It is remarkable that a verse built with 5 parts should only be known as having two parts. The text -II Peter 3:9--is the most mis-quoted, and mis-understood verse in the Bible. This verse is forever being quoted as saying, "The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." It is adamantly, vociferously, and constantly affirmed this is how the verse reads; but the verse says no such thing. Go back and read it for yourself.

The first two parts of the verse –"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, and the phrase, as some men count slackness" –continue the context which deals with the certainty that God will judge the heavens and the earth (vs. 7), and that time is irrelevant to God (8).

The third part of the sentence that constitutes this 9th verse identifies the intended recipients of the passage: "The Lord is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." To whom is this written? Most treat this verse like we would expect the Neo-Orthodox to treat it, for they make the shibboleths to become sibboleths.

Has no one told these folks that every epistle in the New Testament is written to Christians? This single fact clears up 95% of all theological problems; and in our text, it makes all the difference.

"Paul...to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints..." (Rom. 1:1,7).

"Paul... and Sosthenes our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours..." (I Cor. 1:1,2).

"Paul... and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achia..." (IICor. 1:1).

"Paul...and all the brethren which are with me unto the churches of Galatia... (Gal 1:1,2).

"Paul...to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus..." (Eph 1:1).

"Paul and Timotheus...to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons..." (Phil. 1:1).

"Paul...and Timotheus, our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse..." (Col. 1:1,2)

"Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ..." (I Thes. 1:1).

"Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ..." (II Thes. 1:1).

"Paul...unto Timothy, my own son in the faith..." (I Tim. 1:1,2).

"Paul...to Timothy, my dearly beloved son..." (II Tim. 1:1,2).

"Paul...to Titus, mine own son after the common faith..." (Tit. 1:1,4).

"Paul...and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and the church in thy house..." (Philemon 1,2).

The book of Hebrews is written to converted Jews who were in danger of returning to the bondage of the Mosaic Law. People, who fail to learn this, believe chapters 6 and 10 teach one can lose eternal salvation. (For instance, see: Heb. 9:12).

Like the book of Hebrews, the book of James is written to converted Jews. "James...to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren..." (Jas. 1:1,2).

"Peter...to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia,

Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 1:1,2).

"Simon Peter...to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ..." (II Pet. 1:1).

John writes, "My little children..." (I Jn. 2:1).

"The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth... (II Jn. 1).

"The elder unto the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

Beloved..." (III Jn. 1,2).

"Jude...to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called" (Jude 1).

The context plainly says, "The Lord...is longsuffering to US-WARD

not willing that any should perish.... Does the context matter? Of course it does: it makes all the difference in the world. "The Lord is

not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

II Peter 3:9 plainly teaches 1.) God is longsuffering to believers. This is expressed by the word "beloved" in 3:1 and 3:8. The Apostle includes himself when he says, "us-ward." 2.) The verse teaches God is not willing that any of the "beloved" should perish --and they will not 3.) It is here declared that God is willing that all the "beloved" (the elect the ones who are yet ordained to believe-see: Acts 13:48; Jn. 17:20; Jer. 31:3) shall come to repentance -and they shall. Jesus will be able to rejoice in the Father, and say, "Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none" (Jn. 18:9).

Someone may ask, "What about the passages in Ezekiel where the prophet records God as saying. ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live’? And, ‘Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die...and not that he should return from his way and live?’ And again, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth...wherefore turn from yourselves and live’ (Ez. 33:11; 18:23,32). What about these passages?"

These verse must be understood in a comparative, and not in an absolute sense. For instance, if by war, famine, or disease a person is brought to repentance and faith, does this no please God? If by these justice is fulfilled, and His truth vindicated, does this not please God?

The misunderstanding arising from II Peter 3:9 arises from the fact that most Baptist in our day believe that Jesus purchased salvation for every person without exception, and that the gift of salvation is waiting for the sinner to claim whenever, and if ever he chooses. This is Roman Catholic theology, and is rooted in the concept that by His sinlessness and by His death, Jesus Christ earned extra merit. Romanism teaches that these merits are stored in heaven, and that some of the merits are given to good Catholics who do penance, or good works.

Theologians call these merits of Christ "supererogatory works." Although it is Roman Catholic doctrine, it has found appeal to many Baptists.

Reader, the next time someone misquotes the Word of God, defend the Scriptures.

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Text: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matt. 19:6).

Society seeking answers for the reason for domestic violence, and how to curb it is like the dog that chases automobiles: the dog really does not want to catch a car, and he would not know what to do with it if he did; but then, neither does society want to hear the answer to curbing domestic violence.

Consider some facts hard to be taken. First, God has not given states authority to rip apart families by granting divorces, or by engaging child custody battles. "What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder" (Text.). The argument often voiced that pleads, "But, did God really join us together?" is no argument, for God -and NOT the state, is the Author of marriage. Therefore, everyone who marries IS joined together by God. "Let not man put it asunder."

What enormous harm have states wrought by their intrusion into families! What aggravated sorrow have they evoked! And, the facility with which states grant divorces make young people less circumspect in marriage, because if the marriage does not work out, the husband or wife can easily marry another. Marriage is of divine and not of civil origin.

