7. The Rapid Spread of the Gospel.—Thus, then, under a celestial influence and co-operation, the doctrine of the Savior, like the rays of the sun, quickly irradiated the whole world. Presently, in accordance with divine prophecy, the sound of his inspired evangelists and apostles had gone throughout all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. Throughout every city and village, like a replenished barn floor, churches were rapidly abounding and filled with members from every people. Those who, in consequence of the delusions that had descended to them from their ancestors, had been fettered by the ancient disease of idolatrous superstition, were now liberated by the power of Christ, through the teachings and miracles of his messengers.—Eusebius, writing of the period between 37–41 AD
REVIEW.
1. What was the first official business of the authorities of the church after the resurrection?
2. State the manner of filling the vacancy in the quorum of the twelve.
3. What of Mosheim's translation of the phrase: "They gave forth their lots?" (Note).
4. Was Matthias called of God? (Note 1).
5. What evidence can you refer to in proof that the quorum of Twelve Apostles was to be perpetuated?
6. When was the gospel first publicly preached after the resurrection?
7. How long between the ascension and Pentecost? (Note 2).
8. Describe the events in the church on the day of Pentecost.
9. What circumstance is an evidence that the statement of scripture is true that there were devout men from many nations in Jerusalem at that time? (Note 2).
10. Was the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost a complete fulfillment of Joel's prophecy quoted by Peter? (Note 3).
11. How does the order of principles taught by Peter on the day of Pentecost compare with the order of principles taught by John the Baptist and Messiah? (Note).
12. Describe the rise of opposition to the church.
13. What answer did Peter make to the mandates of the rulers not to teach in the name of Jesus?
14. What was the counsel of Gamaliel to the Jews?
15. To what extent did his counsel prevail?
16. What arrangements were made in the church in respect to looking after the poor?
17. What priesthood did the seven most likely hold? (Note).
18. Give an account of the introduction of the gospel among the Samaritans.
19. What was Paul's course at the first towards the church?
20. Relate the circumstances of his conversion.
21. Give a description of Paul. (Note 4).
22. What were the views entertained by the Jews toward the Gentiles?
23. Relate how the gospel was introduced to the Gentiles.
24. State the exception to the order of the gospel in the case of Cornelius.
25. What was the object of the exception?
26. What effect on the church did carrying the gospel to the Gentiles have?
27. How long is it supposed that the Twelve remained at Jerusalem?
28. What can you say of the spread of the work during the first century? (Notes 5, 6, 7).
SECTION VIII.
1. Review.—We have now related the chief events connected with the introduction of the gospel and the establishment of the Church by the personal labors of Messiah and those immediately connected with him. We may now review the doctrines that he taught, which, taken in the aggregate, constitute the gospel; and examine the character of the organization he founded—the Church.
2. The Mission of Messiah.—Jesus Christ came into the earth to accomplish three great purposes; first, to redeem mankind from the consequences of Adam's transgression; second, to save them from the consequences of their own sins. The first is a general salvation, which, without any conditions whatever, will be applied to all mankind, irrespective of their obedience or disobedience to God, their righteousness or wickedness, their belief or unbelief. The redemption will be as universal as the fall. The second may be regarded as a particular salvation, dependent upon faith in, and obedience to the gospel of Christ by the individual.
3. The Fall.—When Adam and Eve were placed in the garden of Eden, there were certain laws given them by their Creator, the penalty of violating which was death and banishment from the presence of God. They transgressed the laws and became subject to the penalty. Nor was that all; but by their transgression, having become mortal, they bequeathed that mortality to their offspring; and thus death passed upon all mankind, and that too, through no act or fault of theirs. Their agency was not exercised in the matter, and therefore justice would require that they should receive a full and complete redemption from the evil which overtakes them through the actions of others over which they had no control.
4. General Salvation.—Such a redemption was wrought out through the atonement of Jesus Christ, and that its benefits are to be universal, so far as redeeming mankind for the consequences of Adam's transgression is concerned, is evident from the fact,
First, That the resurrection from the dead is universal, as the scriptures witness:
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.[103]
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. * * * Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.[104]
Or, as the last two clauses were given to the Prophet Joseph Smith by inspiration:
They who have done good in the resurrection of the just, and they who have done evil in the resurrection of the unjust.[105]
After giving a full account of the resurrection of the righteous and their reign upon the earth for a thousand years, the writer of the Apocalypse [A-poc-a-lypse] says:
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God. * * * And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to his works.[106]
Second, The scriptures plainly declare that the redemption of men from the consequences of Adam's transgression shall be universal:
Therefore as by the offense of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men to the justification of life.[107]
Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.[108]
Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man. And because of the fall of man, came Jesus Christ even the Father and the Son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man. And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence