The doctrinal knowledge that the apostle Paul attained about the Gospel of Jesus, the preaching of the cross, as he defined it, was extremely abundant and of much Revelation, most of it extracted from the writings of the Law and the prophets. However, if we take into account that Paul reached the same knowledge of those who walked for three and a half years with Jesus,[1] without being with Him, we can understand the merit of the doctrinal knowledge developed, and the value of studying it; the apostle Peter even commented on Paul’s epistles, some of which were difficult to understand.[2]
No other biblical writer obtained such a deposit of Revelation as Paul achieved, even though he did not have access to the historical information of Jesus’ teachings; his achievement, like Apollos,[3] and others in the same circumstance, consists not in having seen what Jesus did,[4] but in having identified Jesus in the Scriptures, which as he himself confessed to Timothy, made him wise unto Salvation by faith which is in Christ Jesus.[5]
The prolificness of Paul’s writings is due precisely to the fact that the public to whom he was sent had no knowledge of the historical facts related to the teachings of Jesus, so his epistolary work helped to make up for the lack of knowledge, and by the normative use he injected into his writings, to solidify the ministerial growth of the communities under his care.
The epistles of the apostle Paul to Timothy, which is our particular interest, have a unique value, because of the ministerial and paternal relationship that developed between the two. The epistles to Timothy, which could well have been more than the two we know, develop a doctrinal content with every word, for Paul wastes no time in leaving Timothy a ministerial inheritance. Thus, based on this characteristic form of teaching and formation, we have found it convenient to take only the First Epistle, to illustrate how the contemporary reader of the Word should study the writings of the apostle Paul.
The form of presentation is the usual one, as we did in the previous study on the First Epistle, first we enunciate the headline of the doctrinal basis, according to the order in which they appear in the reading, followed by the verse where it is located, and finally, we explain what the doctrinal concept consists of within the Gospel that Paul is enunciating in his epistle.
Again, I do not intend to exhaust the subject, that is not the purpose; rather I intend to establish a teaching basis for further study on the subject in the future. I pray that the study of these doctrinal bases will lead us to strive to walk in the Revelation of the mystery of the Gospel.[6]
Doctrinal Basis number 1: The Law is not set for the Just: knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (1:9-10)
With the term, the Law, Paul is referring to those who uphold the faith by the Mosaic Law, that is, to the side of the Pharisees who had converted to the Gospel of Jesus.[7] In verse 3 he explains that it is about those who teach different doctrine, and the only ones who did that, according to other references, were those who followed circumcision as a complementary form to the Gospel.[8] Verse 7 completes the idea.
Paul does not discard the Law, nor does he abrogate it, for he declares that the Law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good;[9] he simply states that the Law has no jurisdiction over one who is justified by the faith of Jesus,[10] for, as he explains in his epistle to the Romans, the righteousness that is by the Law demands that the person submit to all its rites;[11] whereas the man who lives by faith in Jesus, on the other hand, is justified by his faith,
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 1:17
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 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.
Romans 10:8-9
Doctrinal basis number 2: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1:15)
This is the fundamental message of the Gospel of Jesus,[12] it is the message that in Adam all have sinned,[13] that man needs to repent to receive God’s forgiveness,[14] and that it is necessary to believe in Jesus, God in flesh, to receive Grace.[15]
15 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:15-16
It is the doctrinal message that establishes that man is justified by his faith in Jesus, through his resurrection, and sanctified by the operation of the Holy Spirit in Him.
who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Romans 4:25
And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
Romans 5:16
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1st. Corinthians 1:30
Doctrinal basis number 3: God is King, He is Eternal, He is immortal, He is invisible, He is One, He is Wise: Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.(1:17)
In a single verse Paul poured the Virtues and Attributes of God most proclaimed in the Scriptures;
- God is King of the times,
11Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. 12I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
Isaiah 45:11-12
- God is immortal, Paul mentions it again in chapter 6 of the same epistle,
who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
1st. Timothy 6:16
- God is invisible,
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Romans 1:20
15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Colossians 1:15-16
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:27
- God is One,
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
Deuteronomy 6:4
- God is Wise,
to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Romans 16:27
Doctrinal Basis number 4: God wants all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the Truth: who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (2:4)
This is the pure message of the Gospel, it is the proclamation of the preaching of the cross; this doctrinal basis expresses the Will of God with respect to the Salvation of all mankind; in the book of Acts of the Apostles it is recorded that this Will is executed only through Jesus,
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent:
Acts 17:30
But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
John 5:34
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Acts 15:11
Doctrinal Basis number 5: There is only one God: For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (2:5)
With this doctrinal basis Paul intends not only to emphasize the Shema of the Law, but more, and above all, to highlight the value of the Sovereignty of God over all Creation, that is, there is no ‘other’ god under heaven that compares to the Father; his purpose is to undermine the belief in and worship of the idolatrous gods of the world’s religions.
