Teach These Things
While teaching in Ephesus Paul said this about his ministry to Asia…
“…all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:10)
But years later, at the end of his life, he wrote his final letter to Timothy concerning the condition of those who had heard in Asia…
“This thou know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me” (II Timothy 1:15).
What had they turned away from, and to what? Paul tells those in Galatia plainly…
“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7)
The message being DISTORTED was the good news of the free gift of salvation to ALL MANKIND by the GRACE of God, without the need for any works of the Law whatsoever. And in his final letter to Timothy Paul warned of his fear for the future condition of the church…
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (II Timothy 3:13).
Here is a summary of what Paul was teaching….
“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord…For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast….It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (Romans 6:2; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 4:9-11)
“…all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:10)
But years later, at the end of his life, he wrote his final letter to Timothy concerning the condition of those who had heard in Asia…
“This thou know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me” (II Timothy 1:15).
What had they turned away from, and to what? Paul tells those in Galatia plainly…
“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7)
The message being DISTORTED was the good news of the free gift of salvation to ALL MANKIND by the GRACE of God, without the need for any works of the Law whatsoever. And in his final letter to Timothy Paul warned of his fear for the future condition of the church…
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (II Timothy 3:13).
Here is a summary of what Paul was teaching….
“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord…For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast….It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (Romans 6:2; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 4:9-11)