WHO ARE THE OTHER SHEEP IN JOHN 10:16?

SPELLING EDITED

WHO are the OTHER SHEEP in John 10:16?

I gave this study in God’s word the title “WHO are the OTHER SHEEP in John 10:16” because the Mormon Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints teaches that the OTHER SHEEP are the sheep that Jesus preached the gospel to in ancient America. But please understand that this study is written to ALL Christians to help them see and understand what the Bible itself actually teaches.

Let us read John 10:16 first and then you can read just one of many articles written by the Mormon church that teach that Jesus went to America to preach the gospel at some point in time.

Please read John 10:16.

“And OTHER SHEEP I have, which are NOT of this fold: them ALSO I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.”

The article is more or less to prove to my readers that this is, in fact, what the Mormon Church teaches. But before you read the article, I would like to list some points to ponder upon which you may have never thought about. These points are a good way to get Mormons to THINK about what they are being taught in comparison to what the Bible ITSELF actually teaches. So this study is actually written to ALL Christians.

THOUGHT #1.

Why would Jesus go and preach the gospel HIMSELF to the early American native Indians when he commissioned his disciples to go and preach the gospel into ALL the world?

THOUGHT #2.

Did Jesus not TRUST his disciples to preach the gospel in all the world?

THOUGHT #3.

Would it not be ADDING to God’s word to teach something that is NOT taught in the Bible ITSELF? DO you own word search for the word America and Indian and you will not find one mention of Jesus going to America or to anywhere else in the world.

THOUGHT #4.

WHEN did Jesus have time to go to America? The SAME day that God raised him from the dead he ascended to heaven and came right back that same day in the evening. Then Jesus was WITH his disciples for the next forty days before he ascended back into heaven. And the Bibles says that Jesus MUST REMAIN IN heaven UNTIL he returns at his second coming. So there was NO TIME for Jesus to go to America to preach the gospel to the early American Indians.

THOUGHT #5.

Could it be that Joseph Smith WONDERED what John 10:16 meant and he came up with his OWN THEORY? And then he realized that if he shared his INTERPRETATION of John 10:16 with other Christians that they would laugh at him. So could it be the Joseph Smith made the WHOLE the thing up that he had a VISION because Christians would be more likely to believe him if he had a VISION?

THOUGHT #6.

Have you ever wondered WHY there are three accounts of Joseph’s Smith vision and they ALL DIFFER?

THOUGHT #7.

Could it be that IF we simply COMPARE Scripture with Scripture we will learn the TRUE meaning of what Jesus INTENDED his words to mean in John 10:16? Could it be that EASY?

Let us do a little comparing of Scripture with Scripture to see if the Bible ITSELF will teach us WHO the OTHER SHEEP TRULY are. Let us read John 10:16 one more time but this time I will highlight different words.

John 10:16.

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they SHALL hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

So right off the bat so to speak, we can see that there are TWO sheepfolds called the other sheep and this fold.

But WHO are they?

Well, let us keep examining this verse. Next, we see that the TWO folds of sheep shall become ONE fold of sheep having ONE shepherd. And we already KNOW who the ONE shepherd is by the CONTEXT. The ONE shepherd is our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now ask yourself the question “WHO was the gospel of Jesus Christ preached to FIRST?”

If you said that the gospel was preached to the Jews FIRST then you are correct.

Please read Romans 1:16.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew FIRST, and ALSO to the Greek.”

And there is your OTHER SHEEP, the Gentiles. The Bible uses the words, the Greek and the Gentiles interchangeably. But how can we be SURE the Greeks were Gentiles and the Gentiles are indeed the OTHER SHEEP that he ALSO must try to bring into the ONE FOLD? Well, let us see WHO the ONE fold is, according to what the Bible ITSELF teaches.

Please read Ephesians 2:11-17.

