17 POINTS OF THE TRUE
CHURCH of Jesus Christ
Not official Doctrine, but interesting. The story goes that a few people decided to write down what they felt where the point that must exist in Christ's Church and this is what they came up with.
The following is official doctrine excerpted from the Gospel Principles Manual, Chapter 16, and it's interesting to compare. I have only included parts of what is taught, but you can click on the link and read the whole lesson.: Some Features That Identify the
Church of Jesus
Christ
Revelation
When Jesus established his Church,
he personally
instructed and directed its leaders. He, in turn, received his
instructions
from his Father in Heaven. Thus the Church of Jesus Christ was directed
by God
and not by men (see Hebrews 1:1–2). Jesus taught his followers
that
revelation was the “rock” upon which he would build his Church (see Matthew
16:16–18)....... Authority
from God
The ordinances and
principles of the gospel cannot be
administered and taught without the priesthood. The Father gave this
authority
to Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 5:4–6), who in turn ordained his
Apostles and
gave them the power and authority of the priesthood (see Luke
9:1–2;
Mark 3:14).
He reminded them, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and
ordained
you” (John
15:16). That there might be
order in his Church, Jesus gave the
greatest responsibility and authority to the Twelve Apostles. He
appointed
Peter chief Apostle and gave him the keys to seal blessings both on
earth and
in heaven (see Matthew 16:19). ....... The Church OrganizationThe Church of Jesus
Christ was a carefully organized unit.
It was compared to a perfectly formed building that was “built upon the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the
chief corner
stone” (Ephesians
2:20). Jesus appointed other
priesthood leaders to assist the
Apostles in the work of the ministry. He sent officers called seventies
in pairs to preach
the gospel (see Luke 10:1). The New Testament shows
that this Church organization was
intended to continue. For example, the death of Judas left only eleven
Apostles. Soon after Jesus had ascended into heaven, the eleven
Apostles met
together to choose someone to take the place of Judas. Through
revelation from
the Holy Ghost, they chose Matthias. (See Acts
1:23–26.) Later, other Apostles died or were killed. Paul,
Barnabas, and
James, the brother of the Lord, were all ordained in their places. Jesus had set a pattern
for twelve Apostles to govern the
Church. It seemed clear that the organization was to continue as he had
established it. First Principles and OrdinancesThe Apostles taught two
basic principles: faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ and repentance. After new converts had faith in Jesus
Christ as
the Son of God and their Redeemer and had repented of their sins, they
received
two ordinances: baptism by immersion and the laying on of hands for the
gift of
the Holy Ghost. These were the first principles and ordinances of the
gospel. ........ Ordinances Performed for the DeadJesus has provided for
everyone to hear the gospel, whether
on earth or after death. Between his death and resurrection, Jesus went
among
the spirits of those who had died. He organized missionary work among
those who
were dead. He appointed righteous messengers and gave them power to
teach the
gospel to all the spirits of people who had died. This gave them an
opportunity
to accept the gospel. (See 1 Peter 3:18–20; 1
Peter 4:6;
D&C 138.)
Living members of his Church then performed ordinances in behalf of the
dead
(see 1
Corinthians 15:29). Ordinances such as baptism and confirmation
must be
done on earth. Spiritual GiftsAll faithful members of
the Church were entitled to receive
gifts of the Spirit. These were given to them according to their
individual
needs, capacities, and assignments. ...... |
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