"Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
The name of Jesus, who is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:1-18; Isaiah 9:6) "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people ... to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us." (Luke 1:68-79)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ [which is] our hope wrote these words unto Timothy, and by extension to you and I.
"Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia that they might charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables, and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith.
Now interestingly, the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned; from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the Law, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm, but we know that the Law is good, if a man use it lawfully," (I Timothy 1:1-8)
But what exactly does that mean -- the Law is good IF a man use it lawfully? I ask this question because there are those in the modern day religious culture who use the Law (and the related ten commandments) as the standard for one's faith journey, without thoroughly "understanding" the grace and mercy or our Lord, that came about as a consequence of He Himself who knew no sin tearing the veil from top to bottom.
"Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent ..." (Matthew 27:50-51)
The name of Jesus, who is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:1-18; Isaiah 9:6) "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people ... to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us." (Luke 1:68-79)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ [which is] our hope wrote these words unto Timothy, and by extension to you and I.
"Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia that they might charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables, and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith.
Now interestingly, the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned; from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the Law, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm, but we know that the Law is good, if a man use it lawfully," (I Timothy 1:1-8)
But what exactly does that mean -- the Law is good IF a man use it lawfully? I ask this question because there are those in the modern day religious culture who use the Law (and the related ten commandments) as the standard for one's faith journey, without thoroughly "understanding" the grace and mercy or our Lord, that came about as a consequence of He Himself who knew no sin tearing the veil from top to bottom.
"Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent ..." (Matthew 27:50-51)
Remember that lo, when the angel of the Lord came upon Joseph and Mary in the manger and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid, what did the angel say? "Fear not; for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord ... and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, declared peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:10-14)
What does apostle Paul write?
"Knowing this, that the Law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for the sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man slayers, for whore mongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine -- according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust." (I Timothy 1:9-11)
(Comparable translations of the ungodly and sinners include fornicators, sodomites, kidnappers and perjurers for clarification.)
Nevertheless, what was apostle Paul saying here? Remember, in the worldly, apostle Paul in his previous life (prior to giving his heart and life to Jesus on the road to Damascus) murdered Christians. In fact, as knowledgeable as he was in the precepts of the old covenant of law, he still diligently sought out anyone who believed in Jesus by faith, so that he could have them put to death, believing that in so doing, he was actually doing God a favour.
Given his own injurious history that contravened any evidence of goodness and charity, what glorious gospel is Paul now referring? He writes:
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious, but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting -- now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God be honour and glory forever and ever, amen." (I Timothy 1:12-17)
This is why we as believers in Jesus by faith are to follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness, fighting the good fight of faith, laying hold on eternal life, where unto we have been called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Not because of anything we can do in and of ourselves but because we willingly consent in our hearts to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness. (I Timothy 6:3)
Rather than being destitute of the truth, we choose to seek the truth and be sanctified through Thy Word. Holding fast the form of sound words, which Paul has wrote, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus -- "that good thing which was committed unto thee by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us." (II Timothy 1:13-14)
So the message to Timothy, and likewise us, "I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickens all things, and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which in His times He shall show who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords ... who only hath immortality dwelling in the light, which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honour and power everlasting, amen." (I Timothy 6:13-16)
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:5-6) His name (in this current dispensation of grace) is Jesus!
Stand in the offering plate.
What does apostle Paul write?
"Knowing this, that the Law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for the sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man slayers, for whore mongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine -- according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust." (I Timothy 1:9-11)
(Comparable translations of the ungodly and sinners include fornicators, sodomites, kidnappers and perjurers for clarification.)
Nevertheless, what was apostle Paul saying here? Remember, in the worldly, apostle Paul in his previous life (prior to giving his heart and life to Jesus on the road to Damascus) murdered Christians. In fact, as knowledgeable as he was in the precepts of the old covenant of law, he still diligently sought out anyone who believed in Jesus by faith, so that he could have them put to death, believing that in so doing, he was actually doing God a favour.
Given his own injurious history that contravened any evidence of goodness and charity, what glorious gospel is Paul now referring? He writes:
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious, but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting -- now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God be honour and glory forever and ever, amen." (I Timothy 1:12-17)
This is why we as believers in Jesus by faith are to follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness, fighting the good fight of faith, laying hold on eternal life, where unto we have been called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Not because of anything we can do in and of ourselves but because we willingly consent in our hearts to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness. (I Timothy 6:3)
Rather than being destitute of the truth, we choose to seek the truth and be sanctified through Thy Word. Holding fast the form of sound words, which Paul has wrote, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus -- "that good thing which was committed unto thee by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us." (II Timothy 1:13-14)
So the message to Timothy, and likewise us, "I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickens all things, and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which in His times He shall show who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords ... who only hath immortality dwelling in the light, which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honour and power everlasting, amen." (I Timothy 6:13-16)
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:5-6) His name (in this current dispensation of grace) is Jesus!
Stand in the offering plate.
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