Romans 9-16
• Romans 9:1
“Gift of the Holy Ghost”
When the saints of God are concerned,
those favored few who have the gift of the
Holy Ghost, conscience sometimes
includes the whisperings of the Spirit, the
still small voice that comes from the Holy
Ghost (M.D. 156-57).
• Romans 9:3
“Accursed from Christ”
Before his conversion Paul chose to
be accursed by failing to accept
Christ. He was born in the House of
Israel (Benjamin, Romans 11:1).
• Romans 9:11
“How does the Law of Election operate?
“Paul here tells how the election of grace fits into the
gospel scheme. His Roman readers knew what he
was talking about because they already understood
the doctrines of election. Since the sectarian world
has little or no comprehension of pre-existence and
eternal progression, upon which doctrines the
principles of election are based, it is no wonder that
these and other teachings of Paul are so completely
misconstrued by them.
“This doctrine of the election of grace is as follows:
‘As part of the new song the saints will sing when they “see eye
to eye” and the millennial era has been ushered in will be these
words, “The Lord hath redeemed His people, Israel, according
to the election of grace, which was brought to pass by the faith
and covenant of their fathers” (D&C 84:98-102; Romans 11:15).
This election of grace is a very fundamental, logical, and
important part of God’s dealings with men through the ages.
To bring to pass the salvation of the greatest possible number
of his spirit children the Lord, in general, sends the most
righteous and worthy saints to earth through the lineage of
Abraham and Jacob.
This course is a manifestation of his grace or in other words his
love, mercy, and condescension toward his children…
“…This election to a chosen lineage is based on preexistent worthiness and is made “according to the
foreknowledge of God” (1 Peter 1:2).
Those so grouped together during their mortal
probation have more abundant opportunities to make
and keep the covenants of salvation, a right which
they earned by pre-existent devotion to the cause of
righteousness.
As part of this election, Abraham and others of the
noble and great spirits were chosen before they were
born for the particular missions assigned them in this
life” (McConkie, DNTC, 2:273-74).
•
NIV
God’s choice of Jacob was based on
sovereign freedom, not on the fulfillment of any prior
conditions. God’s purpose embodied in his election!
•
Romans 9:13
“Election of Grace”
The Roman readers understood it!
For the reader today to understand it, they must understand
two things”
1.
2.
The Pre-Mortal existence
Eternal Progression
• Jacob have I loved!
Chosen, based on personal righteousness.
Esau have I hated!
Heb. = rejected!
Why?
Unrighteousness!
Jacob was coming into the world with greater spiritual
capacity than Esau; he was foreordained to a special
work; he was elected to serve in a chosen capacity.
• Malachi 1:2-3
Some fifteen years later, Malachi said that God loved the house of Jacob
and hated the house of Esau.
Jacob’s seed was more valiant!
• “Actually, if the full blessings of salvation are to follow, the doctrine of
election must operate twice.
First, righteous spirits are elected or chosen to come to mortality as heirs of
special blessings.
Second, they must be called and elected again in this life, an occurrence
which takes place when they join the true church (D&C53:1).
Finally, in order to reap eternal salvation, they must press forward in
obedient devotion to the truth until they make their ‘Calling and Election
Made Sure’ (2 Peter 1), that is, are ‘sealed up unto eternal life,’” D&C 131:5,
(Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., 216-17).
• Romans 9:14-21
Is God unrighteous because He favors some people over
others?
God forbid! No!
• Romans 10:1
True ministers of Christ seek to save souls (1 Nephi 6:4).
• Romans 10:9,10
“Salvation comes by grace alone”
These two verses of scripture have been quoted often by those
who believe that salvation comes by grace alone. Confession
with the mouth is not sufficient, we must live accordingly!
• Romans 10:14-15
Acceptance of Christ requires acceptance of His
prophets!
• Romans 10:17
How does faith come?
“Faith comes by hearing the word of God, through the
testimony of the servants of God; that testimony is
always attended by the Spirit of Prophecy and
revelation” (Smith, Teachings, 148).
• Romans 11:13
“I magnify mine office”
“Sometimes we hear the brethren refer to
‘magnifying the priesthood.’ While many of us
are guilty of making this erroneous statement, it
isn’t the priesthood we magnify, it is one’s office
and calling in the priesthood. It cannot be
enlarged upon because there is no authority or
power greater in the universe” (Joseph F.
Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 148).
• Of the adoption into the House of Israel, the prophet Joseph
Smith said:
“The Holy Ghost ‘is more powerful in expanding the mind,
enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with
present knowledge, of a man who is of the literal seed of
Abraham, than one that is Gentile, through it may not have half
as much visible effect upon the body; for as the Holy Ghost falls
upon one of the literal seeds of Abraham, it is calm and serene;
and his whole soul and body are only exercised by the pure
spirit of intelligence; while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a
Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of
the seed (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy
Ghost. In such a case, there may be more of a powerful effect
upon the body, and visible to the eye, than upon the Israelite,
while the Israelite at first might be far before the Gentile in pure
intelligence” (Teachings, 149-150).
• Romans 12:1
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice”
A broken heart and a contrite spirit!
3 Nephi 9:19-20
• Romans 13:1-7
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers”
One of the great tests of the Saints is whether they will
follow their church leaders (Pres. Tanner, D&C 1:38).
• Romans 14:23
“For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
“This law applies to the saints, to those who
have the light, who know that salvation is in
Christ, to those who are under covenant to
keep the commandments. It is not applicable to
the world in general, for sin is not imputed
where there is no law. Thus the saints are
guilty of sin when they fall short of those high
standards they are obligated to attain”
(McConkie, DNTC, 2:302, D&C 82:3).