Christ's Church: His Name and Doctrine

As the disciples were journeying, preaching and baptizing in the name of Jesus, they were united in mighty prayer and fasting. And Jesus showed Himself to them again, for they had been praying to the Father in His name. Standing among them, He asked, “What do you desire of me?”

They answered, “Lord, tell us what to name this church, for there are disputations among the people on this matter.” The Lord replied, “Why do the people dispute over this? Have they not read the scriptures that say you must take the name of Christ upon yourself? For you will be called by my name at the last day. Those who take my name upon themselves and continue in righteousness throughout their lives will be saved at the last day. Whatever you do, do it in my name. Call the church by my name, and call upon the Father in my name to bless the church for my sake. And how can it be my church unless it is called by my name? If a church is called by Moses’ name, then it is Moses’ church. If it is called by the name of a man, then it is the church of a man. But if it is called by my name, then it is my church, if it is built upon my gospel. You are built upon my gospel. So call upon the Father in my name for the sake of the church and He will hear you. If a church is built upon my gospel, then the Father will show His own works within it. If a church is not built upon my gospel, but upon the works of men, or the devil, its members will have joy in their works for a while, but eventually the end will come. Then they will be cut down and thrown into the fire, from where there is no return. For their works will follow them, and because of their works, they will be cut down. Therefore, remember what I have told you.

“I have given you my gospel, which is this—I came into the world to do the will of my Father, who sent me. My Father sent me to be lifted up on the cross, that I may draw all people to me. As I have been lifted up by the people, so shall the people be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me and be judged by their works, whether they be good or evil. For this cause have I been lifted up; that I may draw all people according to the power of the Father, to stand before me and be judged by their works.

“Those who repent and are baptized in my name will be filled with the Holy Ghost. Those who continue in righteousness throughout their lives will be guiltless before my Father when I stand to judge the world. Because of the Father’s justice, those who do not continue in righteousness throughout their lives will be cut down and thrown into the fire, from which they cannot return. This is the message that the Father has given to all people. And because He does not lie, He will fulfill all His words.

“No unclean thing can enter His kingdom. Only those whose robes have been washed clean through my blood, who by faith repent of all their sins and continue in righteousness, will enter His kingdom. This is my commandment to all: Repent, come to me, and be baptized in my name, that you may be sanctified by receiving the Holy Ghost—that you may stand spotless before me at the last day.

“This is my gospel. In my church, do what you have seen me do. And if you do these things, you are blessed, for you will be lifted up at the last day. Write what you have seen and heard, except for the things which are forbidden to be written. Also write the works of this people, who will be judged by your records, for your records will make their works known. All things are written by the Father, and the world will be judged by what is written in all these books.

“You, my disciples, will be the judges of this people, according to the gift of fair judgment that I will give you. Because of this gift, what kind of men should you be? Even as I am. Now I will go to the Father, and whatever you ask of Him in my name will be given to you. Ask, and you will receive. Knock, and it will be opened to you.

“Because of you and this generation, my joy is great, and is full. Even the Father and all the holy angels rejoice over this generation, for none of them will be lost. I mean them who live now in this generation; none of them are lost. But I sorrow over the fourth generation from this time, for they will be led away captive by the devil, even as the son of perdition was led away. They will sell me for silver, gold, and the temporary things of this world. When they do this, I will visit them, turning their works upon their own heads.

“Enter through the narrow gate and straight way that leads to life, which few people find. Because the gate that leads to death is wide, many go through it, and travel the broad way until night comes, when no work can be done.”