JESUS CHRIST: HIS MISSION HIS MINISTRY

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

--Hebrews 13:8

Jesus’ gospel is the same yesterday, today, and will be forever. The true everlasting principles and doctrines of the true gospel won’t change; for they will be eternally the same. Uninspired men attempt to change His true church, but they don’t succeed. His truth is perpetual, never-ending.

Jesus’ mission was the Atonement. His ministry was to heal the sick, teach the gospel, raise the dead, minister to the poor, build people up, establish His church. We have been asked to minister like Jesus, and we can; however, we can’t have the same mission as Jesus did. He alone had the power and was foreordained to work out the infinite and perfect atonement for all.

JESUS: AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH

“...let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

--Hebrews 12:1-2

We are all involved deeply in the race of life, not a race where we try to outdo others, but to compete against ourselves, to strive to live better today that we did yesterday. We seek a nobler character. We are also racing against sin and satan, trying to outdo him and show him that we will not fall for his traps and subtly. We can win the race of life if we have faith in Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith, if we but perform righteous works with an eye single to His glory. Jesus endured the cruel cross where He died for us so that we may  have eternal life if we merit such a blessed reward and honor. If we honor our covenants then He will honor us, even with exaltation and everlasting life in the presence of God the Father and the Son and our families and loved ones.

JESUS CHRIST: SON OF GOD

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.

--Hebrews 4:14

Jesus was the great high priest of the high priestly order. He is the Son of God the Father, and the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh. Jesus is the Great I AM, for He is is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. He is the Light and life of the world. He is the light that lighteth every man who cometh into the world. There is no other besides Him. His name is the only name whereby man can be saved and gain eternal life.

JESUS CHRIST: GLORY and HONOR

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

--Hebrews 2:9

Jesus suffered death, even death of the cross. He finished the infinite Atonement for all, and in doing so, He was crowned with glory and honor. His atonement made it possible for everyone capable of sinning to repent and receive forgiveness of sins. His perfect atonement suffered pain, agony, and sorrows for all. He suffered for the sins, sicknesses, diseases, and afflictions of people everywhere. His atonement is infinite and eternal.

JESUS CHRIST: FIRSTFRUITS OF THE RESURRECTION

“Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.”

--2 Timothy 2:8

The Apostle Paul testifies that Jesus, the Christ, rose from the dead. This doctrine was contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ, within the church that Jesus established during his mortal ministry. The doctrine of Jesus’ resurrection is universal, for it is true. Jesus became the firstfruits of them that slept. “For as in Adam, all die; even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (see 1 Cor. 15:21-22) Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (see John 11:25). Jesus bore His own testimony about His resurrection. Resurrection is when one’s spirit and body unite once again into a resurrected body, a body of flesh, bone, and spirit, having no blood. Blood is only for a mortal body and means life.

JESUS CHRIST: NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME

Jesus Christ is Lord

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The name of Jesus, who is the Christ, is above all other names because of who He was and is. He is our Advocate with the Father, who pleads our cause daily. Everyone should bow down to Him in humble adoration and gratitude for His infinite atoning sacrifice. Because of Him all will be resurrected and live forever. Jesus suffered, bled, died, and was resurrected for us. He is our Savior and redeemer. Jesus alone is the true Messiah for there is no other.

JESUS CHRIST: CHIEF CORNERSTONE

The Foundation of The Church of Jesus Christ

9 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.

--Ephesians 2:19-20

The Church of Jesus Christ in New Testament was built upon the foundation of Apostles and Prophets. If a church didn’t have this foundation, then the church was not the true church of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone of the church. He is the one upon which the entire structure depends for its solid construction and edifice. The teachings and doctrines of Christ and those taught by Christ are paramount  to the establishment of the true church of Jesus Christ. Many churches exist, but they are not built upon Apostles and Prophets, but they are built upon the foundation of the philosophies of man, the teachings and ideas of man. Plus, they found churches for personal gain rather than for the salvation of one’s soul. Only through the name of Jesus Christ and the teachings of His true church can a person gain salvation and eventually exaltation in the hereafter.

THE FATHER-THE SON-THE HOLY GHOST

The Holy Ghost:  Testator of Jesus Christ

"No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost."

