The doctrinal basis of the Apostle Paul as presented in the First Epistle to Timothy…

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

⁸But 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; ⁹that 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]

¹⁵that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. ¹⁶For 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:
1^st. 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.
1^st. 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

¹⁵who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: ¹⁶for 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.

⁴Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: ⁵and 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.

¹²And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. ¹³Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. ¹⁴Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, ¹⁵and 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.
1^st. Corinthians 11:25

⁵Wherefore 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: ¹²but 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,)
1^st. 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.
1^st. 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:
1^st. 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:

¹⁵who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: ¹⁶for 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: ¹⁷and 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.

⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹and 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) ¹⁰And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. (reference to Deuteronomy 32:43) ¹¹And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. (reference to Psalm 117:11) ¹²And 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.
2^nd. 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.

²⁰For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. … ²³And 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:
1^st. 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.
1^st. 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;
2^nd. 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.
2^nd. 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;
2^nd. Timothy 1:8

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2^nd. 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

Chat on WhatsApp

[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] 2^nd. Peter 3:15-16: ¹⁵And 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; ¹⁶as 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] 2^nd. 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;

1^st. 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: ²Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. … ⁹These 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.

The Forcefulness of the Minister of Deliverance’s Authority…

The forcefulness of the authority regarding the ministry of spiritual warfare and deliverance, depends on the degree of Revelation that the minister has attained, and that he/she has understood, above all. In view of the fact that spiritual warfare and deliverance is to enter into battle against the forces of darkness that are in one place, and in one person, it is very important that the minister ‘understands’ what he/she has acquired about deliverance, based on the Scriptures at all times, otherwise his/her authority will be shaken at some point.

Spiritual warfare and deliverance are not formulas, nor costumes, nor rites, nor anything similar, the demons do not obey any of that,

In fact, acting based on such practices strengthen the ‘right’ of the demon to continue operating in the place.[1] Spiritual warfare and deliverance are exercised based on faith, because no one can see what he is fighting against, and this, if one does not have enough faith to operate, constitutes the greatest hindrance when it comes to exercise it, and can stop the liberation. In many cases, the confrontation is against more than one spiritual being at the same time, which demands that the minister knows how to take care of his or her physical condition, and learns to dose his or her strength to avoid falling into physical and mental exhaustion.

Spiritual warfare and deliverance are not formulas, nor costumes, nor rites, nor anything similar, the demons do not obey any of that, Spiritual warfare and deliverance are exercised based on faith,

The Revelation on which one works is decisive to subdue the authority and the right of the demon, and to expel him from the place. Note that we say ‘Revelation’, and not ‘knowledge’, for it is not the same thing; someone may have much knowledge but lack authority, as recorded in Matthew 7:29, we read: “for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”; the scribes were Levites and had much knowledge of the Scriptures, but they had no authority.

The authority arises as a consequence of the Revelation, it is instantaneous,

Note in the following texts, how the demons recognize the Revelation and authority that a person has, it is seen in the recognition that they make about the person; in Mark 1:24, we read: “saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.”. In Acts 19:15 we also have another example: “And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”. Authority arises from the deposit of Revelation that the person has acquired from God, and not only from the knowledge he or she has, no matter how good it may be.

From the account in Luke 4:36 we can understand that Revelation consists of the Word understood, and not just the Word recited: “And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.”. Note that we say, Word understood, and not, Word interpreted; ‘understanding’ the Word is not ‘interpreting’ it, it is not about interpreting the Word, it is understanding it, understanding brings Salvation, as we read in the very Words of Jesus, in the text of Matthew,

¹²For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. ¹³Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. ¹⁴And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mathew 13:12-14

See now the parallel text of Mark,

¹⁰And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. ¹¹And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: ¹²that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Mark 4:10-12

Let us carefully attend to the following doctrinal basis of faith, and strive to understand it. The lack of understanding of the Word causes the instantaneous generation of a satanic operation and intervention of confusion, in the person and in his environment, as we can corroborate in the following text of Matthew 13:19: “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side”. Now, based on the same text, let us put it the other way around and see the value of ‘understanding’ God’s Revelation; if the lack of understanding of the Word causes satanic intervention to be generated, the ‘understanding’ of the Word results in the ‘casting out’ of the demon. Thus it is clear that it is the understanding of Revelation that gives a person authority.

The lack of understanding of the Word causes the instantaneous generation of a satanic operation and intervention of confusion, in the person and in his environment,

A couple of years ago, the Lord made me go through an experience that at the time I did not understand (it was not to be understood at that time), but I acted in faith, believing that God was doing it with a purpose. I was visiting the church I had pastored several years ago, in Guatemala City, and my visit coincided with the 30th anniversary of the church, so they gave me the time to preach that Sunday morning; during the time of worship, the Lord urged me to take off my shoes, based on the text of Exodus 3:5: “..put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground”, Which I did without much hesitation; when they were about to give me the time for the preaching of the Word, I wanted to put on my shoes again to be ready to go to the pulpit, immediately the Lord told me not to put on my shoes, to go barefoot to the pulpit, and to preach that way, I confess that it was a little uncomfortable at the beginning.

