“…all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:10)
Years later, at the end of his life, Paul wrote his final letter to his friend Timothy and says this about those same Asians…
“This thou know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me.” (II Timothy 1:15).
What had they turned away from, and to what?
Paul tells us in his letter to the Galatians…
“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7)
The message they turned away from and were distorting was the "gospel of Christ" - the good news that the salvation of humanity is by the "grace" of God, "not as a result of works".
“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7)
The message they turned away from and were distorting was the "gospel of Christ" - the good news that the salvation of humanity is by the "grace" of God, "not as a result of works".
In that final letter to Timothy Paul warned him about the deception coming from "evil men"…
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (II Timothy 3:13).
Here is a summary of what Paul taught that the Asians turned away from….
“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord." (Romans 6:2)
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (II Timothy 3:13).
Here is a summary of what Paul taught that the Asians turned away from….
“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord." (Romans 6:2)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast, for we are His workmanship..." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all welcome, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, foremost of whom am I. But therefore was I shown mercy, that in me, the foremost, Jesus Christ should be displaying all His patience, for a pattern of those who are about to be believing on Him...having faith and a good conscience, which some, thrusting away, have made shipwreck as to the faith..." (1 Timothy 1:15-19)
"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)
Many today continue to turn away from Paul's gospel to a "different gospel".