What Grace Is
Paul wants to make sure we understand that when he says “grace,” he’s summarizing—with this one word—God’s gracious act of redemption in Jesus Christ.
It is God’s grace in Jesus that has “epiphanied,” has appeared or been revealed at this time, and this grace brings salvation (Titus 2:11). For Jesus came to give Himself for sinners like us, to redeem us from lawlessness, and to make us a new creation—people zealous for good works. All that grace does—the imperatives that are found throughout this section—flows from this appearance of God’s grace in Jesus. Paul goes on in Titus 3:3-7 to give a more detailed explanation of what grace is, and of what makes it so gracious.
In Titus 3:3, Paul tells us what makes grace so gracious: It meets us while we are still in our sins. Paul gives seven descriptors that help us not only name our sinful condition, but feel it. And while this sinful estate describes a former condition (“we ourselves were once … ”), we still see our spiritual deadness in three ways.
First, our sin and spiritual deadness were characterized by spiritual ignorance. Notice how Paul describes it: “foolish, disobedient, led astray.” Each of these words points to the deep deception under which we labored when we were lost. We lived foolishly and we acted disobediently because we were self-deceived.
Not only that, but our spiritual deadness was typified by moral enslavement: We were, Paul says, “slaves to various passions and pleasures.” We were captured by inward desires and outward pleasures, and both kept us bound.
Finally, our spiritual deadness resulted in destructive relationships: We were “passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.” Our hearts know the destructive poison of malice, wickedness, and evil. It knows, too, the all-consuming power of envy—the broken desire for what belongs to others—that always works itself out in hateful actions.
This is the human condition. This is your condition and my condition apart from Jesus. We don’t need to watch movies or TV to see this—we know it in our families. We know this reality in our own hearts. This is the blackout condition caused by our sin. But grace is gracious. In the darkness of our sin a light pierces through; God doesn’t leave us in our spiritual deadness.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
God Acts to Save Sinners - Sean Michael Lucas
God Acts to Save Sinners
The wonder of God’s undeserved favor is that He acts to save sinners, and He acts in two ways. First, God gave Himself to save us. Notice Paul’s language in Titus 2:14: We await the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” We must never get beyond the wonder of divine generosity. Because God so loved the world, He gave. He gave Himself in the place of sinners so that those who were spiritually dead might become spiritually alive.
There is a second part to this. God acted to save sinners not because there was anything morally worthy in us, “not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.” Remember who you were—a rebel who was spiritually ignorant and morally enslaved, engaged in destructive relationships. Even our best acts are tainted (Isaiah 64:6). There was no reason for God to show grace and mercy, but He did. Paul tells us that God’s grace, goodness, and loving kindness are essentially the same (cf. 2:14; 3:4). Grace appeared; goodness and loving kindness epiphanied. When? Where? In whom? In Jesus Christ, on the cross, and at the empty tomb.
Notice too how God saved us. According to the text, the movements of His grace:
Regenerated us. He did this through “the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ” (3:5b-6). The Spirit acts to enlighten our minds and renew our wills so that we embrace Jesus freely. This rescue—the new birth worked in our hearts by God—is what enables us to believe and be saved.
Justified us. According to Titus 3:7 we are justified by His grace. God declares us right with Him not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has done. He credits us with Jesus’ righteousness; for us, it is undeserved favor.
Adopted us. Verse seven continues, saying, “ … we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” With Jesus, God’s Son, we have become sons and daughters of God the King; the riches of inheritance belong to us. We don’t deserve this; we will never deserve it; we can never repay and we shouldn’t think we can. This is grace.
In my part of the country—south Mississippi—people talk about lagniappe. When we buy a dozen doughnuts and someone throws in a 13th, or hands my kids a free sample, that’s lagniappe—an undeserved blessing. When we marinate in the gospel—mulling our condition, God’s action, and the movements of His salvation—we see that it is lagniappe, blessing that’s far beyond what we deserve.
But there is more. This grace that moves toward us to regenerate, justify, and adopt us is the same grace that does something within us. God’s grace transforms us so that nothing about us remains the same.
The wonder of God’s undeserved favor is that He acts to save sinners, and He acts in two ways. First, God gave Himself to save us. Notice Paul’s language in Titus 2:14: We await the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” We must never get beyond the wonder of divine generosity. Because God so loved the world, He gave. He gave Himself in the place of sinners so that those who were spiritually dead might become spiritually alive.