“Wherefore remember, that YOU being in time past GENTILES in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12. That at that time YOU were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13. But now IN Christ Jesus YOU who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who has made BOTH ONE, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (And THUS there should NEVER be a wall dividing Christians apart like different church denominations for we are ONE body of the ONE and ONLY TRUE church. So no single church denomination should EVER say that THEY are the ONLY TRUE church just because other church denominations do not believe exactly the same on every point of church doctrine)

15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain ONE new man, so making peace;

16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in ONE body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (So if you are IN Jesus Christ by BELIEVING the Jesus is the Christ, the SON OF the living God and that Jesus suffered and died for your sins then you are a MEMBER of the TRUE body of Jesus Christ. And thus you are a member of the ONE and ONLY TRUE church of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior)

17. And came and preached peace to YOU which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

Now, for me, the Bible makes it absolutely clear that the OTHER SHEEP are the Gentiles and the THIS FOLD are the natural born Jews. And thus the ONE fold is the ONE body of Jesus Christ, the ONE and ONLY TRUE church. So if you are a true born-again Christian, then you are IN the ONE and ONLY TRUE church no matter what church DENOMINATION you attend. So NEVER all anyone to intimidate you with fear by saying that if you leave THEIR church then you can NOT be saved. That is a LIE from Satan to DECEIVE you to remain in THEIR church denomination.

Now, let us read the Mormon article to see if it is SOUND Biblical teaching. And we also want to see if everything in this article is taught it the Bible ITSELF.

Here is an article quoted from the official Mormon Chruch of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints called The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles. The emphasis is mine in order to highlight points that I want you to compare with what the Bible actually teaches. I will put a number right after each point as well for easier referencing each point back in the article.

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament,#1. the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth.#2. “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill.#3. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence,#4. the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift on behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem #5. nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh,#6. the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America.#7. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times”#8. (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” #9. (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him, the Prophet also declared:#10. “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” #11. (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored #12. upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles #13.—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

Now, let us go over each point that I emphasized in the article to explain WHY I emphasized those points.

POINT #1.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament,#1. the Messiah of the New.

Now, I realize that both the Oneness Pentecostal Christians and the Trinitarians Christians sincerely believe with all their heart the Jesus is Yahweh of the Old Testament, the one true and only Almighty God himself in the flesh having two natures, one divine nature and the other human nature at the same time.

But I also realize that there are a vast number of Christians who sincerely believe with all their heart that Jesus came out from God through God speaking his word of PROPHECY out from his mouth and then the spoken word of God was made FLESH.

However, my point right now is to point out what the Mormon Church teaches. And the Mormon Church teaches that Jesus was BORN of God the Father and God’s WIFE as a SPIRIT child. And then God sent the spirit child, Jesus, down to the earth to become flesh.

So then, my question to the Mormons is HOW can the spirit CHILD of his SPIRIT Father be one and the self-same being as Almighty God Yahweh, the FATHER.

We are NOT talking about having two natures here because you, as a Mormon are saying that Jesus IS Yahweh of the Old Testament. I use the name Yahweh because I personally believe the name Jehovah is not God’s correct name. So then, once again, we are not talking about Jesus having TWO natures here, but rather we are addressing the TEACHING of the Mormon Church that says,

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament,#1. the Messiah of the New.

Now, since the Mormon Church says that Jesus was born as a SEPARATE spirit person FROM the Father, whose NAME is Yahweh in the Old Testament, as Yahweh the Father’s spirit CHILD, then HOW can a SEPARATE person be ONE and the SELF-SAME BEING as Yahweh the FATHER? Please keep in mind that you, as a Mormon are not saying that Jesus is the God of the Old Testament, but rather you are saying that Jesus is Yahweh of the Old Testament.

Remember Proverbs 30:4 says, what is HIS name and what is his SON’s name, which is talking about TWO names. All I am asking right now is for you to let that sink into your brain and THINK things through for YOURSELF.

Let us move on to the next point.

POINT #2.

Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth.#2. “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3).

Now, again, I fully realize that both the Oneness Pentecostal Christians and the Trinitarians Christians sincerely believe with all their heart the Jesus is Yahweh, the one true and only Almighty God himself in the flesh having two natures, one divine nature and the other human nature at the same time. And I realize that Trinitarian Christians sincerely believe that Jesus pre-existed as God the Son and that he is the second person of a Godhead Trinity God and that Jesus is one person of the three-person but ONE God who created everything that exists.

So the difference that I see between the Mormons and the Trintatians on this subject of Jesus pre-existing and Jesus creating everything the exists is that the Mormons believe that Jesus created everything UNDER the DIRECTING of the Father. I assume that means that the Father told his spirit child, who was later named, Jesus, what to create and that his spirit son created everything that exists.

