Unveiling Mormonism

Mormons are taught that the Bible is true *as far as it's translated correctly. That's a big asterisk that causes most LDS folks to doubt it reliability or usefulness in life. But here are three reasons to believe the Bible is reliable. --The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --

Today we’ll look at the first part of Acts chapter 8. We’ll do a “threat assessment” on the early church as we answer this question: What Are the Church’s Greatest Threats?--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Q. What Are the Church’s Greatest Threats?(Alpine is 23 years old today!)First public service held Sept 9, 2001Two days later the twin towers fell and the world changedThreat of terrorismThreat of global warThreat of losing American wayBut Alpine continued to grow, and today…Eight campuses, and growing!Opening service at the Syracuse buildingWhere will God take us in the next 23 years? And what threats will we have to endure?Today we’ll look at three threats that the early church faced (persecution, power, and division) and one bonus threat that seems unique to us today (apathy). We have a lot to cover, so let’s get straight to the text… The Threat of PersecutionActs 8: (NLT) 1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.Acts 8:1-3 (NLT) A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.The External ThreatPay attention to the language here, and how different it is from what we’ve seen so far in our study of ActsFirst, let’s review the memories (honeymoon stage)Growth: Acts 2:41 (NLT) 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.Miracles: Acts 3:7 (NLT) 7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.Community: Acts 4:32 (NLT) 32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.Freedom: Acts 5:42 (NLT) 42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”Now we have all new language:“Great wave of persecution”I remember standing in the ocean with my kids when they were young, the power of the wavesThat’s nothing compared to the tsunami that hit Japan March 11, 2011They call it “3/11”The church experienced this external threatA tsunami of persecutionscary“all the believers … were scattered”So much for community!And then this:“Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church”This guy’s personal mission! I’ve seen some of these guys on YouTube…AtheistsChristian hatersDeconstructionistsBut here’s the thing with God: a threat is just an opportunity. Acts 8: (NLT) 4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. Don’t you love it!? Genesis 50:20 (NLT) You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. (Like the Esther story with Haman)In fact, this was God’s plan all along: that the next stop after Jerusalem would be Judea and Samaria. Let’s put some verses side-by-side:Acts 1:8 (NLT) 8 …And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Jesus’ final words before his ascensionActs 8:1 (NLT) …and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.Bad thing, right? Not quite…Acts 8:4 (NLT) But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.What the enemy meant for evil….Then Luke gives a specific example…Acts 8:5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.How did all of this start? With persecution in Jerusalem.And that’s where our bonus threat comes in…The Threat of ApathyQ. Does the church face the threat of persecution today?In some countries, yes. Ex: IranIran was number nine on Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List, an annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.Sheep Among Wolves Vol 2 documentaryIncredible persecution among Christians in IranYet the church is growing, gospel is spreading Underground!According to scholar Shay Khatiri of Johns Hopkins University, “Islam is the fastest shrinking religion in there [Iran], while Christianity is growing the fastest”, and in 2018 "up to half a million Iranians are Christian converts from Muslim families, and most of these Christians are evangelicals." He adds that "recent estimates claim that the number might have climbed up to somewhere between 1 million and 3 million".But what about America, where there is no true persecution?Iranian Christian couple was able to move to the US. But after being in US, wife began to plead with husband to take her back to Iran.“There’s a satanic lullaby here. All the Christians are sleepy, and I’m feeling sleepy.”Spiritual apathy is a greater threat than persecution.Lulled into our comfortable livesNot caring about the lostNot serious about our pursuit of GodBecause we feel like we don’t have to beAs we read on, Luke describes another threat in the early church, one that still exists today.The Threat of PowerActs 8:9-11 (NLT) 9 A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. 10 Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” 11 They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.Think of him as a popular secular influencerActs 8:12-13 (NLT) 12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.Simon had magic, Philip had miraclesTo the outside observer, might not have looked differentNotice the similarities in the crowds reactions:Astounded with his magicAmazed by his miraclesEven Simon the sorcerer is impressedHe believedHe was baptizedRemember this as we hear the rest of the story…Acts 8:14-17 (NLT) 14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.