Friday, April 29, 2011

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is that which Christ taught pertaining to the requirements for us to return and live with God. 

These requirements are:
 Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, 
Repentance,
Baptism,
Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost,
and Enduring to the End.

Faith in Jesus Christ is more than just Believing He lived and died for us.  Faith is an action word.  When we have Faith, we do things that we otherwise wouldn't, to try and help others.  We show our Faith by our actions.  Faith can be shown by attending church, praying both vocally and within our hearts, giving service to others in need, reading the scriptures, and following the teachings of the Savior.  Through Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed from all of our sin.  This is possible because of His Atonement, where He Suffered, died, and was Resurrected three days later.

"For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come;
yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth,
to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead,
that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord."




Because of this Atonement we have the ability to repent, which is to confess to the Lord and ask for forgiveness.  We can be assured that we have truly repented of our sins when we can look in the mirror, thinking of what we did, and not have feelings of guilt or shame.

"Then Peter said unto them,
Repent,
and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins,
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

After we repent, we must follow the Lord into the waters of Baptism.  Jesus walked many miles to get to John the Baptist because John had the authority to perform this ordinance.  That authority is called the Priesthood.  Today, we must be baptized by that same priesthood which John had in order for our Baptism to be of effect in Heaven.  When Christ was on the earth, He gave this Priesthood Authority to His Apostles.

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:
and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:
and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

The Gift of the Holy Ghost is having the right to the constant companionship of the Spirit.  The Spirit is the Third member of the Godhead, and as such He testifies of the truth and divinity of Jesus Christ.  He also can give us guidance and help us avoid danger and make good decisions.  Although we can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost before Baptism we don't have the gift of the Holy Ghost until after we are baptized.  This gift is also given by the laying on of hands, through Priesthood Authority.

"He said unto them,
Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?
And they said unto him,
We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
 And he said unto them,
Unto what then were ye baptized?
And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Then said Paul,
John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance,
saying unto the people,
that they should believe on him which should come after him,
that is, on Christ Jesus.
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them,
the Holy Ghost came on them"

After we have done all of this, we are qualified to return to live with our Father in Heaven.  However, we will continue to be tempted and will sin again.  This is why we must pray always for help and guidance from the Lord.  We must Endure to the End of everything.  To the End of the Day, the End of the Week, and the End of our Lives.  We must continue in fighting for what we know to be just and true.

"And now, my beloved brethren,
after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path,
I would ask if all is done?
Behold, I say unto you,
Nay;
for ye have not come thus far
save it were by the word of Christ
with unshaken faith in him,
relying wholly upon the merits of him
who is mighty to save."

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