Important Issues in the Non-Pauline Churches
Important Issues in the Non-Pauline Churches
December 3, 2013
Important Issues in the Non-Pauline Churches Even though many Christians are not aware of the problems, there are issues in the non-Pauline churches because the scriptures point out several and the author address them. This paper will focus on those issues found in the non-Pauline letters which were written to the churches of that day. Then those issues will be compared to the issues which are found in the Pauline letters. Many of these issues are somewhat similar to the same problems which are found in the churches of today. In addressing one of the issues in the book of Hebrews, The late Dr. Walter Martin, “quipped in his usual tongue-in-cheek manner that the Book of Hebrews was written by a Hebrew to other Hebrews telling the Hebrews to stop acting like Hebrews” (Got Questions Ministries, 2013 p. 1). This may sound funny, but it makes an important point, which is more likely to be remembered by the reader. The focal point of this writing is directed at those Hebrews who had started up the rituals and rites of Judaism because of the persecution which had come against them (Got Questions Ministries, 2013). No doubt the persecution was strong, and many times it seems that Christians (especially young Christians) seek to fall back into some of their old ways, and even more so if it brings any relief to them.
At a closer look, one can find there are five major warnings given to these Hebrews, first is the risk of neglect found in Hebrews 2: 1-4 (Got Questions Ministries, 2013). Then there is the risk of unbelief in Hebrews 3:7-4:13, and the risk of spiritual immaturity in Hebrews 5:11-6:20 (Got Questions Ministries, 2013). Moreover there is the peril of not enduring until the end in Hebrews 10:26-39, and the worse hazard of all, the peril of refusing God found in Hebrews 12:25-29 (Got Questions Ministries, 2013). Any one of these would be bad enough but to receive five strong
December 3, 2013
Important Issues in the Non-Pauline Churches Even though many Christians are not aware of the problems, there are issues in the non-Pauline churches because the scriptures point out several and the author address them. This paper will focus on those issues found in the non-Pauline letters which were written to the churches of that day. Then those issues will be compared to the issues which are found in the Pauline letters. Many of these issues are somewhat similar to the same problems which are found in the churches of today. In addressing one of the issues in the book of Hebrews, The late Dr. Walter Martin, “quipped in his usual tongue-in-cheek manner that the Book of Hebrews was written by a Hebrew to other Hebrews telling the Hebrews to stop acting like Hebrews” (Got Questions Ministries, 2013 p. 1). This may sound funny, but it makes an important point, which is more likely to be remembered by the reader. The focal point of this writing is directed at those Hebrews who had started up the rituals and rites of Judaism because of the persecution which had come against them (Got Questions Ministries, 2013). No doubt the persecution was strong, and many times it seems that Christians (especially young Christians) seek to fall back into some of their old ways, and even more so if it brings any relief to them.
At a closer look, one can find there are five major warnings given to these Hebrews, first is the risk of neglect found in Hebrews 2: 1-4 (Got Questions Ministries, 2013). Then there is the risk of unbelief in Hebrews 3:7-4:13, and the risk of spiritual immaturity in Hebrews 5:11-6:20 (Got Questions Ministries, 2013). Moreover there is the peril of not enduring until the end in Hebrews 10:26-39, and the worse hazard of all, the peril of refusing God found in Hebrews 12:25-29 (Got Questions Ministries, 2013). Any one of these would be bad enough but to receive five strong
References: Bible Study Tools, (2013). 2 Peter. Retrieved December 3, 2013, from http://www.biblestudytools.com/2-peter/ Bright, Bill, (2013). The General Epistles. CRU. Retrieved December 2, 2013, from http://www.cru.org/training-and-growth/classics/10-basic-steps/10-the-new-testament/08- general-epistles.htm Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry, (n.d.). Gnosticism. Retrieved December 3, 2013, from http://carm.org/gnosticism Got Questions Ministries, (2013) http://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-3-John.html Grace to You, (2011) http://www.gty.org/resources/Bible-Introductions/MSB62/1-John King James Bible, (1990) Wallace, Daniel, B., (2013). First Peter: Introduction, Argument, and Outline Bible.org Retrieved December 3, 2013, from