(New Bible Commentary) It is, of course, delightful that John, who once wanted to call down the fire of judgment on a Samaritan village (Lk. 9:54), was one of those who was now calling down the Holy Spirit!But here’s where the threat comes in…Acts 8:18-19 (NLT) 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”Simon was thinking in terms of magic power and influenceAnd he wanted to buy this influenceThis came to be known as “Simony” - named after this passage!Simony is the act of buying or selling spiritual things, particularly church offices or rolesIn medieval Europe, the church was often intertwined with the feudal system. This led to church positions being treated as hereditary titles, sometimes sold or exchanged for political support.The sale of indulgences, closely related to simony, became a central issue leading to the Protestant Reformation.Here’s what the threat might look like today: desire to be an “Apostle”Or bishop or prophet… or whatever you call itThe person who holds the keys to the kingdomMaking a claim to this kind of power when it’s not up for grabs Mormon idea (and other groups like Catholics, New Apostolic Reformation): apostles still exist and authority is conferred by laying on of hands (apostolic succession)According to Joseph Smith's account, the first major instance of the laying on of hands took place on May 15, 1829. Joseph Smith and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, were translating the Book of Mormon when they had questions about baptism and authority. In response to their prayers, John the Baptist appeared to them as a resurrected being. John the Baptist laid his hands upon Joseph and Oliver, conferring upon them the Aaronic Priesthood, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, the gospel of repentance, and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. John instructed them to baptize each other and gave them the authority to do so.Shortly after the conferral of the Aaronic Priesthood, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery reported that Peter, James, and John laid their hands upon Joseph and Oliver, conferring upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood. This higher priesthood includes the authority to lead the Church, bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost, and perform other sacred ordinances. This priesthood is also believed to include the authority to administer the Church's sacraments and other spiritual gifts.But here’s the truth: We don’t have apostles anymore in the foundational sense (See Unveiling Mormonism Episode 70). Only offices in the church are elder or deacon (See two weeks ago in the Acts series).Maybe even more important to understand: even in the NT the apostles didn’t have exclusive rights to give the HS.In Acts 9, Ananias (not an apostle) laid hands on Saul and he received the HSIn Acts 10 the HS was given to a group of Gentiles without the laying on of hands. Given directly by GodIn Acts 2 the same thing happened for the disciples - given directly by God, no laying on of hands (Jesus could’ve done it before his ascension if it was always a thing.)The point: HS is God’s gift to give, not man’s. He can give it through apostolic laying on of hands (Acts 8, 19) or not (Acts 2, 9, 10)(Expositor's Bible Commentary: Abridged Edition (2 Volumes)) Neither baptism nor the laying on of hands conveys any status or power of itself, though Simon with his shallow spiritual perception thought they could.Generally, the New Testament teaches that all who put their faith in Jesus receive the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:2, Ephesians 1:13). This indwelling is not dependent on the physical laying on of hands but is the work of the Holy Spirit in response to faith.So why did God wait to give his HS through Peter and John? Why not just do it himself without the involvement of the Jerusalem apostles? The reason: it could have created the threat of division. The Threat of Division(Zondervan Bible Commentary (1 Vol.)) Why did the Spirit not ‘fall upon’ the Samaritan believers as He did later on the Gentiles who received the word in Caesarea (10:44–48)? It must be remembered that the Samaritans had maintained a Jehovistic worship for centuries, divorced from Jewish witness, God’s channel of salvation (Jn 4:22). The believers ‘in the name’ might have desired to run their own show, carrying the schism over to the church.God wanted two things:To show the Samaritans that the apostles were the real deal.This was the foundation of one churchTo show the apostles that the Samaritans were the real deal.They were fully accepted by God, just like they had beenThey received the same HS!Were it not for this, there would be division in the churchRemember: still mainly a Jewish thingIn this chapter the door opens to the SamaritansSoon enough the door will open to the GentilesCloseSo what are the threats facing the church today?PersecutionApathyPowerDivisionAnd so many more - maybe you can make your own list with your family, small group, or mentor. But I think it would be good to end this section where Luke does:Acts 8:25 (NLT) 25 After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News.Threats will come. Our job is to preach the Good News in every generation.Mat 16:18 (NLT) I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

