As the Savior is finishing His teachings, He tells them
should they choose to obey His commandments, they will not come under
condemnation. Wo unto to those who don’t and are condemned.
Scriptures have made this very clear.
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of
the only begotten Son of God.[1]
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the
world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil”
(John 3:18-19).
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word,
and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come
into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:5).
“But those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject
it, it shall turn to their own condemnation” (D&C 20:15).
“For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he
who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation” (D&C
82:3).
The reason He gave them the commandments because of disputations
among the Nephites in the past. For example, after the signs of His birth had
been given to the Nephites, disputations broke out. “And there began to be
great doubtings and disputations among the people, notwithstanding so many
signs had been given” (3 Nephi 8:4).
When the Nephites were establishing His church, disputations
arose. This occurred during His ministry among the Nephites. “And they said
unto him: Lord, we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall
call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter”
(3 Nephi 27:3).
Among the first words the Savior told the Nephites dealt
with disputations.
“[T]here shall be no disputations among you, as there have
hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the
points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.
“For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit
of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of
contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one
with another.
“Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of
men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things
should be done away” (3 Nephi 11:28-30).
Paul wrote to Timothy…
“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, but doting about questions [GR
obsessed with questions] and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife,
railings, evil surmisings [GR wicked suspicions],
“Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute
of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself” (1
Timothy 6:3-5).
Laman and Lemuel were constantly disputing the Lord’s words.
“And it came to pass that I beheld my brethren, and they were disputing one
with another concerning the things which my father had spoken unto them” (1
Nephi 15:2).
During the 200-year time of peace and prosperity, it was
noted “the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the
land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and
disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another” (4
Nephi 1:2).
The time had come for Him to return to the Father for their
sakes. “Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make
intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be
saved” (2 Nephi 2:9).
“Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and
am your advocate with the Father; and it is his good will to give you the
kingdom” (D&C 29:5).
Before He returned, he laid His hands on His disciples and
spoke to them. “And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his
hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them” (Mark 6:5).
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name
shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
“They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly
thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover” (Mark 16:17-18).
“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and
putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that
appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest
receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 9:17).
The multitude did not hear His words and could not bare
record that He gave them the power to give the gift of the Holy Ghost, but
Mormon tells us he will later show us this record is true.
“And it came to pass that the disciples whom Jesus had
chosen began from that time forth to baptize and to teach as many as did come
unto them; and as many as were baptized in the name of Jesus were filled with
the Holy Ghost” (3 Nephi 26:17).
“But this much I know, according to the record which hath
been given—they did go forth upon the face of the land, and did minister unto
all the people, uniting as many to the church as would believe in their
preaching; baptizing them, and as many as were baptized did receive the Holy
Ghost” (3 Nephi 28:18).
“And he called them by name, saying: Ye shall call on the
Father in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this ye shall have
power that to him upon whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall give the Holy
Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles.
“Now Christ spake these words unto them at the time of his
first appearing; and the multitude heard it not, but the disciples heard it;
and on as many as they laid their hands, fell the Holy Ghost”
(Moroni 2:2-3).
And with that, a cloud overshadowed the multitude. The twelve testified He did again ascend into
Heaven.
[1] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he
that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the
name of the only begotten Son of God, which
before was preached by the mouth of the holy prophets; for they testified of
me. (JST John 3:18).
No comments:
Post a Comment