THE CHANGEABLE CHURCH THE UNCHANGEABLE GOSPEL, Ch4 of The Church and The Gospel

THE CHANGEABLE CHURCH; THE UNCHANGEABLE GOSPEL, Chapter 4 of The Church and The Gospel    Pages 37 to 53   Definition of Terms Before beginning this section, it is important to know the meaning of the two words church and gospel. According to Webster, they are defined as follows: Church: a building set apart for public worshipecclesiastical government of a religious groupa religious servicea congregation Gospel: good newsteachings of Jesus and His apostlesabsolute truthdoctrines, rules, commandments From these definitions, it is easy to see how the church can undergo changes in (1) location and facilities, (2) type of government instigated (3) policies and procedures accepted, and (4) numbers and types of members. Whereas the gospel is not so flexible. If the good news, teachings, truth, doctrines, rules and commandments are from God, they are eternal and unchangeable. The church can vote to accept or reject any or all of the gospel, but that doesn’t change the fact that the eternal gospel itself cannot change. A church can be composed of men holding Priesthood authority, but they are ineffective unless they are in obedience to the gospel’s rules and standards.