(bold/underline is my emphasis)
1.The apostle Paul-The Lonely Walk
"...These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me." Colossians 4:11
"At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge." 2 Timothy 4:16
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Many may have seen the following. But perhaps this article will "re- instill" an appreciation of the lonely walk of Paul, and the same lonely walk facing those who recognize and proclaim his distinct apostle ship and the revelation of the mystery, and will also serve as an encouragement/edification("to build up"), as we are faithful to the charge: "...remembrance of these things..."(1 Timothy 4:6).
A Letter to the Apostle Paul
Author unknown
Rev. Saul Paul
Independent Missionary
Corinth, Greece
Dear Mr. Paul,
We recently received an application from you for service under our Board.
It is our policy to be as frank and open-minded as possible with all our applicants. We have made an exhaustive survey of your case. To be plain, we are surprised that you have been able to "pass" as a bonafide missionary.
We are told that you are afflicted with a severe eye-trouble. This is certain to be an insuperable handicap to an effective ministry. Our Board requires 20/20 vision.
At Antioch, we learn, you opposed Dr. Simon Peter, an esteemed home missionary and actually rebuked him publicly. You stirred up so much trouble at Antioch that a special Board meeting had to be convened in Jerusalem. We cannot condone such actions.
Do you think it seemly for a missionary to do part-time secular work? We hear that you are making tents on the side. In a letter to the church at Phillipi, you admitted that they were the only church supporting you. We wonder why.
Is it true that you have a jail record? Certain brethren report that you did two years time at Caesarea and were imprisoned at Rome.
You made so much trouble for the business men at Ephesus that they refer to you as "the man who turned the world upside down." Sensationalism, in missions, is uncalled for. We also deplore the lurid "over-the-wall-in-a-basket" episode at Damascus.
We are appalled at your obvious lack of conciliatory behavior. Diplomatic men are not stoned and dragged out of the city gates, or assaulted by furious mobs. Have you ever suspected that gentler words might gain you more friends? I enclose a copy of Dalius Carnagus' book, "How To Win Jews and influence Greeks."
In one of your letters, you refer to yourself as "Paul the aged." Our new mission policies do not envisage a surplus of superannuated recipients.
We understand that you are given to fantasies and dreams. At Troas, you saw "a man of Macedonia" and at another time "were caught up into the third heaven" and even claimed "the Lord stood by" you. We reckon that more realistic and practical minds are needed in the task of world evangelism.
You have caused much trouble everywhere you have gone. You opposed the honorable women at Berea and the leaders of your own nationality in Jerusalem. If a man cannot get along with his own people, how can he serve foreigners? We learn that you are a snake-handler. At Malta, you picked up a poisonous serpent which is said to have bitten you, but you did not suffer harm. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk!
You admit that while you were serving time at Rome that "all forsook you." Good men are not left friendless. Three fine brothers, by the names of Diotrephes, Demas and Alexander, the coppersmith, have notarized affidavits to the effect that it is impossible for them to cooperate with either you or your program.
We know that you had a bitter quarrel with a fellow missionary named Barnabas. Harsh words do not further God's work.
You have written many letters to churches where you have formerly been pastor. In one of the letters, you accused a church member of living with his father's wife, and you caused the whole church to feel badly; and the poor fellow was expelled.
You spend too much time talking about "the second coming of Christ." Your letters to the people at Thessalonica were almost entirely devoted to this theme. Put first things first from now on.
Your ministry has been far too flighty to be successful. First Asia Minor, then Macedonia, then Greece, then Italy and now you are talking about a wild goose chase into Spain. Concentration is more important than dissipation of one's powers. You cannot win the whole world by yourself. You are just one little Paul.
In a recent sermon, you said "God forbid that I should glory in anything save the cross of Christ." It seems to us that you also ought to glory in our heritage, our denominational program, the unified budget, our Cooperative Program and the World Federation of Churches.
Your sermons are much too long for the times. At one place, you talked until after midnight and a young man was so asleep that he fell out of the window and broke his neck. Nobody is saved after the first twenty minutes any way. "Stand up, speak up and then shut up," is our advice.
Dr. Luke reports that you are a thin little man, bald, frequently sick and always so agitated over your church that you sleep very poorly. He reports that you pad around the house praying half the night. A healthy mind in a robust body is our ideal for all applicants. A good night's sleep will give you zest and zip so that you wake full of zing.
We find it best to send only married men into foreign service. We deplore your policy of persistent celibacy. Simon Magus has set up a matrimonial bureau at Samaria, where the names of some very fine widows are available.
You wrote recently to Timothy that "you had fought a good fight." Fighting is hardly a recommendation for a missionary. No fight is a good fight. Jesus came, not to bring a sword, but peace. You boast that "I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus." What on earth do you mean?
It hurts me to tell you this, Brother Paul, but in all of my twenty-five years experience, I have never met a man so opposite to the requirements of our Foreign Mission Board. If we accepted you, we would break every rule of modern missionary practice.
Most Sincerely yours,
J. Flavious Fluffyhead,
Foreign Mission Board Secretary
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paul is the "apostle of the Gentiles"(Romans 11:13, Gal. 2:8), and thus your/our apostle.
Paul is "the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God"(Romans 15:16), which was committed to his trust(1 Tim. 1:11).
Paul is "an apostle...a teacher of the Gentiles...(1 Tim. 2:8).
Paul was "appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles"(2 Tim. 1:11).
Paul "laid the foundation" for the Body of Christ(1 Cor. 3:10).
Paul is a "minister of God according to the dispensation of God"(Col. 1:25).
Paul's writings are the Lord Jesus Christ's commandments today: Romans 15:18,
2 Cor. 13:3, 1 Cor. 14:37:
"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."
We are to follow Paul by direct orders from the Lord Jesus Christ-following Paul is following Christ:
"Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me." 1 Cor. 4:16
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." 1 Cor. 11:1
"Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." Philippians 3:17
"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Philippians 4:9
Paul is our pattern:
"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." 1 Tim. 1:16
Paul received his authority from the risen, ascended, glorified Lord Jesus Christ from heaven by revelation, not from man: Acts 20:24; Romans 16:25;Gal. 1:11,12, 2:2; Eph. 3:3
We are commanded to follow Paul today, not Peter, for following Paul is following the Lord Jesus Christ. The Body of Christ's prophet, or leader, is the apostle Paul, "...the apostle of the Gentiles...."(Romans 11:13). Just as Israel followed Moses, believers in this dispensation are commanded by the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ to follow Paul: 1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1; Philippians 3:17, 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:16. His writings are scripture, the inspired word of God(1 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 1:3; 2 Peter 3:15,16), and are the Lord Jesus Christ's words and commands in this dispensation: Romans 15:18; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Corinthians 13:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:2; 1 Timothy 6:3 . Again, since we learn through repetition,The Lord Jesus Christ appointed Paul as :
-our apostle(not Peter, nor "the 12"): Romans 11:13; 2 Corinthians 11:5; Galatians 2:8; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11
-our pattern; 1 Timothy 1:16
-the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles in this dispensation: Romans 15:16; Ephesians 3:7,8; Colossians 1:23-25
-a preacher: 1 Timothy 2:7 2 Timothy 1:11; Titus 1:3;
- a teacher of the Gentiles: 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11
- a prophet: 1 Corinthians 14:37
-the masterbuilder, having laid the foundation of the Body of Christ: 1 Corinthians 3:10
-a steward of the mysteries of God: 1 Corinthians 4:1
-the administrator, "steward", for the present dispensation of the grace of God: Ephesians 3:1-9
-authoritative: Titus 2:15; 2 Corinthians 13:10
Paul calls The LORD God to witness more often than any other biblical writer, and no other biblical writer spoke with an oath more than Paul: Romans 9:1; 2 Corinthians 1:18, 11:10,31; Galatians 1:20; Philippians 1:8; 1 Timothy 2:7
Despite what you have been taught by "tradition", the Lord Jesus Christ's "marching orders" for today are given through Paul(the mystery program), not Peter(the prophetic program). And the reason for the apostasy of the RCC(I am a former "Roman") and most of so-called "Christianity"? Following Peter instead of Paul, following the prophetic program, and knowing "Christ after the flesh"(2 Cor. 5:16-his earthly ministry, presented as King of the Jews), instead of the mystery program, and knowing him as "the head of the body", the risen, ascended, glorified Lord Jesus Christ from heaven as revealed to the apostle Paul, "the apostle of the Gentiles"(Romans 11:13).
Paul alone was chosen to be God's spokesman for this new dispensation. The other 12 Apostles knew nothing about this dispensation; they knew only what Paul taught them ,and that is why Paul said he went by revelation- by direct command of the risen, ascended, glorified Lord Jesus Christ of heaven, to Jerusalem to confer with the 12 Apostles, and to teach them what gospel he preached- Gal. 2:2. If the Jerusalem apostles had been preaching the same gospel, that would had not have been not only unnecessary, but insane! And thus, we have TBN("The Blasphemy Network"), and the rest of the apostates preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Intra-dispensational principle: The LORD God of division
"...and God divided the light from the darkness." Genesis 1:4
With Christmas approaching, I am reminded of the annual David Bowie/Bing Crosby rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy". Mr. Bowie sings the oft-repeated phrase "Peace on Earth" as its main message. This is the predominantly Christ-rejecting world's interpretation/understanding of the message of Christmas. However, according to the Holy Bible, which is "...true from the beginning...."(Psalms 119:160), this is not the message of Christmas.
