In your search to learn more of the gospel (the good news), we would like to introduce you to the Epistles (letters) of the Apostle Paul. 2nd Peters 3:15 “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;” Peter explains the longsuffering (patience and mercy) of our Lord towards salvation is, that we all repent before the second coming. 2nd Peters 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish [be destroyed], but that all should come to repentance.” In great wisdom our beloved brother Paul also wrote of this in all his epistles. Unfortunately the message is confused by many, therefore the Apostle Peter forewarned the believers.
2nd Peters 3:16 “As also in all his [Paul’s] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” Peter warned about the writings of Paul that some things are hard to be understood. This is very important to acknowledge because as Peter pointed out this could lead an unlearned person to their own destruction. Therefore we must find out who is an unlearned and unstable man that wrest or twist the Scriptures. Romans 7:1 “Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?” The letters of Paul were written to those that know the laws, hence a beginner would have a difficult time understanding what he is truly saying. Due to lack of understanding in the history, prophecies, and laws of the Bible, many teach doctrines that are contrary to the scriptures and they attempt to base it upon the letters of Paul.
2nd Corinthians 2:17 “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” The doctrines taught today by unlearned men to disobey God (to break the laws, such as dietary, the Sabbaths, etc..) did not originate from Paul. As he stated in Romans 3:8 “And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil [sin], that good may come? whose damnation is just.” Today many cite verses in the letters of Paul and slanderously profess that he taught to commit sin by the good mercy of Christ.
Those who claim that the laws are done away with contradict the many scriptures in which Paul tells us to keep the laws plainly. Romans 3:31 “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” They turn to selective scriptures of his epistles to confuse the masses that are unlearned because they are hard to be understood. They also deviate from the history and prophecy provided in the letters of Paul attempting to remove the purpose of his ministry. Making our people forget that he was an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin with a clear desire for his people Israel that were lost as Gentiles. Romans 10:1 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” Today that same message is relevant to our people who are lost in the world who through the longsuffering of our King could be awakened by the good news to repentance. 2nd Peters 3:17 “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”
Now that you have been warned; beware lest ye fall into the error of the wicked (sinner) and become offended of the wisdom of the Heavenly Father. Those that are unstable ignore the plain speech found in various scriptures which explains that righteous works makes faith perfect. Such men turn to the Acts of the Apostles chapter 15 and without knowledge of the laws attempt to portray a scenario in which the Apostles removed the laws of God. They resemble the Pharisees who slandered the believers of Christ, especially the Apostle Paul. Acts 21:21 “And they are informed of thee [Paul], that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.” The false accusation of the Pharisees was that Paul taught against circumcision and to not keep the laws. Doesn’t that sound similar to what is taught in Churchianity?
However in Acts chapter 15 the Apostles such as Peter and James declared a sentence (judgment) according to the law. Acts 21:24 “Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.” The Apostles went through great lengths to prove to all, that first and foremost the accusations against Paul were false. By his actions he showed that he taught “and keepest the law”. Furthermore, that the sentence of the Apostles was not to make void the laws but to establish the faith of Christ.
As you are already aware the other Apostles have also written epistles. None (James, Judas, John, or Peter) say in their writings that the laws have been eliminated or that they are not necessary for salvation. On the contrary, we are taught that growth in our faith towards salvation comes through holiness and obedience to God. 2nd Peters 3:18 “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” Our desire is the same as the Apostle Paul, that Israel (so called Blacks, Hispanics, and Native American Indians) wake up, repent, and grow in the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Shalam (Peace)!
