And to this comment from your essay today, Dawn-- "Perhaps it was because I could not find a physical church to attend where right division was known and taught, I was left under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. "
You had the SUPREME Tutor - the Holy Spirit never leaves us or forsakes us and He will always fulfill the promise of the good work that began in us believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Even so....COME, LORD JESUS!!!
I believe I hear a trumpet's sound - (smile)...........................
BTW....I would like to buy you a cup of whatever you enjoy drinking if you have that option for a one time donation on your Substack.
Thank you Dawn for this excellent Post re: fighting the good fight of faith. Also, I received your DM (Direct Message), but I was uncertain if you received my reply.
Here are some scriptures about Patience & Manifold Fiery Trials applicable this post.
(James 5:7-11) 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
(1 Peter 4:12-13) 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
(1 Peter 4:1-2) 1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
(1 Peter 1:2-end) 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
I'm sure you must realize James and Peter were among the twelve who were sent by Christ to none but the lost sheep of the house of Israel. James is clearly writing to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations, whom Peter, Jude and John also address, who will be enduring the final 70th week of Daniel. The language in these writings correlate to the writings of the OT Prophets.
Paul is addressing believers in this dispensation, to whom he is revealing something kept secret, made up of individual members, Jew and Gentile, who are instructed, finally, to put on the whole armour of God. We are ambassadors for Christ called to preach Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, and soldiers being trained for warfare. The language in the Pauline epistles are distinct from the language in the books written to Israel. You mustn't mix them or you will be speaking confusion, and God is not the Author of that.
We are very weak in our faith right now in the modern day Church - and this turmoil in the world was foretold - even by our Lord Jesus Christ when he talked this earth that He created PERFECTLY and which our original 'parents' flagrantly debauched by listening to the beguiling voice of Lucifer. However...I see a definite reawakening in the Spirit of the Church of Jesus Christ the Lord as a result of all of the flagrant immorality being exhibited in "high places". Let us who name the name of Jesus Christ the Lord flee to His Word and hide it always in our hearts and minds. Only He can and will save the TRUEest part of us - OUR SOULS!
Study! That's how we grow up in the knowledge of the truth so to be ambassadors for the gospel of Christ. Don't worry about everyone around you. Get the gospel of OUR salvation to the lost and let God handle his own Word. The world will be judged by it one day.
"Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might..." The Book of Ephesians is meat and armour for those who have been built up by the previous four Books of Pauline revelation.
Thank you Sharon, we are Strangers, Pilgrims, & Overcomers!
Hebrews 11:13 & 16
We are strangers and pilgrims on the earth. We desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called our God: for he hath prepared for us a city.
1 John 4:4
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 5:4-5
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
John 16:33
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Romans 8:37
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
John 8:32
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Luke 10:19
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Ephesians 6:11
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Revelation 2:17
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Revelation 3:5
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:21
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Revelation 12:11
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
I would suggest, Teresa, that you remove yourself from whatever church is putting you under Israel's law program and study the program God put you under... the gospel and message of the grace of God, according to the revelation of the mystery given to Paul, whom Christ sent to us. We are a new creature in heavenly places, seated with Christ... not a tribe of Israel going through their final period of tribulation to fill up the sufferings they must endure for their disobedience under their covenant with Jehovah.
Unlike the writings of the apostle Paul, whose letters were addressed to specific individuals or audiences (Timothy, Titus, Philemon, or the saints in Rome, Corinth, et al.), by and large, the general epistles, Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude, make no mention of specific audiences. James addressed his letter to “the twelve tribes” and Peter opened his first epistle to “the exiles in the dispersion,” while John made no mention of a recipient in his first letter. Just as the name implies, the general epistles were written to a general audience.
Here is a brief look at each of the general epistles in the Bible:
Hebrews: Written by an unknown author, the book of Hebrews focuses on the superiority of Christ. Jesus is greater than the angels, greater than Moses, greater than Joshua, and greater than Aaron. The covenant Jesus established is of an eternal nature, and the sacrifice He gave is able to completely forgive sin. The permanency and worth of Jesus’ ministry far excel that of any tradition, ritual, or rite contained in the law.