A year after that event I understood the reason for the Lord’s demand to preach barefoot. One afternoon of ministry came to me the case of a believer who in her years in the world had practiced Satanism, she came to receive deliverance, because although a woman of faith, she had attacks that she had not been able to overcome; as soon as I began to pray and rebuke, the demon manifested itself, but resisted to leave; the case was extremely strong, to such a degree that there came a time when I felt weakened and did not know what else to do. Under that strong struggle, the Lord spoke to me, and told me, “show him who is in the wrong place”, wrong place? to what did the Lord refer? how to do it? And there the Spirit of Truth took me back to that Sunday that I preached barefoot, and reminded me, “…. put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground“; there the Lord gave me understanding of the Revelation of that act of preaching barefoot, the devil is in the wrong place because the place where we are is “Holy”, he does not belong here, therefore he has to leave; I immediately proceeded to take off my shoes, and with the authority that the Revelation gave me, I said, I rebuke you, demon, leave this place because you do not belong to this place, it is holy ground, and the person was like pushed against the wall and then fell to the floor, and the demon had come out of it.

Authority comes as a result of understanding the Revelation of the Word, it is not only to know the Word, it is to understand the ‘spirit’ of the Word, before it there is no demon that can resist.

I see many people with much knowledge but with little Revelation, in many cases, because the men and women that God has called are bound by religious ties, united to denominational commitments, faithful to a dogma rather than to the Word. The men and women who want to do the Will of God must first validate their commitment to God rather than to men. Peace.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Authorized King James Version, 1909 (AKJV).

Pastor Pedro Montoya

Chat on WhatsApp

[1] Acts 19:13-16: ¹³Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. ¹⁴And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. ¹⁵And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? ¹⁶And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

This kind goes out by nothing, but only by prayer and fasting… Matthew 17:21 (Mark 9:29)

Spiritual warfare and deliverance are not very popular topics within the ecclesiastical community, and not because the topics are considered unbiblical, since we have all read in the Gospels that Jesus cast out demons from those suffering from chronic illnesses and diseases; the unattractiveness of spiritual warfare and deliverance is due, in good measure, because most believers flee from anything that represents dealing with demons, or the manifestation of demons.

However, if we carefully review the Scriptures we will see that deliverance was one of the main functions that Jesus delegated to His disciples; in Matthew 10:8, we read: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”; delegation of functions that is still valid today for all those who are called to the Kingdom of God, especially those who exercise a ministerial function.

Reviewing the Scriptures about the value of spiritual warfare and deliverance, we discover that spiritual warfare and deliverance is the ministry that establishes the Will of God on earth,[1] it is the only way determined by God to establish the Kingdom of God on earth,[2] and the most forceful way to establish and proclaim the preaching of the cross.[3]

The apostle Paul defines spiritual warfare and deliverance, as the working of his mighty power, operated by the Spirit, but exercised by faith, which means that the only thing the believer has to know is what the Lord’s Will is, and establish it with the authority of faith, knowing that Satan and the demons see in the believer a man and a woman not subject to the law of sin and death;[4] therein lies their authority.

The preparation for spiritual warfare and liberation is not enough to say that Satan is defeated, it is not enough to say that Jesus defeated him on the cross of Calvary; it is necessary that whoever wants to operate in it, lives in faith, knows the work of God, and knows the work of Jesus on the cross; it is the understanding of what all this means as part of the Grace of God, which gives the authority to the believer, as it was established by Jesus, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.[5]

it is necessary that whoever wants to operate in it, lives in faith, knows the work of God, and knows the work of Jesus on the cross;

Jesus taught His disciples in daily practice on the basis of the multitude of deliverance cases they worked on together, so many cases, that in a direct reference by Mark, he claims that at times Jesus and the disciples did not even have time to eat.[6] The gospel writers did not make many direct references to Jesus’ instructions on spiritual warfare and deliverance; the few direct references we have, however, teach us that demons do not leave of their own free will,[7] that demons tend to return to the place from which they were cast out,[8] that demons are cast out by the intervention of the minister of the Holy Spirit,[9] that demons have a ‘right’ to be in a person,[10] that acts of unrighteousness give demons a ‘right’ to oppress people,[11] that lack of understanding and disobedience to the instructions of the Word of God causes a movement of demons in a person’s environment,[12] and that there are genera (families) of demons that do not yield easily to rebuke, that these only come out by fasting and prayer.[13]

Regarding the fact that there are kinds of demons that can only be cast out by prayer and fasting, with this instruction Jesus established the need for the deliverance minister to periodically undergo times of fasting and prayer. In daily experience I have found that the instruction has been interpreted the other way around, that it is the one affected who must submit to fasting, which contradicts the instruction.

Fasting is not in itself a resource, neither material nor spiritual; fasting has no power to transform things, nor is it capable of making things incline in its favor;

No one is stronger spiritually just by fasting; in natural terms, the value of fasting depends on the attitude of the person, and all it achieves is to strengthen the resolution that moved him to fast;[14] as for one who lives by faith, fasting has the meaning of showing by his act, that he lays down his own self-sufficiency, to wait for salvation from the Lord.[15]

However, in order to understand the reason for Jesus’ instruction, we have to take help from the definition that God Himself gave in Isaiah 58 about the meaning of fasting; in it we read about three purposes; the first purpose is that the one who fasts ’empties’ himself of everything that represents his own personality, that is, of his self-sufficiency; let us read verses 3 and 4, and then we explain: Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. (vs. 3-4). The verses clearly state that whoever fasts seeking personal benefits for himself, fasting has no significance, for his voice is not heard on high.

