<< LIVE IN THE SPIRIT >>
Acts 18:23 – 20:38; Galatians

Key to Recognizing the Truth 

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(1.) COMPARING PAUL AND SPENCER W. KIMBALL:
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Many feel that Paul “took over” the original Jewish nature of the early believers and changed the Church to accommodate the Gentiles. Similar statements circulated about President Spencer W. Kimball when he announced the inclusion of all worthy people in priesthood blessings. These assumptions lacked the spirit . . . it reveals things as they were, as they are, and as they will be. 

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(2.) “SPIRIT MISSING IN JUDAISM:”
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At a recent conference of scholars dealing with “The Bible Code,” one orthodox Jew stated simply, “Judaism does not have the Holy Spirit.” “The rabbis regarded Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi as the last of the prophets, the "divine spirit" having ceased in Israel with their deaths.” ” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

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(3.) URIM AND THUMMIM – Instrument of the Spirit:
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John Tvedtness, Senior Researcher at F.A.R.M.S (BYU) suggests a connection to the Egyptian letters “RMM” and “TMM,” one meaning yes, do or act upon and the other no or negative. The Jewish symbol of the Magen David (Star of David) has two triangles, one pointing upwards and the other downwards. Joseph Smith described the Urim and Thummim as two triangular, diamond shaped stones held in silver bows (like spectacles), (see Mosiah 8:13; 28:16) 

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(4.) JEWISH VIEW OF CHRISTIANITY:
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More than two thirds of the New Testament occurred from what we now know as Turkey because Jerusalem was destroyed by year 70 A.D. From a Jewish point of view – “Strictly speaking, the ministry of Jesus himself does not come under the heading of "Christianity," but rather is part of the history of different Jewish-Christian sects . . . whose . . . writings included in the New Testament . . . written between 66 C.E. and 200 C.E. . . . As the scriptural authority of Christianity, the New Testament has served as a basis for Christian anti-Semitism throughout the ages.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

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(5.) APOSTLES HAD TO “COMPETE” WITH POPULAR GODS:
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Popular worship included gods of the earth, wind, rain, and sun as well as female gods – goddesses of victory, a fish goddess (mermaid), and one connected with fertility, Astarte. This goddess was later know as Ashteroth (the word Easter seems to have been derived from Astarte). A very popular goddess was Diana, centered in Ephesus (Turkey). The tradition of the burial of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the subsequent veneration of Mary beginning in Ephesus became a counterfeit substitute for a “Godess” religion. The “business” of religion eclipsed the essence of religion. 

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(6.) JEWS CHALLENGED BY ASSIMILIATION:
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“Assimilation is the process in which one cultural or national group loses its identity and becomes part of another group. In some cases Jews viewed gentile culture as superior and wished to join it. As early as 175 B.C.E., during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, there were Jews who wished to accept the mode of life and culture of Hellenism. Later, in the years of early Christianity, there were Jews who gradually assimilated into the Christian way of life. In other cases, the lure of a better social or economic position led Jews to assimilate. During the Middle Ages this was sometimes the cause of apostasy (conversion out of Judaism). At other times, persecution and anti-Semitism compelled Jews to convert, but often only on the surface while secretly they remained Jews.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

The lesson title, “Live In the Spirit,” means that we must live in the spirit . . . in the world. That will guide our heaven like life in the society of the world community.

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