James: James was a half-brother of our Lord Jesus Christ. After his conversion, James became the leader of the Jerusalem church. His letter may be the oldest book in the New Testament. It is also among the most practical of the New Testament writings, for he reminds his readers that genuine faith is accompanied by works (James 2:17–18). This is not to suggest James believed in a works-based salvation; rather, James taught the believer’s works are an outward manifestation of the faith within. A faith that produces godly works is real, but a faith that yields no works is not genuine.
1 Peter: On the night of Jesus’ arrest, fear drove Peter to twice deny the Lord, but, later, as an apostle under constant fire, there was no fear in him. He faced intense persecution, and in this letter, Peter reminds us that we, too, have been called to suffer for Christ Jesus (1 Peter 1:6). Despite Satan’s fiery darts and cruel blows, the eternal rewards that come with perseverance far outweigh any hardships we endure in this life. Like James’ epistle, Peter’s letter is immensely practical and offers much hope to beleaguered Christians.
2 Peter: Just as Paul pronounced a curse upon purveyors of a false gospel (Galatians 1:6–9), Peter issued a similar warning against false teachers and their contemptible heresies (2 Peter 2:1–3). Two thousand years later, false teachers continue misleading people through empty promises and cunning words. Appropriately, Peter concluded his second letter by urging the saints to “take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people” (2 Peter 3:17, ESV). Biblical literacy is the best defense against false teachers.
1 John: A call for the teaching of sound Christian doctrine is more than a mere suggestion or an idea to consider—a faithful adherence to biblical truth is a command that must not be ignored (see Titus 2:1). In his first epistle, John warned against false teachers known as Gnostics who, if unopposed, would shipwreck the faith of many. John also reminded his readers that God is both light and love—two elements inconsistent with heretical teachings. In 1 John, the apostle also gives us a series of tests that we can use to examine ourselves and our faith.
2 John: As in John’s first epistle, John’s second letter contains a warning against godless teachers and their false doctrines. Specifically, John condemned heretics who denied our Lord’s bodily resurrection. Today, Jehovah’s Witnesses go door to door spreading the same heretical doctrine. John, who was an eyewitness of our Lord’s bodily resurrection, heartily condemned these false teachers, and we are to do the same.
3 John: In this brief letter, John commended two disciples, Gaius and Demetrius, for providing hospitality to the saints. Showing hospitality to our fellow believers is one means by which we are to demonstrate our love for one another. In the same letter, John condemned a false teacher named Diotrephes who refused to recognize apostolic authority. The origins of pseudo-Christian cults and isms can be traced to leaders claiming all Christendom is in error while he or she is God’s sole messenger of truth. Unity is not a virtue when false teachers are invited to the pulpit.
Jude: As Jesus warned of false teachers (Matthew 7:15), Jude, another of our Lord’s half-brothers, also sounded the alarm by urging believers to “earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3, ESV). According to this passage, the gospel in its entirety is in the hands of believers; there would be no new inspired writings, no new doctrines, and no new revelations. Believers who esteem God’s Word will not fall prey to pseudo-Christian cults like Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses who seek to pervert God’s truths with counterfeit gospel messages.
To summarize, the general epistles were written to bolster and strengthen the early church. As to doctrinal matters, the general epistles are in complete harmony with Paul’s letters. Additionally, just as Paul warned against those teaching a “different gospel” (see Galatians 1), the general epistles unhesitatingly condemn false teachers motivated by the spirit of antichrist (see 1 John 4:3). Obviously, all roads do not lead to God. Though the general epistles were written two thousand years ago, their words of encouragement, instruction, and warning are no less relevant today.
Teresa, I see you have a zeal for God and his word given to the twelve. I would love to have a discussion with you if you could put the books aside you are most familiar with, that you have learned using a copyrighted version of a "bible", pick up the AV1611 King James and study out the Books God inspired for the church age... Romans through Philemon. If you do that, I promise you, you'll come away with a 100% different perspective on the Word of Truth. It's a challenge, if you'll take it. And by God, pray the Holy Spirit open your understanding every time you engage in it. The message God gave the thirteenth Apostle is not what he gave the twelve. Study Paul in the King James Bible and come back in a few months. We'll talk then.
And to this comment from your essay today, Dawn-- "Perhaps it was because I could not find a physical church to attend where right division was known and taught, I was left under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. "
You had the SUPREME Tutor - the Holy Spirit never leaves us or forsakes us and He will always fulfill the promise of the good work that began in us believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Even so....COME, LORD JESUS!!!
