Non-Traditional Beliefs ll
Mormonism Official Name: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) Over 15 million members $25 to $30 Billion in assets 125,000 missionaries by 2025 Headquarters Salt Lake City, Utah Current President - Thomas Spencer Monson
History WORLD RELIGIONS Mormonism Joseph Smith, Dec. 23, 1805 in Sharon Vermont At 11 moved to Palmyra NY 1819 Many revivals in the area Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterian Smith saw the strife and struggled with who was right 1820 Smith read Jas. 1:5, If any man lacks wisdom Went into the woods to ask which one is true? and received a vision of Father and Son (Vision #1) Response None All creeds are an abomination in His Sight
Mormonism 1823 went to bed asking God for forgiveness and visited by an Angel Moroni Plates Buried in the woods of upstate New York (Vision #2) A record of ancient inhabitants 4 more visions over the next 4 years 1827 Smith finally mature enough to take possession of the plates Written in Reformed Egyptian, translated by Smith and then plates were taken away 1829 David Whitmer, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdreysaw the plates with a spiritual eye or an eye of faith April 6, 1830 The One True Church is born in Fayetteville, NY Smith A Seer, Translator, Prophet, Apostle
Mormonism Feb 1831 moved to Kirtland, OH after much opposition July 1831 moving to Missouri, Smith returned to Ohio 1833 Mormons ordered out of MO (Smith returned with an army to oppose) 1835 Smith wrote Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price 1838 MO declared war on Mormons Moved to Illinois, Nauvoo (beautiful place) Smith, founder and mayor 1844 a group of dissident Mormons published a newspaper detailing grievances against Smith (particularly polygamy) Smith and his brother Hyrum burned the newspaper office to the ground Both arrested in Carthage, IL with two other leaders
Mormonism June 27, 1844 a mob storms the jail killing Smith and his brother Brigham Young assumes leadership though wife Emma opposed it Young lead followers to Salt Lake City Utah Deseret (honey bee) Built the new Zion Government 1 st Presidency President, 1 st Counselor, 2 nd Counselor Council of 12 Apostles 1 st Quorum of 70 2 nd Quorum of 70 1 st Presidency and Council of 12 virtually unchallenged Branch- 200 or less/ward- 200-500/Stake- group of Wards/Area- Group of Stakes
Beliefs WORLD RELIGIONS Mormonism LDS is the One True Church all other are corrupt Restored priesthood Aaronic and Melchizedek Scripture KJV as translated and revised correctly by Smith Book of Mormon Account of ancient American inhabitants from 2247BC AD 421 Doctrines and Covenants Pearl of Great Price God An exalted man, once mortal who became exalted by obedience to the same gospel truths as us. A physical being, a god among many gods Each god procreates with wife/wives to create spirit children. Once enough they find a world to inhabit/populate
Mormonism Trinity Not one God in Three persons but three gods (among many) Jesus The Father s greatestand first spirit son, took on bodilyform when the Father had sex with Mary. Lucifer his brother Man a preexistent being as spirit child sent down to assume bodily form Darker races are a punishment for poor choices made before coming to Earth less than valiant 1978 ended banning blacks from priesthood Sin Adam and Eve fell in disobedience but it allowed them to have children to populate Salvation Saved by own efforts
Mormonism Heaven/Hell Three Kingdoms in the afterlife Celestial For faithful Mormons, preparation to move on to godhood Terrestrial Non Mormons who lived moral lives and are morally clean and for less than valiant Mormons. Telestial For the carnal and sinful. There is temporary suffering in Hell or outer darkness first to pay for their sins Baptism for the Dead Performed by proxy by someone of same sex to allow them passage into Terrestrial kingdom Return of Christ Jews will be gathered in Jerusalem, Mormons in Missouri
7 th Day Adventists Official Name: Seventh-day Adventist Church Founder: Joseph Bates, James White, Ellen G. White, J. N. Andrews Branched from the Millerites Present Leader: Ted N.C. Wilson World and USA Headquarters: Silver Spring, MD Membership: 18,143,745
7 th Day Adventists History SecondGreat awakening Early to mid 19 th century Emphasis on the 2 nd advent of Christ Spurred the Adventist movement with emphasis on Rev. and Daniel Translated Daniel s 2,300days to be 2,300 years and arrived at around 1843 Not the Rapture but the return of Christ s Kingdom Miller Born in Pittsfield, MA in 1782 moved to Lower Hampton NY Became a Deist but after soul searching became a Baptist
7 th Day Adventists William Miller estimated it between March 21 st 1843 and March 21 st 1844 Not a charlatan just bad hermeneutics and mistaken (not alone) Adventist Association said October 22, 1844 When his Dates came and went he reluctantly endorsed later date The Great Disappointment People were shattered and disillusioned Other groups emerged from them. Three of note
7 th Day Adventists HiramEdson(Adventist) with O.R.L Crosier had a vision in a cornfield The Sanctuary is not on Earth but in Heaven Christ s arrival was a lateral move JosephBates, (Fairhaven MA) published a pamphlet on the Sabbath as a perpetual sign and a divine institution Sabbatarianism Ellen Harmon White emphasized the possessor of Spirit of Prophecy restoration of gift of prophecy Followers of Edson, Crosier, Bates and White joined forces 1855 the movement was launched and SDA established in 1860 in Battle Creek MI