In this conversation, Bryan and Bo discuss the final three Articles of Faith in the LDS Church. They touch on the changing doctrines and teachings within Mormonism and the difficulty of finding accurate information outside of church-approved sources. --The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Shownotes:Find the official LDS Article of Faith at their website here. LDS:“We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”LDS:“We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.”LDS:“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”AC: “Sanctification” describes the maturing process, guided and enabled by the Holy Spirit, in a believer’s life. The standard for this process is derived from the Bible and informed and interpreted through reason, tradition, and experience. Where Scripture gives clear directives we submit ourselves wholly to its teachings. Where it is silent we extract timeless principles that apply to our situation and seek to live responsibly. We do not, however, bind the conscience of other believers in areas of spiritual or cultural ambiguity. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:13-16; 1 Thess 4:1-8; Col. 3:17; Matt. 5:13-16; Eph. 2:10; Gal. 6:9-10).https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=enghttps://www.pursuegod.org/systheo/

Today we're beginning a new chapter in our Acts book series, as we uncover what chapter 6 has to say about organizing a church.--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Is there a right way to organize a church? But seriously, lots of debate on this over the centuriesElders, deacons, pastors, bishops, etc.Are these different positions in the church?Today I’ll show you that there are only two “offices” in the church when it comes to positions of leadershipBut is there only one prescribed, God-ordained way to organize?Acts 6:1 (NLT) 1 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.Church growth brings it challenges!Greek speaking vs. Hebrew speaking - Warning against cliques in the church, us vs. them mentality, contrary to the unity Jesus calls us to have and the unity that will show the world we are his disciplesActs 6:2-4 (NLT) 2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”Division of laborApostles weren’t discounting the importance of meeting physical needs. The apostles were teaching “everything they had seen and heard” ( We have seen this phrase used earlier in the book of Acts).  They couldn’t just pass that responsibility on to people who hadn’t walked with Jesus.  They didn’t have Bibles available for the average believer.  They were teaching what Jesus had taught them, both prior to his crucifixion and between his resurrection and ascension.  The church should be looking for opportunities to meet physical needs of others, particularly other believers. (1 John 3:17, James 2:15-16)Philosophy of ministry to have elders/pastors whose only role is teaching the Word of God. Teaching the Word of God is extremely important, but we do have a different context today.  Believers do have access to the Bible. They do have access to other believers, commentaries, etc.  Notice the requirements don’t mention anything about the charisma, wealth, talents of the individuals being put forth for consideration.  It is about their character, wisdom, and being Spirit filled. Note also the importance of prayer.  The apostles were intentional about making room in their schedule for prayer.  This is critical in ministry.  Something I certainly fall short in at times. Acts 6:5-6 (NLT) 5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.Everyone liked this idea - maybe the biggest miracle in all of scripture!!Process: men selected from the people, presented to apostles who released them for ministry(Pillar New Testament Commentary) In the history of exegesis and church government, Acts 6 with the appointment of Stephen and six others was always seen as relevant to diaconal definition and identity. But they are not actually called deacons using the Greek word diakonos. That word refers to a “servant” in various senses and capacities in Paul’s twenty-one uses of the word.Let’s break down “diakonos” (servant, minister, deacon) in Paul’s writings:General uses: Not referring to official positions in a local churchRom 15:8 - Christ has become a servant1 Cor 3:5 - Apollos and Paul are servantsCol 1:7, 4:7 - Epaphras and Tychicus are ministers2 Cor 11:15 - Satan has servantsOffice of deacon in local church: Only 3 times!Phil 1:1 (NLT) I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.Philippians written around 60-62 AD1 Tim 3:8-12 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity….1 Timothy 62-66 ADRomans 16:1-2 (NLT) 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.Some people debate whether this is referring to an official role in the church or just a general statement like the earlier list.May be the first reference to the office of deacon. Was the concept even yet formalized in the early church or in the mind of Paul? We don’t know. Romans written around 57–58 AD(Stephen selected 30-36 AD)(Pillar New Testament Commentary) Even if Acts 6 and the appointment of seven men to assist in serving widows is brought into the discussion, it may be surprising how little