If someone were to search the Old Testament Bible for the word “Church” or “Christian” they would find absolutely nothing. This is because during the times of the Old Covenant, the laws of Moses prevailed and there was no church on earth. However, if you were to look at the same time frames in the Book of Mormon, the same words are present. It doesn’t just exist in one chapter but many. Today we will look at Alma, chapter 46, where it makes mention of both “Church” and “Christian”. This is supposedly in 73 BC. The verses read, “for thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church. And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.” (Alma 46:14,15) Can anybody spot an issue here? This time frame is in the Old Covenant, so what happened here does not fit.
The first mention of the word “Church” comes from Jesus. He mentioned how it would be formed after the Holy Spirit comes. It is written, “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.” (Matthew 16:18) Jesus used his disciples to help usher in His church on earth. This happened when the Holy Spirit came during the day of Pentecost. These believers came “praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47) Notice how they were added to Christ’s church. Speaking of these people, they were called Christians. “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26) The church was formed, and people were called Christians after Jesus’s ascension into heaven. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that Mormons will wake up to the false teachings in their Book of Mormon. These people are so lost and don’t even realize it. I want to reach them for Your cause, Jesus, but I am afraid that most of everything I do will fall upon deaf ears. These people’s hearts, minds, and ears are closed off to anything Christians teach, but what is found in their cult. It is sad, God, that they reject even messages that come from the Bible. Speaking of their man-made Book of Mormon, it teaches many false doctrines. One being, that Your church was set apart in the times of the laws of Moses or the old covenant. The same goes with Christians being a part of it then. Lord, How is it that people in Mormonism cannot see the issues in this? I know for a fact that Your church began during the day of Pentecost. You poured out the Holy Spirit upon the earth and many people were saved that day, and added to Your church. Lord, Your teachings are clear. Thank You for opening my eyes to see the truth. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