The first purpose of fasting is that the one who fasts ’empties’ himself of everything that represents his own personality, that is, of his self-sufficiency;

Fasting has the purpose of ‘weakening’ the flesh, meaning the self-sufficient personality, for he who does not learn to trust in the Lord, and wait for His intervention, cannot live according to faith. The flesh is a living organism, that is precisely what is meant by the term ‘living soul’, which was how the Lord defined man when He formed him,[16] so, as such, the body has the capacity to ‘accept’ external influences, material and spiritual, many of them causing its contamination and hindrance in faith.[17]

Fasting has the purpose of ‘weakening’ the flesh, meaning the self-sufficient personality, for he who does not learn to trust in the Lord, and wait for His intervention, cannot live according to faith.

The second purpose of fasting is to remove any satanic trait that the person may still have in his inner self, let us read verse 6, and then explain: Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? (vs. 6). That there are satanic traits even in a deliverance minister, let there be no doubt, for the apostle Paul’s teaching to the Ephesians makes this clear:that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.[18] In the first epistle of John we also read: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.[19] So, fasting has the purpose of removing any satanic traits that still remain in the person, and this must be a conscious act, in order for fasting to produce benefit.

The second purpose of fasting is to remove any satanic trait that the person may still have in his inner self,

No deliverance minister can ‘deliver’ another if he is not free first, otherwise there is a risk that the contamination in the infected person will be increased to the maximum by the irresponsibility of the deliverance minister; the biblical basis is found in the teaching of Jesus,

³And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? ⁴Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? ⁵Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:3-5

and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
2^nd. Corinthians 10:6

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Matthew 10:8

The third purpose of fasting is to make us aware that God demands that we seek the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness.[20] Fasting establishes the demand to do righteousness as a merit to establish deliverance; no one can be delivered without first doing acts of righteousness in others. Let us read verse 7, and explain: Is it not (the fast I chose) to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

The third purpose of fasting is to make us aware that God demands that we seek the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness.

The teaching that it is necessary to do acts of righteousness as a merit to establish liberation in others is a teaching established since the Old Testament, we read in the book of Deuteronomy:

And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers,
Deuteronomy 6:18

God established His statutes, decrees and commandments to give instruction by them to His people as to His character and divine Will,

¹⁷For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: ¹⁸he doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. ¹⁹Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 10:17-19

Thus, in conclusion, fasting has the purpose of ’emptying’ ourselves of the self-sufficient personality, and knowing how to wait on God’s provision; it has the purpose of weakening the flesh so that all acquired defilements, material and spiritual, are cast off; it has the purpose of removing all satanic traits that may still exist because of the past way of living; and the purpose of making us conscious to re-evaluate our acts of Righteousness.

Having understood the meaning and value of fasting, we must now understand why Jesus instructed His disciples that this kind of demons do not come out except by prayer and fasting.

The process of deliverance is as follows. Demons do not come out of their own free will, in deliverance every demon will resist to the point of exhaustion to prevent them from being thrown out of the body they have occupied; usually the demons hold on to the manifestations of the ‘flesh’ of the body they have inhabited,[21] it is as if they throw anchors into the flesh of the body to attach themselves to it; but the strength of the faith of the one who ministers deliverance will finally cause them to be cast out.[22]

The kind of demons that come out only by prayer and fasting operate differently from the rest; this kind of demons are subject both to the ‘flesh’ of the body of the infected and to the ‘flesh’ of the body of the one who ministers deliverance; if he who ministers deliverance has not emptied himself of the personality of self-sufficiency, nor has he bent his flesh to the obedience of Christ Jesus, nor has he removed from himself every trace of Satan in him, nor has he works of Righteousness to merit his work of deliverance, he will not be able to cast out any demon for the demon is ‘anchored’ to the flesh of his own body; under these conditions the demon will not come out. The teaching is clear.

Returning to the definition of fasting in Isaiah 58. When a person seeks the Lord in prayer and fasting, under the conditions He established, we will see the following results,

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. ²Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God… ⁵Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? ⁶Is not this the fast that I have chosen?… ⁷Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry,… ⁸Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. ⁹Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; ¹⁰and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: ¹¹and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. ¹²And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. ¹³If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: ¹⁴then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Isaiah 58

Let us pray and fast, let us return to the principles of the Word… this was the foundation of the church that Jesus established in Jerusalem over His twelve apostles, the church that the Lord calls ‘the Body of Christ’.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:42

And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Acts 10:4

And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
Acts 10:30

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Acts 14:23

Scripture quotations are taken from the Authorized King James Version, 1909 (AKJV).

Pastor Pedro Montoya

Chat on WhatsApp

[1] Mark 3:15: and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

[2] Luke 11:20: But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. (Mathew 12:28)

[3] Hebrews 2:14-15: ¹⁴Forasmuch 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; ¹⁵and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

1^st. Corinthians 2:1-4: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God… ⁴And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

[4] Romans 8:2: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death..