is known from the NT sources about specifics regarding the office of deacon. Much of what we think we know today likely stems from projecting back into early NT history the roles of deacons with which we are familiar from traditions that can be attested in full only much later. This does not mean contemporary discussion of deacons cannot make appeal to these (and other) Scriptures. It is simply to underscore that the explicit sources are quite limited. Applications made from them deserve to be careful and as modest as the amount of definite information available.In summary, here’s what we can say for sure from the Bible:The office of overseer (elder, pastor) is different from the office of deacon (minister, servant). Paul appointed overseers in churches (around 50 AD): Acts 14:23 (NLT) 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.The office of overseer was open to men only. The office of deacon appeared to be open to both men and women.Some churches debate thisAlpine is committed to this. Overseers, pastoral team is made up of godly men who carry the burden of spiritual authority in the church, to include church discipline, etc.Some overseers are already functioning in “pastoral care” roles, including hospital/prayer visits, baby dedications, and even performing weddings.Appointment to either of these offices was a serious thing, and both overseers and deacons were expected to be whole-hearted followers of Jesus. We’ll see this with Stephen next week…1 Timothy 3:9 (NLT) 9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.Stephen was, even died for his faith. Guess who was there witnessing it: Paul, the guy who later wrote 1 Timothy!(Pillar New Testament Commentary) Historians can only speculate on how this incident might still inform Paul’s thinking on the character of deacons decades later.However it’s organized, the church should proclaim and protect the gospel. (So it’s for Christians and non-Christians.)We’ve seen proclaim over and over in the book of ActsSoon we’ll see protect… as false teaching creep inThat’s a major role of the overseersCloseThe result of a well-organized church was growth!Acts 6:7 (NLT) 7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.Many of the Jewish priests were converted - Who would have guessed that during Jesus’ earthly ministry?  Who would have guessed it right after his resurrection?  It would have seemed hopeless.  They were the chief source of opposition.  They hung Jesus on the cross.  God is a God of miracles.  He brings dead things to life.  He makes beauty from ashes. Who in your world have you given up on because you think it’s no use?  They’re a lost cause.  I hope this would encourage you to keep praying for them.  Keep witnessing to them.  Keep sharing the love of Christ with them. The priests were mostly of Sadducean persuasion. They didn’t believe in a resurrection. What a turn around! One of the things that helped God’s message to spread was winning as a team.  More people were getting involved in the work of the ministry (Ephesian 4:11-12, Core Value #3).

In this episode, Bryan and Bo discuss the concept of the gathering of Israel in Mormonism and compare it to the Christian view of dispensationalism. They explore the differences between the literal gathering of Jewish people in Israel as believed by dispensationalists and the broader gathering of believers in Mormonism. They also discuss the role of the temple in Mormonism and how it differs from the Christian understanding of salvation through faith in Jesus. The conversation highlights the simplicity and grace of biblical Christianity compared to the works-based approach of Mormonism.Find the official LDS Article of Faith at their website here. LDS:“We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.”AC: We believe every person’s eternal destiny is sealed at the moment of death. God knows those who are His own. Those who have accepted His free grace through Jesus Christ will live forever to glorify Him. Unbelievers will be judged with righteousness and separated forever from His presence. (2 Cor. 5:6-10; Luke 23:40-43; Phil. 1:23; John 5:29; Luke 16:22-28; Matt. 25:46; 1 Cor. 15:51-55; Heb. 9:27-28; Rev. 22:3-5; Rev. 1:17-18)See also: https://www.pursuegod.org/eschatology/ --The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --

Chris and Beck share their journey of leaving the Mormon Church after facing the questions and doubts they had. If you came to Mormonism because of the social side of it - the friendships, connection, and community - then this episode might be for you!--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --

In this conversation, Bryan, Bo, and Katie discuss LDS Article of Faith 8, which states that Mormons believe in the Bible as far as it is translated correctly, as well as the Book of Mormon. They explore the implications of this belief, including the doubt it introduces into Bible study and the emphasis on the Book of Mormon in LDS teachings. They also discuss the Gospel Topics Essays, which address controversial topics in Mormon history, and the impact of leaving the Mormon Church on individuals and families. The conversation highlights the importance of a biblical worldview and the nourishment found in preaching from the Bible. Article of Faith number nine in Mormonism states that continuing revelation is critical to their belief system, with modern-day prophets revealing God's Word today. However, this belief contradicts the Christian view that the Bible is the only complete and final authority in faith and life. Mormons hold the words of a modern prophet above God's revealed word in the Bible, which can be dangerous as it allows modern culture to influence doctrine. The foundation of faith in Christianity is God's Word, which provides a direct relationship with God and serves as the complete and final authority in life.TakeawaysMormons believe in the Bible as far as it is translated correctly, but they also believe in the Book of Mormon.The emphasis on the Book of Mormon in LDS teachings can overshadow the importance of the Bible.The Gospel Topics Essays address controversial topics in Mormon history and have caused many Mormons to question their faith.Leaving the Mormon Church can be a difficult and emotional process, as it challenges deeply held beliefs and can lead to social ostracism.A church that preaches from the Bible as the inspired, authoritative, and infallible Word of God can provide a nourishing spiritual experience. Mormons believe in continuing revelation through modern-day prophets, while Christians believe that the Bible is the only complete and final authority in faith and life.Mormons prioritize the words of a modern prophet over God's revealed word in the Bible, which can lead to changes in doctrine influenced by culture.The foundation of faith in Christianity is God's word, which provides a direct relationship with God and serves as the complete and final authority in life.Believing in Jesus and accepting the Bible as the ultimate authority can lead to a transformed life and salvation.Find the official LDS Article of Faith at their website here. LDS:“We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.”AC: We believe the Bible, composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is inspired, authoritative, and infallible in its original manuscripts. It is, therefore, the only complete and final authority in faith and life. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-2; John 17:17; Romans 3:4; John 20:30-31; Matt. 24:35).LDS:“We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”AC: We believe the Bible, composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is inspired, authoritative, and infallible in its original manuscripts. It is, therefore, the only complete and final authority in faith and life. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-2; John 17:17; Romans 3:4; John 20:30-31; Matt. 24:35).Hebrews 1:1-3 (NLT) 1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Mentioned in this episode:Donate Now

Today we’ll answer the question: When should you reject spiritual authority? It was required a few times in Christian history, and it all started with Peter and John in Acts 4.--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Here’s a question: When Should You Reject Spiritual Authority?Some of you may say, AlwaysNo one wants to submit these days…Judges era: “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes”General lack of respect for spiritual authoritySo much hopping around from church to churchNot a “sense of awe” that we saw at the end of book of ActsBut see Is Spiritual Authority a Thing Anymore?Quick answer: Yes!Spiritual leadership in the church flows from Jesus’ authority, and obedience to godly leaders benefits the soul. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.So I’ll ask again: When should you reject spiritual authority?Because you shouldn’t blindly follow itThere are times you should reject it, as we’ll see in the text todayWe’re covering Acts 4:1-22We’ll get there in a minute, but first…Examples from HistoryMartin Luther (1483-1546)1507: Ordained as a priest.1517: On October 31, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, challenging the Catholic Church’s practice of selling indulgences and other corruptions. This event is often marked as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.1520: Published three key works: "To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation," "On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church," and "On the Freedom of a Christian," outlining his theological views and criticisms of the Church.1521: Excommunicated by Pope Leo X in January. In April, he was summoned to the Diet of Worms, where he famously refused to recant his writings, saying, "Here I stand, I can do no other." Declared an outlaw by the Edict of Worms.William Tyndale (c. 1494-1536)1523: Sought permission to translate the Bible into English, but was denied by the Bishop of London. Fled the next year to Germany to work on his translation.1525: Completed the New Testament in English, printed in 1526 in Cologne and Worms.1526: The first printed copies of Tyndale’s New Testament were smuggled into England, where they were banned and burned by the Church.1536: William Tyndale was executed by strangulation and then burned at the stake on October 6.Jan Hus (c. 1372-1415)1400: Ordained as a priest.1411: Excommunicated by Pope John XXIII for his opposition to indulgences.1415: Jan Hus was burned at the stake on July 6 for his teachings and refusal to recant.John Wycliffe (c. 1330-1384)1376: Began criticizing the wealth