I believe I hear a trumpet's sound - (smile)...........................
BTW....I would like to buy you a cup of whatever you enjoy drinking if you have that option for a one time donation on your Substack.
Even so... COME! I'll see you soon, Sharon.
And for your generous offer to buy me a cup of whatever, I'll add a button to this post.
Many thanks, sista!
Thank you Dawn for this excellent Post re: fighting the good fight of faith. Also, I received your DM (Direct Message), but I was uncertain if you received my reply.
Here are some scriptures about Patience & Manifold Fiery Trials applicable this post.
(James 5:7-11) 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
(1 Peter 4:12-13) 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
(1 Peter 4:1-2) 1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
(1 Peter 1:2-end) 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Yes, thank you! I rec'd your DM reply.
I'm sure you must realize James and Peter were among the twelve who were sent by Christ to none but the lost sheep of the house of Israel. James is clearly writing to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations, whom Peter, Jude and John also address, who will be enduring the final 70th week of Daniel. The language in these writings correlate to the writings of the OT Prophets.
Paul is addressing believers in this dispensation, to whom he is revealing something kept secret, made up of individual members, Jew and Gentile, who are instructed, finally, to put on the whole armour of God. We are ambassadors for Christ called to preach Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, and soldiers being trained for warfare. The language in the Pauline epistles are distinct from the language in the books written to Israel. You mustn't mix them or you will be speaking confusion, and God is not the Author of that.
We are very weak in our faith right now in the modern day Church - and this turmoil in the world was foretold - even by our Lord Jesus Christ when he talked this earth that He created PERFECTLY and which our original 'parents' flagrantly debauched by listening to the beguiling voice of Lucifer. However...I see a definite reawakening in the Spirit of the Church of Jesus Christ the Lord as a result of all of the flagrant immorality being exhibited in "high places". Let us who name the name of Jesus Christ the Lord flee to His Word and hide it always in our hearts and minds. Only He can and will save the TRUEest part of us - OUR SOULS!
Study! That's how we grow up in the knowledge of the truth so to be ambassadors for the gospel of Christ. Don't worry about everyone around you. Get the gospel of OUR salvation to the lost and let God handle his own Word. The world will be judged by it one day.
"Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might..." The Book of Ephesians is meat and armour for those who have been built up by the previous four Books of Pauline revelation.
Thank you Sharon, we are Strangers, Pilgrims, & Overcomers!
Hebrews 11:13 & 16
We are strangers and pilgrims on the earth. We desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called our God: for he hath prepared for us a city.
1 John 4:4
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 5:4-5
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
John 16:33
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Romans 8:37
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
John 8:32
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Luke 10:19
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Ephesians 6:11
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Revelation 2:17
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Revelation 3:5
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:21
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Revelation 12:11
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
I would suggest, Teresa, that you remove yourself from whatever church is putting you under Israel's law program and study the program God put you under... the gospel and message of the grace of God, according to the revelation of the mystery given to Paul, whom Christ sent to us. We are a new creature in heavenly places, seated with Christ... not a tribe of Israel going through their final period of tribulation to fill up the sufferings they must endure for their disobedience under their covenant with Jehovah.
Thank you for your suggestion Dawn,
Unlike the writings of the apostle Paul, whose letters were addressed to specific individuals or audiences (Timothy, Titus, Philemon, or the saints in Rome, Corinth, et al.), by and large, the general epistles, Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude, make no mention of specific audiences. James addressed his letter to “the twelve tribes” and Peter opened his first epistle to “the exiles in the dispersion,” while John made no mention of a recipient in his first letter. Just as the name implies, the general epistles were written to a general audience.
Here is a brief look at each of the general epistles in the Bible:
Hebrews: Written by an unknown author, the book of Hebrews focuses on the superiority of Christ. Jesus is greater than the angels, greater than Moses, greater than Joshua, and greater than Aaron. The covenant Jesus established is of an eternal nature, and the sacrifice He gave is able to completely forgive sin. The permanency and worth of Jesus’ ministry far excel that of any tradition, ritual, or rite contained in the law.
