Anyone familiar with the history of Christianity knows that it has been quite a complicated matter. The word “Christian” was first used during New Testament times (see Acts 11:26) to describe the disciples who accepted the message and redemption of Jesus Christ. Now after two millennia, Christianity has weathered centuries of change and experienced periods of growth, persecution, reformation, schism, globalization and more. While inspiring believers of every race and nationality, Christianity has taken a multitude of forms and advanced a diversity of doctrines. As a result, questions about who should be called a Christian and who should not continue to be discussed by some within the religious world.
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Religious beliefs are no light matter, and it’s only right that they are taken seriously. Yet, earnest and well-meaning interlocutors have sometimes, in the words of the president of Fuller Seminary, Richard J. Mouw, “talked past each other,” due to their differing doctrinal lenses.
For some in the Christian tradition, an individual’s Christianity is defined primarily by theological boundaries. Accordingly, one must adhere to a theological tradition stemming from formalized creeds or statements of belief (such as the Nicene Creed and the Chalcedonian formulation) composed several centuries after Jesus Christ died and the New Testament was written.
There are differences between the post-biblical creeds and the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most notably, Latter-day Saints believe God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are one in will and purpose, but are not literally one being, as the creedal conceptions of the Holy Trinity suggest. Also, members of the Church believe in living “apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 2:20) and a more open canon of scripture, which includes both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible and the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ.
To describe The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a non-Christian church to any audience spreads a misconception that there is something other than Jesus Christ at the heart of the Mormon faith.
For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is the Savior of all people, the divine Son of God. He is the same Jesus Christ of the New Testament, who taught about faith and about love for God and mankind. Jesus Christ — not Moses, Paul or Joseph Smith — is the object of Mormons’ devotion and worship. As the Prophet Joseph Smith himself taught, “The fundamental principles of our religion are … concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”
This is indeed the daily reality for Latter-day Saints. Jesus Christ is perpetually front and center in the lives of practicing members of the faith. Whenever Mormons pray to God, for instance, they do so in the name of Jesus Christ. Baptism by immersion, according to the symbolism of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, marks a person’s entrance into the faith. The sacrament (what other Christian traditions call communion) is administered weekly in Sunday services for members to reflect on the mercy of Jesus Christ. When Latter-day Saints seek forgiveness, they do so through Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice. They serve the poor and needy and give of their time and money to numerous humanitarian aid efforts in order to follow Christ’s teachings. Images of Christ adorn the faith’s meetinghouses and temples. Church leaders and members testify of Jesus Christ’s reality and divinity. The Son of God appears in the Church’s official name: “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” While some outsiders know Latter-day Saints as Mormons, members know themselves as part of Christ’s Church.
At their best, Latter-day Saints’ behavior, speech, thoughts and identity all reflect Christ and His teachings. If you ask a member what it means to belong to the Church, he or she will tell you that most fundamentally it means to believe in Jesus as the Savior of the world and to follow Him.
For Latter-day Saints, being a Christian means being a disciple of Jesus Christ, loving and worshiping Him above all. It means prizing Christ and centering one’s life on His teachings from the New Testament. It means striving to live the kind of life that Christ commanded, honoring Him in word and deed. This is the meaning of a Christian, and there is no doubt that Latter-day Saints — who pattern their lives after all of these things — belong to Christ’s fold.
To learn more about how Latter-day Saints worship Jesus Christ, read the Church’s official statement on the Savior, titled “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles.”
See also:Are Mormons Christian?
Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.
FAQs
It means striving to live the kind of life that Christ commanded, honoring Him in word and deed. This is the meaning of a Christian, and there is no doubt that Latter-day Saints — who pattern their lives after all of these things — belong to Christ's fold.
What are the words and deeds of Jesus? ›
As the Messiah—the Anointed One—Jesus came to minister in word and deed. The four gospels depict Him doing exactly that, healing the sick (Matt. 8:16; 12:22; Luke 4:40), feeding the hungry (Matt. 15:32–39; John 6:4–13), and delivering the demon-possessed (Matt.
What does the Bible say about word and deed? ›
Colossians 3:17 New International Version (NIV)
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Where in the Bible does it say your deeds will follow you? ›
Revelation 14:13 New International Version (NIV)
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
What do Christians believe about Jesus and the Word of God? ›
Most Christians believe that Jesus, as well as being fully human, is also fully God. Most Christians believe that Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity. and is the Son of God.
What are some examples of Jesus good deeds? ›
Jesus went about doing good, curing the sick, restoring the sight of the blind, making the lame walk, raising the dead back to life, feeding the hungry, and driving away demons from possessed people as he also preached and enacted the coming of the Kingdom of God.
Which Bible verse shows the importance of telling the truth in word and deed? ›
ESV Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. NIV Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. NASB Little children, let's not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
What is the meaning of word and deed? ›
“Truth in thought, word, and deed” means truth at all levels, and also truth not only as a concept, but as active work. As human beings, we express ourselves through our thoughts (and feelings), through what we say (our words), and through what we do (our deeds; our actions).
Where in the Bible does it say we sin in thought word and deed? ›
On the contrary, Jerome in commenting on Ezech. 43:23: "The human race is subject to three kinds of sin, for when we sin, it is either by thought, or word, or deed."
What is the relationship between God's words and deeds? ›
Regardless of who first uttered these words, the truth is we are called to live out the gospel in both word and deed. The apostle Paul tells the Colossians, And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col. 3:17).
MEANING: God's good deeds must be remembered as the foundation to our own. Those who forget the great miracles of the LORD quickly turn to sin. God's love, strength, and wisdom all come to life when we consider specific good deeds of God. Often it is God's “wonders of old” that inspire us in the present.
What God says about deeds? ›
"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." [Jesus said] "You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
What does Matthew 7:20 say? ›
Matthew 7:20 In-Context
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
What religion believes in God but not Jesus? ›
Christian deists do not worship Jesus as God. However, there are differing views concerning the exact nature of Jesus, as well as differing levels of hewing to traditional, orthodox deistic belief on this issue.
Do Christians believe that God and Jesus are the same? ›
Most Christians generally consider Jesus to be the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah, as well as the one and only Son of God. The opening words in the Gospel of Mark (1:1), "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God", provide Jesus with the two distinct attributions as Christ and as the Son of God.
What are the five major beliefs of Christianity? ›
The 5 are: 1) Uniqueness of Jesus (Virgin Birth) --Oct 7; 2) One God (The Trinity) Oct 14; 3) Necessity of the Cross (Salvation) and 4) Resurrection and Second Coming are combinded on Oct 21; 5) Inspiration of Scripture Oct 28.
What were the words of Jesus? ›
To God: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” To the “good thief”: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” To Mary, his mother: “Woman, behold your son”... and to John: “Behold your mother.”
Where are the 7 words of Jesus? ›
The Seven Last Sayings:
- Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing. Luke 23:34. ...
- Today, you will be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43. ...
- Behold your son: behold your mother. John 19: 26-27. ...
- My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? ...
- I thirst. ...
- It is finished. ...
- Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
What are the 7 Last Words of Christ? Traditionally, these seven words (which are more like “sayings” that contain more than a single word) are known as words of Forgiveness, Salvation, Relationship, Abandonment, Distress, Triumph and Reunion.
What are the words that mean Jesus? ›
Christ Emmanuel Good Shepherd King of Kings Lamb of God Light of the World lord Lord of Lords messiah Prince of Peace prophet redeemer savior Son of Man.