[5] John 8:32

[6] Mark 3:20; 6:31

[7] Mark 5:7-8: ⁷and cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. ⁸For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

[8] Matthew 12:44: Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

[9] Matthew 12:28: But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. (Luke 11:20)

[10] Luke 11:20-22: ²⁰But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. ²¹When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: ²²but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

[11] Matthew 5:25: Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

[12] Matthew 13:19: When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

[13] Matthew 17:21: Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (Mark 9:29).

[14] 1 Samuel 14:24: And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.

Acts 23:12: And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

[15] Esther 4:16: Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

[16] Genesis 2:7: And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

[17] 2^nd. Corinthians 7:1: Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

[18] Ephesians 4:22

[19] 1^st. John 1:8

[20] Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

[21] Galatians 5:19: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Romans 8:13: For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

[22] Luke 11:22: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

The faith as presented in the first epistle of the apostle Paul to Timothy…

Faith is the fundamental theme of the proclamation of the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, it was the central theme of the doctrine presented by Jesus in all His teachings; however, in spite of this, it is the theme about which less is taught today, and this is due in good measure because the contemporary Gospel has been based on philosophical and religious formulations, rather than on the proclamation of the preaching of the cross.

Faith is not only believing, faith consists in living the life of the Kingdom of God according to the provisions of the teachings of Jesus, and according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit; faith leads us to understand the Revelation of God, so that we are enabled to complete proclamatory operations in preparation for the return of Jesus to earth.

All the biblical writers speak of faith, for Salvation, Redemption, Justification and Sanctification, themes of the Gospel, can only be accessed by it; as we study each book and epistle written by all the biblical writers we will discover the knowledge of faith that they attained by the Revelation of the Gospel; However, this emphasis is most notable in Paul’s epistles to Timothy, in principle, because Paul saw in Timothy a young man who could become a great preacher of the Gospel to the Gentiles for that whole region of Asia Minor, and he took him under his ministerial care to instruct him in the way of the preaching of the Cross.

Timothy is special for Paul, there are many references that confirm it; in the book of Acts of the Apostles we read about the good testimony that the inhabitants of Lystra and Iconium gave of Timothy: which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium (16:2). In the first epistle, Paul commends him to ‘fight the good fight of faith‘ (6:12), which by the parity of the expression with the way Paul defines his own ministry in the second epistle: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (4:7), it is noted with it that Paul considered Timothy as the heir of his ministry, almost in the same way as Elijah invested Elisha. Paul took special ministerial care of Timothy; in the second epistle, Paul exhorts Timothy to keep alive the call to the Gospel: Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands (1:6), and already at the end of the same epistle, when Paul warns of the end of his days, we read of Paul’s charge to him to fulfill his ministry: But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry (4:5).

The epistles of the apostle Paul to Timothy are rich in Revelation about the knowledge about faith, both epistles pour in the writing a wide deployment of faith establishments that were part of the Revelation of God in Paul; Nevertheless, I have wanted to take only the first epistle, in principle, because there are several principles of faith that are unknown within the contemporary ecclesiastical ambience, some of them of difficult understanding, and I do not want that when we expose ourselves to them, the surprise of reading something new, scandalizes more than one and finds stumbling instead of edification.

The way I have chosen to present these establishments of faith, is to state in the first instance the establishment of faith that Paul proposes, and I have listed them not by importance, but according to the order in which they appear in the writing of the epistle; in the second instance and following the establishment of faith, I quote the text of the verse where such establishment of faith is found, highlighting in bold the part where the Revelation in Paul of the proposed establishment of faith is observed; in the third instance, we set forth the explanation about the statement of faith.

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 establishments of faith will lead us to strive to walk in the Revelation of the mystery of faith.

The epistles of the apostle Paul to Timothy are rich in Revelation about the knowledge about faith, both epistles pour in the writing a wide deployment of faith establishments that were part of the Revelation of God in Paul;

Establishment number 1: Faith has the virtue of ‘procreating’ children according to the faith of the one who instructs: unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. (1:2)

We have in this principle a key to faith; although each one grows according to his own commitment with Jesus, it is not the same to grow in faith by himself, than to grow under the instruction of one who guides him in the teaching; this knowledge is based on the teaching of Jesus, the model of faith is proposed by the measure reached by the teacher who instructs:

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord…
Mathew 10:25

A clear example is seen in the case of Philip’s intervention with the Ethiopian eunuch who had gone up to Jerusalem to worship; at the end of the encounter, the eunuch’s growth in faith is much more remarkable than at the beginning of his encounter with Philip.

³⁰And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? ³¹And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.… ³⁹ And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 8:30-39

Paul establishes with this establishment of faith that a man or woman of faith, teachers or not, can ‘procreate’ children in the faith to the extent that they devote time and attention to individually train and teach others to walk in faith. It all depends on the commitment made before God to do so.

