Faith and Works

Perhaps the greatest obstacle to RLDS/CoC believing the Biblical gospel of grace alone, is their misunderstanding of faith and works. In fact the concept of grace [salvation] is new in RLDS/CoC theology according to Paul Booth, a former Apostle in the RLDS Church. He wrote, “For the most part the word grace found its way into Restoration literature within the past twenty-five years.” (“By Miracle of Grace,” Saints Herald, March, 1984, p. 28.) Richard Fortman was quoted in the Saints Herald as saying, “The grace of God…has not been understood as a part of our theology until the past decade or two.” (Saints Herald, Sept. 1991, p. 21) In response to these statements concerning grace, the question arises, how can the Reorganized church be a genuinely Christian church, if this essential Christian doctrine has only been included in RLDS/CoC theology in the past twenty or thirty years?

Paul and James

Joseph Smith’s teachings create a conflict between the Apostle Paul’s teaching on salvation by grace alone and James’ statement that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26 KJV). RLDS/CoC often refer to this statement of James as proof that works are necessary for salvation. However, a close examination of this passage shows no contradiction whatsoever, for James and Paul were addressing two completely different types of people. James was addressing those who were relying on a mere profession of faith or belief in God without any change of life or behavior, while Paul was addressing those who were relying on their own works or obedience rather than trusting Christ alone for their salvation.

Paul was saying that salvation is not faith plus works, but faith that works. He sums this up well in Philippians 2:12,13 when he tells the Philippian believers to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” By this he means, not that they were to work for their salvation, but that they were to work, or put into practice in their daily living, the good work that God had already begun in their lives by His Holy Spirit when they were saved. Paul makes this clear when he says, “Only let us live up to what we have already attained” (Phil. 3:16 KJV). Despite the apparent contradiction, both Paul and James were saying that true salvation is found in believing, trusting, and having faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross alone for salvation.

Cornelius

The Biblical account of Cornelius contradicts the view that works play a part in salvation. The tenth chapter of Acts tells us that Cornelius was a man who was righteous, devout and God-fearing, faithful in prayer, generous to the poor and visited by an angel sent from God.

If good works could save, certainly Cornelius would have been worthy of heaven. However, all his righteous living could not save him even though his prayers and alms were a memorial before God. Knowing the heart of Cornelius, the Lord sent an angel who told him, “Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 10:3-6, 11:14). When Peter came to the house of Cornelius he preached the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and Cornelius was saved, not by his good works but by believing Peter’s message.

The Bible states, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:5). As D. James Kennedy observes, “good works are the fruit of our salvation, not the root of it.”

The Jews who rejected Jesus were very sincere in their efforts to attain a self-righteousness by works rather than by Christ’s atoning sacrifice, but they were sincerely wrong and were accountable to God for their actions. Jesus warned His disciples about depending on this type of self-righteousness, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20).

Many RLDS/CoC members, like the Jews who rejected Jesus, believe that earning eternal life is dependent on their good works. However, they should earnestly consider the fact that to be sincere but sincerely wrong in their understanding of the gospel, results in an eternity without God.

Simplicity of the Gospel

The simplicity of the gospel as a free gift is an affront to most RLDS/CoC because they have been taught they can earn their salvation by doing good works. Satan has been able to blind their minds because of their religious and intellectual pride. They fail to see that a miracle takes place in the heart of a person the moment they sincerely receive Christ and humbly admit that He alone paid the price for our sins. Because RLDS/CoC do not believe in salvation by grace alone, they cannot appreciate the tremendous price of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross with which our salvation was bought.

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” Paul goes on to emphasize that it is the simplicity of the gospel that causes it to be veiled, “But I fear lest by any means as the serpent beguiled Eve…your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Cor. 4:3-4, 11:3 KJV).

The Bible warns of those who will turn from the simplicity in Christ to fables, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Tim. 4:3-4 KJV). This scripture applies to the followers of false teachers such as Joseph Smith.

The simple gospel of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins will not be able to hold their attention, so they will demand something more fascinating, a more stimulating and challenging doctrine in which their participation will help to save them. The Bible will be perceived as out-dated, simplistic, and inadequate, so their “itching ears” will become eager to listen to fables or novel religious teachings. The apostle Paul decried the preaching of any message other than the cross, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18)

The NIV Study Bible states, ““People who deceive others by changing the gospel to include human achievement and pride deserve eternal condemnation (Gal. 1:1-6). The gospel must be maintained in its purity, because through clear and correct proclamation of the gospel, people are saved. A different gospel leaves people in their lost state. Evangelists are commanded to call people to faith in the crucified and risen Lord. Nothing else can be added and still have the gospel.”

Dangers of Joseph Smith’s Gospel: Deceptive Witnessing Techniques

Until the 1950’s and 60’s the RLDS/CoC approach to evangelism was to emphasize how the church was distinctively different from other denominations, including the Mormon Church. However, today there is a new strategy being promoted, due in part to pressure from Christian ministries who are exposing Joseph Smith’s false teachings. This strategy is to present a more Christian-sounding gospel to potential converts initially, and then gradually introducing distinctive RLDS/CoC doctrines. Church members now frequently use phrases like, “we are saved by Grace” or “I have received Christ as my Savior”, whereas a few years ago these phrases were ridiculed as protestant ignorance and referred to as “cheap grace.”

This new trend in witnessing is dangerous because Biblical terminology is being used to convert people to the RLDS/CoC church instead of to Christ. Despite this new mask the church is wearing to pose as just another Christian denomination, they continue to promote the foundational teachings of Joseph Smith. Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matt. 7:15)

Taking a Stand

Although it is possible for an RLDS/CoC member to become truly born again, when that experience occurs they will no longer be satisfied belonging to a false religious system. The work of the Holy Spirit is to lead us into all truth, and a true born-again believer will long to worship the Lord “in Spirit and in truth.” The Bible tells us we are not to be yoked together with unbelievers, and that there is no fellowship between light and darkness. (2 Cor. 6:14-16) Those who have left the RLDS/CoC church and are worshiping in Christian churches know these statements to be true.

Some RLDS/CoC members may believe that Joseph Smith was a false prophet, but do not have the courage to take a stand and leave the church because of the fear of losing family, friends, jobs, priesthood status or the “praise of men.” The Book of Hebrews tells us that the early Jewish Christians faced some of these same fears and were tempted to go back to Judaism to escape persecution, “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in [Jesus.] But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” (John 12:42-43)

Other RLDS/CoC members when faced with the possibility that Joseph Smith was a false prophet, elect to stay in the church and they give as their excuse, “but my religion satisfies me.” However, it should be remembered that the issue is not whether our religion satisfies us, but rather, does it satisfy God!

Speaking to those who were following false teachers, Jesus warned: “Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matt. 15:14) Those RLDS/CoC who are sincere seekers will find the truth, and the truth will set them free. They will be willing to heed Jesus’ advice and leave the church. They will say with the apostle Paul: “I am not ashamed of the gospel” (Rom. 1:16), and they will concur with his statement,

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” (Phil. 3:7-9)

The Assurance of Salvation

The Bible says, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom.10:9). If you sincerely pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart you will be born again into God’s family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, and you will have the assurance of eternal life. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13, 2 Timothy 1:12, Jude 24, John 10:29)

This gift of salvation was given to us freely, but the cost was high; Jesus paid for it with his own precious blood.