He is not only our Redeemer and Savior, but also the Son of the Living God
The Fourth Article of faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states this: We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Each week, there will be a different focus regarding the three principles and ordinances of the Gospel as revealed in Scripture and Modern Day Revelation.
The focus of this article concerns the first Gospel Principle of having faith in Jesus Christ. What does this mean? What do the scriptures say? Why is this important for us to understand? Not only ought we ask such questions, but those who are investigating the LDS Faith may wonder whether or not the Latter-day Saint Christian believers accept and believe in the Christ of the Bible and traditional Christianity. There are many theories from Modern Evangelical Christians that postulate what they claim is true doctrine of the LDS Faith and those who believe and accept the doctrines of the Restored Gospel. Whether you are a member, struggling to understand the nature and basic principles of the Gospel, or an investigator who has some questions concerning what is and is not Mormon teaching, this article will discuss what the true nature of having faith in Christ means. Granted, this is not a thorough and exhaustive article, but one that is important in having a basic understanding of one of the most fundamental truths of all scripture.
Who do Men Say that I am?
One of the greatest questions of all time is that question Christ himself asked of his disciples. According to Matthew 16:13-18, we read the following:
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea, Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou aret John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said. Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Today, if one were to ask the same question, the answers would most likely vary from an embellished figure of the First Century, a good teacher and prophet, a mage, a nonhistorical person. Those of a variety of Christian faiths would say that he is the Savior of those who accept him as their Lord and Redeemer.
No matter what one’s position is, ideas are, thoughts pertaining to who Christ is, we must notice a more personal question that we all must ask. Who do we say that Christ is? It is this question we must answer. A question that is central to our faith and testimony in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The reason behind this is that when we look at the remaining passages of Matthew 16, we find something very important: And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
When we carefully look at the passage of Matthew 16, we find three important teachings here. The first is divine revelation. Divine revelation is the very foundation of the Gospel of Christ. It is through divine revelation that truths are revealed. It is through this concept that Faith in Jesus Christ is the first experience in a persons experience as to recieving a testimony. This truth does not come through teaching. It does not come through argumentation. It does not come through proving which doctrine is true or false. The reality is this, revelation comes from the Father which is in heaven, by and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
You are the Christ, Son of the Living God
The second important teaching here is that Christ distinguishes himself from the Father. My Father which is in Heaven. While we will not get too involved in this aspect, the reality is that Christ always distinguished himself from the Father. Even when it concerned his ministry and purpose in this life, he distinguished himself distinctly from the Father.
Finally, the third teaching that we find in these passages of Holy Writ is the very foundation of what Christ’s church will be built upon. The very rock that the Savior says that the gates of hell will not even prevail against it. The context only defines it and no other interpretation can be taken from this. The rock that the gates of hell can in no way prevail against is the testimony and faith as to who Jesus Christ is. His Church will be based upon revelation. And not just any revelation, but the revelation that Jesus is the Christ, son of the Living God. It is this revealed testimony that the gates of Hell would not be able to prevail against.
Many people have attempted to interpret this passage as to meaning that the Church refers to Christianity. Those of the Evangelical and Protestant movement claim that the First Century Christian church could not have fallen into a state of apostasy, because if it had, then that would mean that the gates of hell prevailed against the Church. And, many members of the Latter-day Saint Faith proclaim that this scripture passage refers to the priesthood authority (because verse 19 has Christ pronouncing divine authority upon Peter’s head) and that the gates of Hell would not prevail against the priesthood authority established by Christ.
I disagree with both. Why? As explained, the foundation that the Church will be built upon is the rock of revelation. Specifically, the revelation as to whom Christ truly is as revealed unto men by our divine Heavenly Father, the Living God.
Not only this, but the very foundation of the Gospel is centered on Christ, his ministry and calling in mortality. 3 Nephi 27:13-15 reveals this:
Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you – that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up ny men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil – and for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.
This is harmonious to the teaching of the Bible where Christ revealed unto his very own disciples (whom he had called during his mortal ministry) as revealed in John 6:38-39 (see John 6:37-47):
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
What is even more interesting is that when we look at John 6:44, we find what Christ meant when he told Peter that the rock of which he will build his Church upon is that of revelation as to who he is: No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Hence, when we look at the question, Whom do you say that I am? It is a question we must wrestle with ourselves. Who do we personally say that Christ is? Do we honestly believe that he is the Son of the Living God? The one who was sent by the Father to do the will of the Father? Are we able to declare with an assurance that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God? It is a question that we must personally answer. It is a question that, once answered, lays the foundation of our Faith in Jesus Christ. It is the very foundation that the Gates of Hell will not prevail against.