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,…
Deuteronomy 11:13-21
Doctrinal Basis number 6: There is only one mediator between God and men: Jesus Christ, the man: For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (2:5)
In the same verse Paul describes two doctrinal bases that are the foundation of the Gospel; the purpose of this second doctrinal base of verse 5 is to disprove the belief of other doctrines that granted the power of mediation to angels, to the priestesses of Diana, and to the existence of the gods of the Greek mythological pantheon.
12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. 14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 15 and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
Acts 14:12-15
Doctrinal Basis number 7: Christ Jesus gave Himself in propitiation for all: who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (2:6)
This doctrinal basis has the purpose of establishing that the part of the sacrifices and offerings for sin and guilt, stipulated by the law of works in the Mosaic Law, no longer applies to one who has been justified by the Grace of Jesus. Paul takes up with this doctrinal basis the proclamation of John the Baptist about Jesus, that He is the lamb that takes away the sin of the world.
and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.
Ephesians 5:2
In the epistle to the Hebrews, Jesus is presented as High Priest and as sacrifice; as High Priest, because He entered the Holy of Holies in the Temple, only once, to present ‘propitiation’ for sin;[16]
who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Hebrews 7:27
As a sacrifice, because He offered Himself establishing a new covenant by His blood.
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Luke 22:20
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1st. Corinthians 11:25
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:… 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;… 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Hebrews 10:5-12
The establishment of this doctrinal basis, however, has also an additional emphasis, as far as spiritual warfare is concerned, to show that Satan has no jurisdiction over the one who has been washed with the blood of Jesus Christ, as the apostle himself emphasizes in other of his epistles,
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Hebrews 2:14
who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Colossians 1:13
Paul further emphasizes that the law of sin and death to which we had been delivered because of Adam’s disobedience, no longer has jurisdiction over those who have been justified by the grace of Jesus,
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Romans 8:12
This doctrinal basis is presented in other apostolic writings as the cornerstone that was discarded by the builders. This doctrinal basis was established within the church as the foundation of the doctrine of Gospel Salvation.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
Psalm 118:22 (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10)
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
Doctrinal Basis number 8: The church is the House of the living God, it is the pillar and ground of the Truth: but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (3:15)
For those who are accustomed to seeing the church as a building, or a locale, it will surely be a little difficult for them to understand how a church as we know it can be the House of the Living God.
This doctrinal basis does not refer to, nor identify, an institution and/or locale as the Lord’s church, in principle, because when this epistle was written, the communities of faith did not construct buildings to convert them into ‘churches’, in the modern way, the texts show us that in the beginning of the Gospel, in Jerusalem, they met in the Temple and by the houses,
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Acts 5:42
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
Acts 12:12
In the Gentile communities, meetings were held in the homes of those who had been found faithful to gather the saints in the faith,
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epænetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia unto Christ.… 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
Romans 16:5-11
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
1st. Corinthians 16:15
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
1st. Corinthians 16:19
Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
Colossians 4:15
and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house:
Philemon 2
Therefore, when the apostle identifies the church as the House of the Living God, he is referring above all to the community of faith in this or that region.
unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1st. Corinthians 1:2
The apostle identifies the church as the Body of Christ,
and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Ephesians 1:22
so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Romans 12:5
Thus, the church which the apostle calls the House of the Living God, the pillar and ground of the Truth, is every community of faith gathered and called together by the Spirit, to establish by its witness Grace, Mercy and Liberty of the Eternal God, in that sense it is ‘pillar and ground of the Truth’.
