The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.Timotheus my work fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, salute you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city salute you, and Quartus a brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Now to Him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith -- to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen." (Romans 16:17-27)
Sadly, there is a current movement to mark those that vary from the modern day religious culture, whose statements of faith rest on the traditions of men. Although we, as believers in Jesus by faith, are never kept in the dark about the state of the world around us (because the Lord makes all things known to us), there are those within these religions who accepted the Lord Jesus into their heart in good faith, and are not aware that they are being duped.
It is for them that I write today, and to encourage all of us to study the scriptures for ourselves, as workmen approved unto God, and not reduce the gospel to the traditions and whims of men. This is why we need to go to the source -- the Word, and listen to Jesus who -- after being taken up, through the Holy Ghost gave commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen -- "men that have hazarded their lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 1:2; Acts 15:26)
And to similarly remember in our quest to know the truth, that His Word is truth. (John 17:17)
"For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid; yea, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written, "That thou might be justified in thy sayings, and might overcome when thou art judged." (Romans 3:3-4; Job 40:8; Psalm 62:9; Psalm 51:4)
John the baptist said as much when a question arose between his disciples and the Jews about purifying. Note that John water baptized according to custom so that people would be purified on the outside. This is why he pointed to Jesus -- the Lamb of God -- who would baptize with the Holy Ghost, cleansing those who believe in Him on the inside. But I digress.
Jesus said, "that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believes on Him is not condemned, but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does truly come to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:15-21)
In other words, he that believes on the Son has everlasting life, and he that believes not on the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. (John 3:36)
And what is the wrath of God? "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, WHO HOLD THE TRUTH IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath shewed [it] unto them ... For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [Him] not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened, professing themselves to be wise, they became fools ... who changed the truth of God into a lie. " (Romans 1:20-25)
What is the truth? Jesus said, "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth." (John 17:17) And who is the Word? The Word is Jesus -- God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
Who was in the world?
Not "He" as the newer, re-scribed versions of the Bible like to cite, but rather the "SAME" was in the beginning with God. And who was in the beginning? "In the beginning, God ..." (Genesis 1:1)
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
He was the invisible image of the unseen God, because God is Spirit. In Him dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
"No man has seen God at any time: the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared [Him]" (John 1:18)
"In whom we have redemption through His blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins, who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature, for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers -- ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM AND FOR HIM. AND HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS AND BY HIM ALL THINGS CONSIST. AND HE IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH, WHO IS THE BEGINNING, THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD, THAT IN ALL [THINGS] HE MIGHT HAVE THE PRE-EMINANCE -- FOR IT PLEASED [THE] FATHER THAT IN HIM ALL FULLNESS DWELL; AND HAVING MADE PEACE THROUGH THE BLOOD OF HIS CROSS, BY HIM TO RECONCILE ALL THINGS UNTO HIMSELF -- BY HIM ..." (Colossians 1:14-20)
Yes, giving thanks unto the Father which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated [us] into the kingdom of His dear Son, in whom we have redemption. In this current dispensation of grace, the only name whereby we must be saved is JESUS.
"And ye shall call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sin." (Matthew 1:21)
This is why every knee will bow (whether we want to or not) and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. Because it was in the sin-prone flesh of Jesus that God declared peace and good will to all men. It was in the flesh of Jesus, that God proved His love for us -- His beloved creation -- on the cross.
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
Indeed, God became our Saviour, and when we reject His sacrifice of blood on the cross, we reject His gift of salvation. Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost) declared to one and all that Jesus is BOTH Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
These are the words spoken whereby the first 3,000 souls were pricked in their hearts, because these recognized that they had just crucified the Lord of glory.
And when they asked, "Men, [and] brethren, what must we do?" what did Peter say? "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sin and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)
Not in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as false religions teach today, because these are simply titles. The only name under heaven whereby we must be saved is JESUS.
Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6)
As stated earlier, we need to study His Word to show ourselves approved unto God, as doth a workman. (II Timothy 2:15) But we also need to seek after that Lord, "if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us; for in Him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:27-28)
Who was the unknown God here? "God that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord in heaven and in earth, dwells not in temples made with hands. Neither is worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He gives to all life, and breath, and all things, and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation. That they should seek the Lord ..." (Acts 17:22-27)
Today is the day of salvation. This day is the moment in time to open His Word and meditate on the things that matter. And as we are seeing from the chaos and destruction in the world around us, this day may be our only day. Do not delay. If you do not know Jesus, ask Him to become Lord and Christ in your heart right now. Find someone to water baptize you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (as was every single believer in the new testament water baptized after the cross) according to the apostles doctrine.
Read and study the scriptures to show thyself approved. Hide His precious Word in your heart, and know that you are saved because of His love and mercy and grace. And rejoice in God our Saviour, for without His precious blood shed on the cross, there would be no remission of sin.
"Who being the brightness of [His] glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:1-13)
At some point soon, Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords is returning for His people. In that day, we will receive a new name, but for now, as long as the dispensation of grace remains open and available, the only name whereby we must be saved is Jesus.
"And God which knows the hearts bare them witness, [giving] them the Holy Ghost, even as [He did] unto us." (Acts 15:8)
In the precious name of Jesus -- He is both Lord and Christ. Jesus is the God of the old covenant who loved us enough to make Himself a body and dwell among us, so that we might experience abundant life in Him. The mystery that was held before the foundation of the world.
Read Acts 1 and 2 -- which marks the beginning of the new testament church, and hide His Word in your heart and your very being. Other scriptures that can be helpful in your faith journey include: Ephesians 2:8-10; Acts 2:1-47; Acts 17:22-31; Acts 10:36-48; Acts 19:2-7; Acts 20:17-32; Acts 22:14-16; Acts 16:31-32; Acts 11:15-18; Acts 13:38-41; Acts 15:8-11; Acts 15:26-30; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:14-15; Acts 17:2-3; and Philemon 1:6.
"But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." (Acts 15:11)
The traditions of men and religious statements of faith cannot replace the precious Word of God. Therefore, "be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believes with an infidel? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate," saith the Lord, "and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters," saith the Lord Almighty. (II Corinthians 6:14-18)
Stand in the offering plate.
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