Justified By His Grace So That We Too Can Adorn the Doctrine of God Our Saviour In All Things - Part 1730

In the last days, according to the scriptures, some shall depart from this faith. We refer here to the faith that was once delivered to JESUS' people, and the same faith whereby doctrinal faith emanated from Jerusalem. Indeed, as the Word states, many shall depart from the faith giving heed instead to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Some of the demonic teaching that follows will include mantra such as forbidding to marry, or, conversely commanding people to abstain from meat. These are in complete contrast to the scriptures.

What the scriptures do declare is that every creature of God is good and nothing should be refused if it is eaten with a heart of thanksgiving. For all things affirmed by God from a scriptural perspective are sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.

It is from this perspective that we examine what the recorded scriptures state pertaining to Peter an apostle of JESUS the Christ. Why? Because as we know, Peter’s lifestyle has been totally thwarted by the self appointed church fathers of 300/400 AD. These religious people have presented a message under the guise of scripture and as long as no one readily searches the source -- the written Word -- none will be the wiser. Still, as Jesus states, we are sanctified by truth -- "Thy Word is truth" and thus, any message which is contrary and foreign to the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ that went out from Jerusalem should be suspect. I am referring to the same gospel that was confirmed of God to be His good news message of the Kingdom -- the beginning of the new testament church when the Lord poured out His Spirit on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-47, 36-38)

For example, the apostle Peter who stood with the eleven on the day of Pentecost had a wife. How do we know this? In the scriptures, it states that JESUS healed Peter's mother in law. In fact, Peter on some of His mission tours was accompanied with his wife. So why are teachings propagated that suggest otherwise by a church rooted in traditions from 300/400 AD? Why not read I Corinthians chapter 7 - a message that is directed to one and all including single, engaged and married individuals and preachers/priests - who upon reading this passage can become confident in the fact that the scriptures are Holy Ghost instructions. The Bible provides a detailed account of what we should believe so that we are able to escape from the strong delusions of the erroneous doctrinal teachings of 300/ 400 AD -- teachings that amount to "another gospel" and not God’s written Word.

Put another way, we can look to the time when Paul, an apostle chosen by JESUS and the appointed messenger of His gospel to the Gentiles, left Timothy at one place and Titus at another location. Paul’s instructions to both Timothy and Titus was to appoint elders in both locations. In so doing, they impressed upon these newly appointed elders that they were not to teach any other doctrinal teaching than the gospel preached by the Lord Jesus. In other words, the elders were not to present teachings that might deter or vary from the disciplinary foundational teachings of JESUS as delivered by the Holy Ghost to His chosen apostles. (Titus 1:4-9)

Sound doctrine! [For anyone interested in knowing more, I would suggest Hebrews 6:1-2, John 1:1-18, I Timothy 3:16, and II John 1:9 as a starting point.]

As such, the instructions are further written in Timothy and Titus that they instruct believers to teach no other gospel than the gospel that these have been taught. That is, to continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers, eating meat with gladness and singleness of heart. (Acts 2:36-47) To know and understand that Jesus is both Lord and Christ, and that after repenting of our sins, we are to be water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that we too can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-38; Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:21; Acts 10:44-48)

In Paul's epistle to Titus, specifically, "not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men that turn from the truth ....  they profess that they know God, but in works they deny [Him} being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1:14-16; Isaiah 29:13; I Corinthians 6:12; Matthew 7:20-23; Matthew 25:12; II Timothy 3:5-7; Romans 1:28)

Thus, as Paul says to Titus, "For this cause I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are wanting .. for there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for the filthy lucre's sake." (Titus 1:5-11)

So what is the message that we are to preach?

To adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, for the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:10-14; Romans 5:15; I Corinthians 1:7; I Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9; Colossians 3:4; Isaiah 53:10-12; Galatians 1:4; Ezekiel 37:23; Hebrews 1:3, 1-13; Hebrews 9:14; Exodus 15:16; Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31; Revelation 1:8,11)

Peace to one and all who are in Christ JESUS! Stand in the offering plate.