Also, the Mormons differ by saying that Jesus had a BEGINNING and the Trinitarians believe that God the Son had NO beginning. Otherwise, he could NOT be the ONE TRUE God IF Jesus has a BEGINNING.

Now here is a thought for Mormons to think long and hard about. Keep in mind that Mormons ALSO teach that Almighty God the Father was a MAN before he became Almighty God. And I am assuming that he did not have SPIRIT children until AFTER he became a SPIRIT God.

So if God’s SON created ALL THINGS and nothing was created WITHOUT the SON creating it then that means that the SON created his Father as a MAN before that man became a Spirit God. And if you are saying that Jesus ONLY created the earth then Jesus did NOT create the Universe and everything in the universe. So WHO created the Universe?

Please keep in mind that OTHER Christians have OTHER beliefs so let us take a look at those beliefs since we are examining the Mormon teaching to see if what the Mormon’s teach is SOUND Biblical teaching.

The Oneness Christians believe that Yahweh ALONE and BY HIMSELF created the entire Universe and everything that exists. They also believe that NO son pre-existed and that Yahweh manifested HIMSELF to become the Son.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was the FIRSTBORN of every creature in eternity past as the FIRST Son BORN to God. And then, a God the Son created everything else that exists. Now, this seems very close to what the Mormons teach. But wait, there is no less that one more theory that Christians believe.

There are Christians called Biblical Unitarians who believe that ONLY Yahweh existed from all eternity without every having a beginning. And to Biblical Unitarians, they that Yahweh ALONE and BY HIMSELF with NO Son with him created the entire Universe and everything that exists. Biblical Unitarians also believe that Jesus FIRST came into existence as a HUMAN child that was miraculously conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

So in this ONE area of faith, the Biblical Unitarians sound pretty close to the Oneness Pentecostal Christians. However, the Biblical Unitarians believe that Jesus, the SON OF God, is a SEPARATE person FROM God and the Oneness Christians do NOT believe that Jesus is a separate being from Almighty God the Father. But rather, the Oneness Pentecostal Christians sincerely believe with all their heart that Jesus is ONE and the self-same being as the Father. And that is why they say that Jesus IS Yahweh himself.

POINT #3.

His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill.#3.

Now, I realize that this is just one Mormon article and there is not must context to understand what this one sentence is actually saying. So I only make this point so that Christians understand that the WHOLE gospel message is not JUST a message of peace and goodwill only. The TRUE gospel message is the ENTIRE New Testament of the Bible without ANY added books outside the Bible.

POINT #4.

He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence,#4. the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

Now, WHERE in the Bible ITSELF did Jesus ever teach that all humans PRE-EXISTED in a PRE-MORTAL state as spirit children of Almighty God the Father?

Simply read the Mormon statement of faith that the PREMORTAL ALREADY spirit children having the POTENTIAL to BECOME the sons and daughter of God in the life to come.

Does that not sound CONTRADICTORY to you? How can the already pre-existing spirit sons and daughters of God have the POTENTIAL to BECOME the sons and daughters of God when they already ARE the sons and daughters of God?

THINK this through for YOURSELVES. You, as a Mormon are taught to believe that God’s spirit children are sent down to the earth to become his MORTAL children. And then, IF the mortal children of God are found faithful then they will PROGRESS to BECOME the sons and daughters of God. Supposedly on a higher level to be raised from the dead as SPIRIT children. But, according to the Mormon Chruch, they were ALREADY spirit children before they became mortal children only to return to being spirit children. That makes no sense whatsoever.

Now, the Bible ITSELF teaches that by BELIEVING in God’s Son, Jesus, God gives us the POWER to BECOME the sons and daughters of God.

Please read John 1:12.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to BECOME the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

And then, according to the Bible itself in 1 John 3:2 we, as true believers in Jesus, will receive our new glorified immortal bodies LIKE Jesus has NOW.

1 John 3:2.

“Beloved, NOW are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: (In other words, RIGHT NOW in THIS present world we and true believers in Jesus ARE the sons and daughter of God. BUT not yet are we LIKE Jesus as the ETERNAL Son of God who was GIVEN immortality AFTER God raised him from the dead)

but we know that, WHEN he shall appear, we shall be LIKE him; for we shall see him as he IS.”

