For as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Whom verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last time for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and give him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God (1 Peter 1:18 – 21).

If you believe not that God raised Christ from the dead, then you believe not the gospel of the living God. For who gives life to the dead, if not Christ? And if Christ was not resurrected by the Spirit of God, then who shall raise the dead in Christ? It is expedient that you believe in Christ whom God raised from the dead, lest you believe in vain things that shall not profit you. For salvation comes from the Jews, and Christ is the chief cornerstone. And how can you overcome the world if you believe not that Jesus is the Son of God? It is written: Who is he that overcome the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:4)? And they that believe not in Christ whom God raised from the dead believe in a different spirit, and cannot receive the Holy Spirit. For many profess to know God, but deny his Son. And it is said in the word of God, that he magnified his word above his name ( see Psalms 138:2). And they that believe not in his Son, how can they then believe in his word? For it is written: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Beloved, Christ is the Word. And Christ is God. And in him we have eternal life. If you believe not in the power of God to raise Christ from the dead, how can you believe in he who gives eternal life? Let every man examine whom he serve, and in whom his allegiance lies. For the day is coming when a man’s light shall testify to his glory. But if his light is darkness, then what shall be his end? If God dwells in unapproachable light, will darkness then dwell in the midst of this glorious light? God forbid. For it shall not be so. No darkness shall enter the kingdom of God. I tell you the truth. Lest your darkness depart from you, you will be a detestable thing before the sight of God. And who gives light to every man, but Jesus Christ? Can a man then say, I will deny the Son of the living God, the Christ whom God raised from the dead, and expect eternal life? Here is wisdom: No one shall enter the kingdom of God, but by Christ. Let every man seek the Son of the living God; for only by him our souls shall be redeemed from corruption, this inherit darkness of sin.

O Father, let them come quickly unto thee; for how much longer can thou restrain thy hand? We bless you, O LORD, for thy great mercy. Let them whom you have chosen out of this world come unto thee, in Jesus name. Amen.