Establishment number 2: The edification of God in the life of the believer depends on the faith that he/she has or is developing: neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. (1:4)

The life of faith in Jesus is a spiritual edification that each one builds as his/her faith grows in the knowledge of Jesus, and of his/her submission to His Lordship. Repeatedly, the apostle Paul defines life in Christ Jesus as a ‘building’ that is under construction,

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
1^st. Corinthians 3:9

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2^nd. Corinthians 5:1

in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Ephesians 2:21

The ‘edification’ of life in Christ Jesus is built by faith in the name of Jesus, and grows as we assimilate the doctrine of His teachings,

but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Ephesians 4:15

Establishment number 3: God’s demands can only be understood through faith; the imposition of a commandment takes you away from faith: Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:(1:5)

Every commandment of God to man has been given for the purpose of man and woman attaining the wisdom to see faith in the instruction. The commandment according to faith is an instruction of action, faith is attained when the person detaches himself from the imposition of the Law and sees in the ordinance a counsel of God to live in perfection; Paul explains this principle in his epistle to the Romans,

³¹But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. ³²Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone;
Romans 9:31-32

If someone does not understand God’s demands, or questions them, it is because he/she does not walk in the faith of Jesus….

Establishment number 4: Grace is vivified by faith, no one can understand the Grace and love of God if he/she does not have faith: And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (1:14)

Grace means that I did nothing to deserve God’s forgiveness; it means that I am not worthy, and that I never will be, yet even though I am still unworthy, You still love me. Believing in Jesus does not make me worthy, it simply opens the door for me to live by faith, and receive by faith the Grace of God. To be Justified by Grace does not mean to be made worthy of it, Justification means the exaltation on earth of the love of God, for it is the love of God, and not our works, that has freed us from sin and death, and has given us a new life according to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 3:24

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Romans 11:6

Grace is vivified by faith, it is the faith of the believer who keeps it in force, hence the importance of living by faith.

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Romans 4:16

by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:2

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Galatians 2:21

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Galatians 5:4

Establishment number 5: Faith can be lost if it is not kept active: holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: (1:19)

That faith can be lost is not a new theme, Jesus established it in one of his teachings,

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Luke 18:8

If faith is lost, Grace is invalidated; Grace is an undeserved and free gift of God, but it is only valid as long as faith remains active; Grace is vivified by faith, hence the need to keep faith alive and grow in it.

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:17

till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Ephesians 4:13

Establishment number 6: Recognizing and submitting to lines of authority is vital to remaining and growing in faith: Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (2:15)

The reason why Paul conditions the salvation of the married woman to the permanence in the faith of the children, is because the woman in the Hebrew context is the one in charge of the education of the children, and also in charge of the administration of the home,

¹⁰Who can find a virtuous woman?
for her price is far above rubies.
¹¹The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
so that he shall have no need of spoil.
¹²She will do him good and not evil
all the days of her life.
¹³She seeketh wool, and flax,
and worketh willingly with her hands.
¹⁴She is like the merchants’ ships;
she bringeth her food from afar.
¹⁵She riseth also while it is yet night,
and giveth meat to her household,
and a portion to her maidens.
¹⁶She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
¹⁷She girdeth her loins with strength,
and strengtheneth her arms.
¹⁸She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
her candle goeth not out by night.
¹⁹She layeth her hands to the spindle,
and her hands hold the distaff.
²⁰She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
²²She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
her clothing is silk and purple.
²³Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
²⁴She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
²⁵Strength and honour are her clothing;
and she shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
²⁸Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Proverbs 31:10-28

If the children do not remain in what they were taught, it is because the teaching was weak, and this falls under the responsibility of the woman,

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

If the children remain in the faith it is because the mother has instructed them correctly, and has delivered her children from death. This is the ministry in faith of the woman as mother and wife. A good example of this principle is found in the words of the apostle to Timothy in his second epistle:

when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
2^nd. Timothy 1:5

Additionally, the apostle Paul’s reference also encompasses the relationship in marriage of the woman to the man; Paul does not intend to emphasize cultural submission, he intends to establish and emphasize the value of recognizing lines of authority, in this particular case Paul emphasizes the line of authority that God established in the Garden of Eden,

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Genesis 3:16

Subjection and respect for the lines of authority is vital to remain and grow in the faith, this is the teaching that the woman transmits to her children,

⁸The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. ⁹For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. ¹⁰When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Matthew 8:8-10

Those who cross lines of authority do not grow in faith; faith is based on the recognition of lines of authority, regardless of whether they are just or unjust,

He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
Luke 11:23

⁴And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? ⁵Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
(Exodus 22:28) Acts 23:4-5

And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.
1 Samuel 24:6

Establishment number 7: Faith requires a clear conscience in order to operate: holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. (3:9)

Although faith is the result of ‘believing’ the Word of God and walking by it, faith can be hindered, one of the ways to hinder faith is because of a defiled conscience.

Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
1^st. Corinthians 8:7

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
2^nd. Corinthians 1:12

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

conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?
1^st. Corinthians 10:29

Establishment number 8: Faith is determinant to exercise an approved ministry before God; if there is no faith, there is no ministry: For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (3:13)

The proclamation of the Gospel is not based on scholarship, nor on homiletic skills; the Gospel is and consists in the proclamation of God’s wisdom expressed in terms of God’s love to reconcile man and deliver him from death,

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
1^st. Corinthians 1:17

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God… ⁴ And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1^st. Corinthians 2:1-4

but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1^st. Corinthians 1:27

The ministry of a New Covenant consists in the proclamation of the Word of the cross, and according to the establishment of the apostle Paul, the ministry is established by faith, it is the only way to establish it since it is about highlighting the Grace of God through Jesus Christ in His atonement on the cross. The ministry of each one depends on the level of faith that each one has reached.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1^st. Corinthians 1:18

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16

Establishment number 9: Apostasy is an attack against the faith: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (4:1)

Although apostasy is usually defined as the introduction of unbiblical teaching presented as if it were biblical doctrine, in his epistle to Timothy Paul integrates a more advanced definition, and establishes in it that apostasy does not necessarily consist of heretical doctrine; Paul establishes that apostasy consists of an attack on the faith of the believer, the purpose is to force the believer to think differently from the Scriptures and the Gospel; apostasy does not necessarily mean that the person abandons Christianity, nor renounces his belief with respect to Jesus, apostasy has to do with the way of understanding the doctrine of the Gospel even though the person continues to belong to the congregation of faith.

We all know that faith is based on ‘believing’ in the Gospel;[1] if the believer has ‘another’ way of thinking, that is, a way different from what was established in the original proclamation of the word of the cross, however small it may be, his way of thinking changes the basis of faith; by changing the basis of faith, faith ceases to be the support of Grace and becomes inactive,[2] and the believer’s thinking becomes apostasy.

Thus, apostasy is an attack on faith, this is the establishment of faith that the apostle discovers to Timothy so that he knows how to correct those who oppose;[3] this establishment is described at the beginning of the epistle, Paul reminds him of the reason for leaving him in Ephesus: I write to you in the same way as when I asked you to stay in Ephesus, to go on to Macedonia, so that you would be in charge of instructing some who do not teach differently from the Gospel. (1:3, free translation). In other epistles this same definition is also observed, for example, in the epistle to the Philippians Paul presents it as the urgency to keep the same understanding, it is the way the apostle denounces the introduction of apostasy within the community; Paul begins with the warning that all should ‘understanding’ the same: fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (2:2); Later, in the same epistle, he re-emphasizes the value in the Gospel of understanding in the same way: Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (3:15); In the conclusion of the epistle, Paul directly exhorts Euodias and Syntychê, and exhorts them to have the same understanding of the rest of the community: I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. (4:2).

We see then that for the apostle faith has a very important value, it must be cared for and maintained (1:19), if it is not properly cared for, faith will be attacked and could be lost.

Establishment number 10: In order that faith may grow in others it is necessary not to withhold exhortation according to the Words of Truth: If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. (4:6)

Reproof is a form of deliverance, whoever does not reprove to correct those who incur in sinning prevents them from their deliverance; the apostle exhorts Timothy to make use of reproof so that believers may be clean in their faith and not fall into stagnation.

Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
1^st. Timothy 5:20

This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Titus 1:13

Establishment number 11: Faith models behavior in others: Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (4:12)

That a man or woman of faith can establish modeling of faith in others is nothing new, the subject was part of the apostolic teachings of the Gospel, and was proclaimed as such to both Jews and Gentiles.

Faith modeling does not mean and should not be understood as ‘witnessing’, since faith modeling is part of the doctrinal training and teaching within the church, witnessing is directed to unbelievers.

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1^st. Corinthians 11:1

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Ephesians 5:1

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Philippians 3:17

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
1^st. Thessalonians 1:6

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
1^st. Thessalonians 2:14

that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:12

and the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
Romans 4:12

I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
2^nd. Corinthians 12:18

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1^st. Peter 2:21

Establishment number 12: Faith is founded on Justice; faith without justice is a faith of title only: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (5:8)

This is not a new establishment, it was precisely the statement established by God Himself after Abraham’s action of having believed the Word of God,

And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 15:6

According to this statement, faith does not consist only in believing but in establishing righteousness through acts; it is the way the Lord evaluates faith,

So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.
Genesis 30:33

The prophet Habakkuk presented it in his writing as the foundation of the life that pleases the Lord,

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:4

Hence the apostle Paul prefers to speak of ‘the righteousness of faith’, and not only of faith, to explain that faith is judged by acts of righteousness and not only by the beliefs that a person may have,

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Romans 4:11

For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Galatians 5:5

and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Philippians 3:9

Therefore, when James writes that faith can die if it does not have works, he is basically referring to the works of righteousness that each person undertakes to validate his faith in Jesus,

¹⁷ Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. ¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.… ²⁰ But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? ²² Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?… ²⁴ Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. ²⁵ Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? ²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:17-26

Establishment number 13: Faith as a work of righteousness begins with the marriage relationship: having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. (5:12)

Paul speaks of the ‘first faith’, and by it he refers to the act of ‘faithfulness’ that both man and woman profess to keep for each other when they are joined in marriage, in the book of Proverbs the value of the woman of his youth is emphasized in the man,

Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Proverbs 5:18

It is not the first time that Paul emphasizes the value of marriage and fidelity between spouses; in the book of Hebrews he highlights the merit of fidelity as part of the life of faith,

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Hebrews 13:4

To have cast off the first faith means that the person has not shown by her actions respect for the memory of her husband, which is considered an act of unrighteousness and, therefore, an act that violates fidelity.

Establishment number 14: Faith does not allow competing for fame or riches, whoever is inclined to them is moving away from faith: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (6:10)

One of the ways Satan uses to draw men and women out of the faith of the holy calling is fame and the love of making a lot of money, we see this in one of the temptations Satan threw at Jesus.

