Why We Need Jesus as the Christ
“But whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” -Luke 14:11
Returning to the topic of Jesus a Christ vs Jesus the Christ, we must ask the question: do we even need Jesus Christ? And if so, why? Why can we not merely “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12)?
Lines in the Sand
“Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh their sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am; and that I am the true light that lighteth everyone that cometh into the world; and that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one—the Father because He gave me of His fulness, and the Son because I was in the world and made flesh my tabernacle, and dwelt among the sons of men.” –
–Doctrines of the Saints 58:1-2
(Doctrine and Covenants 90:1a-b CoC/RLDS, 93:1-4 CJCLdS)
Speaking to someone about the Fellowship of Christ a few years ago, I was asked about blacks and the priesthood, specifically how we could be Latter Day Saint universalists, accepting fundamentalists that would deny anyone with dark skin the priesthood. I explained that while they would be welcome, exclusion would not be. They would be invited to see what inclusion looked like, and would have to accept that we ordain all worthy men and women.
The Baptist Version of The Book of Mormon Part 10: Summary
Let’s focus briefly on the man, Joseph Smith. What kind of man was he? The man whom God used to commence the restoration in these latter days. What did he have to say concerning truth and doctrine?
The Baptist Version of The Book of Mormon Part 9: Grace
And now, perhaps the keystone doctrine of the Protestant reformation…
The Baptist Version of The Book of Mormon Part 8: Faith
On to another central Protestant doctrine…
The Baptist Version of The Book of Mormon Part 7: Repentance
On to another central Protestant doctrine…
The Baptist Version of The Book of Mormon Part 6: The Lord Jesus Christ
“…And then shall they know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God…” –III Nephi 2:109
The Baptist Version of The Book of Mormon Part 5: Salvation
And now we turn our attention to one of the most central and cardinal Protestant doctrines of all…
The Baptist Version of The Book of Mormon Part 4: Plan of Salvation, Plan of Redemption
Here’s another Protestant theme…
The Baptist Version of The Book of Mormon Part 3: Born Again Experience
What I’m going to do for the remainder of this booklet is list various Protestant themes taken from Book of Mormon scriptures. If I seem a bit repetitious, it’s deliberate. I want you to get the full impact of the spirit of the wording. And my prayer is—may the Spirit of God bear witness to your spirit as you read.
The Baptist Version of The Book of Mormon Part 2: Its Central Theme
I’ll say it again. The central message of the Book of Mormon is—restoration of the covenants in these latter days! And that message is meant for all God’s children.
The Baptist Version of The Book of Mormon Part 1: Protestant Doctrines within the Book of Mormon
I’m a licensed Southern Baptist minister and I embrace the Book of Mormon.
That is, I believe the truths recorded in it. No, I’m not a convert to the Mormon faith, nor am I a member of any particular “spin-off” restoration group such as the RLDS (Reorganized Latter-day Saints), Hedrikites, or Strangites. I’m still a Baptist minister. To be exact, I’m “charismatic Baptist.” That is, I still embrace the “born again” experience. I still believe you’re saved by grace. By the shed blood of Christ. Salvation is by faith alone in His finished work on Calvary. I still believe in the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. I believe and embrace those cardinal doctrines of Protestantism.