Gospel Talktrine

Paul taught the Ephesians why they would want to follow Christ, before teaching them how.

The Galatians had accepted Christ without ever being Jews, but some wanted to take on the obligations of the Law of Moses. Paul taught them this was akin to delivering themselves into slavery, after they had been made free, or even becoming servants in a royal household to which they were heirs.

Paul teaches some prideful Corinthians that a disciple of Christ will only be a true messenger insofar as he echoes the humility of Christ. To this end, God gave weaknesses to even the most faithful among us, and we should therefore be generous and compassionate with ourselves and with each other.

Hundreds of years before Paul’s ministry, Jeremiah and Ezekiel taught of a coming day when God would reveal a “new covenant,” when people would obey not out of law or duty, but out of familiarity with and love of the Lord. In his second epistle to them, Paul tells the Corinthians that day has finally come, and invites them into the reality and blessing of living a Christlike life.

Paul stresses the necessity, the logic, and the power of believing in the resurrection of Christ.

Paul explains the key that activates all of the differences in gifts and wisdom among followers of Christ—that of charity, the pure love of the Savior. He lets us know there is no room for division among those who would call themselves His children.

Paul cries over the backsliding saints in Corinth in much the way Christ cried over Jerusalem—with all the care of a tender parent who had striven to lead those he loved in the ways of righteousness and humility.

The Book of Romans is the tale of two seeds—the literal descendants of Abraham, who have rejected their Messiah, and the spiritual family who, though younger, receives the birthright.

Paul taught both the Jews and the Gentiles among the Roman Christians that they were equally in need of the grace of Christ, which they could only access by giving him their allegiance.

The story of Paul changes from one of outward missionary journeys to one of personal change. Paul has publicly persecuted Christians, and now he returns to Jerusalem to publicly repent, and to accept the consequences of proclaiming Christ, whatever they may be.

Paul’s missionary journeys take him throughout the Hellenistic world, and everywhere the pattern is the same: great success, followed by jealousy, hatred, lies, and violence by those who will not believe. What is Luke hoping to accomplish through these stories?

Peter’s vision of the vessel from heaven opens a new era in the Church of Christ, foretold for centuries: the extending of the Gospel to all nations. Paul is the quintessential missionary in this new mold, a Jew among Gentiles.

Through his stories of the martyrdom of Stephen and the conversion of Paul, Luke teaches the importance of hearing the living prophet, and the capacity of Jesus to turn even our worst faults into powerful strengths.

At the feast of Pentecost, God sent the Spirit not only as a Comforter, but as an agent of transformation, molding his people into one body, from which would flow the blessings of Abraham to all the world.

On the road to Emmaus, the resurrected Jesus to his mourning disciples in disguise, and taught them from the scriptures rather than revealing his identity. Why did he choose to testify of himself this way, and what scriptures might he have cited to help them see the necessity of his suffering, death, and resurrection?

We discuss the final events of the Gospels, and several important questions raised by the Biblical account of the resurrection, including “How does Jesus’ resurgence affect me?” and “How can I know I worship a living God?”

There were several categories of reaction to Jesus on the day of his crucifixion. Most were examples of people trying to deny their guilt, the blood guilt of causing suffering to the most innocent ever accused, the Savior of Mankind.

Jesus fulfills the promise of the prophet Jeremiah by instituting the New Covenant of the Sacrament, takes upon himself the sins of the world in the Garden, and is unrighteously judged by the Jewish elders.

Jesus gives his final briefing to his disciples, reminding them of four truths: 1) he could only send the Spirit to them if he dies and ascends to the Father, 2) they were to show their love through their obedience, as he had, 3) they should expect life to be difficult, even when (or especially when) they were following his path, and 4) he had made it possible for them to be one with him.

The final sermon of Jesus included both an urgency to watch, and an admonition to patience. How do we reconcile the need to think about the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord with our need to be aware of the daily suffering and needs of God’s children?