Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” —2 Peter 3:18a

There are differing levels one may be called on within the kingdom of God. Each has its own duties and responsibilities. We cannot choose these for ourselves but are called to them. They are seeker, disciple, and minister. In this first lesson, we will go over these and look at their roles in the Kingdom of God.

Seeker

Up until now, maybe you have been seeking Christ, and investigating the Latter Day Saint restorational movement. You’ve been learning about God, His plan for you, nondenominational Christianity/Mormonism, or an actual Latter Day Saint denomination, or maybe even another Christian movement.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve come from (or are even still a part of) a particular sect or denomination. The reality is that we are and will always be seeking truth, this is the natureof Christianity, continual growth in God. We must be ever learning, pressing forward to learn more of God’s Word. Before finding Christ or deciding to fully embrace Christ/Christianity one is still a seeker or investigator.

This is not something we do alone. Remember what Jesus taught us: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). If there isn’t a denomination close by that you feel called to worship with, start a study group. Look for others around you or online to talk with. And as you learn, you will also teach. This is how the Lord works, and why we have been told to fellowship one with another.

No one has all the answers. This is why the Lord has created so many denominations in His earthly Church. What is right for one person may not be right for another, and that’s okay. The question we must ask ourselves as seekers is, “what does being a Christian mean to me?” As you draw closer to Christ, do you see yourself as one who points fingers, or one who forgives?

Disciple

As soon as one accepts Christ as their personal savior, they become a disciple and a member of God’s heavenly Church (the Church of Christ). If one feels called to join a particular denomination, they’ll also be a member of that congregation as a disciple of Jesus. The Church of Jesus Christ in Christian Fellowship is always here to help people find or build a denomination, as seekers and disciples give us people to minister to. But
what does it actually mean to be a disciple?

There are many ideas of what “disciple” means. The Rabbinical idea would be to follow Jesus, to copy Jesus, and to carry the passion of Jesus. We must be willing to surrender to Jesus Christ, to be partners with Jesus. Throughout the scriptures, the relationship between mankind and
God is described as a marriage. It is a real relationship. It’s more than studying, disciples do have duties. Their duties are their baptismal covenants. As Alma taught us:

Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life.” —Mosiah 9:38-40 [18:8-9]

Even as disciples, we have a duty to study the Gospel, grow in Grace, and help others. These are the works we do because we are saved by Christ’s Grace (James 2:14-26) . Disciples teach of Christ by our example. We share in times of joy and sorrow. We are always missionaries, leading others to investigate Christianity and Mormonism by seeking after Christ.

Minister

Every sect or denomination has ministers that help those in the kingdom. Moroni teaches us:

Behold, elders, priests, and teachers… and the church did meet together oft to fast, and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls; and they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord Jesus. And they were strict to observe that there should be no iniquity among them… And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.” —Moroni 6:2, 5-9 [6:1, 6-9]

People are called to different types of ministries. Ministers teach of Christ, hold the keys to ordinances in the Kingdom, and are given authority from their home sects to denominations to represent them as these earthly organizations go about their dedicated ministries. They help teach investigators, disciples, and help train other ministers.

Within the movement know as the Church of Jesus Christ in Christian Fellowship, there are two priesthood’s ministers may be called to, the lower and the higher. The lower is called the Levitical Priesthood. For those that identify as male this would be in the Brotherhood of Aaron or the Aaronic Priesthood, and for those that identify as female the Sisterhood of Miriam or the Miriamic Priesthood. The higher is called Melchizedek for those that identify as male and Magdalene for those that identify as female.

Not all Latter Day Saints view the priesthood in this way, or ordain women as Joseph Smith Jr. did in the original Church, and that is okay. What is important is to understand that the Lower or Levitical priesthood is for those called to preform outer ordinances such as the sacraments of baptism and communion. They also teach the Gospel and assist the Higher priesthood in their duties. Their role is to prepare the earth for the coming of the heavens. The Higher priesthood is for those called to minister in leadership roles, give the gift of the Holy Ghost, heal the sick, and guide disciples to deeper relationships with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; to bring the power of God, the Heavens, to the earth.

The keys of the priesthood give us access to true powers from God. What spiritual gifts as the Lord blessed you with? How have the spiritual gifts of God given to others in your life helped you?

Gifts of the Spirit

Ministers are also disciples, and investigators. Likewise, disciples are also investigators. Regardless of the place God has called one to, we all have been blessed with gifts of the Spirit that we use to help one another 
grow in Christ.

And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men to profit them.

“For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God that he may teach the word of wisdom; and to another, that he may teach the word of  knowledge by the same Spirit; and to another, exceeding great faith; and and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; and again, to  another, that he may work mighty miracles; and again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things; and again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits; and again, to another, all kinds of tongues; and again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues.

“And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally according as he will. And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.” —Moroni 10:9-13 [10:8b-18]

As we grow in the Gospel, we learn what our gifts are, and how to use them to bless others in God’s name.

Called of God

And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of
God, as was Aaron.” —Hebrews 5:4

The Lord has given us signs to know we are called of God. The things we should look for is that we are not calling ourselves, but are truly called by the Lord, as was Aaron (Hebrews 5:4) . The signs to look for are:

• A “magical” or “supernatural” experience, Avahr 7
• A willingness to serve, Avahr 13:5
• Spiritual gifts drawing one to service, Moroni 10:9-13 [10:8b-18]

Some are called in a blessing, or by an angel, or even by God Him (or Her)self. Some have an overwhelming desire to serve given to them by the Holy Spirit in humility. And others possess spiritual gifts that denote their call in a clear way. And we may have one, two, or all three of these. 

Assignment 1: Ministry Testimony

In more than 200 words, share your story, how you came to Christ and when you were called to the ministry. How did you come to understand the reality of God? In what way(s) did the Lord let you know that you were called? In another 200 words or more, describe the gifts of the Spirit you have seen and/or have been given of God, how have you seen God’s power in action?

Please send your written assignment to David Ferriman: dferriman@cjccf.org