Now, the disciples of Jesus ALREADY knew HOW Jesus IS after God raised him from the dead because they saw him and TOUCHED him.

Please read Luke 24:39.

“Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a SPIRIT has NOT flesh and bones, as YOU SEE ME HAVE.”

Therefore, we, as true born-again faithful Christians will become ETERNAL sons and daughters of God HAVING immortal BODIES of FLESH and BONES just LIKE Jesus has NOW up in heaven. And we will RECEIVE our new glorified immoral PHYSICAL BODIES the very INSTANT the Jesus returns to the earth to catch up his ONE and ONLY TRUE church to meet him in the AIR. And so we shall ever be with the Lord.

Now, if you are a Mormon, I realize that this must be a lot to take in all at once because I know that you have also been taught that Jesus was raised from the dead as a SPIRIT. But that is NOT what the Bible teaches as ou just saw for yourself in Luke 24:39. Almighty God is a SPIRIT who is INVISIBLE and cannot be seen. But Jesus is NOT a SPIRIT because Jesus himself said he is NOT a SPIRIT because a spirit does NOT have a FLESH and BONE PHYSICAL body that can be SEEN and touched.

POINT #5.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem #5. nor concluded on Calvary.

Now, this point will take a rather long explanation as to why I believe that the Bible ITSELF does NOT teach a PRE-EXISTING Son of God. So for that reason I will give you a link to two of the many Bible studies that I have on this subject which should be enough to show anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear that Jesus did NOT LITERALLY pre-exist as a SEPARATE divine spirit being who was WITH God at his side before his miraculous birth in the city of Bethlehem. Please read the following two studies to get you started on your quest for the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God, “WHEN DID JESUS BECOME GOD’S ETERNAL SON?” and “WHAT DOES THE FIRSTBORN OF EVERY CREATURE TRULY MEAN?” But for now, let us move on to point number 6.

POINT #6.

He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh,#6. the Redeemer of the world.

So then, according to the Mormon Church, Jesus BECAME the FIRSTBORN Son of Almighty God WHEN the already existing spirit child, Jesus, BECAME FLESH.

Now, if you are a Mormon, I want you to THINK this through for YOURSELF because you ALSO believe that Jesus is the ONLY begotten Son of God.

So then, HOW can Jesus be BOTH the FIRSTBORN Son of Almighty God WHEN he BECAME FLESH and the ONLY begotten Son of God at the same time?

For you see, Adam was the FIRST son of God who was FLESH. And neither Adam or Jesus is the ONLY son of God. So WHEN is it POSSIBLE for Jesus to be BOTH the FIRSTBORN Son of God AND the ONLY BEGOTTEN Son of God? This is NOT a trick question because there is a TIME WHEN Jesus became BOTH the FIRSTBORN Son fo God AND the ONLY begotten Son of God at the exact SAME TIME? If you truly would like to know the TRUTH, according to the Bible ITSELF, then please read the following two studies, “WHEN DID JESUS BECOME GOD’S ETERNAL SON?” and “WHAT DOES THE FIRSTBORN OF EVERY CREATURE TRULY MEAN?” But for now, let us move on to point number 7.

POINT #7.

He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America.#7.

Now, we already cover this point in the introduction of this study. But in case you have forgotten already I will copy and paste that part of the introduction here so you can read it again.

These points are a good way to get Mormons to THINK about what they are being taught in comparison to what the Bible ITSELF actually teaches. So this study is actually written to ALL Christians.

THOUGHT #1.

Why would Jesus go and preach the gospel HIMSELF to the early American native Indians when he commissioned his disciples to go and preach the gospel into ALL the world?

THOUGHT #2.

Did Jesus not TRUST his disciples to preach the gospel in all the world?

THOUGHT #3.

THOUGHT #4.

THOUGHT #5.

THOUGHT #6.

Have you ever wondered WHY there are three accounts of Joseph’s Smith vision and they ALL DIFFER?

THOUGHT #7.

