A Note from our Pastor:

“Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)”

Ephesians 3:4

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

The Apostle now addresses a question of authenticity. If we hear someone speak we immediately assign a higher level of trust to the words than if they are written. Our society has become compelled to eliminate the written word in favor of the spoken message because we struggle to comprehend and digest messages that are not conveyed verbally.

While Paul would undoubtedly have preferred to speak to those at Ephesus directly that was not an option. He was in confinement and could not travel to them. His only option for conveying the gospel was to do so in written form. He therefore composed these letters that he might continue to teach these disciples he dearly loved.

If the teaching had been done in person and verbally, no doubt as with our ministers today, Paul would have woven in stories of his own life, his conversion, and his call to be the Apostle to the Gentiles. This would have flown out naturally and not required a special dispensation. That is the nature and authenticity of teaching in person.

However, without the personal touch, Paul must find other means to establish his authenticity and as such dedicates this section of his letter to that purpose. As readers today, we should not overlook the importance of this passage. Paul wrote this because of his confinement, but it is also preserved for us today because it adds authority to a letter that we could otherwise not establish.

We believe by faith but our faith is strengthened when the truth is revealed unto us. However, that can only happen if we accept the validity of the text. The combination of the fact Paul was not taught of other men and the fact he documents the revelation he received allows us to know that there is weight to his writings. This allows us to not just accept his teachings but to know his teachings are proof and validation of what we know in our heart.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah