Rays of Living Light on the One Way of Salvation — John Shaqi
Rays of Living Light on the One Way of SalvationPenrose, Charles W. (Charles William)
Religion
Rays of Living Light on the One Way of Salvation
Penrose, Charles W. (Charles William)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines
On what grounds is such an irrational position assumed? Is not the
Almighty declared in scripture to be unchangeable? Has not his work
on earth always been conducted by men divinely chosen, appointed and
inspired? Is there not as much need of divine revelation to settle
religious feuds and doctrinal differences in the 20th century as at
any previous period? Would not the word of the Lord be of much more
value to mankind than the varied opinions of uninspired men, no
matter how great may be their human learning? Ought not the
inhabitants of the earth to be not only willing, but eager, to
receive a message from the eternal worlds?
"Ah!" exclaims the objector, "but there were to be no more prophets
after Christ. He finished the divine plan and completed the
revelation of God to the earth. He warned his disciples against
false prophets and false Christs, and said if it were possible they
would deceive the very elect." Does not the very fact that Christ
said there would be false prophets, convey the idea that there would
be true prophets also? If there were to be no more true prophets, it
would have been easy for the Savior to plainly say so, and thus
there would be no place left for deceivers. But he declared
emphatically: "Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets and wise
men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify, and
some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them
from city to city" (Matthew 23:34). Were not prophets established in
the Church of Christ as members of his body? Read I Corinthians
2:28: "And God hath set some in the Church; first apostles,
secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then
gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." Did
not Christ promise his disciples that after he went away the
Comforter should come? And was not one of the offices of that Spirit
to show them "things to come?" (John 16:13). Was not the gift of
prophecy bestowed upon members of the Church of Christ as one of the
manifestations of the Holy Spirit? (I Corinthians 12:10). And can
anybody possess the true testimony of Jesus without that Spirit? The
angel that appeared to John the Apostle said: "The testimony of
Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10). Paul prayed for
the Ephesians. "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of him" (Ephesians 1:17). If revelation and prophecy
ceased with Christ, what about the New Testament, all written after
his death and resurrection, by men now believed to be inspired? Did
not the Apostle John behold a glorious vision and receive a grand
revelation, when banished to the Island of Patmos?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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