Could it be that IF we simply COMPARE Scripture with Scripture we will learn the TRUE meaning of what Jesus INTENDED his words to mean in John 10:16? Could it be that EASY? If you forgot WHO are the OTHER SHEEP the go back and re-read this study. But if you believe what the Bible teaches then you know that the other sheep are the Gentile BELIEVERS in Jesus Christ and the THIS fold are the Jewish believers. And the ONE FOLD is WHOSOEVER of any person in the whole world who BELIEVES in Jesus as the atonement for their sins. And that means the NO single individual church denomination has any right to CLAIM that they alone of the only one true church. To do so is a SLAP in the face to Almighty God and his Son Jesus. And to me, it borders on blaspheming God calling him a LIAR by saying that no other person can be a true Christian unless they belong to YOUR church denomination.

When will you stop believing the lies being taught to you from the Book of Mormons, the Doctrines and Covenants, and the Peral of Great Price? And let us not forget the errors of translation that Joseph Smith made in translating Egyptian hieroglyphs to write the Book of Abraham. Do your own research using NON-Mormon publications and you will find many CONTRADICTIONS in the teachings of the Mormon Church. But for now, let us continue with point #8 and see what the Bible ITSELF teaches.

POINT #8.

In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times”#8. (Ephesians 1:10).

I will highlight all the words and pronouns that refer to Almighty God the Father in orange. And I will highlight all the words and pronouns that refer to Jesus in yellow so that it will be easier to follow who is doing what. Let us read Ephesians 1:10, being left in its CONTEXT to learn its TRUE meaning.

Please read Ephesians 1:3-18.

“Blessed be the God and Father OF our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places IN Christ:

4. According, as he has chosen us IN him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5. (Him) Having predestinated us (Speaking of ONLY those of us who are IN Jesus Christ by our FAITH IN Jesus as the atonement of our sin has Almighty God the Father predestined) unto the adoption of children BY Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he HAS MADE us accepted IN the beloved. (So then, if you are a sincere BELIEVER IN Jesus as the Son of Almighty God and that Jesus suffered and died for your sins that you are ALREADY ACCEPTED by Almighty God as his adopted child will WILL become his ETERNAL child IF you endure unto the END holding fast to the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ)

7. IN whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8. Wherein he has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself:

10. THAT (Or so that or in order that) in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things IN Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even IN him: (This verse is CLEARLY speaking of our being gathered together AT the COMING of Jesus to be given ETERNAL LIFE to start a NEW dispensation in the world to come. This verse has NOTHING to do with Joseph Smith beginning a new dispensation of the church with his so-called RESTORED gospel. Also I want my readers to know and understand that the English word “THINGS” is NOT in the original Greek text and that it was ADDED by the translators, The LITERAL translation reads THE ALL, as in, THE ALL of whosever BELIEVE IN Christ, BOTH which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even IN him)

11. IN whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will:

12. That we (The THIS fold in John 10:16) should be to the praise of his glory, who FIRST trusted IN Christ.

13. IN whom YOU (The OTHER SHEEP in John 10:16) ALSO trusted, AFTER that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: IN whom also after that YOU believed, YOU were SEALED with that holy Spirit of promise, (That means that the Holy Spirit now DWELLS IN those of us who BELIEVE in the TRUE gospel of our salvation the exact moment right after we hear and believe the true gospel of Jesus Christ)

14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

Verse 14 means that right NOW every true born-again Christians has the earnest of the Holy Spirit dwelling IN them. In other words, we have EARNEST of ETERNAL LIFE dwelling IN us RIGHT NOW and IF we ENDURE unto the end we will receive the FULL reward of ETERNAL life AT the very moment Jesus returns to the earth to rapture his ONE and the ONLY TRUE church which is ALL true believers from EVERY church denomination.

Yes, I believe that it is possible for there to be TRUE born-again Christians in every church denomination. Now whether or not they will endure unto the end depends greatly upon whether they are FOLLOWING and OBEYING the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ taught under the New Covenant written in the New Testament of the Holy Bible ITSELF. And this is why SOME Christians do NOT believe that the Mormons, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Roman Catholic Church, and all seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians are NOT truly SAVED. Now, I believe that they are saved but they are FOLLOWING and OBEYING a FALSE gospel that has been taught to them AFTER they were saved. And that is just as dangerous as NOT being saved because a false gospel could very well lead a true born-again Christians to LOSE their salvation. Let us move on to point #9.

POINT #9.

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” #9. (D&C 110:3–4).

