The apostle Peter’s Last Words are to Read Paul’s Epistles for things Regarding Salvation

The apostle Peter’s Last Words are to Read Paul’s Epistles for things Regarding Salvation

by | Apr 12, 2021 | Daily Encouragement, Salvation | 0 comments

The apostle Paul could teach the full counsel of God because he was given the full counsel of God. Unlike Peter and the eleven and all Jewish writers before Paul, it was Paul alone who was given the full counsel of God (Acts 20:27; Ephesians 3:1-11).

Peter wrote, more like pleaded with his readers that they must go to Paul’s epistles for the things regarding salvation. These are Peter’s last Holy Spirit-inspired words he would write before he was martyred.

‘and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things (What things? Salvation!), in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You, therefore, beloved, since you know this (Know what? What he is telling his readers to do and where to go for salvation!) beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; ‘

II Peter 3:15-17

Why not admonish his readers to refer back to the sermon on the mount? Or refer back to the Lord’s earthly ministry? “Regarding Salvation”. Remember, these are the apostle Peter’s very last words he would write before he is martyred and his Holy Spirit admonishment is to read Paul’s letters for salvation.

This is in no way a suggestion just to read Paul’s epistles and forget the rest of the Bible. NO WAY! Peter isn’t suggesting that nor does any other author of Scripture. I believe that we should study all Scripture to exhaustion. But what the apostle Peter says in 2 Peter 3:15-17 couldn’t be more clear. If you seek salvation you must read Paul’s letters. And if you don’t understand Paul’s epistles don’t try twisting them to fit your theology or you are doomed.

The Answer to the Question Why Did Peter say Read Paul’s Epistles?

 

First, the apostle Peter writes his last letter, 2 Peter sometime around 67-68 AD. This is 17 years after the Jerusalem council (51AD), and the Jerusalem council is crucial to why Peter writes what he did in 2 Peter 3:15-17. The Jerusalem council is where God revealed to the apostle Paul to go up to Jerusalem and explain to Peter and the leaders of the Jerusalem church how things would be moving forward. What things specifically? That salvation was for both Jew and Gentile by faith alone in the finished work of the cross apart from practicing the law and temple worship. And it was the apostle Peter who stood up during this council and said this:

‘But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”’

Acts 15:11

Peter didn’t stand up and tell Paul to take a hike. No one at the Jerusalem council told Paul to get out of here with these new revelations. Not one of the Church elders said we’ve been practicing the Mosaic law for 1500 years so thank you Paul but you can leave now. Why? Because they all recognized that Paul had been given new revelations from the ascended and glorified Lord Himself. But it was incredibly hard for Peter and the others of the Jerusalem church to just drop their Judaism (understandably). As we see Peter not long after the Jerusalem council has fallen back under the law and it is the apostle Paul that confronts Peter to his face, upbraided Peter and all that were doing the same.

‘Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I (Paul) withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him (Peter), so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I (this is Paul speaking to Peter) said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”’

Galatians 2:11-21

Wow! Today, we would say ‘he really told him off, and Holy Spirit inspired to boot!

From the time of the Jerusalem council and Peter’s last letter (about 17 years), he came to understand (remembering what was revealed to him by Paul at the Jerusalem council) that the law was fulfilled at the cross and there was no need to practice the law or temple worship. So after Peter’s great ministry with the Lord and through the early chapters of the book of Acts, after witnessing and performing countless miracles, witnessing the incarnation, walking with the resurrected Lord, and witnessing His ascension. The apostle Peter’s last epistle and last words admonish his readers to read Paul’s epistles for things regarding salvation.

Please take more than a moment and meditate on this truth.

 

 

Christ Had to Die But Death Could Not Hold Him ‘The Mystery (Secret) of the Cross’

Christ Had to Die But Death Could Not Hold Him ‘The Mystery (Secret) of the Cross’

by | Apr 12, 2020 | Daily Encouragement, Doctrine, Salvation | 0 comments

The Mystery or Secret of the Cross

…according to the eternal purpose which He (God the Father) accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,  – Ephesians 3:11

Sometime in eternity past, before anything was created the Triune God in counsel, determined a plan for the Ages. That God the Son, would step out of the invisible, take on flesh, to be the Supreme sacrifice for the sin of the world.

Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

Acts 2:23-24

II Timothy 1:9

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

 

In God’s foreknowledge, He could see every detail from the beginning to the end. And in this predetermined plan, laid out before God created one star, one grain of sand before anything was created, the HIGHLIGHT of this plan would be the “Cross”.  Which is the mystery or the “secret” of the gospel of the grace of God that up until revealed to the apostle Paul by the risen and glorified Lord has been hidden, kept secret since the world began (Romans 16:25).

That now (not before or during Christ’s earthly ministry) on this side of the cross, because the sin debt was paid in full by and through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, His burial and resurrection God could now temporarily blind His chosen people Israel because of their disobedience (Romans 11) and pour out His grace to ALL mankind by offering the free gift of salvation to all mankind Jew or Gentile by faith alone in the gospel apart from the Mosaic Law and temple worship.

This was unheard of for 2000 years until the gospel of grace comes on the scene around 40 AD.

‘Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.’

Romans 16:25-27

 

He is not here: for He is risen…

Matthew 28:6

 

If you need salvation or have questions about salvation scroll down to the Good News!

 

First Step to Salvation is Believing God when He Says You’re a Sinner and Without Hope

First Step to Salvation is Believing God when He Says You’re a Sinner and Without Hope

by | May 2, 2019 | Salvation | 0 comments

The Soul That Sinneth Shall Surely Die

 

Scripture declares that salvation is by faith alone, in the finished work of the cross, apart from the law and works (Romans 3:21; 4:5), and faith is believing what God says. (Hebrews 11:6) So the first thing we all must believe (before salvation) by “faith” is what God has declared about our position: that we are sinners without hope, and the soul that sinneth shall surely die.

‘“Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.’

Ezekiel 18:4

‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ‘

Romans 3:23

‘As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;’

Romans 3:10

‘Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— ‘

Romans 5:12

So the first thing that must happen when it comes to salvation is a person must believe that they are a sinner. They must believe that regardless of how good they may be, or how good a family they come from. God says, “I’m a sinner.” I’ve already sinned. That is the very first step in the plan of salvation.

Easier Said Than Done and that’s a Scriptural Fact

‘Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. ‘

Romans 8:7

The apostle Paul is referring to the unsaved person when he uses the word “carnal” or the natural man ( σάρξ) and enmity is another word for enemy. So until a person believes the gospel they are enemies of God and in complete bondage to the god of this world, Satan.

‘But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. ‘

II Corinthians 4:3-4

 

First Thing’s First You’re a Sinner

Before God can step into a person’s life they must believe that they are a sinner. They must believe that regardless of how good they may be, or how good a family they may have come from. God declares all men come short, so  “I’m a sinner.” That is the very first step in the plan of salvation.

There has to be that “New Birth” and that can’t happen until we recognize a need. The perfect illustration is when Jesus told the Pharisees “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick?” (Matthew 9:12) It’s no different when it comes to sharing the gospel with someone, I experience this weekly when I’m out sharing the gospel with people.

The person who thinks he or she is good enough for Heaven will never be saved. There are so many good people; you can’t take that away from them but they are so good, they never see their need for salvation. It is an unfortunate reality but they are headed for an eternal doom, no different than the wicked and most vile person that has ever lived.

‘Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, ‘

I Corinthians 6:9

 

A horrifying truth about facing the Lord Jesus at the Great White Throne won’t be just the lake of fire but the moment the lost person realizes that he or she is being tossed into the lake of fire, not because of their “sins” but because they rejected the gospel.

‘in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.’

Romans 2:16

Sin has never been the reason anyone is tossed into the lake of fire because Christ took care of the sin problem at the cross. (2 Corinthians 5:19) The only reason the billions of people will face Christ at the Great White Throne is for rejecting God’s free offer of salvation and in my humble opinion that in itself will be the greatest torment, not the fire.

Yes, I know a person’s individual sins will come into play when they face Christ on judgment day but until then, while they’re alive “…where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. Romans 5:20

Thank you for reading.

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Jamie Pantastico

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You are Justified because You Believe the Gospel

You are Justified because You Believe the Gospel

by | Sep 24, 2018 | Salvation

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 3:22-24

 

Being Justified is a Judicial act of God where by He declares the sinner that believes by faith alone in the gospel – “just as if they never sinned”.

 

How does God justify the ungodly? Through His grace! Despite our unworthiness, He accomplishes it through the work of redemption—having His own Son, Jesus Christ, pay the price for our sins by the finished work of the cross.

 

Justified Freely

We are justified without a cause. God wasn’t backed into a corner and finally decided okay, okay, you’re justified after all you deserve it; you were baptized, you repented, you joined a Church, you donated all that money, you did your best to keep the commandments and you even believed the gospel.

 

Yeah Right! We are justified freely, without a cause! It’s all God, all Grace or nothing at all.

 

God justifies (saves) those who believe they are sinners without hope and believe by faith alone that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead three days later.

Do You want to be Justified by God?

 

In order for you or anyone else to be justified by God or saved. You must believe that you are a sinner and believe by faith alone that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for your sins on the cross, was buried and rose from the dead three days later. Just believe it, if you believe the gospel by faith alone, God says you are Justified — “just as if you never sinned”. 

 

The Gospel

1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Thank you for reading. If you like this post please consider liking and sharing it with someone. If you have questions or comments about “Justification” you can do so below.

 

Mesa Bible Study

 

How Do I Know I’m Saved?

How Do I Know I’m Saved?

by | Aug 28, 2018 | Salvation | 0 comments

How do I know I’m Saved?

 

How do I know that I’m Saved? Is the most frequently asked question. The answer is simple but not everyone likes it or can believe it. It can’t be that easy, can it? Is a popular response.  It’s human nature to want to do something for salvation, but we don’t have too. God doesn’t ask us to do anything but believe that His Son Jesus Christ did everything required for our salvation.

Scripture says it best.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21.

18  Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,

19  namely, that God was in Christ (death, burial & resurrection) reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their (mankind) trespasses (sins) against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

And how did all this happen? Next verse…

21 He (God the Father) made Him (Jesus Christ the Son of God) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Hard to twist those verses, so plain, and crystal clear. Jesus Christ death, burial, and resurrection are sufficient for salvation.

But How Do I Really Know I’m Saved

The answer is because God said if you believe by faith in the gospel you are saved. If you were hoping for visions of angels singing, or trumpets blowing or at least a certificate in the mail that you can cling too for comfort. Sorry NOT HAPPENING!

God’s Promise Will Suffice. That’s It. God said it so we believe it.

The Scripture is so clear, that if you believe the gospel you are saved.

The gospel is most clearly defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,

2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

Ephesians 2:8,9

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:9,10

13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14  who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:13

These verses clearly state that you are saved the moment you believe the gospel. Remember this is God saying this not Paul. God doesn’t say you’re saved but I’ll check back with you in 3 months than again in a year. Don’t frustrate the mercy and grace that God has poured out to you and all mankind. (Galatians 2:21)

God Saves Us, It’s All About God and His Glory

 

Take a look at all the things God does the moment you believe;

Is God just going to take it all back every time you do something wrong? Ridiculous! Doesn’t sound like grace to me. Trust in His promises because of who He is. Rest in His word and have faith because God is always faithful.

It Always Comes Down to Faith

The key ingredient for salvation is faith. Believing, trust, and faith all mean the same thing. A person has to believe what God says because without faith it is impossible to please Him.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 

Hebrews 11:6

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

Romans 4:5

From the very beginning of Biblical history, it’s a person’s faith in what God says that will save them. In the book of Hebrews chapter 11, it is clear Salvation has always been by faith. By faith, Abel offered God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, by faith Noah believed God, built the ark and was found righteous. By faith, the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Throughout the Bible, salvation has always been the result of a person’s faith (believing) in what God says.

 

 

God is Always Faithful

Asking the question “How do I know I’m Saved?” is a legitimate question for new believers and even for not so new believers. We are only human and doubts will enter our mind. We have to realize that there are many things in the Bible that are hard to understand. Things that are simply just mind boggling but that’s where faith comes in. God said it so I believe it. When it comes to your Salvation you must trust what God says and be totally convinced that He will fulfill what He promised. As you grow and mature in the Scripture your faith will strengthen. So pray and ask God to strengthen your faith and study your Bible daily. Most importantly, as soon as a tiny drop of doubt starts to enter your mind remember that God is ALWAYS FAITHFUL.

Thank you for reading.

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Mesa Bible Study

 

Can a Person Lose Their Salvation? “OSAS”

Can a Person Lose Their Salvation? “OSAS”

by | Aug 9, 2018 | Salvation | 0 comments

Can a Person Lose Their Salvation? 