and corruption of the Church, calling for reform.1377: Pope Gregory XI condemned Wycliffe’s teachings, issuing five papal bulls against him.1380: Wycliffe started translating the Bible into English, believing that scripture should be accessible to all believers. His translation was completed by his followers after his death.Wycliffe is often called the "Morning Star of the Reformation" for his early calls for reform within the Catholic Church.But 1300 years earlier, the ragtag followers of Jesus were the first Christian reformers. And that story begins in Acts chapter 4 the first clash between the apostles and the Jewish religious authority. In the Gospels, Jesus was the one clashing with the spiritual leaders. but now in the church age the battle will be waged between the followers of Jesus and the religious establishment. Chapter 4 gives us our first glimpse at the changing of the guard. the church has been born, but in its infancy it's unclear to the apostles how they will relate to the temple and its leaders. This chapter begins to reveal the answer… The ShowdownActs 4:1-2 (NLT) 1 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. 2 These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead.Who did these guys think they were? Uneducated!!Acts 4:3-4 (NLT) 3 They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning. 4 But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.Jesus: “I will build my church….” Acts 4:5-7 (NLT) 5 The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest. 7 They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”Same as Jesus’ trial: Luke 20:2 (NLT) 2 They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”Acts 4:8-10 (NLT) 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, 9 are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.Boldness to point people to JesusBut it gets even more bold…Acts 4:11-12 (NLT) 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”Last chapter: Acts 3:22-23 (NLT) 22 Moses said, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ 23 Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’We’re about to see this prophecy fulfilled in the religious leaders. They would be cut off, not the disciples!Notice the exclusive claim: salvation in no one elseThis would have been offensive to Jewish earsBlasphemous to the leaders’ ears(Pillar New Testament Commentary) Members of the Sanhedrin would have agreed that the God of Israel is humanity's only true saviour (cf. Ex. 15:1-11; Is. 43:11-12; 45:22; Ps. 96:1-5). But Peter now insists that the name of Jesus is the exclusive means by which God's saving power can be invoked and experienced.Changing of the GuardActs 4:13 (NLT) 13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.Irony: these guys were nobodies, and the educated guys were blown away by their understanding of the OTThey had “been with Jesus”. That’s all the training they neededActs 4:16-18 (NLT) 16 “What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it. 17 But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.” 18 So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.This was their exercise of spiritual authorityActs 4:19-20 (NLT) 19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”This was the changing of the guard. Old Israel was done. New Israel had begun, led by a bunch of misfits and nobodies.Peter and John rejected their religious authorities, because those authorities rejected Jesus. CloseSo, When Should You Reject Spiritual Authority?Not talking about the Reformation, because the evangelical church at large doesn’t need thatBut it’s a “mini-reformation” question: when should you find a new church? The answer is easy: when it corrupts any of the core teachings of the early church:Jesus is Lord (do they get Jesus right?)We are saved by grace (do they get salvation right?)We’re on a mission (do they get disciple-making right?)Close with a challenge: think twice before you reject authorityToo many people hop from church to church and lack authorityHebrews 13:17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is crucial for successful relationships, including marriage. EQ is different from IQ and focuses on understanding and managing emotions, as well as understanding others. The five traits of EQ are self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skill. In this episode, Bryan and Tracy discuss the importance of EQ for a healthy marriage.--The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --

In this bonus episode from the PursueGOD Family Podcast, Bryan and Tracy discuss the importance of understanding personality types in marriage and parenting. They focus on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a framework for understanding different personality types. They explain that the purpose of understanding personality types is not to change the other person, but to gain insight into their strengths and weaknesses. They discuss the four main indicators of the MBTI: introvert vs. extrovert, sensor vs. intuitive, thinker vs. feeler, and judger vs. perceiver. They provide examples and personal anecdotes to illustrate how these indicators can impact relationships. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness and empathy in building healthy relationships.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Notes