Joyce's Insights from NT's Introduction

Joyce’s Insights of New Testament Institute Manual: Introduction

1. My goal in studying the New Testament is to be able to testify as Apostle Peter did, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of a living God.” (Matt. 16:16) To be able to testify of the Savor, we need to first know Him so that we can testify of Him effectively through our words, thoughts, examples, and actions. Peter testified that Jesus is the Son of a LIVING God. God lives! He is literally the Father of our spirit body; therefore, we are truly His beloved spirit daughter or son as Paul testified to the Romans, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17). If God is a living God, He is alive and definitely speaks to us today; miracles do happened to those who have faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. As Latter-day Saints, we believe that Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God. Elohim (our Heavenly Father) and Jesus Christ are two separate beings but united in one purpose and heart---to help us gain eternal life. Eternal life is defined by the Savior as, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)

2. It is important to take the time to carefully and thoroughly study and ponder the New Testament (NT) so that we can allow the Spirit to have a place in our hearts to teach and inspire us and bring us nearer to God; thus, being “filled spiritually”. The Holy Spirit is another personage of the Godhead (God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate individuals but are one in heart and purpose) and it is important to have a witness or testimony of Christ and His gospel from the Holy Spirit because a modern-day prophet, President Joseph Fielding Smith taught:

When a man has the manifestation of the Holy Ghost, it leaves an indelible impression on his soul, one that is not easily erased. It is Spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force. A manifestation of an angel, or even the Son of God himself, would impress the eye and mind, and eventually become dimmed, but the impressions of the Holy Ghost sink deeper into the soul and are more difficult to erase.

(Anwsers to Gospel Questions, 2:151)

3. “Combined with sincere prayer, scripture study can become the source of personal revelation and an avenue to increased spiritual power in your daily life” (Manual pp. 1) These are the conditions to find out if the reality of Jesus Christ—through sincere prayer & scripture study which will let the Holy Spirit testify or reveal to us the truth of all things ( John 16:13) and give us daily spiritual power. What a sure promise for God does not lie! Try it out with us with a sincere, prayerful heart…study the New Testament with us and you’ll come to realize the reality of this profound admonition with a spiritual promise.

4. Why do we use the King James’ version of the Bible? Because it has been the Official Bible since the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints even though the translation may not be perfect, “…“. . . none of these [other] translations surpasses the King James version of the English Bible in beauty of language and spiritual connotation, and probably in faithful adherence to the text available to translators” (Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, p. 120; qtd in Manual pp.2) However, Joseph Smith did try to translate the Bible before his martyrdom. He called his translation as “The Inspired Version” some of which “have been cited in current church instructional materials or may be cited in future church instructional materials” (Manual pp.3)

5. To know the Savior is to do His will (John 7:16-17) and keep his commandments (1 John 2:3-5). Simple promise yet profound when one actually experienced it for it’ll purify and change our hearts forever.

6. The challenge issued to us in Introduction:

With these scriptures in mind, your study can be profitable to you.

7. Make the scriptures your main study in this course, using the manual as a supplement.

8. Combine your study with sincere and frequent prayer.

9. Strive to keep the commandments of God.

Good luck and may the “force” (Holy Spirit) testify to our souls to come unto Christ, receive his blessings and be perfected unto him. As The Book of Mormon’s Moroni 10: 32-33 admonished us:

Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

I am so excited to begin this spiritual journey with Esther. Thank you, Esther, for this wonderful journey.