There is a second part to this. God acted to save sinners not because there was anything morally worthy in us, “not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.” Remember who you were—a rebel who was spiritually ignorant and morally enslaved, engaged in destructive relationships. Even our best acts are tainted (Isaiah 64:6). There was no reason for God to show grace and mercy, but He did. Paul tells us that God’s grace, goodness, and loving kindness are essentially the same (cf. 2:14; 3:4). Grace appeared; goodness and loving kindness epiphanied. When? Where? In whom? In Jesus Christ, on the cross, and at the empty tomb.
Notice too how God saved us. According to the text, the movements of His grace:
Regenerated us. He did this through “the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ” (3:5b-6). The Spirit acts to enlighten our minds and renew our wills so that we embrace Jesus freely. This rescue—the new birth worked in our hearts by God—is what enables us to believe and be saved.
Justified us. According to Titus 3:7 we are justified by His grace. God declares us right with Him not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has done. He credits us with Jesus’ righteousness; for us, it is undeserved favor.
Adopted us. Verse seven continues, saying, “ … we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” With Jesus, God’s Son, we have become sons and daughters of God the King; the riches of inheritance belong to us. We don’t deserve this; we will never deserve it; we can never repay and we shouldn’t think we can. This is grace.
In my part of the country—south Mississippi—people talk about lagniappe. When we buy a dozen doughnuts and someone throws in a 13th, or hands my kids a free sample, that’s lagniappe—an undeserved blessing. When we marinate in the gospel—mulling our condition, God’s action, and the movements of His salvation—we see that it is lagniappe, blessing that’s far beyond what we deserve.
But there is more. This grace that moves toward us to regenerate, justify, and adopt us is the same grace that does something within us. God’s grace transforms us so that nothing about us remains the same.
Peter Rollins - the Devil's bile drips from your fangs!
Emergent Lovechild - Peter Rollins held a Create-your-own-Emergent -parable contest on his website - the winning Parable can be found here:
http://peterrollins.net/?p=481
I would call it Emergent Footprints in the Sand: I'm sure all our audience is familiar with the classic (overly sentimental) Footprints poem which basically says Jesus carries you when you're not able to continue following along side Him.
This Emergent version basically says - your life is like footprints on the beach sometimes 2 sets (you and Jesus walking together) and other times 1 set. BUT here's where it does the Heresy 2-step - that's a theological dance Liberals practice where you start with a known topic or parable or doctrine people are familiar with like Heaven or Hell or The GOD-man Christ Jesus or Substitutionary Atonement then you redefine the terms so that they no longer mean what Christians have meant for the last 2000+ years and then you create your own version. This is why Emergents & Liberals don't worship Yahweh they worship Your-Way! Like Burger-King you can have your own "new kind of Christianity" just by redefining any cardinal doctrine that you don't like. This is Idolatry - Worshiping a god you made up with your imagination vs Worshiping the God that actually exists and reveals Himself to us through His Word both the incarnate Word, the Messiah Yeshua of Nazareth (Jesus Christ) and the Word of God (the Bible) - PS Idolaters go to the Hell that God actually Created that they don't actually believe in - just a quick FYI for you.
So what do Emergents mean by 1 set of footprints in the sand do they mean "Jesus carries you when you're not able to continue following along side Him" - NO - well I could explain it theologically but let's just here it in there own blasphemous words:
And slowly God replied, his voice shaking with emotion. ‘The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when you carried me.’
The man frowned for a moment, paused, and then looked up. ‘Surely Lord,’ he began rather embarrassed to be correcting the Almighty, ‘you mean when you carried me.’
‘My dear child,’ God said, twisting a loose thread of cloth from his flowing robes, his face suddenly a mirror in which the old man saw the battles he had fought and the doubts he had put asunder, ‘this was the measure of your faith: when difficulties came, you gathered up this tired and arthritic God, and carried your beliefs to safety.’
A small wind blew through the old photographs and worn papers, and the two men sat in silence for a moment.
‘I have prepared a room for you,’ God said after a while, ‘though I quite understand if you don’t want me to stay.The god of Emergent Theology sounds so different (like a big pussy really) because he is a different god. They don't believe in the God of the Bible - that's why they are such popular book sellers they are too busy inventing a new religion with a new god, and a new Geezus (phonetically Jesus), a new gospel with a new "green" commission- that they don't have time for THE GOD of THE BIBLE.
So the Parable - blasphemous - Yes; Christian - No!
To put this in perspective for any Non-christians reading, this would be like a pastor Sunday walking up to the pulpit (wait- American Churches don't have pulpits anymore) so the pastor walks up to the rock & roll-entertainment-stage-area and opens his Bible, drops his pants and takes a big dump on the Word of God - that is the theological equivalent of this parable.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Epic Fail X 2 - Rob Bell tries to Tweet the Gospel
First attempt -
I would say that history is headed somewhere. The thousands of little ways in which you are tempted to believe that hope might actually be a legitimate response to the insanity of the world actually can be trusted. And the Christian story is that a tomb is empty, and a movement has actually begun that has been present in a sense all along in creation. And all those times when your cynicism was at odds with an impulse within you that said that this little thing might be about something bigger—those tiny little slivers may in fact be connected to something really, really big.
Not only is this not the Gospel but it was much too long.
2nd attempt -
The gospel is the counterintuitive, joyous, exuberant news that Jesus has brought the unending, limitless, stunning love of God to even us.
At least the 2nd attempt mentioned Jesus. Its close to the Gospel - but the underlying problem is heresy and rejection of the God revealed in Scripture and of His Word.
Here's why, first Rob Bell (I like to call him the RobBellion - like rebellion against God) rejects the Doctrine of Creation, because of that he rejects the Doctrine of Original Sin, because of that he does not believe in God's Word (Doctrine of the Authority of Scripture) which says that we - like the rest of the World - are by nature children of God's Wrath (Doctrine of Eternal Punishment) and that we are both dead in our sins and enslaved to Satan, and without God's help (Doctrine of Regeneration) we are unable to do anything about it but continue to try harder and harder to be Holy and Justify ourselves only to fail again and again and again and again. Which is why God could not wait around for us to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps via our imaginary Free-Wills - He had to put on flesh, come down among us - not as an example - but God had to take the Wages of our Sins (Doctrine of Substitutionary Atonement, Doctrine of Expiation, Doctrine of Propitiation) on Himself or else we would all be guaranteed Eternity in Hell (which He doesn't believe in). Now that Justice has been paid for Sin's pain & punishment and God's fury has been satisfied by Himself, He is both Just and the Justifier of those who Believe - no longer in their own good works for Self-Salvation - but in the Finished work of Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (Doctrine of Justification by Faith alone - Sola Fide).
So for all you Theological Liberals who are attempting to Justify yourselves before God by your own good works - feeding the poor, petting stray dogs, scoffing at God's Word, then remember how righteous you have to be - to be righteous enough on your own:
For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. Lev 11:44
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16
So how holy is holy? Well Jesus says -
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:48
So remember if you screw up - even once - if you Sin (which means fall short of this required Perfection) then you when you die in your Sin - God's Wrath will still be on you and you will face His Eternal Judgement.
I would say that history is headed somewhere. The thousands of little ways in which you are tempted to believe that hope might actually be a legitimate response to the insanity of the world actually can be trusted. And the Christian story is that a tomb is empty, and a movement has actually begun that has been present in a sense all along in creation. And all those times when your cynicism was at odds with an impulse within you that said that this little thing might be about something bigger—those tiny little slivers may in fact be connected to something really, really big.
Not only is this not the Gospel but it was much too long.
2nd attempt -
The gospel is the counterintuitive, joyous, exuberant news that Jesus has brought the unending, limitless, stunning love of God to even us.
At least the 2nd attempt mentioned Jesus. Its close to the Gospel - but the underlying problem is heresy and rejection of the God revealed in Scripture and of His Word.
Here's why, first Rob Bell (I like to call him the RobBellion - like rebellion against God) rejects the Doctrine of Creation, because of that he rejects the Doctrine of Original Sin, because of that he does not believe in God's Word (Doctrine of the Authority of Scripture) which says that we - like the rest of the World - are by nature children of God's Wrath (Doctrine of Eternal Punishment) and that we are both dead in our sins and enslaved to Satan, and without God's help (Doctrine of Regeneration) we are unable to do anything about it but continue to try harder and harder to be Holy and Justify ourselves only to fail again and again and again and again. Which is why God could not wait around for us to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps via our imaginary Free-Wills - He had to put on flesh, come down among us - not as an example - but God had to take the Wages of our Sins (Doctrine of Substitutionary Atonement, Doctrine of Expiation, Doctrine of Propitiation) on Himself or else we would all be guaranteed Eternity in Hell (which He doesn't believe in). Now that Justice has been paid for Sin's pain & punishment and God's fury has been satisfied by Himself, He is both Just and the Justifier of those who Believe - no longer in their own good works for Self-Salvation - but in the Finished work of Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (Doctrine of Justification by Faith alone - Sola Fide).
