Not Quite Scripture, Enter Pseudo-Paul

An Epistle to the American Church


Paul, a prisoner and bondservant in Christ by the hand of Timothy. A letter, by the grace of GOD, to the Church at Philiadelphia and all the faithful of the provences therein.

Grace to you and peace in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom we are bound through the celebration fo His life death and ressurection.

Remember that we were once dead and have been raised again to new life to live yet again, not only as in the flesh, but now to live in the spirit. Living in the spirit, we participate in the Body of Christ, let us then be minndful that we should forsake all contentiousness and vainglories that find their home among us. Let us come together, recognizing the fullness of the word of GOD revealed to us, and eat together at the table of the Lord. For if there abides in us division and unquiet hearts, then we have forgotten the grace that has made us new creations. We should then not forget, but recognize truth and renew our unity.

Brothers, like so many others, I too have heard of your faith, and you have been reccomended to me in prayer for the hope of your continued conversion. Turn your hearts only to the things of GOD. Allow no sins to dwell in your heart. Let also not your spirit be divided, for this healing is the begining of reconcilliation. It is a true saying that it is better to live one complete life than many that are incomplete. So seek then the unity of your spirit to one purpose and your Church to one faith. Remember the one baptism that has brought us into one life in Christ, the one Lord of all.

Remember also the debt, that which we owe to GOD, that of eternal life. Remember the freedom that has been bought us through the sacrifice of Christ. Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, but then no more. For what can GOD have in common with sin, and what can the people of GOD have in common those that serve Mammon? Caesar will ask of you your life, but this has already been purchased by Christ at so great a price. Our lives are not our own.

Is it not Obvious, the love of Christ? As you know it was not man, who constantly sought the Kingdom of GOD, but GOD who came to redeem man and to save him from iniquity and death. The love of Christ is without condition, asking nothing and enduring the cross. What then can we do, brothers? Can we earn that which has given us freely? What have we to offer GOD but the acceptance of the life of Christ? Having been baptized into Him, let us also then be crucified with Him. For this is true adoration of the spirit of GOD. Since we are at all times surrounded by the spirit of GOD, we should then be at every moment concious of His movement, offering up a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. As we adore His spirit, let us also offer up adoration of His Body and Blood that is ever before us. We must approach Him in His tabernaccle and expose ourselves fully to His grace as He is exposed to us in broken bread.

This brothers, this is the meaning of faith. To see that which is unseen, to believe the incredible, to love those who are rejected and despised and to do the work of GOD with your very hands. This is no simple task, it is the work of salvation, from the very Word of GOD, first brought to the jew and now the gentile that not one would be lost. Christ came for all, to save all.

We must concern ourselves daily with the seeking of the Kingdom of GOD. He is the creator of all, the one source. Christ has said that he is the vine and we are the branches. From Him we grow forth to a new life, being cultivated by the maker of all that by the grace of GOD, we might bear good fruit. And so I tell you this; submit, surrender! What has GOD planned for you that will bring you harm? if you submit, wil you not bear fruit that is the salvation of souls? It is in the hardness of our hearts that we wither and die. Because we choose not GOD, we are cut off and thrown into the fire.

Christ is the light of the world. What can light have in common with darkness? Seek to fill your heart with his light. For Christ has come and he will come again. Prepare, I tell you, make ready so that when he arrives, you will not be found in the outer darkness without even oil to light your lamps. Prepare your heart to participate in the mystery of Christ. Seek at every moment to make sacrifice even of your life. Sanctify the world and expose it to the light of Christ. Let there be not even a shadow under the rocks.

Concerning how we should live, I have this to say; there are prebyters and deacons, men and women given to marriage and eunichs for the Kingdome. There are orphans and widows, and there are poor among us. Let each live according to their state in life. Let each give praise to GOD for his grace that we may be sanctified and seek eternal reward.

You have asked if we should follow the Law of Moses or the Law of Caesar. I tell you this, the law of GOD is written in the hearts od man. Where a conscience is well formed no law is needed, for the light of Christ, the love of GOD, is enthroned and rules already. It is better to be a prisoner of Rome, bound hand and foot, with a sinless heart than an exalted citizen, fit to be cast into perdition. We who have recieved the love of Christ into our lives, how can we help but to love?

Seek to live in communion together in observance of all that has been passed onto you. Each of us is to continue to serve GOD even from within our state. I tell you this, I still do not permit women to speak in the temple or hold ministry over her husband. Can a man in his body bear a child and be called mother? Also neglect not the table of the Lord for it is the bread basket from which we recieve the manna from heaven, that is, Jesus Christ given up in sacrifice and broken to bear our sins. In communion, let us be one people, holy, bearing the name of the Lord as it is written on our hearts and our foreheads in the sign of the cross. Give alms to the poor and support the widow. Remember the hermit who has set himself apart from the community for a time to dedicate himeself to prayer. Let us never forget our confessors of Christ who even today are in chains so that we might live in freedom. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Brethren, Pray for us as we pray for you. Remember in all moments, the Lord and greet eachother with a holy kiss. And may the grace of the Lord be ever with you. Amen