Tuesday, January 31, 2012

5. I believe in the Christ born of Mary, who—pregnant with God’s only begotten Son—was still a virgin.

However it was that Mary conceived, she remained a virgin even after conceiving and while pregnant.

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew1:22-23)
“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.” (Luke1:26-27)
 “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus…. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke1:31, 34)
“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.” (Luke1:46-49)
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 1:18-20)
“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.” (Matthew1:24-25)
I believe in the Christ born of the virgin Mary. I am a Christian. I am a Mormon.

Back to Introduction.

Back to Previous Entry.

To Next Entry.
 


Friday, January 27, 2012

4. I believe in the Christ who is God the Father’s only begotten Son.

Christ and the Young Child, by Carl Bloch, 1873
Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob” but God the Father begat Jesus Christ. When the angel told Mary she would conceive and give birth to a son, she asked how this could be, as she was a virgin. The angel’s answer was simple, and it is all we know about how this miracle was performed: “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee,” and because of that the child shall be the “Son of God.”
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9 emphasis added)
 “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman” (Galatians 4:4)
“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus…. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:31, 34-35 emphasis added)
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 1:18)
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 emphasis added)
“For unto which of the angels said he [the Father] at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?” (Hebrews 1:5)
I believe in the Christ who is God the Father's only begotten Son. I am a Christian. I am a Mormon.


Back to Introduction. 

Back to Previous Entry.

To Next Entry.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

3. I believe in the Christ who, before this earth was made, was God, and now, is God.

Christ and the Young Child, by Carl Bloch, 1873
“…and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 emphasis added)
“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:14)
“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58)
“The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.” (John 4:25-26)

I believe in the Christ who, before this earth was made, was God, and now, is God. I am a Christian. I am a Mormon.


Back to Introduction. 

Back to Previous Entry.

To Next Entry.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

2. I believe in the Christ who, before this earth was made, was with God.

Christ and the Young Child, by Carl Bloch, 1873
“…and the Word was with God…” (John 1:1)

"I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: ..." (John 16:28)

“…glorify thou me…with the glory which I had with thee before the world was….” (John 17:5)

I believe in the Christ who, before this earth was made, was with God. I am a Christian. I am a Mormon.





Back to Introduction. 

Back to Previous Entry.

To Next Entry.



1. I believe in the Christ who existed before this earth was made

Christ and the Young Child, by Carl Bloch 1873

“In the beginning was the Word…”  (John 1:1) 
“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38)
“And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." (John 17:5) 
I believe in the Christ who existed before this earth was made. I am a Christian. I am a Mormon.

I Believe in the Christ of the Bible: What One Mormon Believes about Christ

Christ and the Young Child, by Carl Bloch, 1873
I frequently read, and I have heard, Evangelical Christians say to Mormons, you are not Christian because “you do not believe in the Christ of the Bible.”

Amazed as I was when I first heard this judgment on my faith, I have been even more amazed by how it is repeated like a mantra.

So here is the response from one Mormon. Over the next few weeks I will summarize here my personal beliefs about my Savior Jesus Christ that are spoken of in the Bible.

In each of the coming posts, I will state what I personally believe, then list passages from the Bible that support my personal belief.

I believe many of these Biblical passages are inconsistent with Trinitarian theories. If some say I am not Christian because of my belief in the Bible's testimony of Christ, it will be much less ironic than when some accused Christ, the Son of God, of blasphemy for saying who He was.

If, as you read these statements, you see contradictions with traditional teachings you have heard, I urge you to ask yourself whether your own understanding is indeed consistent with the Bible.