⁸Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; ⁹and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matthew 4:8-9

The apostle Peter defines this inclination as the ‘way of Balaam’.

which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2^nd. Peter 2:15

Jude also writes about it, and again highlights the error of Balaam and compares it with the way of Cain, and with the rebellion of Korah,

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Jude 11

Establishment number 15: Faith is the purpose of life: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (6:11)

According to this establishment we should all aspire to faith, not as to attain benefits by it, but to establish by it the purpose of life in Christ Jesus; Eternal Life depends on learning to live by faith,

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Romans 6:22

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1^st. Timothy 6:12

and the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
Romans 4:12

Establishment number 16: Faith is strengthened through spiritual warfare: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (6:12)

Faith is spiritual warfare, because as the apostle Paul rightly stated, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the lords of the world, against the rulers of this darkness, against spiritual wickedness in the air; but it is a war that is exercised from the resistance to everything that pretends to direct men and women to walk in opposition to the teachings of Jesus. This spiritual warfare consists in taking away from Satan all ‘legal rights’ that allow him to operate in the same environment of faith; it is of no use a theology that teaches the believer to ‘rebuke’ the devil if it does not first instruct him on how to cancel the actions that give Satan ‘rights’ to operate in his environment.

Faith is born of the restored character according to the image and likeness of Jesus Christ; the legal right that Satan uses to continue operating in the midst of faith is the same ambiguity of mind that still persists in the heart of the believer. Apostasy is precisely a double doctrinal stance; in Jesus’ words, apostasy is the tares sown in a wheat field.

In this exhortation, the apostle is defining spiritual warfare as the conscious ‘striving’ to do according to God’s Will. Fight’ means ‘strive’ to establish the Will of God. The expression used by the apostle reflects an ‘agonizing’ effort, that is, an effort carried to the last consequences. The good fight of faith, then, means the fortitude born in the knowledge of God’s call that imposes itself on all spiritual resistance that tries to stop the work of faith. Faith is activated when man and woman enter into spiritual warfare.

Establishment number 17: A believer may have lost faith and continue to believe in God without having been warned: which some professing have erred concerning the faith. (6:21)

As it has been presented in previous paragraphs, faith does not depend exclusively on ‘believing’, although in the life of faith everything has begun as an act of ‘believing’ in God’s provision, in order to grow and persevere in faith, it is necessary that the believer learns to do acts of righteousness in correlation with the execution of God’s plans.

Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.
Zephaniah 2:3

Thus, if a believer does not perform acts of righteousness, his faith may die, and he may not realize it; therefore, this establishment of faith is extremely important because it warns us about the danger that every man and woman of faith runs, of ‘going astray’ from the faith without realizing it.

because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Romans 1:21

Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:21

Well, we have concluded. The reader will see that the riches of Revelation that the apostle Paul had in regard to faith were exceedingly abundant. Paul’s faith was the result of having recognized Jesus as Lord and Christ, and of having labored for Him in the proclamation of the Word of the cross.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Authorized King James Version, 1909 (AKJV).

Pastor Pedro Montoya

Chat on WhatsApp

[1] Mark 1:15: and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

[2] Galatians 5:4: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

[3] 2 Timothy 2:25: in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Fight the good fight of faith…

¹¹But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. ¹²Fight (ἀγωνίζου) the good fight (ἀγῶνα) of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1^st. Timothy 6:11-12

At first sight, by the use of the word ‘fight’, the expression coined by the Apostle Paul and addressed to Timothy could well be considered as a personal exhortation to raise the level of faith and ministerial authority of Timothy, who, according to the wording of the epistle, seems to be facing difficult times in Ephesus.[1] We say that at first sight, because when we consider the expression in light of other Gospel teachings, there is no evidence that faith is a weapon of attack, Paul even defines it in his epistle to the Ephesians as a weapon of defense;[2] So, ‘fight the good fight of faith‘ is not a word of advice and/or encouragement from Paul to Timothy, Paul does not intend Timothy to fight anyone, not even against darkness; ‘fight the good fight of faith‘ is rather the exhortation to strive to walk faster than those who are working in tune with darkness, it is to fulfill the ministry for which he was reached.[3]

fight the good fight of faith is the exhortation to strive to walk faster than those who are working in tune with darkness, it is to fulfill the ministry for which he was reached.

Fight, ἀγωνίζου (agonizu) in Greek, was in the time of the New Testament an expression of popular use, and its meaning denotes the action of entering into competition against other runners with the commitment to give the highest performance, is to enter the race willingly with the awareness that it will achieve a winning result; So, in that sense fight, ἀγωνίζου (agonizu), is not to enter the fight against temptations, against sin, or against darkness, it is to acquire the consciousness that it must accelerate the pace, if the city is not to be wrapped up in false doctrine. Paul wants Timothy to see that some people are teaching different doctrine; the demand for Timothy is to strive even more, without truce, to correct those who do such a thing; thence comes a second instruction, Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine… Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.[4]

Fight, ἀγωνίζου (agonizu), is the command not to abandon the task of proclaiming the message of the cross, it is vital to bring people out of ignorance and bring them to Christ Jesus;[5] ‘fight the good fight of faith’ is the race to reach Eternal Life.[6]

Fight, is the command not to abandon the task of proclaiming the message of the cross, it is vital to bring people out of ignorance and bring them to Christ Jesus;

Thus, fight, ἀγωνίζου (agonizu), in general terms, means the conscious ‘effort’ to do according to the Will of God. Fight’ means ‘strive’ to establish the Will of God. The expression used by the apostle reflects an ‘agonizing’ effort, that is to say, an effort carried to the last consequences. The good fight of faith, then, means the strength born of the knowledge of God’s call that is imposed on all spiritual resistance that seeks to stop the work of faith.