As members of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, the reason why this is important is because many have attempted to define and teach that Mormons do not believe in Christ of the Bible. That Mormonism does not teach that we accept the nature and person of Christ as it is revealed in the Bible. Yet, this teaching is based upon false arguments, half-truths, and distortions of what the true doctrines Latter-day Saint Christian believers accept as divine truth, revealed by a loving Father in Heaven.
Regarding this, many of the Prophets and Leaders of the Latter-day Saint Christian Faith have declared their faith in Jesus Christ. Have stood on their testimony of who Christ is as revealed by divine revelation. It is this central truth that many misunderstand what it is that Latter-day Saint believers are taught and instructed as to who Christ is and his ministry to bring about the salvation of mankind. These men of faith have stood with the Apostle Peter in declaring that Jesus is the Son of the Living God.
There is substantial evidence that one can refer to concerning the many testimonies given of Christ, his life, his ministry, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. However, suffice it for us to only mention a sampling of these confessions as given by divine revelation.
In a revelation given to Joseph Smith in April 1830 (Doctrine and Covenants 20:21-25), we read the following regarding what is the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son, as it is written…He suffered temptations but gave no heed to them. He was crucified, died, and rose again the third day; and ascended inot heaven, to sit down on the right hand of the Father, to reign with almighty power according to the will of the Father; That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved…
In another statement, the Prophet Joseph Smith declared the following:
The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven…{Teaching of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p. 49; 2007 published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}
The personhood of Christ, his mission during his mortal ministry, his death, his burial, his resurrection, and his ascension are more than just doctrines that men attempt to understand, but they are the very doctrines that scripture reveals as to who Christ truly is and what he truly had done. This brings the simple truth and reason as to why the Church is to be built upon Jesus Christ. The reason that he is the head of the Church, the Groom and the Church his Bride. He is the cheif cornerstone that holds all things together.
Another revelation, gives a more descriptive nature of who Christ truly is. This revelation was given in March of 1830 while the Prophet Joseph Smith was at Manchester New York. This specific Revelation is contained in Doctrine and Covenants 19:1-2 (see 19:1-4 in context):
I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world. I, having accomplished and finished the will of him whose I am, even the Father, concerning me – having done this that I might subdue all things unto myself
In fact, when one gives themselves over to an honest search as to the Prophet Joseph Smith and his encounters, teachings on, faith in, and testimony of Jesus Christ, one will begin to understand that he talked more about this than any other doctrine.
Yet, Joseph Smith was not the only prophet to reveal who Christ is, declared what his purpose and mission was, the importance in believing on Christ is when it comes to the faithful believers of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland discusses the importance of missionary work as it correlates with the Atonement of Jesus Christ. In an article Missionary Work and the Atonement that appears in the October 2001 edition of the Liahona (p. 26). It is from a talk that Elder Holland gave at the Missionary Training Center on June 20, 2000. Here is what Elder Holland says: A convert’s new life is to be built upon faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His redeeming sacrifice—a conviction that He really is the Son of God, that He lives this very moment, that He alone holds the key to our salvation and exaltation.
James E. Talmage declared this: …faith in Jesus Christ is indespensible to salvation. (Talmage, Articles of Faith, Missionary Edition – 1988; p. 96)
I, personally, would like to add that believing in Christ is not just merely believing in who he is, but believing and knowing for our own selves that he is the Son of the Living God and the Savior of humanity, by whom one could receive the forgiveness of their sins.
Jesus Christ – Son of the Living God:
One of the most interesting discussions ever to captivate the minds of men is the nature and personhood of Jesus Christ. Who was he? Is probably one of the most important questions we can ask of ourselves. And, out of the many attributes and titles ascribed to Jesus of Nazareth, none has caused more controversial and discord amidst todays Christian believers. That is Christ as the Son of the Living God.
Now, do not get me wrong here. Modern Christian believers do accept and teach that the Savior of mankind is called the Son of God. Yet, the question is – what does this mean? Why did Peter refer to Christ as the Son of The Living God? When we get right to the heart of the discussion, modern Christian thinkers have ascribed that Christ is the Son of God, second member of the Trinity who is of the same essence and nature of the Father, distinct in his personhood, but not distinct and separate by nature and personification. Here, I am not going to get into a discussion as to how and why this is so, but I bring this up because Christ himself had consistently referred to himself as being separate and distinct from the Father outside of the teachings of Latter-day Saint scripture and divine revelation.