Yes, the words "peace on earth" are in the Holy Bible, but they are not in the Christmas account. The Lord Jesus Christ does speak of "peace on earth":
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34
Notice: a sword divides/separates-it does not unify/"bring together"
"Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:..." Luke 12:51
Both times the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of "peace on earth", he said, in simple terms that left no doubt as to his intended meaning, that he was not bringing it. He did not bring it when he was on earth, and he does not bring it today. And the verse the "world" traditionally understands(and embraces) to say "peace on earth", actually says:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14
This speaks of God's peace toward each man in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, not peace between men.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the "great divider." The world is quite willing to accept a "sweet little baby lying in the manger", but mention the Lord Jesus Christ and his cross, and that he is a "...man of war...."(Exodus 15:3), and he, and anyone that proclaims his message, becomes unwelcome guests, with "...no room for them in the inn"(Luke 2:7)-division.
The same inevitable fate awaits those that are faithful to "right division"-you will be in the minority, and you will be the cause of division. But "...Be of good cheer..."(Acts 23:11). Scripturally, strength in numbers is not only ill-founded, it is not true. Scripture provides abundant testimony to this fact. Consider "the minority":
Noah-only 7 people saved by the LORD through Noah. And yet Noah is called "...a preacher of righteousness...." in 2 Peter 2:5-this should be an encouragement to those who feel they are the only one preaching the gospel of the grace of God.
Joseph-all his brothers opposed him
David- took on a giant
Elijah- outnumbered 450 to one(1 Kings 18:22)
Gideon-Had only 300 men(31,700 eliminated -Judges 6-7)
Paul- "...all men forsook me...."(2 Tim. 4:16).
The Lord Jesus Christ-No commentary is needed here.
What this world, and "Christianity" needs is not more "popular" teaching, but more unpopular preaching. I say "Split, split, split, and keep splitting." Split until the light of right division cuts through all the smoke and fog.
In Christ,
John M. Whalen
1.The apostle Paul-The Lonely Walk
"...These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me." Colossians 4:11
"At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge." 2 Timothy 4:16
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Many may have seen the following. But perhaps this article will "re- instill" an appreciation of the lonely walk of Paul, and the same lonely walk facing those who recognize and proclaim his distinct apostle ship and the revelation of the mystery, and will also serve as an encouragement/edification("to build up"), as we are faithful to the charge: "...remembrance of these things..."(1 Timothy 4:6).
A Letter to the Apostle Paul
Author unknown
Rev. Saul Paul
Independent Missionary
Corinth, Greece
Dear Mr. Paul,
We recently received an application from you for service under our Board.
It is our policy to be as frank and open-minded as possible with all our applicants. We have made an exhaustive survey of your case. To be plain, we are surprised that you have been able to "pass" as a bonafide missionary.
We are told that you are afflicted with a severe eye-trouble. This is certain to be an insuperable handicap to an effective ministry. Our Board requires 20/20 vision.
At Antioch, we learn, you opposed Dr. Simon Peter, an esteemed home missionary and actually rebuked him publicly. You stirred up so much trouble at Antioch that a special Board meeting had to be convened in Jerusalem. We cannot condone such actions.
Do you think it seemly for a missionary to do part-time secular work? We hear that you are making tents on the side. In a letter to the church at Phillipi, you admitted that they were the only church supporting you. We wonder why.
Is it true that you have a jail record? Certain brethren report that you did two years time at Caesarea and were imprisoned at Rome.
You made so much trouble for the business men at Ephesus that they refer to you as "the man who turned the world upside down." Sensationalism, in missions, is uncalled for. We also deplore the lurid "over-the-wall-in-a-basket" episode at Damascus.
We are appalled at your obvious lack of conciliatory behavior. Diplomatic men are not stoned and dragged out of the city gates, or assaulted by furious mobs. Have you ever suspected that gentler words might gain you more friends? I enclose a copy of Dalius Carnagus' book, "How To Win Jews and influence Greeks."
In one of your letters, you refer to yourself as "Paul the aged." Our new mission policies do not envisage a surplus of superannuated recipients.
We understand that you are given to fantasies and dreams. At Troas, you saw "a man of Macedonia" and at another time "were caught up into the third heaven" and even claimed "the Lord stood by" you. We reckon that more realistic and practical minds are needed in the task of world evangelism.