The good fight of faith is the personal decision for the work of God,[7] it is the maximum effort even beyond the limits of self-sacrifice in order to complete the work that was demanded of us by the Spirit.[8] The good fight of faith overcomes all resistance put up by the kingdom of darkness; the good fight of faith is to understand that nothing and no one can stop the work of the Lord, but understanding, above all, that we are charged with watching over its fulfillment. The good fight of faith demands active participation in the work of God. In the epistle to the Hebrews we find this same exhortation in almost the same words.

³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. ⁴Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. ⁵And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Hebrews 12:3-5

The good fight of faith is the personal decision for the work of God, it is the maximum effort even beyond the limits of self-sacrifice in order to complete the work that was demanded of us by the Spirit.

The apostle Paul’s exhortation to Timothy can be paraphrased as follows: “Sacrifice yourself to the point of agony in order to win this spiritual battle of faith; on it depends the Eternal Life for which you were called, having borne witness before many witnesses.”

Sacrifice yourself to the point of agony in order to win this spiritual battle of faith; on it depends the Eternal Life for which you were called, having borne witness before many witnesses.

Although the word is the root of the English term ‘agonizing’, in its time, the word was not used to indicate a tragic event, but on the contrary, to reflect determination, firmness, security and commitment to put all the effort into what one does. In the writings of the New Testament it appears a good number of times, and all of them showing this same character of competitive effort:

Luke 13:24: Strive (ἀγωνίζεσθε) to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
John 18:36: Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight (ἠγωνίζοντο), that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
1^st. Corinthians 9:25: And every man that striveth (ἀγωνιζόμενος), for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Colossians 1:29: whereunto I also labour, striving (ἀγωνιζόμενος) according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Colossians 4:12: Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring (ἀγωνιζόμενος) fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
1^st. Timothy 4:10: For therefore we both labour and suffer (ἀγωνιζόμεθα) reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
1^st. Timothy 6:11-12: Fight (ἀγωνίζου) the good fight (ἀγῶνα) of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2^nd. Timothy 4:7: I have fought (ἠγώνισμαι) a good fight (ἀγῶνα), I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

All biblical quotations are taken from the King James Version.

Pastor Pedro Montoya

Twitter: @pastormontoya

Chat on WhatsApp

[1] 1^st. Timothy 1:3:As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

[2] Ephesians 6:16: above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

[3] 2^nd. Timothy 4:5:But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

[4] 1^st. Timothy 4:13-15

[5] Ephesians 4:18:having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

[6] 2^nd. Timothy 4:7: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

[7] Luke 10:42: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

[8] 2^nd. Timothy 4:2:preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Menu

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

Share this:

Like this:

Spiritual warfare and deliverance are not formulas, nor costumes, nor rites, nor anything similar, the demons do not obey any of that,

The authority arises as a consequence of the Revelation, it is instantaneous,

Authority comes as a result of understanding the Revelation of the Word, it is not only to know the Word, it is to understand the ‘spirit’ of the Word, before it there is no demon that can resist.

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Establishment number 1: Faith has the virtue of ‘procreating’ children according to the faith of the one who instructs: unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. (1:2)

Establishment number 2: The edification of God in the life of the believer depends on the faith that he/she has or is developing: neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. (1:4)

Establishment number 3: God’s demands can only be understood through faith; the imposition of a commandment takes you away from faith: Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:(1:5)

Establishment number 4: Grace is vivified by faith, no one can understand the Grace and love of God if he/she does not have faith: And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (1:14)

Establishment number 5: Faith can be lost if it is not kept active: holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: (1:19)

Establishment number 6: Recognizing and submitting to lines of authority is vital to remaining and growing in faith: Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (2:15)

Establishment number 7: Faith requires a clear conscience in order to operate: holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. (3:9)

Establishment number 8: Faith is determinant to exercise an approved ministry before God; if there is no faith, there is no ministry: For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (3:13)

Establishment number 9: Apostasy is an attack against the faith: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (4:1)

Establishment number 11: Faith models behavior in others: Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (4:12)

Establishment number 12: Faith is founded on Justice; faith without justice is a faith of title only: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (5:8)

Establishment number 13: Faith as a work of righteousness begins with the marriage relationship: having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. (5:12)

Establishment number 14: Faith does not allow competing for fame or riches, whoever is inclined to them is moving away from faith: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (6:10)

Establishment number 15: Faith is the purpose of life: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (6:11)

Establishment number 16: Faith is strengthened through spiritual warfare: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (6:12)

Establishment number 17: A believer may have lost faith and continue to believe in God without having been warned: which some professing have erred concerning the faith. (6:21)

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: