How can Protestants have "the truth" when there are so many different denominations and doctrines?
Should Protestants attend LDS functions?
The LDS Church
Why is the LDS church so attractive to so many people?
Does Christ's church require a modern-day prophet as the LDS church contends?
What does evangelicalism have to offer that Mormonism cannot?
The Bible
Is the canon of biblical Scripture open or closed?
Are there books missing from the Bible as LDS General Authorities contend?
What does "as far as it is translated correctly" mean in LDS Article of Faith #8?
Why are there so many translations of the Bible?
The Book of Mormon
What are the alleged biblical prophecies of the Book of Mormon?
What is the danger of focusing on the Book of Mormon to know the truth of Joseph Smith and the LDS church?
God, Jesus, & the Trinity
Why is the doctrine of the Trinity so difficult for Latter-day Saints to comprehend?
Are the divine names "LORD" (Jehovah) and "God" (Elohim) attributed to both the Father and the Son in the OT?
Did Greek philosophy corrupt the Christian concept of God as LDS scholars contend?
What really happened at the Council of Nicea?
The Gospel
Can the evangelical gospel of salvation by grace through faith alone be true if it encourages people to sin?
Would God be unloving to condemn those who have never had the opportunity to receive the Gospel?
The Priesthood
Where do Christians get their authority if not from the Melchizedek priesthood and the LDS church?
The Apostasy
Why is the LDS doctrine of "the Great Apostasy" essential to the LDS church?
With what church/denomination is Mike Ghiglia and STS Ministries affiliated?
Mike attends Christ Community Church (CCC) in Idaho Falls where he serves under Pastor Dan Smouse. Additionally, Pastor Tim Rupp of Eagle Rock Baptist Church, Pastor Ken Parker of Covenant Bible Church, Pastor Michael Wedman of Alliance Covenant Church, and CCC Missions Team Leader, Jace Fahnestock, are men to whom Mike and STS Ministries are accountable. Nevertheless, he often attends the various churches at which is he teaching or preaching and has many church "families" so to speak.
Mike is an independent evangelical missionary and STS is an independent ministry. This is a question often asked of Mike by Latter-day Saints to which he replies, "I belong to the same church and denomination as the apostle Paul--Christ's church (e.g. Matthew 16:18) and the Christian denomination (e.g. Acts 11:26)." Truth be known, however, the NT informs us of no denominations as we understand them.
For more information about the doctrinal beliefs of Mike Ghiglia and Team STS that cross most Protestant denominational lines see What We Believe.
How or by whom is Mike Ghiglia financially supported?
Mike is supported entirely by individual sponsors and various churches/organizations who donate to STS Ministries. He does not charge a fee for any of his services nor does he solicit financial support apart from an invitation to class participants. A handful of STS sponsors have come by way of word-of-mouth; most, however, have studied under Mike and were then led by the Spirit to support his mission work.
Why do some LDS have a dim view of Christians wearing crosses?
1.Some LDS have been taught to believe that this is disrespectful if not downright repugnant given how it symbolizes one of the most cruel forms of torture used in the Roman world. It is often argued: "If someone stabbed your mother to death with a knife you wouldn't wear a dagger around your neck, would you?" LDS may also consider it to be a form of idolatry given the Second Commandment (see Exodus 20:4) and other OT admonitions.
2.It must be admitted that many people today wear the cross as nothing more than a piece of jewelry or to stay in step with current cultural or fashion trends. Tragically, the significance of the cross has seemingly lost its inestimable value in this context. It must also be admitted that to worship the cross in any sense is idolatrous and forbidden by our LORD.
3.The most important question is: What is one's reason for wearing a cross? Tenth LDS Prophet, Joseph Fielding Smith, addressed this point when he wrote: "The motive for such a custom by those who are of other churches, we must conclude, is a most sincere and sacred gesture. To them the cross does not represent an emblem of torture but evidently carried the impression of sacrifice and suffering endured by the Son of God" (Answers to Gospel Questions, 1979, 4:16-17). Evangelicals would add that the cross serves as a sobering reminder of God's absolutely free gift of forgiveness that came at the price of Christ's atonement. To be sure, the cross represents the Gospel of salvation!
