked him, `What must we do to do the works God
requires?' Jesus answered, `The work of God is this To believe in
the one He has sent.'" John 6:28-29.
THE
TRUTH: "...[T]here is ...one mediator between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men..." 1 Timothy
2:5-6.
THE
TRUTH: "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant,
that those who are called may receive the promised eternal
inheritance - now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from
the sins committed under the first covenant." Hebrews 9:15.
Jesus
is our great high Priest, the one who receives our oblations (our
lives given to him in submission).
THE
TRUTH: "Jesus answered, `I am the way and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6.
Notice
that this does not say that anything else qualifies. He is the Way,
the Truth, and the Life!
THE
TRUTH: "...The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son
of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the
grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law,
Christ died for nothing!" Galatians 2:20-21
If we
attempt Salvation through the law, chances are very slim. It is
through His grace, alone. When we receive the "free gift" we receive
him. When we receive Him, we receive his will. When we receive his
will, the works that we do are works of the Holy Spirit. When men
see these, they will want to glorify God.
<LDS>
"I want you to see this, and to comprehend that the whole matter of
your salvation is your own business and work. What else has Jesus
done? ...You examine principle in the Gospel as it is taught to you,
and what requirement of that Gospel has been obeyed for you [by
Christ]? None." LDS "Apostle" Amasa M. Lyman, Journal of Discourses,
Vol. 7, p. 301, 1859.
One
may say Amasa'a words don’t count today, His words were spoken, and
they are piece of sand in the foundation of Mormonism. One cannot
Change History. Similar to LDS Prophet Brigham Young's Adam/ God
Theory, 22 years it was taught as scripture. Members feared to stand
up to that man. It also is a shovel full (of sand). History cannot
be changed, but one today, can renounce the foundation of Mormonism,
and replace that "Old foundation" with a new foundation built upon
the ROCK. Become a true Bible believing Christian and be set "FREE!"
Trust the simplicity in Jesus.
<LDS>
"When we cling to what Jesus Christ has done for us, do you not see
that our part will never be done?" LDS "Apostle" Amasa M. Lyman,
Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p. 297, 1859.
<LDS>
"...We may talk of men being redeemed by the efficacy of his
[Christ's] blood; but the truth is that that blood has no efficacy
to wash away our sins. That must depend upon our own action." LDS
"Apostle" Amasa M. Lyman, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p. 299,
1859.
THE
TRUTH: "For you know that it was not with perishable things ...that
you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from
your forefathers [ie. The Law - "works"], but with the precious
blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1 Peter 1:18.
SAVED BY SELF?
Christian view: We must “die to self” and pick up our crosses and
follow Jesus. Many LDS cling to their “free agency” and
self-exaltation…. good luck. When one truly gives his heart to
Jesus, he fully gives up his will and receives Gods will, and the
spirit of truth.
LDS:
“The blessing of redemption from individual sins, while open for all
to attain, is never the less conditioned on individual effort.”
(Articles of Faith p89) James Talmage
LDS:
“Exaltation could come on merit” (The Way To Perfection, p32) Joseph
F. Smith
LDS:
“It is the obedience and personal righteousness that saves all men”
(A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p52 McConkie
LDS:
“Eternal life may be obtained only by obedience to the laws and
ordinances of the gospel.” Ezra Taft Benson (Ensign July 92, p.5)
One
has to realize that the “gospel” mentioned by Ezra here, is not the
same as what Paul preached. The LDS “gospel” includes all of its own
teachings, rules, stories of Joseph, etc.
LDS:
“It is the celestial glory that we seek. It is in the presence of
God that we desire to dwell. It is a forever family that we want
membership in. Such blessings must be earned.” (Ensign June 1933)
LDS:
“It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”! (2Nephi
25:23)
<LDS>
"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and
also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to
God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we
can do." Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:23.
THE
BIBLE: "Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a
gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work
but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as
righteousness." Romans 4:4-5.
THE
BIBLE: "Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ
was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one
thing from you: did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or
by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning
with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human
effort? ...Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you
because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?"
Galatians 3:1-5.
THE
BIBLE: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9.
<LDS>
"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your
mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will
cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall
feel that it is right." LDS Doctrine and Covenants 9:8.
"THE BIBLE DOES IT
STAND ON ITS OWN?"
GAL
1:8-12 But though we or an angel form 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 man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye received,
let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek
to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant
of Christ. But I certify you brethren, that the gospel which was
preached of me, is not after man. For I neither recieved it of man,
neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
REV 1:3
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of
this prophecy and keep those things which are written
therein: for the time is at hand.
1JOHN 5:10-13 He that believeth on
the Son of God hath the witness in himself; he that believeth not
God, hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the
record that God gave of his son. And this is the record,
that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his son.
He that hath the son hath life; and he that hath not the son of God
hath not life. These things I have written unto you
that believe on the name of the son; that ye may know that ye have
eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the son of God.
2PETER 3:16 As also in all his
epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things
hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable
wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto
their own destruction.
2PETER 2:1-2 But there were false
prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false
teachers among you who prively shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the lord that bought them, and bring
upon themselves swift destruction. Many shall follow their
pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth
shall be evil spoken of.
1PETER 1:25 But the word of the
Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which
by the gospel is preached unto you.
HEBREWS 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I
come (in the volume of the book it is written of
me,) to do thy will O God.
HEBREWS 13:9 Be not
carried about with divers and strange doctrines.
COLOSSIANS 2:20-22 Why ...are ye
subject to ordinances, touch not; taste not; handle not; which all
are to perish with the using; after the commandments and doctrines
of men? This opposes the Word of Wisdom
COLOSSIANS 3:2 Set your affection
on things above, not on things on the earth.