7 th Day Adventists Beliefs The Great Controversy Ellen White. Conflict between God and Satan in which we are involved because of our sin. God sends his Spirit to assist us. God Almighty creator of the Universe. One God in three persons Scriptures OT and NT Inspired, infallible and authoritative Christ Very God, existed with the father in eternity, the Word of God, and sinless man. 2 nd member of the Trinity Atonement Made in full at the cross Resurrection of Christ Literal and bodily, ascended bodily and we shall be raised 2 nd coming Premillennial
7 th Day Adventists Salvation One must be born again via the vicarious death of Christ Not of works but works are judged after death and salvation may be removed Investigative Judgement Scapegoat doctrine one for my sin and one for Satan Sabbath in on Saturday the Lord s Day on Sunday is borrowed from pagans Not Exclusive Confess that there are true Christians in every church even Catholics However in practice many reports of shunning those who leave Dietary restriction Follow Levitical dietary laws as a health code Soul Sleep After Death we sleep and are only awakened if we pass the Investigative Judgement
Jehovah s Witnesses Official Names: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., International Bible Students Association, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania Founder: Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916) Present Leader: Robert Ciranko World and USA Headquarters: "Bethel Brooklyn, New York Canadian Headquarters: Halton Hills, Ontario Active Participants: ("Publishers"), 2007 Worldwide: 6,957,852 in 235 countries Key Publications: PERIODICALS: The Watchtower (22 million in 126 languages), Awake! (19 million in 81 languages) The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT) 1984
Jehovah s Witnesses Charles Taze Russell 1852-1916 Born Presbyterian but didn t like the message of eternal punishment At 17 became a skeptic discarding thebible and all church creeds Studied various religions (mostly eastern) didn t find what he was looking for Came into contact with Adventists,like views of Milleniumand rejection of eternal punishment (annihilationists) 1870 started a Bible study in Pittsburg The Bible Students Rejected the Trinity and immortality of the soul (immortality must be attained) Studied prophecy and Believed Christ would return invisibly before Armageddon At age 23 Adventist Nelson Barbour convinced Russell that Christ had returned invisibly in 1874 and then in 1914 he would return to establish His kingdom.
Jehovah s Witnesses 1879 Founded a magazine Zion s Watchtower and Herald of Christ s Presence 1881 Watchtower Tract Society By 1904 Russel wrote 6 volumes of studies in the scriptures Ministry moved to Brooklyn for better exposure and effectiveness 1914 Much Disappointment 1916 Russell Dies Judge Joseph Franklin Rutherford assumes leadership 1914 was now the beginning of the last generation until the return of Christ This continued to be adjusted over the years until it became just generations
Beliefs WORLD RELIGIONS Jehovah s Witnesses God His name is Jehovah. Term used everywhere in place of father. Claim same God as the Bible Trinity A pagan lie authored by Satan Jesus A lesser god, also Michael the Archangel. God s first creation (emanation) Mighty but not almighty Michael gave up his existence as a spirit to become a perfect human (Jesus). Only human not divine. Died on a stake ceased to exist and then was recreated as a spirit again (Michael) Holy Spirit An active force not a person or God (like electricity)
Jehovah s Witnesses Man A living Soul, body,soul and spirit are one and the same not distinct. At death we cease to exist unless recreated in the resurrection Salvation They speak of grace but one must get back into life by good works (evangelizing, preaching) No assurance Heaven/Hell No Hell, you just are never recreated. Two classes of heaven 144,000 JW s the anointed class. A spiritual existence, rulers with Christ. Also called the little flock Completely filled in 1935 Other sheep Earthly destiny for those that survive the Tribulation or were recreated to earthly blessing No Contamination Blood transfusion, birthdays, holidays pagan Scripture The New World Translation of the Bible 1950 by Nathan Knorr and JW committee, no training in Greek or Hebrew or even in translating
Jehovah s Witnesses 1. K.J.V. John 5:4, "For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had." Compare to, N.W.T. -only the number 4 remains. 2. K.J.B. Matt.17:21, Jesus said, "Howbeit this kind goethnot out but by prayer and fasting." The disciples were asking Jesus how to cast out a certain type of demon. Compare to, N.W.T. Again, the verse has been removed, but they did leave the number 21. 3. K.J.V. Mark 15:28, "And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he (Jesus) was numbered with the transgressors." Compare with, N.W.T. -only the number 28 remains. 4. K.J.B. 1 John 5:7, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." Compare to, N.W.T. "For there are three witness bearers."