Turning back to Peter’s confession in Matthew 16:16 – …Thou art the Christ, Son of the Living God. It is here that we begin our discussion. Already, we have established the importance of having a testimony of Christ, who he is, what he came to do and those who have testified of who he is, his ministry, and the reality of the Atonement that is by and through him. Now, we are looking at the reference to Christ being the Son of the Living God. And, regarding this specific passage, I will share with you one of my favorite Bible Commentaries as to what this passage means to us.
He does not say, “Scribes and Pharisees, rulers and people, are all perplexed; and shall we, unlettered fishermen, presume to decide?” But feeling the light of his Master’s glory shining in his soul, he breaks forth—not in a tame, prosaic acknowledgment, “I believe that Thou art,” &c.—but in the language of adoration—such as one uses in worship, “Thou Art the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” He first owns Him the promised Messiah (see on Mt 1:16); then he rises higher, echoing the voice from heaven—”This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”; and in the important addition—”Son of the Living God“—he recognizes the essential and eternal life of God as in this His Son—though doubtless without that distinct perception afterwards vouchsafed.
The Divine Sonship of Christ is recorded 71 times in the New Testament Text, 31 times in the Book of Mormon, and 24 times in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. If one is inclined, I would highly suggest investigating the following topics that deal with this very truthful divine aspect of Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ-Divine Sonship; Jesus Christ – Firstborn; Jesus Christ – Relationship with the Father.
Not only are there many scriptural references to the nature and reality of Christ being the Son of God, but there is also the testimony of the Prophets as to Christ being the Son of the Living God. Many of these Prophets and Apostles, most Modern Christian believers disregard, vehemently declare false teachers of a false gospel. Yet, let the reader be a judge of the evidence that is so easily ascertained. One of those teachings is the reality of Christ’s divine Sonship. That he truly is not just merely the redeemer by which men can be saved, but he is the Son of the Living God. That it was and through the will of the Father that Christ were to come and accomplish the ultimate sacrifice to bring about the powers of the Atonement.
Referring to the Fourth Article of Faith, Elder Russell M. Ballard says this: For one to accept that concept requires dynamic faith. Faith is the foundation of personal testimony. The first principles of the gospel begin with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hence, the object of our Faith is the very foundation that we must have concerning who Christ is, his divine purpose, his ministry, his atonement of humanity, and the divine relationship he has with our loving Heavenly Father.
Our Redeemer and Savior
2 Nephi 25:25-26 says this:
For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments. And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
No greater doctrine has more truth than that of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. He is the
He took upon himself the sin of the World and fulfilled the Will of His Father according to the Plan of Salvation that was laid before the Foundation of the World.
redeemer of our souls, the provider where the forgiveness of sins can be given to those who come to him with a pure heart and in sincere humility. While many proclaim that the Latter-day Saint believers teach a false gospel that is not Biblical, the reality is this: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches, stands upon the divine revelation that Christ is the Son of the Living God, the redeemer of mankind and that by and through him all men may be saved. This is supported on the testimony of many scripture passages that reveal who Christ is, the testimony of the faithful prophets and apostles whom Christ has revealed himself to.
Strip away all the other doctrines of the LDS Church and save the doctrine of Atonement as revealed in scripture, one will come to the realization that the critics are in gross error of their condemnation. Much like Peter, many Latter-day Saint Christians stand and proclaim “You are the Christ, Son of the Living God”. Not because someone taught them this principle. Not because they studied the scriptures, or read books. Not because they heard a sermon from some preacher, or a radio program. Not becasue they said a simple prayer asking Christ into their heart to be the Lord and Savior of their life, forgiving them of their sins. It is based upon the single divine revelation that the Holy Spirit has revealed unto them.
I testify unto all who read this, that there is no greater foundation that one could build upon save the foundation of Faith in Jesus Christ. I also testify that Christ lived, that he was born of a virgin, that he grew and taught the doctrines of the true Gospel, called men by divine authority, setting them apart to be his disciples. I testify that he is the Son of the Living God who came to do the will of his Father, that he is separate and distinct from the Father, that he lived his life in perfect righteousness and that it is through him we are able to find redemption. By his example, we are able to follow and grow from faith to faith and that it is through his atonement that we are saved.
If you truly would like to know for yourself whether or not you can have a faith in Jesus Christ, follow the direction and example of Nephi as recorded in 1 Nephi 2:16:
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.
We can know for ourselves that Christ is the Son of the Living God. And, it is the first principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we are to have a faith in Christ. Not just believing that he has redeemed us from our sins, but believe in who he is, his life, ministry, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and ultimate coming unto the children of men. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
