Gospel Doctrine_ Lesson 38

Lesson 38: 

Lesson 38 Jesus Christ: “The Author and Finisher of Our Faith”

Purpose: 

Purpose To remind class members that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his commandments.

Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of Heavenly Father, is our Savior.: 

Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of Heavenly Father, is our Savior. Section 1

Hebrews 1 :2 & 10: 

Hebrews 1 :2 & 10 Jesus Christ created the world. Vs. 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Vs.10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

Hebrews 1 : 3: 

Hebrews 1 : 3 Jesus Christ he is in the image of God the Father. Vs. 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the righthand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 1 : 3: 

Hebrews 1 : 3 Jesus Christ atoned for our sins. Vs. 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the righthand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 1 : 5 - 6 : 

Hebrews 1 : 5 - 6 Jesus Christ is the Firstborn Son of God the Father. Vs. 5 - 6 For unto which of the angels said he 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? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith , And let all the angels of God worship him.

Hebrews 1 : 8 & 12: 

Hebrews 1 : 8 & 12 Jesus Christ has glory and power that are eternal and unchanging. Vs. 8 & 12 8 But unto the Son he saith , Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Hebrews Chapter 1 Summary: 

Hebrews Chapter 1 Summary Jesus Christ: created the world (verses 2, 10). is in the image of God the Father (verse 3). atoned for our sins (verse 3). is the Firstborn Son of God the Father (verses 5–6). Has glory and power that are eternal and unchanging (verses 8, 12).

Chapter 2 Major Pertaining Point: 

Chapter 2 Major Pertaining Point Paul said that the Son of God, who was “made so much better than the angels” (Hebrews 1:4), had also been “made a little lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:9). In what way was Jesus “made a little lower than the angels”?

Bruce R. McConkie: 

Bruce R. McConkie The Divine Sonship For Christ to be the Son of God means that God was his Father in the literal and true sense of the word; for our Lord to be the Only begotten in the flesh means that he was begotten by God, who is a Holy Man. “The condescension of God,” of which the scriptures speak, means that the Immortal Father – The glorified, exalted, enthroned ruler of the universe – came down from his station of dominion and power to become the Father of a Son who would be born of Mary, ‘after the manner of the flesh.” ( 1 Nephi 16 – 18.) Thus, God, an immortal man, was his Father; and Mary, a mortal woman, was his mother. He was begotten, he was conceived; he was born. From his immortal Father he inherited the power of immortality, which is the power to live; from his mortal mother he inherited the power of mortality, which is the power to die; and being thus dual in nature, being able to choose life or death, according to the will of the Father, he was able to work out the infinite and eternal atonement. Having chosen to die, as he did because he had the power of mortality, he could choose to live again because he had the power of immortality. McConkie , Bruce R. "Pages 110 - 111." A New Witness for the Articles of Faith . Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 1985. 8 Oct. 2011.

The Melchizedek Priesthood is part of the fulness of the gospel.: 

The Melchizedek Priesthood is part of the fulness of the gospel. Section 2

Hebrews 5: 

Hebrews 5 If we read Hebrews 5 in the spirit and the sense of its intended meaning, we can see that verses seven and eight refer directly to Melchizedek, but that Melchizedek is used here as an example of Christ. Elder Bruce R. McConkie dealt with this subject in commenting upon Hebrews 5:7–10 “These verses make clear reference to Christ and his mortal ministry and are in complete harmony with other scriptures which bear on the same matters, as also with sermons of the early brethren of this dispensation. …

Hebrews 5 : 1 - 4: 

Hebrews 5 : 1 - 4 1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

Review & Explanation: 

Review & Explanation What did Paul teach about how a man must receive and use priesthood authority? Why must a priesthood holder be “called of God” rather than “[take] this honour unto himself”?

Law of Moses & Priesthood: 

Law of Moses & Priesthood What priesthood authority accompanied the law of Moses? D & C 84 : 25 & 26 25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also; 26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel; The Aaronic Priesthood, also called the Levitical , lesser, or preparatory priesthood.

Jesus Christ & Priesthood: 

Jesus Christ & Priesthood What priesthood authority does Jesus Christ hold? (See Hebrews 5:5–6; 6:20.)

Explanation: 

Explanation When Jesus came and fulfilled the law of Moses, he also restored the Melchizedek Priesthood. Why was this necessary?

Explanation : 

Explanation It is necessary because: Hebrews 7 : 11 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec , and not be called after the order of Aaron? (The Aaronic Priesthood does not have the authority to perform all the ordinances necessary for salvation.)

