LDS Gospel Doctrine

1-2 Timothy, Titus Philemon and the beginning of the Book of Hebrews

What are some points of interest did you find in the letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon?

The First Epistle to Timothy is one of three letters in the New Testament of the Bible often grouped together as the pastoral epistles, along with Second Timothy and Titus.

The letter, traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul, consists mainly of counsels to his younger colleague and delegate Timothy regarding his ministry in Ephesus (1:3).

These counsels include instructions on the organization of the Church and the responsibilities resting on certain groups of leaders therein as well as exhortations to faithfulness in maintaining the truth amid surrounding errors.

What Council and instruction did he give to the bishops Elders Deacons and Teachers of the Church.

#1 Live and Teach Sound Doctrine

1 Timothy 1:3-6 - teach sound doctrine, and not questions, and or edifying
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

2 Timothy 3:14-17
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

(Ether 12:4)

Titus 1:2-3 God promised us eternal life before the world was

Titus 2:1 as a leader teach the people sound doctrine and that which they should do (See Below)

Titus 3:5-11 - Be careful to maintain good works - and avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and strivings about the law - for they are vain

Follow Up Questions:
What are the endless genealogies, spoken of here? It isn't family history research lol...

Extensive debates and speculations over family lineages that were common in Jewish tradition. These genealogies went beyond mere interest in one’s ancestry; they often became intertwined with various myths and speculative teachings that were unprofitable and distracting from the central message of the Christian faith. In the Jewish context, some individuals may have been preoccupied with their physical descent from Abraham as a point of pride or religious status. Genealogies were significant in Jewish society not only for tribal and family identification but also for claims to priesthood (particularly for the descendants of Aaron) and other roles.

How do we validate that we are always teaching sound doctrine - what is the basis of Sound doctrine?
Sound doctrine is based upon scriptures not the ideas, guesses, or questions some may have.

continue in that which we have learned ... and what is scripture and why do we have it
Scripture will make us wise unto salvation
profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction
that the man of God is perfect, throughouly furnished unto all good works

#2 Warning against Apostasy and turning away from the Sound Doctrine
Titus 1:10-14 - There are some teaching apostasy and false doctrine among them
Titus 1:15-16 - that who are pure are pure and their works demonstrate it

The law was not made for the Holy/Good it was made for the unjust and the ungodly

1 Timothy 1:8-10 - Law not made for righteous men but rather the ungodly

What will come about in the Last Days - perilous times

1 Timothy 4 - Latter Day Apostasy

2 Timothy 3:1-13 - perilous times of the last days

#3 In contrast How should leaders in the Church live - they should be peculiar and different from the world...

When was he ordained an apostle, and preacher

1 Timothy 2:7 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 - qualifications for a bishop

Titus 1:6-9 Qualifications for a Bishop

1 Timothy 3:8-13 - qualifications for a deacon

1 Timothy 3:14-16 - These things were written so that he might know how they should behave

2 Timothy 4 - preach the gospel in the day of apostasy

Paul's life is a pattern for all the converted

1 Timothy 1:16-20
Started out in wickedness and rebellion against God

Came to a knowledge of the truth

In humility accepted what he was doing was wrong

Suffered the consequences of his previous actions - repentance/restitution

Was redeemed and received a remission of his sins

Continued on in the faith - in teaching of Jesus Christ.

#4 How should the members in the Church live

1 Timothy 2:9-15

9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Titus 2:1-10 - Council in sound doctrine - old men, old women, young men, young women behavior, servants - and their behavior

Titus 2:11-15 - We should deny ourselves of all ungodliness, and be a peculiar people zealous of good works

Titus 3:1-2 Be subject to leaders, and principalities

Titus 3:3-4 We were also sometimes foolish

Philemon 1:1-16 Greetings to Philemon - Not now as a servant but above a servant a BROTHER

Hebrews the Great Doctrinal Exposition

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ldscomefollowme/posts/3719013018194196/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ldscomefollowme/posts/5735565976538880/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ldscomefollowme/posts/5735616373200507/

Hebrews 1

Christ’s Superiority to Angels:
The author of Hebrews begins by asserting the superiority of Christ to the angels. Jesus is described as the Son of God who has inherited a more excellent name than the angels. He is worshipped by angels and is said to be the exact representation of God's being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.
Christ’s Role in Creation and Redemption:
Jesus is portrayed as both the creator and the heir of all things. After providing purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven, indicating the completion of His redemptive work.

Who are the Angels spoken of in this chapter?
Ministering servants sent to serve those who will inherit salvation vs 7
Individuals from among the brethren of the saints - Rev 22:8-9 for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets,

1 - God spoke in the past by prophets - but now he spoke to us by Jesus Christ -
2 - Jesus Christ heir of all things and creator
3 - Express image of God, Upholds all things, purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of God
4 - Being so much better than the angels - more excellent name than they
5 - for to which angel did he say thou art my son and I have begotten thee
6 - let all the angels worship the firstborn
7 - angels are ministers and like flames of fire
8 - Unto the son he said - righteousness is the sceptre of his kingdom
9 - He loved righteousness and hated iniquity - God anointed him with the oil of gladness
10 Jesus laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the works of his hands
11 They shall all perish but Jesus shall remain
12 As a garment they shall be changed but he shall remain
13 Unto which of the angels did he say sit on my right hand
until I make thy enemies thy footstool?
14 are they not all ministering spirts sent forth to minister to those
who are heirs of salvation?

Hebrews 2

Warning Against Neglecting Salvation:
The author warns of the danger of neglecting such a great salvation, which was announced by the Lord and confirmed by those who heard Him.
Humanity and Redemption:
It explains that Jesus was made a little lower than the angels for a short time so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone, bringing many sons and daughters to glory.
Christ’s Suffering and Priesthood:
Jesus is identified as the founder of salvation who was made perfect through suffering. He is also presented as a merciful and faithful high priest who makes atonement for the sins of the people.

1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? (Psalms 8:4-6)
7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

9 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.
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Hebrews 3

Christ Superior to Moses:
Jesus is compared to Moses, with Jesus being deemed worthy of more glory. Moses was faithful as a servant in God’s house, but Christ is faithful as a Son over God’s house.
The Faithfulness of Believers:
The chapter includes an exhortation to hold firmly to faith and confidence in Christ and a warning against hardening one’s heart as in the rebellion during the time of Moses.
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;

15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.

17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Hebrews 4

The Promise of Rest:
There remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God. The chapter exhorts believers to enter that rest and not to fall by following the example of disobedience exhibited by the Israelites in the wilderness.
The Word of God:
The word of God is described as living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, and as a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Christ, the Great High Priest:
The chapter ends by focusing on Jesus as the great high priest who has passed through the heavens and can empathize with our weaknesses.

1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 5

The High Priesthood of Christ:
Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest but was appointed by God. His priesthood is compared to that of Melchizedek.
Christ’s Obedience and Suffering:
Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered, and having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him

1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 6

Moving Beyond Elementary Teachings:
Believers are encouraged to move beyond elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Warning Against Falling Away:
There is a stern warning about the impossibility of restoring to repentance those who have once been enlightened but have fallen away, crucifying the Son of God all over again.
Encouragement to Persevere:
The author encourages the readers to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises, referring to God’s unchangeable purpose confirmed by an oath.

1 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,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Ether 12:4
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.