So for all you Theological Liberals who are attempting to Justify yourselves before God by your own good works - feeding the poor, petting stray dogs, scoffing at God's Word, then remember how righteous you have to be - to be righteous enough on your own:
For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. Lev 11:44
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16
So how holy is holy? Well Jesus says -
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:48
So remember if you screw up - even once - if you Sin (which means fall short of this required Perfection) then you when you die in your Sin - God's Wrath will still be on you and you will face His Eternal Judgement.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Here are 10 more Reasons "Not 2b a Mormon"
http://www.jonathanselby.com/pg16e.html
Mormonism does not teach that the Bible is the infallible Word of God.
(What do you know - Mormons are Liberals)
Mormonism teaches that God (the Father) is an exalted man and has a physical body.
Mormonism teaches that Christ and the devil are brothers
Mormonism Teaches that Jesus Christ Was Married and That He Is Polygamous
Mormonism teaches that the true church ceased to exist until it was restored to Joseph Smith.
Mormonism teaches another (perverted) gospel than that of the Bible. - The gospel to Mormonism is, "Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Spirit by laying on of hands, Morality, Loyalty, Tithing, Word of Wisdom, Duty, Celestial Marriage (for eternity) - that's not too far away from the Church of Christ / Christian Church they believe in 5 Good Works for Salvation instead of 10 - maybe they are the Church for Lazy Mormons.
Mormonism Teaches Salvation For the Dead By Proxy Water Baptism
Mormonism teaches genealogical research for the dead
Mormonism teaches that there are modern day prophets and modern day revelations from God.
Mormonism teaches that salvation depends upon good works and acceptance of Joseph Smith. "Men have work to do if they would obtain salvation" (Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 3, pg. 91).
The Bible teaches that salvation is provided by Jesus Christ alone, "for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:10-12). "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9). My friend, the Bible clearly states the way for a person to escape the wrath of God and enjoy the blessings of eternity in God's presence. Jesus said, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36). In God's way of salvation a person must accept certain facts about God, about himself, and about Jesus Christ. He must understand that God in love provided the method by which men may come to Him. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). This God is not limited by a body of flesh and bones. Man must also acknowledge that he has fallen short of God's standard and so deserves eternal punishment and separation from God. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). An individual must realize that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man and that He paid the price for each man's sin. "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" (I Pet. 3:18). In God's plan each individual must personally received God's gift in order to be saved. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). Salvation comes not through man's works, proxy water baptism, or a belief in Joseph Smith, but by accepting the finished work of Jesus Christ. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5). Are you a Christian? Have you come to God in God's way as described in the Bible?
Mormonism does not teach that the Bible is the infallible Word of God.
(What do you know - Mormons are Liberals)
Mormonism teaches that God (the Father) is an exalted man and has a physical body.
Mormonism teaches that Christ and the devil are brothers
Mormonism Teaches that Jesus Christ Was Married and That He Is Polygamous
Mormonism teaches that the true church ceased to exist until it was restored to Joseph Smith.
Mormonism teaches another (perverted) gospel than that of the Bible. - The gospel to Mormonism is, "Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Spirit by laying on of hands, Morality, Loyalty, Tithing, Word of Wisdom, Duty, Celestial Marriage (for eternity) - that's not too far away from the Church of Christ / Christian Church they believe in 5 Good Works for Salvation instead of 10 - maybe they are the Church for Lazy Mormons.
Mormonism Teaches Salvation For the Dead By Proxy Water Baptism
Mormonism teaches genealogical research for the dead
Mormonism teaches that there are modern day prophets and modern day revelations from God.
Mormonism teaches that salvation depends upon good works and acceptance of Joseph Smith. "Men have work to do if they would obtain salvation" (Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 3, pg. 91).