Law of Moses Vs. Melchizedek Priesthood: 

Law of Moses Vs. Melchizedek Priesthood “Neither the law of Moses nor the priesthood of Aaron which administered it was capable of bringing God’s children unto perfection. The Aaronic Priesthood is a lesser authority, and it administers the preparatory gospel only. The Melchizedek Priesthood, on the other hand, is the higher priesthood, commissioned to minister the gospel ordinances in their fulness and capable of purifying our lives so that we can again enter into the presence of the Lord”

Hebrews 5 : 7 - 8: 

Hebrews 5 : 7 - 8 The reference to Melchizedek was undoubtedly inserted because Melchizedek was a type or a foreshadowing of Christ. This is made evident in JST Hebrews 7:3 where the verse states that Melchizedek and “all those who are ordained unto this priesthood are made like unto the Son of God, abiding a priest continually.” Hence, Hebrews, while referring specifically to Melchizedek, has equal, though indirect, application to Jesus Christ because Melchizedek typifies Christ. “The fact is, verses 7 and 8 apply to both Melchizedek and to Christ, because Melchizedek was a prototype of Christ and that prophet’s ministry typified and foreshadowed that of our Lord in the same sense that the ministry of Moses did. Thus, though the words of these verses, and particularly those in verse seven, had original application to Melchizedek, they apply with equal and perhaps even greater force to the life and ministry of him through whom all the promises made to Melchizedek were fulfilled.”

Hebrews 5 : 8: 

Hebrews 5 : 8 “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Elder James E. Talmage in Jesus the Christ, page 135, uses Hebrews 5:8 in this manner, detailing the fact that Jesus in his mortal life was subject to infirmities of the flesh and was tempted in like manner as are other men. This shows that Jesus, though a Son, gave voluntary obedience to the gospel. Elder Bruce R. McConkie in Mormon Doctrine, in the entry for “Obedience,” likewise cites Hebrews 5:8–9 as an example of Jesus’ perfect obedience.

Hebrews 5 : 9-10: 

Hebrews 5 : 9-10 “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; “Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec .” (Heb. 5:5–10.)

Summary Hebrews 5: 

Summary Hebrews 5 The nature of the message in chapter five is that ministers must be called of God, by revelation, as was Aaron (vs. 1 – 4) Christ was not a usurper (someone to takes the place of another without authority) of authority but was properly called by his Father, and is a priest forever, after the order of Melchisedek (vs. 5 – 9) Christ is the author of eternal salvation ( vs. 9 - 10) There are many doctrines to be learned when the hearers are ready (vs. 11 - 14).

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the new covenant between God and his children.: 

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the new covenant between God and his children. Section 3

What did the Lord tell Moses to do while building the tabernacle to be used by the Israelites for worship? : 

What did the Lord tell Moses to do while building the tabernacle to be used by the Israelites for worship? Hebrews 8 : 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Types and Shadows: 

Types and Shadows Ordinance in the tabernacle: What it symbolized: The priests offered animals as sacrifices to God ( Hebrews 10:1–4, 11 ). Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins ( Hebrews 9:26–28 ; 10:4–12 ). The priests placed blood from the sacrificed animals on the altar to symbolize the cleansing and purification of the people ( Hebrews 9:6–7, 19–23 ). Jesus’ blood, shed during the Atonement, cleanses and purifies us from sin ( Hebrews 9:11–15 ). The high priest went through the veil into the Holy of Holies ( Hebrews 9: 1-7 ). Jesus, the great high priest, went through the veil into the heaven itself ( Hebrews 9:24 ). Ceremonies in the tabernacle symbolized “heavenly things under the law of Moses.”

Explanation: 

Explanation Paul explained that the law of Moses was the old covenant between God and his people (Hebrews 8:9; see also Galatians 3:24–25). What is the new covenant brought by Jesus Christ? The fulness of the gospel. Point out that the old covenant is described in the Old Testament of the Bible, while the new covenant is described in the New Testament.

Reflection: 

Reflection Why was the old covenant unable to make its participants perfect? (See Hebrews 10:1–4.) Why does the new covenant give us greater hope for perfection? (See Hebrews 10:9–18.)

Those who exercise faith in Jesus Christ will inherit a place in the kingdom of God.: 

Those who exercise faith in Jesus Christ will inherit a place in the kingdom of God. Section 4

Paul’s Interpretation : 

Paul’s Interpretation Paul explained the ways in which the fulness of the gospel is a higher, more complete law that replaces the law of Moses, he exhorted the Saints to follow this “new and living way” by putting their faith in Jesus Christ Hebrews 10 : 19 - 22 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

“Wrapping it up!”: 

“Wrapping it up!” What is the first, or most basic, principle of the gospel? How is faith more than belief? Why is faith in Jesus Christ essential to our salvation? Paul also taught that faith can help us during times of adversity or opposition. How has faith helped you deal with adversity? What other blessings have you (or someone you know) received by exercising faith in Jesus Christ?

Conclusion: 

Conclusion Point out that we are blessed to live in a time when the fulness of the gospel is available. Testify that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his commandments. Encourage class members to keep the covenants and commandments of the restored gospel.

Sources: 

Sources Robert J. Matthews, Dean, College of Religious Education, Brigham Young University McConkie , Bruce R. "Pages 110 - 111." A New Witness for the Articles of Faith . Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 1985. 8 Oct. 2011. Church Educational System manual, 1979], 385–86