Opening THE Book 18 with Rev John K-S

5th November 2019
 

Rev John Kinchin-Smith
Assistant Minister, St Andrew’s Church

Last month we were considering the life and Letters of St Paul. For anyone trying to understand the Bible and the relationship between the Old and New Testaments, and to really get a ‘handle’ on the person and significance of Jesus, St Paul’s importance cannot be over-emphasized. He has been called “the interpreter of Jesus”
 
St Paul’s letters to Christian churches comprise about one-third of the New Testament. They were written between AD 52-64, the earliest written about twenty years after Jesus’ death. Here are some of the things he wrote:
“At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans chapter 5)
 
“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans chapter 8)
 
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians chapter 13)
 
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians chapter 4)

as published by St Andrew's Church in the Gorleston Community Magazine

The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Yarmouth, and are intended to stimulate constructive and good-natured debate between website users

We welcome your thoughts and comments, posted below, upon the ideas expressed here

Click here to read our forum and comment posting guidelines