Was Christ A Mormon?
Jefferson David Tant
Well, you will have to admit that it is an interesting question, even though a rather odd one. If you are familiar at all with the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints (popularly called Mormon Church), you will know that there was no such organization until the early 1800's -1830, to be exact, in Fayette, New York.
The purpose of the title question was to point out and illustrate the incongruity of the present situation in so-called "Christendom" when examined in light of the teaching of the New Testament. It is commonly believed today, and the theory is spreading with the advent of "liberal thinking," that most, if not all, churches are the legitimate expression of man's devotion to the Supreme Being. It has been expressed to me more times than I can remember, "But, Mr. Tant, all the churches are working to get to the same place. We all seek heaven — you in your way, and I in mine." You see written on the bill-boards from sea to sea: "Go to the Church Of Your Choice Sunday." You see it in the newspapers; hear it on the radio; and have it spoken from the pulpit. Is it true? Is everybody right? Are all churches "on the road to heaven? Can it be possible?
In John 17:20-21, we have a portion of Christ's farewell prayer, which was uttered shortly before his crucifixion. His whole prayer was on behalf of his disciples, the ones who would remain to spread the news of the kingdom of God, beginning at Jerusalem following his resurrection. In the two verses cited, he says:
Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou didst send me.
Notice that Christ's desire is for unity and oneness among the believers. In fact, he prayed for the same oneness that exists between the Father and the Son. Now, in all honesty, can you say that Christ's prayer is fulfilled in the denominational set-up today? Somehow, the picture that comes through to me of the unity of the Father and the Son (and the Holy Spirit) does not coincide with the modern "interpretation." In other words, it just doesn't "ring true" to think of God as a Lutheran, Christ as a Mormon, and the Holy Spirit as a Presbyterian. That just doesn't seem to be the idea Christ was trying to get across.
Far be it from me to say that I have a complete understanding of the nature of the God-Head and of the complete harmony that characterizes divinity. We can comprehend it somewhat as we view man and wife. Although man and wife are still two separate and distinct personalities, God has decreed that they are "no longer two, but one flesh." We all recognize that the family relationship must be characterized by harmony and unity if the happiness that God intended is to be realized. Likewise, God's plan is for the believers to enjoy the same oneness that the Father and the Son enjoy. By no stretch of the imagination can this fit the religious division that we have today.
As a matter of fact, denominationalism produces the very opposite of the phrase "...that the world may believe that thou didst send me." Instead of producing faith, denominationalism produces unbelief. That may sound like a harsh statement, but if Christ said unity produces belief then it must follow that disunity produces unbelief. That this is true I have seen with my own eyes. Just a few days ago, I was talking with an intelligent young man who did not claim to be a Christian in any sense of the word, although he did have some inclination toward religion. But his own words of explanation in rejecting his denominational (Baptist) upbringing were to this effect: "That cannot be right; every church teaching different doctrines and interpreting the Bible in different ways. It is confusing and ridiculous." AMEN!
Truth does not contradict itself. It cannot do so! If 2+2=4, it cannot equal anything else, no matter how many may disagree. If the word of God is true, it cannot teach different doctrines! If the Bible is true, it cannot teach one man that baptism is essential to salvation, and teach another man that baptism is not essential to salvation. If the Bible has any veracity, it cannot teach one man that we are born with sin (original sin), and teach another that we are born without sin. If the Bible has any reliability, it cannot teach one man that our songs of praise must be without mechanical instruments of music, and teach another that we are to use instrumental accompaniment. If the Bible does teach this, and all other differing doctrines attributed to it, no wonder we have so much unbelief in the world today!
The simple truth is that the Bible does not teach and promote division. Paul condemned it in no uncertain terms in I Cor. 1:10-13. He further declared that God is not the author of confusion. (I Cor. 14:22) Is it possible for us to be united?
Yes, it is. Christ prayed for it, didn't he? Do we say that Christ prayed for an impossibility? Was he insane? Well, how can we all come to agreement? Simple — Lay aside prejudice, renounce human names and creeds, reject doctrines of men, dethrone human opinion, and accept and obey the truth. Back in verse 17 of John 17, Christ prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth." Here is the only platform for unity that will work. The plans for merger and union that are afoot in so many quarters today almost all have one thing in common — a failure to go to the Word of God as the source of faith and practice. We have no other hope, for Jesus said, "The truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
This is our plea, for men to return to the Word of God, and become simple, undenominational, New Testament Christians — nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else. If the Bible says Christ was born of a virgin, we accept it. If the Bible says one must have faith in order to be saved, we accept it. If the Bible says also that one must repent and be baptized in order to be saved, we do not argue. If the Bible says there is but one church or body of Christ, we must believe it. Are you willing to stake your eternal destiny on something else?
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