Sabbath Services
We see the disciples being imbued with the holy spirit at Pentecost AD 31 in Acts 2. The baptism of John the Baptist is shown to have paved the way for Christ and for the purpose of the remission of sins. Pentecost AD 31 is the marker of the founding of the New Testament church. There were flames, speaking in tongues (in different languages), etc. God sends Peter in Acts 10 to the gentiles, starting at Cornelius’ house. Here we see another instance of speaking in tongues miraculously. In John6 we are told that God does the calling; that He draws us to Him. Going back to Genesis 2, we are reminded of the creation of man and the instructions given concerning the two trees. If Adam would have taken from the right tree, it would have been akin to baptism and the laying on of hands. He would have responded to his calling and received the holy spirit. Unfortunately, Adam and Eve, the forefathers of all mankind, chose Satan and self over God. They took of the wrong tree, and as a consequence, mankind has been cut off from God and access to His holy spirit. Only a select few throughout history were then called and allowed access to His holy spirit and a chance at eternal life in the first resurrection. Everyone else will have their chance later. In AD 31, however, came the founding of the New Testament church. From that point forward, God wasn’t just working with select individuals nor with unconverted groups (i.e., ancient Israel), but with a small converted church that is the embodiment of Christ. Mr. Monson details the ancient cycles of rebellion and supplication to God committed by an unconverted people. Then we turn to the significance of Christ’s life, the imbuing of the Holy Spirit to the apostles on the day of Pentecost AD 31, and the founding of the New Testament church. Before concluding, we consider the end-time coming of Elijiah, the role of baptism and the laying on of hands, and briefly discuss the order of resurrections.
