A FRIEND was telling us about her new job as a saleslady.
She had drawn up at the house she was to visit and sat in the car preparing for her first call. She had to ask the lady of the house if she might show her a catalogue for just five minutes.

In her heart she wasn't happy about this. She knew very well that, once inside, her visit would take at least thirty minutes. As a housewife herself, she also knew how hard it was to spare that time from a morning's routine. As she left the car and walked up the garden path, she felt quite guilty.

Needless to say, she didn't last long at the job. After only a few days she realised that she was not cut out for it. She gave it up.

One of the first requirements of salespeople is that they must believe in their product. If they are not convinced themselves, they are not likely to convince others. They need to be persuaded that they are doing a good job. Otherwise they will not be persuasive.

Total conviction is what emerges from the writings of the apostle Paul. He was not selling the gospel, of course, but he did have a firm belief in what he preached. He was fully committed to living it in his own life.

Letters to Believers
He had begun his career violently opposed to the gospel. He had spoken against Christianity. He had accused and persecuted believers. It was the fact that the risen Jesus had appeared to Paul that changed his life. There was no denying the fact - Jesus was alive. He had spoken to him. With that he could not argue. Whatever he might suffer he had to do what was right. He would be branded a turncoat, but he must live by his firm conviction. He must tell people about the living Jesus.

To the Romans Paul describes his feelings like this:?
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes …"
(Romans 1:16)

This letter was written before Paul visited Rome. He wrote to show that all men and women are sinners and need God's help. Salvation is possible for anyone through faith in Jesus. He has shown the righteousness and the mercy of God.

Paul wrote two letters to the Corinthians. The first letter deals with many problems which existed in the church at Corinth. It gives advice on questions about marriage, immorality, law suits, unity within the church, charity, and life after death.

Paul had earlier spent two years at Corinth. He would know many of the people there personally. Some, however, seemed to have challenged his authority to give advice. He wrote his second letter to remind them that God had made him an apostle. He warned those who were arrogant. He encouraged the rest to do what was right.

Paul wrote to the Galatians about a different sort of problem. Many of the believers there were turning back to the Law of Moses. They had become Christians. Then Jews had begun to persuade them to keep the old law as well. Paul's letter showed how Christ had fulfilled the law. He showed that Gentiles could now share in God's covenant through Christ. No-one can earn eternal life through the law. God requires faith.

Paul had also lived in Ephesus for two years. He was forced to leave after a riot about the goddess Diana. However, the letter to the Ephesians was not about problems. It is about how to live the Christian life. It is about unity. It has good advice for families. The church is also a family.

A prison warder and a rich businesswoman were among the converts at Philippi. The Philippians were a great help to Paul when he was in prison in Rome. They sent him gifts. He wrote to thank them for their kindness and to strengthen their faith.

The letter to the Colossians was also written from Rome. It warns the brethren not to be led astray by the teachings of men. It shows the need to put our old life behind us and to live for Christ.

Paul had left Thessalonica hurriedly due to persecution of the brethren there. From Athens he sent Timothy back to help the church. Timothy's good report resulted in this letter from Paul. He was glad to learn of their faith. He wrote about the second coming of Jesus, about resurrection and the judgment.

A second letter to the Thessalonians quickly followed the first. Perhaps there had been some misunderstanding of what he wrote. In this letter he warns of temptations and a "man of sin". He urges them not to be idle in waiting for Christ. They need to be on their guard against sin and persecution.

Timothy was a young man who was a great help to Paul. He had been left in charge of the church at Ephesus. Paul wrote this personal letter to him. It gives advice on how he was to deal with his duties and problems.
Paul's second letter to Timothy was written much later. It comes after Paul had been released from two years imprisonment. It was written very shortly before his death. It shows his wonderful courage and trust in God in every situation. It also warns Timothy that difficult times would precede the return of Jesus.

Titus had the difficult job of looking after the church in Crete. Paul's letter to him contains instructions for the discipline and organisation of the church. The advice is good for today too.

Onesimus, a slave to a man named Philemon, had apparently run away. Later he was converted. Paul, in sending him back to his master, writes this personal note. He asks Philemon to accept Onesimus back without punishment. He is now not only a servant of Philemon, but also of Jesus Christ.

The letter to the Hebrews, written to Jewish Christians, shows how Jesus had fulfilled the law of Moses. Things of the Old Covenant pointed forward to Jesus. He was a "better" sacrifice than the sacrifices of the Old Testament. He was a "better" priest than those priests. His work alone is able to take away our sins and bring us back to God.

More Letters
James wrote a very practical little letter. It is full of simple advice for the follower of Jesus. He warns to beware of strife, pride, lust, presumption, riches and an unruly tongue. He speaks of the need to have a working faith, a faith in action.

Peter wrote his letters in difficult times. He warns of how the faith of believers was to be tested. The last part of the letter (from 4:12) is almost like a post script. Some have suggested that it was added because serious persecution of Christians had begun in Rome.

Peter wrote again shortly before his own death. He was anxious about false brethren and their attacks on the church. He wanted to be sure that the Christians would remain firm despite their faith being ridiculed.
John had been one of the closest disciples of Jesus. He was also aware of the dangers facing the Christians. He was concerned about false ideas and corrupt practices which were creeping into the church. He called this opposition "antiChrist". His letter speaks of truth and reassures the believers of God's unfailing love.

John wrote two further letters. They were short personal letters. They were written to show that those who walk in truth and show God's love are the children of God.

Jude says that he found it necessary to write urgently about the spread of corrupt teaching and immorality. He too was concerned about the Christians being under pressure. He urged them to hold on to the teaching of Christ and to be faithful in the lives they lived.

That completes our brief survey of the letters, or epistles, of the New Testament. Paul, James, Peter, John and Jude all wrote from a perfect understanding of the teachings of Jesus. Their guidance is vitally important to our own understanding and way of life.

A Book From Jesus
The book of Revelation is not really a letter, but a prophecy. Its message was sent to seven churches in Asia Minor. Revelation means "appearing". The book is about the second coming of Jesus and the events which lead up to it. It offers a blessing to those who read and try to prepare themselves for that great day. The book is a series of visions given by Jesus to John while he was imprisoned on the island of Patmos. The symbolism of the book is not always easy to understand. It refers to many other parts of Scripture. Sometimes this book is called the Apocalypse.

The Bible concludes with a warning about those who add to or take away from its message. In practice, however, this warning is often ignored. So many people say they believe the Bible. On closer questioning, however, they do not accept "this". They feel "that" is not inspired. They cannot see that "the other" is important.

Others also claim to accept the Bible. They accept other writings as inspired too. They accord as much respect to contemporary writers. They believe that they also are inspired. They put their work on a par with the Bible.

The Bible is unique. It alone is the word of God. It is inspired by Him, wholly true. All of it is His message, vital for our salvation. It is a complete guide. It contains all we need to be able to please and honour God. 