1 Thessalonians 4 : The Resurrection

Study 1 Thessalonians 4:14–17 (and be sure to look at the JST changes in the footnotes); Doctrine and Covenants 88:96–102; 45:54; and answer the following questions in writing:        

• Who will “rise first” to meet the Lord?Those who were righteous, have been baptized and believed in Jesus Christ will “rise first” to meet the Lord.
•  Who, in addition to the righteous dead, will be caught up to meet the Lord?Those who are righteous and still living when Christ comes again.
• Where will they be caught up to?As the scriptures state in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, these Saints will be "caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air [...]."
• How will the righteous Saints participate in the Second Coming?The righteous saints will become teachers. They will teach those who didn’t have a chance to hear the gospel, so they can have the opportunity to except or reject the gospel.
•  Who will be resurrected at the Second Coming?The people that have lived a righteous life and accepted the gospel in this life or in the spirit prison.
•  How do the Joseph Smith Translation changes for 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17 clarify what Paul taught about who would be alive when Christ comes again?That both those who are alive and asleep, who are righteous, shall be with the Lord.
•  Who will not survive the Second Coming? The people that are under the condemnation.
•  When will they be resurrected?They will be resurrected at the end of the millennium just before the judgement.

2 John. Abide “in the Doctrine of Christ”

1. Read 2 John 1:7 and the institute student manual commentary for 2 John 7, “For Many Deceivers Are Entered into the World” (p. 437). Summarize in one or two paragraphs the false doctrine John warned against, where it came from, and what effect it would have if it were believed.

The false doctrine that John warned against is any argument or theory that says that Jesus did not come in the flesh. This point is central to the gospel. Members of the Church of Christ, in those days as now govern their lives under the doctrine of atonement and the principle of repentance (among others). To deny this would imply that “our sins would have remained unremitted” and “we and all before us would have remained dead forever and ever. All of our expectations for eternal life would have been shattered.”

This kind of teaching comes from Satan Satan and his emissaries and those who follow it will be deceived and took away from the truths revealed by God.

2. Read 2 John 1:8–13. Write one or two sentences explaining what counsel John gave that could help avoid this and other false doctrines generally.

John recommended that the members continue to keep the commandments and stay close to the church to avoid false doctrine. He said “abide in the doctrine of Christ”, this means to live the doctrine, apply the doctrine, to make it a part of your life. When he said that they should “not receive them into their house” he also gave the counsel that the members not spend time with those that teach things that are contrary to the teachings of the church.

Jesus Christ Is Greater than Angels

1.    Refer to “Epistle to the Hebrews” in the Bible Dictionary (pp. 746–47). Read the first paragraph and the “Analysis of Hebrews,” number 1–5. Make a list of what Jesus Christ is superior to.

• Jesus is greater than the angels
• Jesus is greater than Moses
• Superior to Melchizedek
• Superior to Aaron
• Greater than Abraham

2.    Read Hebrews 1. Make a list of three truths Paul taught about the Savior Jesus Christ.

• Jesus Christ made the worlds.
• He purged our sins for us.
• Jesus sits on the right hand of God and is superior to angels

3.    Read Hebrews 2:7–18; 4:13–16; Alma 7:11–15; Doctrine and Covenants 122:8. In writing describe how these scriptures explain reasons the Son of God came to earth to experience mortality.

He came to the earth to atone for our sins and save us. We could not pay the debt of sin and we needed someone blameless to intercede for us and give us the opportunity to come back to the Father's presence, if we repent and keep the commandments.

It was also necessary for Him to come because as He had suffered all things, we can find in Him the consolation and helpmeet for our current conditions. Similarly He suffered temptation, but did not fall into it. Therefore we can find in Him strength to resist our own temptations

Romans 12-16. Live as Saints Should Live

1.    Review Romans 13:11 and look for what is “nearer.” 
Our Salvation is nearer than what we think.

Read Ezekiel 3:20; Doctrine and Covenants 14:7; and explain in writing what we must continue doing to work out our salvation.
For me these passages emphasize the importance of doing good to persevere to the end of our days. Every effort is important and contributes to meet our goal of earn the Eternal Life.