Jehovah s Witnesses 5. K.J.V. Acts 8:37, Philip came to a eunuch, who had great authority. The eunuch was reading the book Of Isaiah, but could not understand it. Philip then began to explained what was written. Acts 8:36, Both men see water, and the eunuch asked, "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Ver.37, The K.J.V. gives us the answer to the Eunuches question. Ver.37, "Philip said, if thou believestwith all thine heart, thou mayest. And he (the eunuch) answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." N.W.T. no answer from Philip 6. K.J.V. Matt.18:11, Jesus said, "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." N.W.T. - verse missing. 7. K.J.V. reads in Luke 9:56, Jesus said, "For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village." N.W.T. Every word Jesus spoke is missing, but they did leave, "They went to a different village.
Official Names: WORLD RELIGIONS Oneness Pentecostalism Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God (AOHCG)-13,000 Assemblies of the Lord Jesus, Inc. (ALJI)-50,000 Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ World Wide, Inc. (Bible Way)-250,000 Church of Our Lord Jesus of the Apostolic Faith (COLJF)-30,000 Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW)-1,000,000 reported Pentecostal Church of Apostolic Faith (PCAF)-25,000 United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) (UCJC-A)-100,000 United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI)-500,000 (1.5 million worldwide) Other Designations: "Jesus Only" churches; "Apostolic Pentecostals"; The "Oneness Movement"; The "Jesus Name" Movement
History WORLD RELIGIONS Oneness Pentecostalism Pentecostal movement 1901 Topeka Kansas and 1906 Azuza St Baptist church LA Characterized by speaking in tongues 1913 preacher R.E. McAlister began teaching that the Trinity doctrine was untrue and that baptism must be done correctly in Jesus name only 1916 Some AOG ministers expounded on this oneness view AOG Council rejected them and adopted a strong Trinitarian stance in Statement of faith 160 minister expelled They quickly formed their own alliances largely African American Not a denomination but a movement espoused by several denominations UPCI the Largest
Beliefs WORLD RELIGIONS Oneness Pentecostalism Source of Authority The Bible Inspired and infallible, however many KJV only God One God creator of the universe but exists in only one person Jesus Trinity God exists in two modes, as the Father in Heaven and as Jesus the Son on Earth but they are the same person operating in different modes Holy Spirit Merely a manifestation of Jesus power or just another name for Him Jesus He is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He assumes these roles. Had two natures Divine one in heaven and human one on Earth so he was praying to his divine nature. If the Father and the Son were separate, then the Godhead could not fully dwell in Christ
Four-fold Legal Requirement WORLD RELIGIONS Oneness Pentecostalism The Oneness Pentecostal movements generally teach that to receive and maintain salvation, a person must adhere to four essential requirements. 1. Faith in Jesus Only 2. Repentance and Baptism in the "Name of Jesus 3. Speaking in Tongues 4. Adherence to Holiness Standards Most Oneness Pentecostals teach that once salvation is gained initially by the preceding ingredients, it must be maintained by daily adherence to legalistic codes of personal behavior. Alcohol and tobacco are prohibited. Women are not allowed to cut their hair, wear short dresses or slacks, use make-up, or wear jewelry. Men are expected to dress conservatively, be clean shaven, and have short haircuts. Violations of these codes may result in a loss of salvation and exclusion from church fellowship.