Now, while it may be true that Joseph Smith wrote this it is NOT true that a TRUE prophet of God would teach something that is NOT Biblical.

You see, Joseph Smith’s INTERPRETATION of Revelation 1:1,17is in ERROR because he interpreted those two verses OUT of their CONTEXT. And, therefore, what Joseph Smith WROTE in the Doctrines and Covenants is in ERROR as well.

Let us read the CONTEXT of verses 17 and 18 where we will find the Apostle John hearing TWO voices. The FIRST voice of the sound of a TRUMPET is the voice of Almighty God Yahweh the Father. And the SECOND voice of many waters is the voice of the now highly exalted Son of MAN, Jesus.

Revelation 1:9-18.

“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard BEHIND me a great VOICE, as of a trumpet,

11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What you see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

12. And I TURNED to SEE the VOICE that spake with me. And being turned, I SAW seven golden candlesticks; (In other words. John did NOT SEE the INVISIBLE God but rather, John saw ANOTHER being with a DIFFERENT VOICE of the sound of many waters)

13. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

16. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shines in his strength.

17 And when I SAW him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: (Or I am the first and last letter of God’s word and every letter in between That Yahweh my God and Father PROPHESIED to be. I am the spoken word of God made flesh. I am the prophesied Messiah, the Son of MAN who died for your sins)

18. I am he that LIVES, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Now, God cannot DIE. The Bible says, that it was the Son MAN who died for our sins.

Please read John 3:14.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so, must the Son of man be lifted up:”

Some Christians argue that is was only the HUMAN nature of Jesus that died and the Divine God nature did NOT die. And I am thinking to myself, then God still did not DIE for your sins if only the human side of Jesus died. Do you really believe that the Holy Spirit dwelling in us DIES when our physical body dies? Do you really belives that our spirit dies when our physical body dies? Do you believe that Jesus had his OWN will, his OWN soul, his OWN, body of flesh, and his OWN spirit the same as other human beings? Do you believe that God DWELT IN the Son of MAN Jesus? Then WHO died. The Son of MAN, Jesus or God who DWELT IN him? It was the Son of MAN just like Jesus said. Quit believing the lies you are being taught in your church denomination. Let us move on to point #10 that the Mormon Church wrongly teaches.

POINT #10.

Of Him, the Prophet also declared:#10.

Again, while it may be true that Joseph Smith wrote the so-called RESTORED gospel by ADDING the Book of Momon, the Doctrines and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Book of Abraham, it is NOT true that a TRUE prophet of God would teach something that is NOT Biblical and CONTRADICTS what the Bible ITSELF teaches in so many areas. Since I am focusing only on the Bible right now I will not get into the contradictions of one Mormon teaching contradicting another Mormon teaching. We will save that for another study.

POINT #11.

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” #11. (D&C 76:22–24).

Now, the Mormon church teaches that Jesus was BORN as a SPIRIT CHILD of God the Father and his WIFE who ALSO bore EVERY other spirit child that was sent to the earth to become MORTAL.

So, according to the Mormon Church, EVERY mortal human being is BEGOTTEN of Almighty God. Therefore, Jesus being the ONLY BEGOTTEN Son does NOT AGREE with what the Mormon church teaches about humans PRE-existing as PRE-mortal spirit being up in heaven somewhere in the Universe on another planet BEFORE we were sent down to the earth to be born as mortal sons and daughters of God.

So the Bible ITSELF has a much different meaning of Jesus being the ONLY BEGOTTEN Son than the Mormons believe and teach. Please read the study “WHAT DOES FIRSTBORN OF EVERY CREATURE TRULY MEAN?”

POINT #12.

Now, if you compare Scripture with Scripture you will find that a good cross-reference Bible will refer you to also read 1 Corinthians 3:8-23 which is talking about the same thing as Ephesians 2:20 quoted above by the Mormon church that they are the true Apostles of Jesus Christ who are the ONLY church that has the RESTORE gospel. But 1 Corinthians chapter 3 gives us more DETAIL which gives us more information so that we can correctly interpret verses of Scripture like Ephesians 2:20.

Let us read 1 Corinthians 3:8-23.