--1 Corinthians 12:3

The Holy Ghost bears witness of Jesus Christ. The mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of all truth. “By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). If you want to know Jesus and Him crucified, to know Him as your personal Savior and Redeemer, then seek this assurance from the Holy Ghost. Humble yourself in the depths of humility, live the commandments, and perfectly honestly seek Heavenly Father in mighty prayer, asking if Jesus is the Christ, and you will receive a manifestation from the Holy Ghost that Jesus Christ is literally the Son of God, that He is the Messiah and Savior of the World. Live so that you can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost to guide your life and keep you on the path of righteousness that will lead you to exaltation and eternal life in the highest heaven of the Celestial World.

JESUS CHRIST: THE CRUCIFIED

Knowledge of Jesus Christ is Utmost Important

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

--1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Possessing a knowledge of Jesus Christ and of His life and mission are of utmost importance. Secular learning is necessary for survival here during our mortal reign on earth, but it is not at all as important as our testimonies of Christ and His true gospel. A man may learn forever and still now come to a knowledge of the truth of Christ and His gospel. This man is doomed for eternity unless he humbles himself and learns true doctrine, doctrine that matters most, doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

JESUS CHRIST: POWER OVER DEVILS

Jesus Casts Out Evil Spirits

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

--Acts 19:15

People, good and evil, know Jesus, but some have just forgotten. All of us knew Him in the pre-mortal life, and there we followed Him. Here on earth satan and his evil spirit seeks to enter our bodies so that he can have a body, but in reality, he and the third who followed him will never obtain a physical body and gain eternal life. He and his evil spirits will inherit outer darkness throughout eternity. Today, evil spirits enter into people and influence them to do evil, to go and live and think contrary to God’s gospel, laws, and commandments. Evil spirits know Jesus and obey Him. When Jesus cast out evil spirits from people, the evil spirits even spoke back to Jesus and then departed as Jesus commanded. Jesus is all knowing and all powerful.

JESUS: THE VERY CHRIST

Paul testified that "Jesus was Christ"

And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

--Acts 18:5-6

Apostles, prophets, and church member saints testified that Jesus was the Christ, the literal Son of God. They had this knowledge and assurance from the Holy Ghost and Christ himself. People receive their testimonies of Jesus at their own time in their own way; but, regardless how the testimony is revealed to one, he/she knows for a surety that Jesus is our Savior, Messiah, and the Christ. Jesus manifests himself and His power to those who have faith. Jesus said numerous times, “Thy faith hath made thee whole.” This means that He came down and healed the people from their various afflictions because of their faith. He also said numerous times, “O ye of little faith,” or “Where is your faith?” Faith precedes the miracle. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the true church, Christ’s church. I too know that Jesus is the Christ.

JESUS CHRIST: DIVINE SON OF GOD

Jesus Christ is the Promised Messiah, the Promised Savior of the World

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

23 Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus.

--Acts 13:23

Jesus Christ is the Promised Messiah, the promised Savior, the one that God the Father promised Israel that would come. Prophets prophesied that Jesus would be born through the lineage of David, the son of Jesse, and this prophecy was fulfilled. The entire Old Testament points to the coming of the Messiah, the promised Savior, that He would come in the Meridian of Time. Jesus was born of Mary. He is the divine son of God the Father. Jesus had a mortal mother and an immortal Father, making Jesus the divine Son of God, the Promised Savior.

Reflections of Jesus Christ

JESUS CHRIST: GOD WAS WITH HIM

Jesus Went About Doing Good

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

--Acts 10:38

Jesus was ordained and anointed by God the Father to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world, to have power over life, death and resurrection, to have power to forgive sins and power to give eternal to qualified persons. Jesus went about doing good. There was no fault nor deceit in Him. He was filled with love and compassion. He loved even the sinners but didn’t like the sins of the people. He forgave and prayed for all people, even those who persecuted Him, He prayed to the Father to forgive them and to help them. Jesus had power to heal afflicted ones and to cast out devils or evil spirits. Evil spirits obeyed His command and voice. God the Father was with Jesus. All Jesus did was to glorify the Father. He overcame the world.

JESUS CHRIST: THE LORD

“Who art thou, Lord?”