2.    In Romans 12-13 Paul gave much counsel that leads to salvation. Read each of the following verses and list what Paul taught would help lead to salvation:

·                       Romans 12:1 To give yourself to the Lord in service.

·                       Romans 12:2 Renew our mind

·                       Romans 12:9 love without hypocrisy; it is love unfeigned

·                       Romans 12:13 Serve others and have charity.

·                       Romans 12:16 Be humble

·                       Romans 12:21 Overcome evil with good.

·                       Romans 13:1 Respect and support our authorities

·                       Romans 13:3 Do good.

·                       Romans 13:8 avoid debt and love one another.

·                       Romans 13:9 Obey the commandments.

3.    Review Romans 14:1-13; 15:1-3. Then write answers to the following questions:

·               What cautions did Paul give about judging?
He reminds us that only God can judge men. Someday He will judge us and he will do it the same way we did it with others.

·        People may have different opinions and practices, but what is most important to remember?
The unit is very important within the Church members. Everyone has different gifts and together we can bless and strengthen each other.

·               What additional insight comes from reading Doctrine and Covenants 38:25-27?
God loves us all equally. Likewise we should be with others; not making any discrimination or difference. 

4.    Review Romans 15:25-26, 31; 16:2, 15. Write the term Paul frequently used to refer to members of the Church in his day.
He referred to the members of the Church as "saints."

As little children

Scriptures to study:

• Matthew 18:3–4
• Doctrine and Covenants 78:17–18. 
• Mosiah 3:19

Questions to ponder:

1.    Review Matthew 18:3–4 and Doctrine and Covenants 78:17–18. Explain in writing the ways we are like little children. In these verses, how does the Lord ​say He will help us?

In Matthew, Christ emphasized the humility of a child as a requirement for salvation.

In the Doctrine and Covenants we are compared with children in the sense that our discernment is limited compared to our Heavenly Father's wisdom. However, He in his infinite love, promises to bless and guide us as a Father does with his son.

2.    Read Mosiah 3:19 and list the ways in which we are to become as little children.

·        Submissive

·        Meek

·        Humble,

·        Patient

·        Full of love

·        Willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even      as a child doth submit to his father. 

       

Bonustrack:

A deeply look to Jhon the Baptist

1. Read Matthew 11:1–19 and Luke 7:18–35. 

• What did the two disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus Christ?
  “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” 

• The Savior told them to go back to John and tell what they saw and heard. After reading these accounts, explain three things you would have told John if you had been with those two men.

1. That He is teaching the gospel to every creature, to anyone who wants to "hear" his word.
2. That with His power and authority, he relieved people of their physical ailments.
3. That He also offered spiritual peace, comforting the afflicted, prisoners, oppressed and bereaved.

2. Read the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 11:2–3, “Did John Doubt That Jesus Was the Messiah?” (pg. 66). Explain why John wanted his disciples to go to Jesus Christ.

John began his public ministry, first preaching in the wilderness and then in Jerusalem and "all the region round about Jordan". When Jesus began His mortal ministry, John the Baptist urged his disciples to recognize and follow Him. However some of them they did not accept to leave him to be disciples of Christ. That’s the reason why it’s more probable that John’s motive in sending the two disciples to Jesus was for persuate them, rather than of reassurance for himself. The question they were to put to Jesus was for their edification, not for his own.

3. Read the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 11:11, “No Greater Prophet than John the Baptist” (pg. 66). 

1. What did the Savior say about John the Baptist in Matthew 11:11 and Luke 7:28?He say that John the Baptist was considered one of the greatest prophets.

2. Provide three reasons given by Joseph Smith why John the Baptist is considered among the greatest prophets.

·      He was entrusted with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the Lord

·     He was entrusted with the important mission, and it was required at his hands, to baptize the Son of Man.

·       He was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom there was then on the earth, and holding the keys of power.

4. What does John 3:30 suggest about John the Baptist and his attitude toward the Savior? Briefly describe how we could apply a similar attitude in our own lives.

Despite the large role that was given to John the Baptist, he always gloried Christ and stripped of all vanity to himself. He knew that Christ was the Messiah and took care to share this with everyone, urging them to finally follow the Savior, not him. For me it's a great example of humility that we must achieve. Our submission will be reflected in our reverence, gratitude and willingness to accept callings, counsel, and correction.