Is the Restored Church Biblical

#Is the Restored Church the Same as Jesus’s First Century Church?

We might well expect that the true Church of Jesus Christ would be substantially the same as the church established by the Savior during his mortal ministry. Let us consider the biblical description of the church he established. It is clear from the Bible that Christ selected and ordained twelve apostles to preside over and direct his church (see Mark 3:14; Luke 9:1- 2; John 15:16). The primitive church was further organized with apostles, pastors, high priests, seventies, elders, bishops, priests, teachers, and deacons (see Luke 6:13 and Mark 3:14; Ephesians 4:11; Hebrews 5:1-5; Luke 10:1-11; Acts 14:23; 15:6; I Peter 5:1; 1 Timothy 3:1; Titus 1:7; Revelation 1:6; Acts 13:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-12).

Specific authority to function in the administration of the Savior’s true church by the power of God is called “priesthood.” This priesthood is obtained through ordination by one having such authority under the direction of Christ (see Exodus 40:15; Luke 9:1; 2 Corinthians 10:7-8; Hebrews 5:4-6).

When members of the Savior’s church fell sick, they would call for “the elders” (that is, priesthood holders) of the Church, who would anoint them with oil and bless and heal them, according to God’s will (see Acts 14:23; James 5:14-15). Christ’s church would send forth missionaries, two-by-two to preach the gospel (see Mark 6:7; Luke 10:1; John 20:21). The true church would have a law of health (see Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 9:25-27) and teach about a premortal existence, or preearth life (see John 17:5; Ephesians 1:4-5). God the Father would be recognized as having created the individual spirits of all people. Thus, spiritually speaking, we would all consider ourselves to be brothers and sisters (see Malachi 2:10; Matthew 12:50; Hebrews 12:9). Members of Christ’s true church would be called “saints” (see Romans 1:7) and would be tithe payers (see Malachi 3:8-10; Hebrews 7:4-5).

In Christ’s church, once an investigator is repentant, baptism by immersion is essential (see Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:5, 9-10; Acts 8:38), as is receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (see John 3:5; Acts 2:38). Higher priesthood authority is required to bestow the Holy Ghost than is required to baptize (see Mark 1:7-8; Luke 3:16; Acts 19:2-6; John 1:33), and persons performing these ordinances must be duly authorized priesthood holders (see Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16). Christ’s true church will teach and testify that the Holy Ghost will bear witness of the truthfulness of the Savior’s plan, when it is presented. In this way, any child of God can know which of the many churches teaches the principles of the Savior (see John 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 12:4-12; Ephesians 1:17).

Christ’s church will provide the opportunity for salvation for all of God’s children, not just for those who receive the gospel while living on the earth. The members of his church would baptize for the dead (see 1 Corinthians 15:29) and would build temples. These temples would have unique and holy purposes (see Isaiah 2:3; Malachi 3:1).

The above listed biblical references are but a small portion of those that describe the attributes and characteristics of Christ’s true church. However, these scriptural references provide a profile of what one may expect in any church calling itself Christ’s church. So, which of all the churches in the world best fits this profile? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church on earth that fits the Bible’s description of Christ’s church.