The Bible teaches that salvation is provided by Jesus Christ alone, "for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:10-12). "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9). My friend, the Bible clearly states the way for a person to escape the wrath of God and enjoy the blessings of eternity in God's presence. Jesus said, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36). In God's way of salvation a person must accept certain facts about God, about himself, and about Jesus Christ. He must understand that God in love provided the method by which men may come to Him. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). This God is not limited by a body of flesh and bones. Man must also acknowledge that he has fallen short of God's standard and so deserves eternal punishment and separation from God. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). An individual must realize that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man and that He paid the price for each man's sin. "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" (I Pet. 3:18). In God's plan each individual must personally received God's gift in order to be saved. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). Salvation comes not through man's works, proxy water baptism, or a belief in Joseph Smith, but by accepting the finished work of Jesus Christ. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5). Are you a Christian? Have you come to God in God's way as described in the Bible?
please read this website - Ten Reasons Why I am Not a Mormon
http://www.jonathanselby.com/pg16e.html
Because if I start hearing voices in my head I'm going to question my mental health- NOT become a Mormon!
Because my local police will get very upset if I start killing my neighbors for stealing and other things I don't like.
Because I do not believe in crystal ball gazing to obtain truth!
Because I'm not going to be such a fool as Satan and THINK I CAN BE GOD!
For ONE wife is enough for any man!
Because I'm not about to go up to a 6 foot black man and tell him that I'm better than him -and God said so!
Because I don't like people that steal books!
Because I would hate to die in the desert, dragging a broken-down wooden cart with all my Belongings in it.
BECAUSE I LOVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
Mormons if you are not yet dead; then its not too late to repent of your false religion and believe on the atoning work of the Eternal Word - Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. If you'd like a REAL Bible drop us a like, leave your name and mailing info and I'll get one to you.
Ten Reasons Why I am Not a Mormon
Because I can not believe that there are old men living on the moon dressed up like Quakers!
Because my local police will get very upset if I start killing my neighbors for stealing and other things I don't like.
Because I do not believe in crystal ball gazing to obtain truth!
Because I'm not going to be such a fool as Satan and THINK I CAN BE GOD!
For ONE wife is enough for any man!
Because I'm not about to go up to a 6 foot black man and tell him that I'm better than him -and God said so!
Because I don't like people that steal books!
Because I would hate to die in the desert, dragging a broken-down wooden cart with all my Belongings in it.
BECAUSE I LOVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
Mormons if you are not yet dead; then its not too late to repent of your false religion and believe on the atoning work of the Eternal Word - Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. If you'd like a REAL Bible drop us a like, leave your name and mailing info and I'll get one to you.
Vote for whoever you want but Mormons are not Christians!
A lesser-known LDS principle prominently taught in the early years of Mormonism but still affirmed today is the “blood atonement” doctrine which states that there are “serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not operate and the law of God is that men must then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins.”—Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 92
While Mormonism endeavors to silence its critics by accusing them of deception and taking statements out of context, the actual documented evidence proves otherwise. Note the following statements made by Brigham Young regarding this doctrine. As you will see in these quotations, no sentences are taken apart or construed from different pages:
“There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come, and if they had their eyes open to see their true condition, they would be perfectly willing to have their blood spilt upon the ground, that the smoke thereof might ascend to heaven as an offering for their sins; and the smoking incense would atone for their sins, whereas, if such is not the case, they would stick to them and remain upon them in the spirit world. I know, when you hear my brethren telling about cutting people off from the earth, that you consider it a strong doctrine; but it is to save them, not to destroy them.”—Brigham Young, 1856, Journal of Discourses, vol 4, p. 53“I say, rather than that apostates should flourish here, I will unsheath my bowie knife, and conquer or die. [Great commotion in the congregation, and a simultaneous burst of feeling, assenting to the declaration.] Now, you nasty apostates, clear out, or judgment will be put to the line, and righteousness to the plummet. [Voices, generally, ‘go it, go it.’] If you say it is right, raise your hands. [All hands up.] Let us call upon the Lord to assist us in this, and every good work.”—Brigham Young, 1853, Journal of Discourses, vol 1, p. 83 (Brackets in the original)
As one can clearly see, none of these statements are taken out of context. Ironically, while McConkie accuses critics of fabricating “false” stories regarding this doctrine, he affirms it as a “true doctrine:”
“…the true doctrine of blood atonement is simply this.…under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not operate, and the law of God is that men must then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins. Murder, for instance, is one of these sins; hence we find the Lord commanding capital punishment.…President Joseph Fielding Smith has written: ‘Men may commit certain grievous sins…that will place him beyond the reach of the atoning blood of Christ.…for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail.…Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone, as far as possible, in their behalf.” —Mormon Doctrine, pp. 92-93
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