Preachers of the Pollution

This week while studying 2 Peter we were encouraged to look at those things that are indicative of preachers of false doctrine. Among those I found were:

They speak heresy, denying the Lord. They preach that the way of truth is evil and they are covetous, and speak vain words. They walk after the flesh and lust. They despise government. They are presumptuous and self-willed, and seek after contention. They do not avoid sin for they have chosen another path from the one set before them and they are not regretful. 

This list is helpful even today because, though many things have changed many things have also remained the same. Men that try to preach of a better way than God can present, or pervert his words, seem to be normal men. However, it is by their actions and the fruits of their actions that we shall know them.

Additionally we were asked to read about men that returned to the pollution of the world and what made that worse than never having learned the error of their ways. I found that a return to the pollutions of the world is dangerous because, a man may not have known his actions were wrong. A man acting in ignorance cannot be held to a higher standard. However, it is grievous for a man to return to his pollution, with a greater knowledge of right or wrong, for now his is educated. He has received a knowledge of right and wrong, and therefore is choosing to reject what he knows, for the sake of his pollutions.

Works of righteousness

This week while studying in Hebrews 13, we were encouraged to take note of the things taught in this chapter in regards to how we can exercise righteousness. we were guided to look for certain things in particular:

 How should we treat strangers and those in bonds?

            We must be hospitable and caring, all people are important in the sight of God and as such it is crucial that we care for those who need our help even those who are held in bonds because we are all, in our own rights facing bondage and through the love of our Brother, we are able to be free.

How is marriage looked upon?

            Marriage is looked upon as honorable. 

What warnings are given about covetousness?

            He warns us to be content with what we have and not to speak covetously

Who is the same yesterday, and to day and for ever?

            Jesus Christ is the Same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. I find this extremely comforting.

How are we sanctified?

            We are sanctified through the Atonement of Christ

How do we respond to those who rule over us?

            We must listen and obey them

Who did Paul ask the people to pray for?

            He asked for the people to pray for him and the other apostles

Baptism

This week in class we are studying Acts 21-28 all of Romans. Within this assigned reading was a specific subject I was supposed to study, which this week was baptism. The LDS church treats baptism a little bit differently than the rest of the Christian world. We believe that baptism is not necessary until the age of 8. Once we reach that age, which we call the age of accountability, we then must be baptized by immersion, meaning to be completely covered by the water for the remission, or complete forgiveness, of sins.

In Romans 6 we learn that in order to be baptized we must first completely remove our sins through repentance. After we have cleansed our spirits of our sins we may be baptized.

The Baptismal process is full of symbolism but as I was studying in this chapter two ideas in particular stuck out to me that the process of immersion symbolizes the death of Christ and the reemergence from the water is representative of his Resurrection.

I believe that the symbolism is why immersion is such an important step in baptism. We believe that it represents both the death of our Savior as well as the death of our sins.

This chapter also discusses something about a "newness of life" and how it can be maintained. I think two ways in particular are that we must first be baptized then we must avoid sin so that we might not be under its control

We were also told to read in Mosiah 3:19 and search for which part of us will ideally die after baptism. This verse tells us that the natural man, or the part of us that seeks after sinful and unholy things, is the part of us that will ideally die.

Back in Romans 6 we learn more about how to recognize whose servant we are; A servant of righteousness or a servant of sin. While I was reading I came across two basic indicators of being a servant of sin, you are ashamed of the fruit of your actions, and the actions of a servant of sin typically end in death, whether that death be physical or spiritual. However a servant of righteousness is free from sin (of course), obedient to the laws of God and filled with joy and peace.

While reading this, I came to realize something, in our society freedom has come to be defined as being able to do whatever you want. While this is true, it also seriously overlooks one thing: though we may be free to choose our own actions, we cannot choose the consequences. When we make poor decisions we get unpleasant consequences, which restrict our freedom. In order be truly free we must make righteous choices that will bring us joy and peace.

Forgiveness

This week we were supposed to study 2 Corinthians 2:1-11 and some corresponding chapters and verses throughout the scriptures. These verses addressed forgiveness.

Within the reading we learned that we must forgive because we are forgiven and when we forgive our hearts will be lighter, Satan will not have a hold on us and we be happier.

When I first read the assigned reading to go along with the assignment I accidentally read 2 Corinthians 1:1-11. Interestingly enough this gave me a little bit of a different insight than I have ever gotten in regards to forgiveness. To me, forgiveness has always been more of a straightforward concept, I do something wrong and then someone accepts my apology, letting go of the previous wrong. However when I read the incorrect verses, I realized that repentance is the the ultimate example and pattern of forgiveness. Now I suppose I known this before I began the assignment, however reading those verses really made this concept stick with me. I am constantly doing something wrong, and I am always in need repentance, but when I come to my Father with a contrite spirit and humble heart, I am forgiven. When all has been set right, I know that my Heavenly Father will not only forgive, but also forget. This is an incredible example to me. I need to have a more perfect love for those around me so I can forgive as I am forgiven.

This topic came at a particularly good time for me, as I have been having a hard time loving and forgiving one of my roommates. We have had some disagreements throughout the semester that have made it difficult for me to have a true Christlike love for her, and in many ways this is making it harder for me to feel the spirit in my heart. But as I read these verses I was reminded that I myself have been forgiven because my Heavenly Father loves me, and as such he must also love her very much. I should also seek for that love for her, and forgive her of what I can only assume is a much less significant transgression than my own that I have already been forgiven for.

A Special Witness

I began this blog for my online religion class at BYU-I. In this class we are studying the latter half of the New Testament. As a weekly assignment we are given specific chapters to read and then write about an assigned topic.

This week our topic is the Apostles

The first part of the assignment asks me to list themes that are emphasized in the book of acts
so here goes:

The Jews were, on the whole unreceptive to the gospel even going so far as to imprison and kill the apostles preaching it to them
The Gentiles were more spiritually prepared for the gospel,
They teach repeatedly of the Resurrection

The final part is to make a list of the things that Peter does in specific chapters

Acts 2- Peter testifies of the resurrection and consequently how to gain salvation as well as the Holy Ghost. He baptizes many
Acts 3- With John's help he heals a lame man, then preaches of repentance. He then speaks of the age of restoration before the Second Coming. He names Christ as the prophet Moses spoke of .
Acts 4- He is arrested alongside John, then testifies that salvation comes through Christ.
Acts 5-Peter and John are again arrested, but then are delivered by an angel from prison, and go immediately to testify of Christ
Acts 8- Peter and John go to Samaria and confer the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. He rebukes Simon when he asks to buy the gift.
Acts 9- Peter heals AEneas and raises Dorcas from death.
Acts 10- Peter is commanded to take the gospel to the gentiles
Acts 12- Peter is freed from prison by and Angel.

I really found it interesting in particular to see all that Peter did in these chapters. Though they were often very similar he did them diligently because he could recognize how much each soul was worth to his father. That is incredible to me. He faced terrible trials, even nearly was put to death, but he still went forth preaching the word, because he trusted his Father and his Savior.