Doctrinal Basis number 9: What does the mystery of the godliness consist of: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (3:16)
Paul uses the term ‘mystery’ on several occasions in his writings, the purpose being to emphasize that the knowledge which he classifies as such belongs to a knowledge revealed by God.
The mystery of godliness consists in the operation in the Spirit of forgiving the sin of disobedience in which Adam incurred, for whose sake death entered into the world, and passed upon all men; the mystery of godliness is the Revelation of God to man to reconcile through faith in Jesus the man and woman who believes in Him, according to the faith of Abraham,
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Romans 16:25
having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Ephesians 1:9
3 how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,… 5 which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;… 9 and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 3:3-9
even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Colossians 1:26
The mystery of godliness is the operation of the Spirit to bring Salvation from sin and death; the mystery of godliness is presented to man as ‘processes’ of Revelation; Paul points out several stages:
- God has been manifested in the flesh;
Jesus is God, and is manifested in flesh to reconcile by Him all those who choose to accept God’s action; the reason why He was manifested in flesh, like all men, to overcome Satan under the same conditions of Adam when he was deceived by the serpent; Paul presents it as the testimony to the man of faith, that disobedience brings death, while obedience, life, health and blessing.
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Hebrews 2:14
The purpose in Paul of beginning to define the mystery of godliness from the phrase: ‘God has been manifested in the flesh’, is to establish the Gospel doctrine that Jesus ‘came forth’ from the Father long before all things were created, note verse 17 of the following text:
15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Colossians 1:15-17
- God has been justified with the Spirit;
Jesus was justified with the Spirit of Truth not because He was God, but because He humbled Himself, became obedient unto death, and died the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11
The apostle Paul taught concerning the justification of Jesus, that precisely because of His ‘obedience’ the many were justified along with Him,
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Romans 5:19
- God has been seen of the angels;
Although Jesus is pre-existent to Creation, Jesus was not manifested to the angelic creation, among them Satan, at the moment when He left the Father; the Scriptures establish that the angelic creation saw His manifestation until the moment when the Father decided to fulfill the prophecies of His manifestation, in the fulfillment of the prophetic time; Satan never knew Jesus in the heavens before his rebellion, it was forbidden to him to know him; Satan knows Jesus until the moment when he manifests himself to Israel; that explains why Satan pursues Him as a child to kill Him without having a certainty of who He was, nor how He would manifest Himself, and why He approaches Him, in temptation, expressing: “if you are the son of God“.
but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Galatians 4:4
that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Ephesians 1:10
The Epistle to the Hebrews refers to the moment when God declares Himself to the angelic creation, precisely when the Spirit overshadows Mary;[17]
And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Hebrews 1:6 (Deuteronomy 32:43)
- God has been preached to the Gentiles;
This is the most glorious part of the Gospel of the Kingdom, for Jesus was originally sent to the lineage of Abraham,
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 1:11
But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 15:24
However, it was prophesied that the Gentiles would also receive the good news of the Great Joy of Grace and be saved by Jesus, just like the Jews,
9and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. (reference to 2 Samuel 22:50 and Psalm 18:49) 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. (reference to Deuteronomy 32:43) 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. (reference to Psalm 117:11) 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. (reference to Isaiah 11:10)
Romans 15:9-12
- God has been believed in the world;
Jesus has been preached in all nations, and whole nations have believed in Him,
when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
2nd. Thessalonians 1:10
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Revelation 5:9
- God has been received in glory.
Jesus has ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father,
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Matthew 26:64
And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Mark 14:62
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1
but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Hebrews 10:12
Doctrinal basis number 10: All animal food is good if taken with thanksgiving: For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (4:4-5)
Although the apostle speaks of ‘every’ creature, his classification is made from the animals considered in the Mosaic law as ‘fit’ to eat;[18] under no circumstances should this instruction of the apostle be seen as an action to repeal the Law of God given in the first Covenant, integrating the unclean animals as fit to eat; the apostle does not defy in this way what is established by God, risking to contravene the basics of God’s wisdom. The apostle’s instruction is rather to correct the knowledge introduced by those who conduct themselves under a weak measure of faith,[19] the apostle deals here with the same subject that he presented in his epistle to the community of faith in Rome regarding the animals sacrificed to idols, meat that later the merchants distribute in the butcher’s shops.
