| Acts 26:17-18 17 Delivering you from the [Jewish] people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I [Jesus] now send you, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, release from sin's slavery, and an inheritance among those who are purified by faith in me.'2 [Paul also wrote in the book of Galatians: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed [anathema, sentenced to eternal punishment]. As we said before, so I say again now: if any man preaches any gospel to you other than what you have received, let him be accursed." Gal 1:8-9. And so the preachers and teachers of today's Christianity would be eternally cursed by Paul for preaching an entirely different gospel than the true gospel.] | 2 Corinthians 7:1 1 Therefore having these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.1 [Richard Claridge, an outstanding early Quaker, profoundly wrote: "The real happiness of man consists in being truly religious, or holy, in our measures, as God is holy; for holiness and happiness are so nearly related, that the one cannot be, or subsist, without the other. Holiness is happiness begun, and happiness is holiness in perfection." From the Word of the Lord within: "There came a view that happiness and holiness are separable."] | James 4:8 8 Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts,2 you double minded. [James tells those in the churches who are still sinning to purify their hearts by drawing near to God; which occurs by persistently and patiently waiting on Him, listening and obeying what you hear the Lord command you.] | Acts 15:9 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.2 [Little by little each spoken word from Him that you hear is engrafted into your heart and imparts the life of God to you making you a little more pure.] | ||||||