Wednesday, July 9, 2014

the savior's earthly ministry

So after that little history lesson, let's move on to the part of the Bible most Christian churches focus on (and rightly so) - the New Testament, which tells us of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. 

The period leading up to Christ's birth in Bethlehem was one of apostasy. Gradually, the Jewish nation had slipped into a state full of Pharisees, Sadducees, and many others who were so focused on the letter of the law that they had forgotten the spirit of it. Prophets had always testified of a Messiah who was to come, and many people waited patiently for that promised Savior. In the mean time, they obeyed the Mosiac Law and continued to follow the principles they had been given. 

Here enters Jesus of Nazareth. Born in lowly circumstances into a family with royal lineage (had the Roman Empire not been in control at the time, He would have been the rightful heir to the throne, literally the King of the Jews), He was raised like any child of that day, well-learned in the law and gospel. Around the age of 30, He began His mortal ministry and established His church. 

The impact of His ministry cannot be overstated; He fulfilled the prophesies that had been given of prophets since the beginning of time, He healed the sick, caused the lame to walk, and the deaf to hear. He taught the people the higher law - to turn the other cheek, to judge not, to love all. The most important act He performed while here on earth, however, was the atonement. His suffering in the garden of Gethsemane and death on the cross, followed by His resurrection, was of the greatest importance to all humanity. Without it, the plan our Heavenly Father had set in place would be nothing, and there would be no way we could return to live with God. 

Of importance to the principles we've talked about so far, however, is that during His ministry Jesus Christ established His church. He taught with the power and authority of God, and confounded the Pharisees, Scribes, and many other zealots who had slipped into apostasy. Just like prophets of old had done time and time again, He restored God's priesthood authority to the earth. 

From the many disciples that followed Him, Christ called twelve specifically to be his authorized servants, saying, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you" (John 15:16). These twelve apostles were given the priesthood authority of God by the laying on of hands and were instructed to minister to the people and spread the gospel. 


In fact, after Christ's resurrection, the last message He left with the apostles was this:

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

What a message of peace and joy! Jesus Christ, the Son of God, promised us that He would be with us always. He urged His apostles, the ones who had the authority to administer the ordinances of salvation, to spread the gospel to all the world. The message was not then and never will be one that is confined to a specific group of people - it is for all. 

He invites all to come accept this gospel. I suppose the question we must all ask ourselves now is, where is that church Christ established? Which of the hundreds of denominations out there has this authority that was given to the apostles? Who can rightfully baptize us in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost in a manner that God himself will recognize?




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