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. … 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Romans 14:20-23
Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
1st. Corinthians 10:25
The apostle’s instruction is given to Timothy for the purpose of correcting those who have introduced into the community teaching based on the Law, and developing a conscience based on defilement about what is sacrificed to idols. The apostle explains to Timothy that a clear conscience is the result of operating under the faith of Jesus.
holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1st. Timothy 3:9
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Titus 1:15
Doctrinal Basis number 11: The Living God is Savior of all men: For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. (4:10)
The apostle has already presented this doctrinal basis, in chapter 2 he declared to Timothy that God wants all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. This doctrinal basis is basically the preaching of the cross, it is the pure message of the Gospel.
Nevertheless, the fact that the apostle expresses that for this cause, that is, for the knowledge that God wants all men to be saved, he is willing to go through labors and suffer reproaches, helps us to understand the value of God’s call to the ministry. The ministerial call is a spiritual designation given by God, of which the person has a testimony in his own spirit. Not everyone has a vocation to the ministry, for as the apostle himself describes it, the call to the ministry requires a commitment to endure labors and to be willing to suffer reproach.
The precise test of a legitimate call from God is weighed not in the abilities to preach, not even in the ability to trace the Word well, it is weighed in the willingness to go through labors and suffer reproaches, the apostle has established it almost in all his epistles,
in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
2nd. Corinthians 6:5
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
2nd. Corinthians 11:23
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2nd. Timothy 1:8
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2nd. Timothy 2:3
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Romans 15:3
partly, whilst ye were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
Hebrews 10:33
and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Hebrews 11:36
Doctrinal Basis number 12: God gives life to all things: I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; (6:13)
It is the doctrinal basis that expresses God’s character: God gives life to all things. In the book of Genesis, the story of the construction of the ark in which not only Noah and his household entered, but also both clean and unclean animals, shows us precisely that God does not take away life; God gives life, and preserves it,
And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
Genesis 6:19
The Presence of Jesus on earth establishes the message that God does not want anyone to be lost, but His message declares that it is necessary for all to proceed to repentance,
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10
Doctrinal Basis number 13: God is immortal; God dwells in inaccessible Light; no man has ever seen God: who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. (6:16)
This verse presents three doctrinal bases, with the purpose of making known the God that Jesus presents in His Gospel; however, the statements also tell us about the attributes of God; for example, that God is immortal does not necessarily mean that God cannot die, but rather, that God has no beginning and no end, as we read in the following texts,
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Exodus 3:14
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:8
I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
Psalm 45:17
That God dwells in inaccessible light teaches us that God cannot be accessed by anyone, not even by the angels themselves. God’s inaccessibility is because of his holiness; the angelic beings who stand before his Presence are special beings,
Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?
Deuteronomy 4:33
Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Exodus 15:11
Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are these.
Jeremiah 7:4
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isaiah 6:3
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Revelation 4:8
And finally, no one has ever seen God nor will ever be able to see Him, and it is precisely as mentioned in the previous paragraph, because of His holiness; man would be undone by the brightness of His Holiness.
Well, we have concluded. The reader will see how much doctrinal basis the apostle communicates through his epistles, it is a wealth of Revelation that is available to all those who want to walk according to the Gospel of Jesus.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Authorized King James Version, 1909 (AKJV).
Pastor Pedro Montoya
[1] Galatians 2:6: But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
[2] 2nd. Peter 3:15-16: 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; 16 as also in all his 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.
[3] Acts 18:24: And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
[4] John 20:31: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
[5] 2nd. Timothy 3:15
[6] Romans 16:25: Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Ephesians 6:19: and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
[7] Acts 15:5: But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
[8] Colossians 4:11: and Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
Titus 1:10: For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Galatians 2:7: but contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
[9] Romans 7:12
[10] Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
[11] Romans 10:5: For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
[12] Mark 1:15: and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
[13] Romans 3:23: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1st. Corinthians 15:22: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
[14] Luke 5:32: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
[15] John 1:17: For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
[16] Matthew 27:51: And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
[17] Luke 1:35: And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
[18] Leviticus 11:2-9: 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. … 9 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.
[19] Romans 14:1: Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Treasure in Earthen Vessels 