You have caused much trouble everywhere you have gone. You opposed the honorable women at Berea and the leaders of your own nationality in Jerusalem. If a man cannot get along with his own people, how can he serve foreigners? We learn that you are a snake-handler. At Malta, you picked up a poisonous serpent which is said to have bitten you, but you did not suffer harm. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk!
You admit that while you were serving time at Rome that "all forsook you." Good men are not left friendless. Three fine brothers, by the names of Diotrephes, Demas and Alexander, the coppersmith, have notarized affidavits to the effect that it is impossible for them to cooperate with either you or your program.
We know that you had a bitter quarrel with a fellow missionary named Barnabas. Harsh words do not further God's work.
You have written many letters to churches where you have formerly been pastor. In one of the letters, you accused a church member of living with his father's wife, and you caused the whole church to feel badly; and the poor fellow was expelled.
You spend too much time talking about "the second coming of Christ." Your letters to the people at Thessalonica were almost entirely devoted to this theme. Put first things first from now on.
Your ministry has been far too flighty to be successful. First Asia Minor, then Macedonia, then Greece, then Italy and now you are talking about a wild goose chase into Spain. Concentration is more important than dissipation of one's powers. You cannot win the whole world by yourself. You are just one little Paul.
In a recent sermon, you said "God forbid that I should glory in anything save the cross of Christ." It seems to us that you also ought to glory in our heritage, our denominational program, the unified budget, our Cooperative Program and the World Federation of Churches.
Your sermons are much too long for the times. At one place, you talked until after midnight and a young man was so asleep that he fell out of the window and broke his neck. Nobody is saved after the first twenty minutes any way. "Stand up, speak up and then shut up," is our advice.
Dr. Luke reports that you are a thin little man, bald, frequently sick and always so agitated over your church that you sleep very poorly. He reports that you pad around the house praying half the night. A healthy mind in a robust body is our ideal for all applicants. A good night's sleep will give you zest and zip so that you wake full of zing.
We find it best to send only married men into foreign service. We deplore your policy of persistent celibacy. Simon Magus has set up a matrimonial bureau at Samaria, where the names of some very fine widows are available.
You wrote recently to Timothy that "you had fought a good fight." Fighting is hardly a recommendation for a missionary. No fight is a good fight. Jesus came, not to bring a sword, but peace. You boast that "I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus." What on earth do you mean?
It hurts me to tell you this, Brother Paul, but in all of my twenty-five years experience, I have never met a man so opposite to the requirements of our Foreign Mission Board. If we accepted you, we would break every rule of modern missionary practice.
Most Sincerely yours,
J. Flavious Fluffyhead,
Foreign Mission Board Secretary
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paul is the "apostle of the Gentiles"(Romans 11:13, Gal. 2:8), and thus your/our apostle.
Paul is "the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God"(Romans 15:16), which was committed to his trust(1 Tim. 1:11).
Paul is "an apostle...a teacher of the Gentiles...(1 Tim. 2:8).
Paul was "appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles"(2 Tim. 1:11).
Paul "laid the foundation" for the Body of Christ(1 Cor. 3:10).
Paul is a "minister of God according to the dispensation of God"(Col. 1:25).
Paul's writings are the Lord Jesus Christ's commandments today: Romans 15:18,
2 Cor. 13:3, 1 Cor. 14:37:
"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."