4.Finally, the apostle Paul declared: "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14a NIV). Therefore, if a Christian with the authority of no less than the apostle Paul's could boast in the cross, Evangelicals may wear the cross as their silent witness with the LORD’s full approval.
Why do some LDS have a dim view of Protestant pastors being paid?
1.Many LDS believe that in addition to the building of chapels and temples, church tithes are to be used to assist those in financial need and not as a salary for ministers, missionaries, and Priesthood holders (e.g. bishops, stake presidents, General Authorities). It is argued that a salaried Priesthood invites compromise when reproof may be necessary. Moreover, a man who cannot support himself and also teach others how to support themselves is unfit for a position of leadership. Therefore, the LDS church does not believe in a salaried Priesthood. (See Answers to Gospel Questions, Joseph Fielding Smith, 1979, 3:76-79 and Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, 1987, p. 218.)
2. It must be admitted that compensation as described above can and does lead to compromise. Far too many ministers dare not “bite the hand that feeds them” and choose rather to tickle “itching ears” (2 Timothy 4:3 NIV). Also the apostolic call for church elders to lead by example is indisputable (e.g. 1 Timothy 3:5).
3. Nevertheless, man’s abuse of God’s provision does not necessarily negate His provision. God's dealings with the Israelites proved this! The question then becomes: Is there a satisfactory biblical precedent for God’s people providing for God’s servants in ministry either fully or in part? Evangelicals answer with a resounding “Yes!”
4. The Tribe of Levi–The tribes of Israel were commanded by God to provide completely for the tribe of Levi (in particular the priests) through their tithes and offerings. This was because as the LORD’s priestly ministers, the Levites were not granted any of Israel’s allotment or inheritance (see Numbers 18:1-7; Deuteronomy 18:1-5; 1 Corinthians 9:13).
5. The Seventy-Two–When Jesus sent out the seventy-two disciples to preach the Gospel He sent them without earthly provisions. Jesus’ justification that they be provided for by the people to whom they ministered was that “the worker deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7 NIV).
6. The Apostle Paul & the Corinthians–In the midst of admonishing the church in Corinth for its spiritual immaturity and immorality, Paul made a number of revealing declarations in defense of his rights as an apostle in the ninth chapter of 1 Corinthians.
·3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4 Don't we have the right to food and drink? (vv. 3-4 NIV)
·7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? 8 Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn't the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? (vv. 7-12 NIV)
·13 Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? (v. 13 NIV)
·14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. (v. 14 NIV)
Comment: It is important to note that although ministers of the gospel had this “right,” Paul did not insist on exercising it in a church that was so spiritually immature it would have likely hindered his work there.
·12 But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. (v. 12b NIV)
7. Paul Makes Use of His "Right"–Paul was not above exercising his right as a minister of the Gospel when it in fact it did not hinder his mission.
·7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. (2 Corinthians 11:7-9 NIV)
·14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:14-19 NIV)
8. The Elders of the Church–Right on the heels of explaining the criteria for widows who qualified for the church’s welfare program (see 1 Timothy 5:3-16), the apostle Paul makes a fascinating statement concerning elders and ministers of the Gospel.
·17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." (1 Timothy 5:17-18 NIV; cross-reference with 1 Corinthians 9:9 and Luke 10:7)
9. It may be argued that Paul helped to support himself as a tentmaker (e.g. Acts 18:3); therefore, he was never completely dependent upon the church for his needs. This may be true, but Paul’s prerogative does not equate to God’s command. In fact, as Paul and Jesus in the NT and Moses in the OT clearly indicate, God’s comprehensive provision for His ministers is contingent upon nothing but their call to a life of ministry.
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)
