In his first letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul shared nine important truths. First, he spoke about the necessity for every saint to be called by the Holy Spirit into his or her specific ministry. Second, he indicated that salvation is by the Lord alone and that He is longsuffering with people because His desire is for them to be saved. Third, he told Timothy that the Lord wants everyone to come to the knowledge of the truth of the gospel so that they can be saved. Fourth, he told Timothy that Jesus performs the role of mediator in reconciling lost and saved sinners to God the Father. When they come to Him by faith, He forever sets them free from the penalty of their sin.
Fifth, Paul had wanted to convey to Timothy the proper role of women in public worship services. Of course, the real question with that part of the chapter is whether his Holy Spirit-inspired instructions had been culturally based or whether they had been actually intended to transcend all cultures. Sixth, he had identified a list of general qualifications for an individual desiring the position of bishop. Seventh, he had identified a similar list for one desiring the position of deacon. Once again, though, it will be important to see how his instructions apply to women. Are only men to be pastors and deacons. Or had Paul left open those positions for women, too?
Eighth, he had wanted to tell Timothy that people would depart from the Faith in the last days. That is something that has been happening ever since he had first penned those words. Ninth, he had wanted to encourage Timothy to be content with the simple, basic necessities of life. That has always been important for the saints of God to do.
In the process of discussing those various truths, though, several other points will also be considered. One of those is that the popular "Romans Road to Salvation" is often flawed in the way that it is presented and understood. One should note concerning that comment, however, that the problems which will be described have nothing to do with the actual verses from the book of Romans. Instead, it will be with how those verses have been used to try to lead other people to the Lord. That whole process does not always work. Plus it can be confusing to the new person in Christ. So because of those shortcomings, how people really get saved will be discussed. In fact, how the Old Testament saints had actually gotten saved will also be discussed. The point of that part of the discussion will be that the Old Testament saints were and that the New Testament saints are saved in the exact same way. Another interesting point that will be considered in this text is what Paul had meant when he had said that the woman will be saved in childbearing. He obviously did not mean that a woman can only be saved for all eternity by bearing children. But what did he mean?
There is one note, however, to be made with respect to the organization of this text. Something that the reader might find useful is boxes throughout that show the different passages that are being referenced at the times and in the places where they are being referenced. That way, he or she will not have to jump all over the place or get into or out of the scriptures to locate a particular reference. Hopefully that inclusion will help the reader in trying to understand the various events and to also put them into their right context. So it is hoped that that will make this book easier to read and that the Lord will receive the praise, honor, and glory that He rightfully deserves.
