In Mormonism, the four principles of the gospel is Faith in Jesus, Repentance, Baptism by immersion, and laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. This comes from their fourth article of faith. It reads, “we believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (The Articles Of Faith) They get this from Acts, chapters 2 and 8, which reads… “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38) “Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 8:15-17)
This is in comparison to Christianity. The gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the grave. This is vital to teach and understand. As for the principles of the gospel, those are different than in Mormonism. This is faith, repentance, baptisms (water and Holy Spirit), laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. It is written, “therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” (Hebrews 6:1-3) As you can see, in Mormonism they leave out baptisms, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgments. As for believers, we continue to grow in the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to move and shape our lives. Notice how Mormons are stuck on four principles and cannot move past them. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray for my Mormon friends and family. Even to those people who hate me, I pray for them also. Help them come to a realization that I am only witnessing to them because I love them. I am not trying to bash their false beliefs but to help them know that our belief system needs to be conformed to Your Words in the Bible and not man. Even the principles of the gospel do they have wrong. This wouldn’t be the case if they didn’t have their other so-called books of scripture. Truly, people who think that Christianity is wrong and that You needed to start over with a different religion like Mormonism is so evil. It is hard to believe that I was once wrapped up in such a cult as this. Lord, thank You for waking me up and for helping me see the errors in my way of thinking. It is hard to believe that I could not see the issues in my faith when now I know the Bible speaks an entirely different language. I was missing the Holy Spirit to understand it until You came. I love You, Jesus. You are my everything. Amen.