Absolutely Not! God does not play games. Nor is He a liar. He promised if you believe the gospel you are saved. The doctrine of eternal security is simple to understand and clearly delineated in Scripture. God says if you believe the gospel you’re saved. Plain language but because of pride and lack of faith mankind says no to God. “I” must do more than just having faith in the finished work of the cross.

There are forums and hundreds of YouTube videos dedicated to this topic where all believers do is argue over OSAS “once saved always saved”. Did the translators get John 19:30 wrong? Did Jesus say It’s not really finished, you have to do a bit more every day or at least once a week to hold on to your salvation? 

Stop Calling God a Liar

Those that oppose what God has promised, that once you’re saved you’re His forever have no faith. They can’t take God at His Word. 

 

To those who oppose once saved always saved: 

STOP CALLING GOD A LIAR! 

 In the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago.

Titus 1:2

STOP FRUSTRATING THE GRACE THAT GOD HAS POURED OUT ON ALL MANKIND

 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 

Galatians 2:21

STOP TELLING JESUS CHRIST HIS DEATH WAS MEANINGLESS

If mankind doing things would please God than the cross was never needed. But God knew from eternity past that He would need to send His Son Jesus Christ to redeem mankind because it is utterly impossible for mankind to do anything to save ourselves.

1 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. 2  Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? 3  But in those sacrifices, there is a reminder of sins year by year. 4  For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5  Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says,

“Sacrifice and offering You have not desired,

But a body You have prepared for Me;

6  In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin, You have taken no pleasure.

7  “A Then I said, ‘ Behold, I have come

(In the scroll of the book it is written of Me)

To do Your will, O God.’”

8  After saying above, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), 9  then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. 10  By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:1-10

 

This is What God Says on How a Person is Saved

 

‘For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

I Corinthians 15:3-4

‘In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ‘

Ephesians 1:13

‘in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.’

Romans 2:16

 

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 10:9-10 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved.  

These verses clearly state that you are saved the moment you believe. Remember this is God saying this not Paul. God doesn’t say you’re saved but I’ll check back with you in 3 months than again in 6 months. Don’t frustrate the mercy and grace that God has poured out to you and all mankind. (Galatians 2:21)  

Take a look at all the things God does the moment you believe…

 

  • The moment you believe the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 1:16) you are saved
  • Instantly sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13),
  • Baptized into the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13),
  • Indwelled with the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5, 8:9),
  • Become children of God; and Joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16,17),
  • and blessed with all spiritual blessing in the heavenly’s. (Ephesians 1:3),
  • We are all seated together in the heavenly places in Christ. (Ephesians 2:6)

Is our Lord going to take it all back every time you sin? Or is there one particular sin that takes you out? Ridiculous! That is the complete opposite of grace. Trust in His promises because of who He is. 

Savage Wolves Are Already Amoung Us

The apostle Paul warned of these “savage wolves” that would not spare the flock. (Acts 20:29,30) And they would come from within the Church speaking perverse things to draw believers to themselves. WOW! Sound familiar?

Let them come and test your faith, put your trust in what God promised! Nothing can separate you from Christ!

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33  Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34  who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35  Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:31-35

“Those that believe you can lose your salvation are calling God a liar”

 

It Comes Down to Faith

I know I repeat myself over and over on every topic or question but everything we do for God comes down to faith. Those that believe you can lose your salvation are themselves the very picture of someone with NO FAITH.

That’s why this topic is so important. On one side a person believes what God says and on the other side, the person doesn’t. One is going where the other isn’t, and if those with no faith (you can lose your salvation) in what God says can influence others (unsaved) with their work’s salvation message they’re not saving anyone.

I just hope that someone with questions about the assurance of salvation reads this post, takes the time to study the verses and can be assured once and for all that God promised salvation to all that believe the gospel. Believe God, not Man!!! 

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re a new believer and you have doubts about your salvation that’s normal. Satan will attack you with doubt but that’s where faith comes in. Put all your faith in what God promised you and rest on His promises because God can not lie and He is always faithful even when we are not. (2 Timothy 2:13) Doubt is normal, we’re only human but God is always faithful. (2 Thessalonians 3:3) 

Thank you for reading.

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Faith, Sine Qua Non

Jamie Pantastico

Mesa Bible Study