“Now he that plants and he that waters are ONE: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. (In other words, if a Christians HELPS another Christian bring a person to saving faith in Jesus AND that PERSON that they bring to Jesus REMAINS faithful unto the END then each of those Christians who had a part in bringing that person to Jesus will receive a reward above and beyond eternal life IF they also remain faithful unto the end)

9. For we are laborers together with God: you are God's husbandry, you are God's building.

10. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. (Let me give you an example so you can truly understand what this passage of Scripture is talking about. We all agree that the Apostle Paul has already laid the ONLY TRUE foundation. Now, let us say that the many beliefs of the Christians of the many church denominations are the builders. And the Mormon Church builds its beliefs in the Christians in their church denomination while all the other church denominations do the same. Now let us say that one or more church denominations are teaching ANOTHER gospel that does NOT match up with that gospel that Paul laid as the ONLY foundation. And let us say that those OTHER gospels cause Christians to NOT REMAIN in the TRUE faith of the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ. Then those church denominations who teach ANOTHER gospel will LOSE the reward that they would have received IF the Christian they TAUGHT would have remained in the true faith unto the end.

But there is more. Now, let us say that the whole church congregation of Christians who are being taught ANOTHER gospel LOSE their salvation as well because it was NOT the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ. My point is this. Does YOUR church denomination teach you what the Bible ITSELF teaches? Does the RESTORED gospel of the Mormon Church match PERFECTLY with what the Apostles of Jesus Christ who were EYEWITNESS of Jesus wrote down for us under the New Covenant in the New Testament to read for OURSELVES? For you see, the Mormon Church CONTRADICTS what the Bibles teaches then they are teaching ANOTHER gospel. So I implore you to read the study “HOW TO WITNESS TO MORMONS” because I assure you that the teachings of the Mormon Church contradict what the Bible ITSELF teaches in MANY places.

11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.(And this means that everything Jesus taught his disciples on how to be saved AND how to receive eternal life in the world to come. It also means what Jesus and his disciples taught as to WHO is the Father and WHO is the Son. And nowhere in the Bible ITSELF does it teach that Almighty God Yahweh the Father was a MAN before he became Almighty God. So right there should tell ALL Mormons that the ADDED Book of Mormons CONTRADICTS what the Bible ITSELF teaches.)

12. Now if any man builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (Notice that there are TWO ways to BUILD the CHURCH, God’s building. A person can teach people SOUND Biblical teaching to build gold, silver, and precious stones that will NOT BURN. Or a person can build wood, hay, and stubble that is SURE to BURN)

13. Every man's work shall be made manifest: (Or every Christians that a person brings to Jesus will be TESTED and it will be made known if they are a TRUE Christian or if they are wood, hay, and stubble on the Day of Judgment) for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14. If any man's work abides which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (The WORK is talking about PEOPLE that we bring to Jesus. And ONLY FOR those people who we bring to Jesus who REMAIN faithful unto the end will we receive a reward IF we are found faithful to receive ETERNAL life. For you see, ONLY those of us who receive eternal life when Jesus returns will receive an additional reward for each person we bring to Jesus who ENDURE unto the end to receive THEIR eternal life. That is what this whole passage of Scripture is about. In other words, if a Christian LOSES their salvation they will ALOS lose any reward they would have received IF they would have endured unto the END to be saved)

15. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (This means that IF the person that we bring to Jesus does NOT remain faithful and THEY lose THEIR salvation that WE will still be saved IF WE remain faithful unto the end)

16. Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

17. If any man defiles the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. (Now, I always thought that this verse means that if we defile our OWN temple by living in a lifestyle of sin that God will destroy us which is true. But what if it also means that if what we teach directly CAUSE another Christian to be DEFILED and THEY lose their salvation BECAUSE of what one dogmatically teaches them saying that if they do NOT believe it then they cannot be SAVED?)

18. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness.

20. And again, The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

21. Therefore, let no man glory in men. (And that is why we should NOT follow MEN like Joseph Smith who exalt themselves to be a Prophet of God when they are NO Prophet of God. A TRUE prophet of God would never ADD to God’s WRITTEN word in the Holy Bible other books that CONTRADICT what the Bible ITSELF teaches. A TRUE Prophet will live a godly and holy life. Do your own research on the life that Joseph Smith lived) For all things are yours;

22. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

23. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.”