James: James was a half-brother of our Lord Jesus Christ. After his conversion, James became the leader of the Jerusalem church. His letter may be the oldest book in the New Testament. It is also among the most practical of the New Testament writings, for he reminds his readers that genuine faith is accompanied by works (James 2:17–18). This is not to suggest James believed in a works-based salvation; rather, James taught the believer’s works are an outward manifestation of the faith within. A faith that produces godly works is real, but a faith that yields no works is not genuine.
1 Peter: On the night of Jesus’ arrest, fear drove Peter to twice deny the Lord, but, later, as an apostle under constant fire, there was no fear in him. He faced intense persecution, and in this letter, Peter reminds us that we, too, have been called to suffer for Christ Jesus (1 Peter 1:6). Despite Satan’s fiery darts and cruel blows, the eternal rewards that come with perseverance far outweigh any hardships we endure in this life. Like James’ epistle, Peter’s letter is immensely practical and offers much hope to beleaguered Christians.
2 Peter: Just as Paul pronounced a curse upon purveyors of a false gospel (Galatians 1:6–9), Peter issued a similar warning against false teachers and their contemptible heresies (2 Peter 2:1–3). Two thousand years later, false teachers continue misleading people through empty promises and cunning words. Appropriately, Peter concluded his second letter by urging the saints to “take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people” (2 Peter 3:17, ESV). Biblical literacy is the best defense against false teachers.
1 John: A call for the teaching of sound Christian doctrine is more than a mere suggestion or an idea to consider—a faithful adherence to biblical truth is a command that must not be ignored (see Titus 2:1). In his first epistle, John warned against false teachers known as Gnostics who, if unopposed, would shipwreck the faith of many. John also reminded his readers that God is both light and love—two elements inconsistent with heretical teachings. In 1 John, the apostle also gives us a series of tests that we can use to examine ourselves and our faith.
2 John: As in John’s first epistle, John’s second letter contains a warning against godless teachers and their false doctrines. Specifically, John condemned heretics who denied our Lord’s bodily resurrection. Today, Jehovah’s Witnesses go door to door spreading the same heretical doctrine. John, who was an eyewitness of our Lord’s bodily resurrection, heartily condemned these false teachers, and we are to do the same.
3 John: In this brief letter, John commended two disciples, Gaius and Demetrius, for providing hospitality to the saints. Showing hospitality to our fellow believers is one means by which we are to demonstrate our love for one another. In the same letter, John condemned a false teacher named Diotrephes who refused to recognize apostolic authority. The origins of pseudo-Christian cults and isms can be traced to leaders claiming all Christendom is in error while he or she is God’s sole messenger of truth. Unity is not a virtue when false teachers are invited to the pulpit.
Jude: As Jesus warned of false teachers (Matthew 7:15), Jude, another of our Lord’s half-brothers, also sounded the alarm by urging believers to “earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3, ESV). According to this passage, the gospel in its entirety is in the hands of believers; there would be no new inspired writings, no new doctrines, and no new revelations. Believers who esteem God’s Word will not fall prey to pseudo-Christian cults like Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses who seek to pervert God’s truths with counterfeit gospel messages.
To summarize, the general epistles were written to bolster and strengthen the early church. As to doctrinal matters, the general epistles are in complete harmony with Paul’s letters. Additionally, just as Paul warned against those teaching a “different gospel” (see Galatians 1), the general epistles unhesitatingly condemn false teachers motivated by the spirit of antichrist (see 1 John 4:3). Obviously, all roads do not lead to God. Though the general epistles were written two thousand years ago, their words of encouragement, instruction, and warning are no less relevant today.
Teresa, I see you have a zeal for God and his word given to the twelve. I would love to have a discussion with you if you could put the books aside you are most familiar with, that you have learned using a copyrighted version of a "bible", pick up the AV1611 King James and study out the Books God inspired for the church age... Romans through Philemon. If you do that, I promise you, you'll come away with a 100% different perspective on the Word of Truth. It's a challenge, if you'll take it. And by God, pray the Holy Spirit open your understanding every time you engage in it. The message God gave the thirteenth Apostle is not what he gave the twelve. Study Paul in the King James Bible and come back in a few months. We'll talk then.
Thank you Dawn. May God be with you in your Scriptural and Personal endeavors.
May it ever be thus!!
And thank you for that cuppa joe!
You are most welcome, sister in faith!