COLOSSIANS 1:28 Beware lest any
man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the
tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after
Christ.
MARK 7:6-7 This people honoureth
me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. How be it in
vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men.
MATTEW 15:14 They be blind
leaders of the blind, and if the blind lead the blind, both
shall fall into the ditch.
2 JOHN 9:10 Whosoever
transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not
God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the
father and the son. If there come any unto you, and bring
not this doctrine, recieve him not into your house, neither
bid him Godspeed.
MATTEW 11:13 For all the prophets
and the law prophesied until John.... no more
prophets after John? Yep! None.
MATTEW 24: 11 And many
false prophets shall rise, and shall decieve many.
DEUT 18: 20 Test a prophet.
MATTEW 24:14 And this
gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world
for a witness unto all nations; then the end shall come.
24:24
For there shall arise false christs and false
prophets, and shall show great sign and wonders, in somuch that if
it were possible, they shall decieve the very elect.
26:13
Verily I say unto you, wheresoever this gospel
shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that
this woman hath done be told for a memorial for her.
MARK 1: 15 And saying, "The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and
believe the gospel." Jesus's words
13:10
And the gospel must first be published among all
nations.
16:15 Go
ye into all the world and preach the gospel to
every creature.
LUKE
4:21 This day is this scripture fulfilled in your
ears.
ACTS 15:7 ...Gentiles by my mouth
should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
20:24 ...to testify the gospel of
the grace of God.
2 CHOR 4:11 We...have renounced
the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor
handling the word of God decietfully; but by manefestation of the
truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of
God. But if our gospel be hid it is hid to them that are
lost: In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds
of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine
unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the
lord;...
2CHOR11 3-6 But I fear, lest by
any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your
minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in
Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another
Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive
another spirit, which ye have not recieved, or
another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well
bear with him.
GALATIANS 1:6-7 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.
2 TIM 3:16 All scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thouroughly
furnished unto all good works.
2 PETER 2:20 Knowing this first,
that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation. Translation errors are easily discoverable
because this statement is true. The mormons hang on to their "out",
stating "as long as it is translated correctly". This they spoke
about the Holy Bible. I suggest that this same language be applied
to their works as well. I reference the over 4,000 changes in the
Book of Mormon. There is no reference text from ancient times to
prove the authenticity either. The Bible has an impressive number of
ancient text sources. We can double check todays translation with
original texts....
JOHN 8:14 "My record is true..."
Stated by Jesus
REVELATION 22:18-19 For I testify
unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,
If any man shall add unto these things, God
shall add unto him, the plagues that are written in this book; If
any man shall take away from the words of the book
of this prophecy, God shall take away from the words of the book of
life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are
written in this book.
PSALM 78-1 Give ear O my people,
to my law; Incline your ears to the words of my
mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable...
PROVERBS 4:20 My son attend to
my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
JOHN 7:16 My doctrine
is not mine but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he
shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak
of my self. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory, but
he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no
unrighteousness in him. Stated by Jesus
EPHESIANS 4:14-15 ...That we
henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight
of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to decieve;
But speaking the truth in love, may we grow up into him in all
things, which is the head, even Christ;...
1 TIMOTHY 1:3 ...teach no
other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and
endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than
godly edifying, which is in faith; so do.
1:6 From
which some have swerved and have turned aside unto vain
jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding
neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that
the law is good.
1TIMOTHY 6:1 ...that the
name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
1 TIMOTHY 6:3 If any man teach
otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the
words of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which
is according to godliness;... he is proud, knowing nothing...
2 TIMOTHY 3:15 And that from a
child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which
are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in
Christ Jesus.
2 TIMOTHY 4:2 Preach the
word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine. But after their own
lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be
turned unto false fables.!!!
MATTEW
13:13 (Jesus) Therefore speak I unto them in parables:
because they seeing, see not; and hearing, they hear not, neither do
they understand.
13:15
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and theur ears are dull of
hearing, and the eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should
see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand
with their hearts, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
PROVERBS 8:33 Hear instruction,
and be wise, and refuse it not.
8:34
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily
at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me
findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.
PSALM 119:126 It is time for thee,
Lord, to work; for they have made void thy law.
119:
137-138 Righteous art thou o Lord, and upright are thy judgements.
Thy testimonies that thou has commanded are righteous and very
faithful.
119:140
Thy words are very pure....
119:142
Thy law is the truth....
119:151
All thy commandments are the truth.
119:152
Concearning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast
founded them forever.
119: 160
Thy word is true from the beginning; and every one of thy righteous
judgements endureth ever.
119: 165
Great peace have they which love thy law; and nothing shall offend
them.
1CHORINTHINANS 15: 1-4 I declare
unto you the gospel which I preached unto you,
which also ye have recieved and wherein ye understand; by which also
ye are saved, If ye keep in memory what I preached unto you; unless
ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that
which I have recieved, 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;
1 TIMOTHY 4:16 Take heed unto
thyself, and unto the doctrine; Continue in them: for in doing this
thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.
HEBREWS 12:2 Looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith.
REVELATION 21:5 ...for these words
are true and faithful.
COL 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil
you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men,
after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
DEUTERONOMY 4:2 Ye shall not
add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye
diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the
Lord your God which I command you.
DEUTERONOMY 12:32 & 13: 1-5 What
thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add
thereto, nor diminish from it. If there arise a prophet,
or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And
the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee,
saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and
let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that
prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth
you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and
fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice and ye shall
serve him, and cleave unto him. And that prophet, or that dreamer
of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn
you away from the Lord your God, which brough you out of the land of
Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee
out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in. So
shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.