Again, do your own research on the immoral life that Josep Smith lived. And even if you are NOT a Mormon I would encourage you to read the study “HOW TO WITNESS TO MORMONS”

POINT #13.

Just because someone SAYS that they are ordained of God to be an Apostle does not prove that they are OF God. For you see, even Satan MIXES some TRUTH along with his LIES.

Therefore, we must TEST those who SAY that they are Jesus’ duly Apostles just like we test those who say that they are Christians. Jesus said that we shall know them BY THEIR FRUITS. So if their FURIT is BAD then they are NOT true Apostles of Jesus Christ.

Now the FRUIT does not always have to be their WORKS. BAD fruit can also mean FALSE teaching. Also, bad fruit can be NON-Biblical Christians that you help become non-Biblical Christians by what you TEACH. So I pray that this study will stir you up to TEST your church denomination to see if they are teaching you SOUND Biblical teaching that AGEES with every verse in the Bible. For you see, even if what your church denomination teaches CONTRADICTS even one verse of Scripture then that church denomination is NOT teaching you to the truth of the WHOLE word of Almighty God.

Always remember that you will be JUDGED BY the words that Jesus teaches and NOT by the words that your church denomination teaches. So I implore you to read and study the Bible for YOURSELF. To continue to learn more about why Mormonism is NOT sound Biblical teaching then please read the study “A LETTER TO MORMON CHRISTIANS!”

Thanks for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God.

And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus.

Once Christians, Jews, Muslims, and even atheists understand the REASON that Yahweh CREATED the Son of MAN, Jesus, was to have DOMINION over the work of Yahweh’s hands.

And after you understand that the REASON that Yahweh did that is to STILL His ENEMIES, Satan and the fallen angels.

Then you can understand that God made His human Son to become “a” Lord, “a” King, and “a” God, under and subject to his God and Father in order to JUDGE Satan and the fallen angels.

For a deeper understanding of this WAR that Lucifer and one third of the angels waged against the throne of Almighty God, please read the studies under the subject category called ** Q-0 Why Are We Here? Is God at WAR? **.

More studies are coming in this SHORTER Biblical Unitarian view of who Jesus is according to the WHOLE word of God.

If you have a PARTICULAR verse of Scripture that you would like to know the sound Biblical Unitarian meaning, then please email me at MarkatAMatterOfTruth@Gmail.com and let me know.

For further and more in-depth studies on this subject of Jesus being created to STILL the enemies of Yahweh, please read the studies called D-25. A NEW LOOK at JOHN 1:1, In the BEGINNING!

And also read the study called D-28. The PRE-ADAMIC LUCIFERIAN FLOOD!

At the top of my homepage, there are subjects or categories which contain compiled lists of ** ALL Studies! ** I have written on that particular subject. So, if a link within a study is broken, then click on ** ALL Studies! ** to find the suggested study.

Or you can scroll down to the MORE dropdown menu list to find those studies as well.

Thanks again for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God.

And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus.

And again, for ALL of the studies on the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus, please click on the subject heading ** D-0 The BIBLICAL UNITARIAN VIEW of Jesus! **

And for the SUBJECT on the true foundation of the church, please click on the subject heading ** C-0 The TRUE FOUNDATION of the Church! **

This way you can just send ONE link to those who you want to share the TRUE sound Biblical FOUNDATIONAL teachings of the church that Jesus and his Apostles taught in the first century church.

Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ,

Brother Mark.

My heartfelt prayer is that all Christians RETURN to the TRUE FOUNDATION of the church that is taught by the very Apostles of Jesus in the first century.

So let us all come into the UNITY of the faith and return to what Jesus and his Apostles taught us in SIMPLICITY in the New Testament.

To learn more TRUTH, then please return to:

My HOMEPAGE at

AMatterOfTruth,.com

Type in the SEARCH bar

Mark At A Matter Of Truth

The Church of the Firstborn of God

Go to my NEW Website at

FirstbornOfGod.com

Also, here is the MASTER Menu List of my 8 NEW BOOKS with LINKS to all of the chapters in those eight new books.

Click here to learn HOW to use the Microsoft Edge reading aloud feature, so that you can LISTEN to my studies being read aloud to you!

Always be faithful to share, to preach, and to teach the whole gospel of Jesus Christ!

Report abuse