We are to follow Paul by direct orders from the Lord Jesus Christ-following Paul is following Christ:
"Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me." 1 Cor. 4:16
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." 1 Cor. 11:1
"Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." Philippians 3:17
"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Philippians 4:9
Paul is our pattern:
"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." 1 Tim. 1:16
Paul received his authority from the risen, ascended, glorified Lord Jesus Christ from heaven by revelation, not from man: Acts 20:24; Romans 16:25;Gal. 1:11,12, 2:2; Eph. 3:3
We are commanded to follow Paul today, not Peter, for following Paul is following the Lord Jesus Christ. The Body of Christ's prophet, or leader, is the apostle Paul, "...the apostle of the Gentiles...."(Romans 11:13). Just as Israel followed Moses, believers in this dispensation are commanded by the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ to follow Paul: 1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1; Philippians 3:17, 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:16. His writings are scripture, the inspired word of God(1 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 1:3; 2 Peter 3:15,16), and are the Lord Jesus Christ's words and commands in this dispensation: Romans 15:18; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Corinthians 13:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:2; 1 Timothy 6:3 . Again, since we learn through repetition,The Lord Jesus Christ appointed Paul as :
-our apostle(not Peter, nor "the 12"): Romans 11:13; 2 Corinthians 11:5; Galatians 2:8; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11
-our pattern; 1 Timothy 1:16
-the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles in this dispensation: Romans 15:16; Ephesians 3:7,8; Colossians 1:23-25
-a preacher: 1 Timothy 2:7 2 Timothy 1:11; Titus 1:3;
- a teacher of the Gentiles: 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11
- a prophet: 1 Corinthians 14:37
-the masterbuilder, having laid the foundation of the Body of Christ: 1 Corinthians 3:10
-a steward of the mysteries of God: 1 Corinthians 4:1
-the administrator, "steward", for the present dispensation of the grace of God: Ephesians 3:1-9
-authoritative: Titus 2:15; 2 Corinthians 13:10
Paul calls The LORD God to witness more often than any other biblical writer, and no other biblical writer spoke with an oath more than Paul: Romans 9:1; 2 Corinthians 1:18, 11:10,31; Galatians 1:20; Philippians 1:8; 1 Timothy 2:7
Despite what you have been taught by "tradition", the Lord Jesus Christ's "marching orders" for today are given through Paul(the mystery program), not Peter(the prophetic program). And the reason for the apostasy of the RCC(I am a former "Roman") and most of so-called "Christianity"? Following Peter instead of Paul, following the prophetic program, and knowing "Christ after the flesh"(2 Cor. 5:16-his earthly ministry, presented as King of the Jews), instead of the mystery program, and knowing him as "the head of the body", the risen, ascended, glorified Lord Jesus Christ from heaven as revealed to the apostle Paul, "the apostle of the Gentiles"(Romans 11:13).
Paul alone was chosen to be God's spokesman for this new dispensation. The other 12 Apostles knew nothing about this dispensation; they knew only what Paul taught them ,and that is why Paul said he went by revelation- by direct command of the risen, ascended, glorified Lord Jesus Christ of heaven, to Jerusalem to confer with the 12 Apostles, and to teach them what gospel he preached- Gal. 2:2. If the Jerusalem apostles had been preaching the same gospel, that would had not have been not only unnecessary, but insane! And thus, we have TBN("The Blasphemy Network"), and the rest of the apostates preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Intra-dispensational principle: The LORD God of division
"...and God divided the light from the darkness." Genesis 1:4
With Christmas approaching, I am reminded of the annual David Bowie/Bing Crosby rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy". Mr. Bowie sings the oft-repeated phrase "Peace on Earth" as its main message. This is the predominantly Christ-rejecting world's interpretation/understanding of the message of Christmas. However, according to the Holy Bible, which is "...true from the beginning...."(Psalms 119:160), this is not the message of Christmas.
Yes, the words "peace on earth" are in the Holy Bible, but they are not in the Christmas account. The Lord Jesus Christ does speak of "peace on earth":
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34
Notice: a sword divides/separates-it does not unify/"bring together"
"Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:..." Luke 12:51
Both times the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of "peace on earth", he said, in simple terms that left no doubt as to his intended meaning, that he was not bringing it. He did not bring it when he was on earth, and he does not bring it today. And the verse the "world" traditionally understands(and embraces) to say "peace on earth", actually says:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14
This speaks of God's peace toward each man in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, not peace between men.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the "great divider." The world is quite willing to accept a "sweet little baby lying in the manger", but mention the Lord Jesus Christ and his cross, and that he is a "...man of war...."(Exodus 15:3), and he, and anyone that proclaims his message, becomes unwelcome guests, with "...no room for them in the inn"(Luke 2:7)-division.
The same inevitable fate awaits those that are faithful to "right division"-you will be in the minority, and you will be the cause of division. But "...Be of good cheer..."(Acts 23:11). Scripturally, strength in numbers is not only ill-founded, it is not true. Scripture provides abundant testimony to this fact. Consider "the minority":
Noah-only 7 people saved by the LORD through Noah. And yet Noah is called "...a preacher of righteousness...." in 2 Peter 2:5-this should be an encouragement to those who feel they are the only one preaching the gospel of the grace of God.
Joseph-all his brothers opposed him
David- took on a giant
Elijah- outnumbered 450 to one(1 Kings 18:22)
Gideon-Had only 300 men(31,700 eliminated -Judges 6-7)
Paul- "...all men forsook me...."(2 Tim. 4:16).
The Lord Jesus Christ-No commentary is needed here.
What this world, and "Christianity" needs is not more "popular" teaching, but more unpopular preaching. I say "Split, split, split, and keep splitting." Split until the light of right division cuts through all the smoke and fog.
In Christ,
John M. Whalen
