September Issue of the Assured Way
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Archive for September, 2010
Article 19.
We believe that the temporal affairs of the general church are to be administered by the general bishopric under the supervision and direction of the general conferences of the Church. The temporal affairs of the local churches shall be administered by local bishops under the supervision and direction of the local congregations.
The bishops are in charge of the money of the church. There are seven bishops in the Church. The bishops and apostles work together to do the work of the Church. The bishops also help the local churches in their finances and affairs. For further study read 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and Acts 6:1-6.
Article18.
We believe that men should labor for their own support and that of their dependents. Ministers of the gospel are not absolved from this responsibility, but when chosen or appointed by the Church to devote their entire time to missionary work, their families are to be provided for out of the general church fund. The admonition of Christ that the ministry should not provide purse or script for their journey, but go trusting in God and the people, is applicable.
When the apostles of old we out to teach the word of God, they did not take much with them. They depended on the people of support. The same is true today. Each minister when doing the work of God depends on the people and does not receive pay. When the ministers are not out doing missionary work, they work to support their family. For further study read 2 Corinthians 11:6-9, 2 Thessalonians 3:5-10, Acts 18:1-4, and Mosiah 18:24-28.
Article 17.
We believe that all men are stewards under God and answerable to him not only for the distribution of accumulated wealth, but for the manner in which such wealth is secured. The primary purpose of stewardship is not the increase of church revenue or the mere contribution of money by those who have to those who have not, but to bring men to a realization of the common fatherhood and the universal brotherhood of man in all the affairs and expressions of life, and to maintain such social adjustments that each may enjoy the bounty and gifts of God, and be free to exercise his talents and ability to enrich the life of all.
Tithes are an import part of the Church. God gives us all of our things in our lives. We should give 10% of what we have to God, for he is the one that gave it to us. This money is used for the missionary work and helping the needy. The Church does not keep large bank accounts, but always has the money need to do the work of God. For further study read Malachi 3:7-8, Alma 13:15, 3 Nephi 24:8-10, Acts 5:1-8, Deuteronomy 26:7-13, and Message 91:28.
Corrected
Article16.
We believe the Church of Christ comprehends the true brotherhood of man where each esteems his brother as himself and wherein the divine command to “love your neighbor as yourself”’ is demonstrated by the prevalence of social equality.
It is our responsibility to share our good fortune with other people. We must be kind and love all mankind. We do this by charity and kindness to others. If someone is in need, it is our responsibility to help them. This could be financially, spiritually, or emotionally. For further study Matthew 6:1, Romans 13-8, Galatians 5-16, and 1 Timothy 1:5.
Article
15. We believe that local churches should govern their own affairs and that general church officials should not dominate or interfere therewith. On invitation such general officers may, with propriety, give counsel and assistance. Local congregations are subject to the Articles of Faith and Practice and must be governed thereby.
Each person and local are subject to the Articles of Faith and Practice. The local churches know what is best for their congregations and govern accordingly. The General officers of the church can and will help the local churches in the business as required to help local operate efficiently and according to the gospel. For further study Acts 15.
14. The primary function of the general church, of which each local church is a component part, is missionary and the building up and extension of the Kingdom of God in all the world.
It is our responsibility to spread the word of God. The apostles are in charge of organizing the ministry in this objective. The messages will go to all nations and to all people. The local churches are even a part of the lager plan. Each person can share the love of Christ in their day to day lives. For further study read Matthew 28:15-20, Message 86:71.
Article
13. We believe in the same church organization as existed in the time of Christ and his apostles. The highest office in the Church is that of an apostle, of whom there are twelve, who constitute special witnesses for Jesus Christ. They have the missionary supervision and the general watch care of all the churches.
Christ’s church has not changed. The organization that Christ left was the way he wanted it, so why would we want to change what Christ created. The apostles have the responsibility for the general watch care of the church as well of overseeing missionary work. For further study read Mathew 10, Ephesians 4, Colossians 9:1, Mormon 9:18, Message 112:13.
Article 12.
We believe that a man must be called of God by revelation, and ordained by those having authority, to enable him to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances thereof.
A person cannot call himself into an office of the ministry. God chose the people that he wants in the ministry of the church. We can prepare ourselves for a calling, but until God calls us into the ministry be revelation or by the messenger, we cannot take the office. Both the Apostles and Bishops must be called though Messenger. For further study read Mathew 4:18-22, Mathew 9:11-15, Acts 9:1-18, Galatians 1:12 Alma 8:24.
Article 11.
We believe that where there are six or more regularly baptized members, one of whom is an elder, there the Church exists with full power of church extension when acting in harmony with the law of God.
It does not take a large body of members to make a church. In fact we have people all around the world that are not close to a local at all. For the people that are not close to a local, our church offers a weekly online service. Anyone can join the online service and listen to Sunday School or the preaching service. The services start at 10:00 AM Central time. For further study read Acts 5:42 and Romans 16:1-5
Article 10
We believe in the principle of continuous revelation; that the canon of scripture is not full, that God inspires men in every age and among all people, and that he speaks when, where, and through whom he may choose.
God has not finished giving us information. There is no reason to limit him to what we already have. He does this by his Messenger and through prophecies. God can choose any person he wants for the responsibility. The important thing to remember is that God will never contradict himself. Any new revelation must agree with the Gospel in the Bible, The Record of the Nephites, and the Word of the Lord. For further study read Acts 2:17-21, Acts 4:31, Acts 21:9, Joel 2:27-30, 1 Corinthians 2:10, 1 John 2:27, and1 Nephi 13:26.
Article 9.
We believe that in the Bible is contained the word of God; that The Record of the Nephites is an added witness for Christ, and that these contain the fullness of the gospel.
The Bible is a record of the Jews, but there are more people that are part of the House of Israel. The Record of the Nephites is a recorded of the house of Joseph. The Record of the Nephites was translated though the power or God. This allows it to have more accurate information that complements the Bible. Both the Bible and the Record of the Nephites are the word of God. For further study read Ezekiel 37:15-19, Malachi 3:1-7, Isaiah 29:11-14, Message 115:14, Message 104:12, Amos 3:7, 2 Nephi 29:11-12, and 1 Nephi 13:26.
Article 8
We believe the fruits of the Spirit to be love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.
The spirit is a wonderful thing that can comfort us and let us know that God is always around. The fruits are ways that we know it is hear. With the spirit we are able to worship God better. For further study read 1 Corinthians Ch 13 & 14, Galatians 5:16-26, and Message 84:6-7.
Article 7
We believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting gospel; viz.: the word of wisdom; the word of knowledge; the gift of faith; the gift of healing; working of miracles; prophecy; discerning of spirits; divers kinds of tongues; interpretation of tongues.
The spirit of the Lord has power over all things. With this power we can do all the things listed above. It takes faith, humility, and prayer to receive the gifts, but anyone who is faithful can receive the gifts. For further study read 1st Corinthians 14, Message 102:11, Message 81:9, 2 Timothy 2:15, Romans 15:19, 1st Thessalonians, and Moroni 10.
Article 6
We believe in the literal second coming and millennial reign of Jesus Christ; in the Resurrection of the dead, and in Eternal Judgment; that men will be rewarded or punished according to the good or evil they may have done.
Jesus will come back to earth and reign for a 1000 years. There will be a day of judgment where each one of us is judged according to our actions on earth. Only our own actions will be considered in this judgment and not the actions of others. We can be reassured that if we follow the teaching of Christ that we will receive a good judgment and spend eternity with God. For further study read Revelations 20:4-15, Mathew 24, Message 62:6, 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17, Message 1:6-9, and Alma 40.
Article 5
We believe that through the atonement of Christ all men may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel; viz.: Faith in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ; Repentance and Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; Laying on of Hands for: (a) Ordination; (b) Blessing of children; (c) Confirmation and the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:17); (d) Healing of the sick.
There is only one gospel of Christ. It must be followed fully to receive the benefits. Mankind over the last few thousands of years have changed, added, and taken away from this gospel. The Church of Christ with the Elijah Message teaches the full gospel of Christ, just like it was taught 2000 years ago. For further study read Acts 8:17, Hebrews 6:1-2, 1 Corinthians 2:5, John 14:1-26, Moroni 8:25-26, Message 102:22, Message 99:12, and Message 114: 15
Article 4
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam’s transgression, and that as a consequence of the atonement of Christ “all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all they that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent, and unto such, baptism availeth nothing.” (Moroni 8:25, 26)
Each person will be judged according his or her own works, not the works of others. Only each individual can affect our own judgment, not our family or people that come before or after us. This does not start at birth though. All little children are perfect in the eyes of the Lord. Once we learn about sin and have an understanding of right and wrong, then we can start to be judged for our actions. Through Christ we can have our sins washed way. For further study read Moroni 8:25, 26) (Moroni 8:17-26, Mosiah 26:29-32, Ether 4:12, Galatians 6:4-5, Message 12:4, and Message 44:5
Article 3
We believe in the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, which searcheth the deep things of God, brings to our minds things which are past, reveals things to come, and is the medium by which we receive the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The Holy Ghost works as a communicator between us on earth and heaven. Though the Holy Ghost we receive the peace of God. By the Holy Ghost we know that truth about Christ and love of God. For further study read 2 Nephi 31, John 14:26, John 15:26, Hebrews 6:1-7, Moroni 10:4-7, and Alma 8:30.
Article 2
We believe in Jesus Christ the manifestation of God in flesh, who lived, suffered, and died for all mankind; whom we own as our only Leader, Witness and Commander.
Christ Jesus is God. He came down to earth to take our sins away. Christ leads his church this day by the Elijah Message from heaven. Christ came for all mankind. For further reading read John 1:10, Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:21-35, Timothy 3:16, 3 Nephi 9:15-19, 3 Nephi 11:14-27, 32, 36, 2 Nephi 11:7, John 14:11-16, Colossians 2:6-9, 2 Nephi 11:7, and Romans 1:20-21.
Over the next few weeks we will go over the 25 Articles of Faith and Practice. I hope that this brief study will help you understand the beliefs of the Church.
Article 1
We believe in God the Eternal Father, who only is Supreme; Creator of the universe; Ruler and Judge of all; unchangeable and without respect of persons.
We believe that God is it. He does everything and in controls everything. He uses things in our everyday lives to rule. God judges each one of us on our own actions and thoughts. He does not change, what God said yesterday will be just as true tomorrow as it was yesterday. For further study check out Isaiah 43:10-11, John 1:1-3, 1 Nephi 12:18, James 2:19, Philippians 2:5-10, and Moroni 8:18.
