THE PREACHER/MINISTER/PASTOR

(What Does The Bible Teach About Preachers?)

Part 101: The Heart and Free-Will Distinguishes The New from the Old That Was Written On Tables of Stone (II Corinthians 3: 2-3)

Greetings Brethren,

Peace be unto you. We thank our Father God which art in Heaven and to His Son our Saviour Christ Jesus and to the divine presence of the Holy Spirit.

Brethren we come now not of works but with a heart of free will. For the works and most offerings will stay temporal but the heart it is written will travel with you and for the righteous for everlasting.

Peace and Love, Carl A. Patton a willing servant of Almighty God in service to Christ Jesus writing for the Freedom Journal April 27, 2007.

In the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth

It is for certain that many believers do not understand the distinctions between the Old and New Covenants. They also are confused regarding the central role of Christ in the Old and New. Again we advise our beloved brethren, if you want God’s blessings and Truth read the Bible and stop relying on false teachers to direct your thoughts about scriptural accuracy.

An epistle is written correspondence. It can be personal or official. There are many written letters called epistles throughout the Old Testament. For example David’s letters to Joab concerning Uriah (II Samuel 11: 14-15) Jezebel’s letter regarding Naboth

(I Kings 21: 8-9).

But this term is also technical and refers to the 20-21 Epistles of the New Testament. These Epistles were written by 4 possibly 5 writers Peter, Paul, John and Jude while some dispute James as the writer of his Epistle. Also there is some confusion over the writer are writer’s of Hebrews.

Meanwhile the Epistles (letters) are not disguised writings of doctrine. Although written in the form of ordinary correspondence that deal with doctrinal and or particular situations that need immediate attention. On a final note the Epistles presented fundamental principles applicable to the individual and collective life of all believers.

II Corinthians 3: 2: “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.”

Paul founded the church at Corinth see Acts 18: 1-11. Paul does not need any written letters of recommendation for he says the Epistle (letter) is written in our hearts and when the heart is right it can be seen by those around you.

Turn back to I Corinthians 9: 2 where Paul teaches us about the qualifications of an Apostle at I Corinthians 9: 1-27. We suggest that you read and digest all 27 verses.

I Corinthians 9: 2: “ If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.”

Paul saw Christ Jesus after the crucifixion. Meanwhile the bestowal of Spiritual gifts could only be done by an Apostle (Acts 8: 18).

Now let us move on to the 3^rd verse at II Corinthians 3 for a much better understanding of how these verses relate to our primary subject in this discussion.

II Corinthians 3: 3: “ For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.”

Paul in a figurative way with words reveals that the people at Corinth constituted an epistle because they displayed the principles that Christ taught. However they received these teachings through an apostle. This Apostle was called, commissioned by God to do this work. There is a clear distinction between the Law of Moses and the New Law. The Old Law was written on tables of stone. But the epistles of the New Law were written on the human heart and mind of the Corinthians. (See I Corinthians 3: 5 where Paul discusses divisions in the church also in the Old Testament see the following for scripture on the Old Law and how it is written Exodus 24: 12; Jeremiah 31: 33. However in Ezekiel 36: 26 the word teaches about the new heart this can be applied to the New Covenant time).

Cont. Part 102: The Old Covenant Sin and Death The New Forgiveness of Sin and Life Everlasting

(II Corinthians 3: 6-).

Return to Minister Page

Return to Index Page

carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net