Second, God has not granted permission to an abused husband or wife to divorce their spouse. God allows divorce for fornication, but even then, it is not encouraged or recommended, "For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away" (Mal. 2:16).

Third, most domestic violence, whether spousal abuse, child abuse, or the abuse of the elderly, occurs in second marriages, for people who were unwise in their first marriage are most likely to be unwise in their second, or third marriage.

Fourth, psychology has become the unofficial state religion in America. Courts that once directed defendants to ministers of the gospel now refer them to psychologists and psychiatrists. Americans have forsaken the "Good Book" for psychoanalysis.

What can communities do about domestic violence? For one thing, they can prepare for an explosion of cases because domestic violence takes root in an unholy society. For instance, the same society that pretends it is concerned about domestic abuse also pretends that a mother has a right to reorder her unborn children. (Note: Check your

dictionary, and you will find that "abortion" is the natural expulsion of the unborn; whereas, the deliberate killing of the unborn is "aborticide."). This is the ultimate abuse.

Another reason to expect a coming flood of domestic violence is sex education, and, with it, the teaching that sodomy (what modernists

now call "homosexuality") is an acceptable alternate lifestyle. So long as a society is willing to exploit people by pornography, and to educate their children in all the corners of nastiness, every kind of abuse will flourish. And, there is no help for American society until America repents.

When people come to me with personal or with family problems, I do not refer them to a psychologist, or to a psychiatrist. If I run into something that I am not sure how to handle, I consult with other pastors. Neither do I notify the state about them.

If a person suspected of abuse professes to be a Christian, I go to him, and tell him my suspicions. If in spite of reasonable evidence he will not confess and forsake it, I take with me one or two other men of the church. If he refuses to hear them, I tell it to the church. (In the event, he is a member of another church, I would tell his pastor.) And, if he refuses to repent of the sin although the church is made aware of it, the church is responsible to excommunicate him that he might be ashamed.

In the event, the person makes no profession of faith, I would confront the suspect with all available evidence. If he pays no mind I would tell his family.

The source of domestic violence is found in the home. So long as

children are left to be reared by the television, the plague of violence will not be stayed. (Note: Plants and livestock are "raised, but children are "reared").

Second, young people need to be taught how to marry. A bar is not the place to look for a proper husband and father, or wife and mother. Something else: if a boyfriend or girlfriend repents of sin and is converted this moment, they will not make a proper husband or wife. They need to be trained in the gospel. We need to teach our young people that God ordained marriage that there might be a godly seed in the earth (Mal. 2:15).

Third, Americans must repent for having forsaken the God of our

Fathers for Psychology, and for turning not to the church but to the state to solve their problems.

The home is the seedbed of both Church and State. The leadership in the home determines the kind of leadership in both Church and

State. Consequently, the answer to domestic violence is not found in the State, but in families.

The State would turn society into a nation of informants, where neighbors would spy upon each other. This poses a very real threat to godly people, for it gives an open invitation to unscrupulous persons to trouble anyone that they do not like.

Several years ago, a couple asked Rev. Jim Oates, Pastor of the Bible Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia, whether he gave marriage counseling. "Yes," he replied; "every Sunday morning at 11:00." (Thoughts prepared for a panel discussion on "Domestic Violence" conducted by the Sociology Department at Augusta College, March 9, 1996. Augusta College is part of the University of Georgia.)

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Remember the Genocide Treaty? At the time of its passing the U.S. Congress, Christians were warning that the ambiguous language defining "genocide" could include speaking against the teachings of another religion; and some expressed concern the treaty would allow for the establishing of an international court in which Americans could be tried under international law, by people who have no understanding or allegiance to the Constitution of the United States.

On March 10th, Radio news declared 44 nations are petitioning the United States asking the U.N. to set up just such a court. At present, the Republican Party cannot be trusted to heed the call to "Get US out of the U.N. The candidacy of Patrick Buchanan has revealed that virtually all the Republican chiefs are globalists. This is one of the major problems with Newt Gingrich who supported both NAFTA and GATT.

Many thanks to those of you who have switched long distance telephone service from pro-sodomite AT&T, and have signed up with Lifeline. We are grateful to the Lord. Don’t yield to the monetary offers some of these companies are making. Lifeline is a Christian company that began in the late 1980’s. Every month, they send hundreds of thousands of dollars to Christian organizations.

If you have asked that 10% of your bill be given to The Angelus, be sure there has been no mix-up. One pastor told me he telephoned twice to confirm it.

Lifeline is a division of AmeriVision. Call (800) 800-7550; or write AmeriVision, P.O. Box 7735, Moore, Oklahoma 73153-1735.

Continue to pray that we may be able to publish our tract "The Resurrection of the Body" in the Atlanta Constitution and Atlanta Journal on July 23, It will appear, Lord willing, in 530,000 newspapers. May the Lord be please to use it for His honor and glory. The cost for one printing will be $4455. As of March 27^th we have $795 toward this project. In the event we cannot carry this through, we will return all return all gifts earmarked for it.

THOUGHT: "You have told me how orthodox your faith is; mow, let me see how you live, for this reveals what you truly believe."

SAMUEL ADAMS --"First of all, I...rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins" (Signer of the Declaration of Independence).

JOHN JAY --"I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by his beloved Son.... Blessed be His holy name" (First Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court).