PAUL INSTRUCTS TIMOTHY TO DEFEND THE TRUE GOSPEL

  51.1 THE LAW IS NEEDED TO CONTROL THE WICKED MAN; THE GOSPEL TO GUIDE THE GOOD ONE

1 Timothy 1:8-11 - We know, of course, that the (Jewish) Law is good in itself and has a legitimate function. Yet we also know that the Law is not really meant for the good man, but for the man who has neither principles nor self-control, for the man who is really wicked, who has neither scruples nor reverence. Yes, the Law is directed against the sort of people who attack their own parents, who kill their fellows, who are sexually uncontrolled or perverted, or who traffic in the bodies of others. It is against liars and perjurers - in fact it is against any and every action which contradicts the wholesome teaching of the glorious Gospel which our blessed God has given and entrusted to me (Paul).

 

51.2 CHRIST CAME TO SAVE SINNERS; LIKE PAUL, NO ONE IS BEYOND SALVATION

1 Timothy 1:15-17 - This statement (that follows) is completely reliable and should be universally accepted:- "Christ Jesus entered the world to rescue sinners". I realise that I was the worst of them all, and that because of this very fact God was particularly merciful to me. It was a kind of demonstration of the extent of Christ's patience towards the worst of men, to serve as an example to all who in the future should trust him for eternal life.

So to the king of all ages, the immortal, invisible, and only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever!

INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING PUBLIC WORSHIP

51.3 THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY MEDIATOR BETWEEN HIM AND MAN

1 Timothy 2:4-6 - .... his (God the saviour's) purpose is that all men should be saved and come to realise the truth. And that is, that there is only one God, and only one intermediary between God and men, Jesus Christ the man. He gave himself as a ransom for us all - an act of redemption which happened once, but which stands for all times as a witness to what he is.

 

INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF CHURCH LEADERS

51.4 THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST'S COMING

1 Timothy 3:15b-16 - (God's household .... is, remember), the Church of the living God, the pillar and the foundation of the truth. No one can deny that this religion of ours is a tremendous mystery, resting as it does on the one who showed himself as a human being, and met, as such, every demand of the Spirit in the sight of angels as well as of men. Then, after his restoration to the Heaven from whence he came, he has been proclaimed among men of different nationalities and believed in all parts of the world.

 

WARNINGS ABOUT WEALTH; FINAL WARNINGS TO TIMOTHY

51.5 TIMOTHY'S DUTY AS A MINISTER UNTIL CHRIST RETURNS

1 Timothy 6:13-16 - I (Paul) charge you (Timothy) in the sight of God who gives us life, and Jesus Christ who fearlessly witnessed to the truth before Pontius Pilate, to keep your commission (as a minister) clean and above reproach until the final coming of Christ. This will be, in his own time, the final dénouement of God, who is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters, the only source of immortality, the one who lives in unapproachable light, the one whom no mortal eye has ever seen or ever can see. To him be acknowledged all honour and power for ever, amen!

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continuing preaching the "Gospel of Jesus", on to Part 52, Titus OR back to Harmony of Jesus & Early Church