And he (Saul, Paul) said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

--Acts 9:5

Jesus appeared to Saul and introduced himself. He said that he was Jesus whom Saul was persecuting, and that it would be hard for Saul to kick against the pricks. Saul was a staunch religiously-oriented man, well trained in religion, but he was fighting against Christ and the church. Saul’s name became Paul. He was fore-ordained in the pre-mortal life to be an apostle here on the earth. He was intelligent, skilled, valiant, and vigorous. His strength and power could be for bad or for good. Originally it was totally for the bad, but after Jesus appeared to him, he was converted to the true Christ and the truth faith. He became one of the greatest missionaries for the Lord ever.

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JESUS CHRIST: SON of GOD

Jesus Standing on Right Hand of God

But he, (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

--Acts 7:55-56

Stephen looked up into heaven and saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. He saw that they were two separate, distinct individuals. He saw Jesus on the right side of the Father. He saw glory within both the Father and the Son. His eyes were opened so that He saw with his spiritual eyes these two members of the Godhead. Jesus had been resurrected and had ascended back to the Father. He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world.

JESUS CHRIST: ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN

Jesus Christ on Right Hand of God

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

--Mark 16:19-20

Following Jesus’ resurrection and His appearance on a few occasions to several people and groups of people, He ascended up into heaven and sat on the right side of God the Father, His Father and our Father. Jesus Christ and God the Father are two separate, distinct individuals each with a resurrected body,  having their own mind, spirit, flesh and bones. They are one in the sense that they are united as one like a husband and wife are united as one. Jesus’ apostles preached the gospel everywhere they were, and Jesus worked with them. Come unto Christ and be saved in Him.

JESUS CHRIST: SON OF GOD

Testimonies of Jesus Christ

Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

--John 1:48-49

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the King of Israel. Nathanael testified of this truthfulness. At first, Nathanael had faith, he believed that Jesus was the Son of God, but he didn’t have that sure knowledge of the fact. However, now it is apparent that the Holy Ghost bore witness to him about who Jesus actually was, that He was the Son of God. From that time onward Nathanael knew that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, the King of Israel.

Gordon B. Hinckley also bears a testimony of Jesus Christ:

“He is the central focus of our worship. He is the Lord who shall come again to reign on earth. He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father.”

Testimony of Boyd K. Packer, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Henry B. Eyring, Thomas S. Monson.

JESUS: THE NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME

Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

--Philippians 2:8-11

Jesus was perfectly humble. His humility lead Him to perfect obedience, even unto death upon the cruel cross. He suffered pain, agony and affliction in Gethsemane and while hanging, nailed onto the death-born cross. He never complained nor murmured. God the Father exalted Jesus, and the name of Jesus is above every name; for there is no name greater. All should bow at the name of Jesus, all things in heaven and in earth. Everyone should believe in Jesus so deeply and love Him so much that everyone should admit and testify that Jesus Christ is Lord and glorify God the Father. The Spirit of the Holy Ghost bears witness of the truth of all things.
Love God, Jesus, and others above all other commandments, for this is The Greatest Commandment.

"I AM JESUS"

Paul Testifies of Christ

Jesus said to Paul: 

"I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks (Acts 9:5)

Paul Testifies:
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

--Acts 18:5

The Apostle Paul bears his testimony of Jesus, that Jesus was the Christ. Paul was converted to Jesus and became a great member of Christ’s church. Paul was a missionary that would not stop teaching about Christ. Tradition has it that Paul gave his life and his blood defending Christ and His gospel.

Jesus Christ reigns as Savior and Redeemer of the world, as Mediator and Atoner of all living things, including all people and the earth itself. Jesus is the Great Atoner, the Holy One of Israel. Beside Him there is no other. Jesus even bore testimony of himself when he appeared to the Nephite saints in Bountiful after His resurrection when He said, “Behold, I am Jesus Christ whom the prophets testified shall come into the world” (See 3 Nephi 11:11).

Paul: A Chosen Vessel

JESUS CHRIST: THE ANOINTED ONE

God anoints Jesus with the Holy Ghost and with Power

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

--Acts 10:38

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He was anointed by God the Father and received the Holy Ghost and power. He had power over the resurrection, for He had power to lay down His life and power to take it again. He had power over sickness and disease, the elements, and the devil. All things were and are subject to Him and His all-powerful being. There is none other like Him. He is the anointed ONE.