The Skeptics Annotated Bible (993 page)

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. —
2 John 10

Second John is an interesting little epistle. It reminds Christians to “love one another,” while shunning everyone else. Believers are to associate only with like-minded believers; all others are godless antichrists that true-believers shouldn’t even say “Howdy” to.

Here are some highlights:

• “Love one another.” Except for all those antichrists (non-Christians), that is. Stay the hell away from them. (See verses
  7-10
  )
  5
  
• Non-Christians are deceivers and antichrists.
  7
  
• “Whosoever … abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.”
  9
  
• Don’t associate with non-Christians. Don’t receive them into your house or even exchange greeting with them.
  10
  

1
The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we
love one another.

(5)
“Love one another.”
Except for all those antichrists (non-Christians), that is. Stay the hell away from them. (See verses 7-10)

6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

7 For
many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

(7) “Many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” Non-Christians are deceivers and antichrists.

8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9
Whosoever
transgresseth, and
abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.
He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

(9) “Whosoever … abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.”

10
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

(10) “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.” Don’t associate with non-Christians. Don’t receive them into your house or even exchange greetings with them.
468 Should believers discuss their faith with non-believers?

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words.
—
3 John 10

If you measure by the number of words, 3 John is the shortest book in the Bible. There’s not much to say about it, since it doesn’t say very much.

Here are a few highlights (if you can call them that):

• “I will remember his [Diotrephes] deeds ... pratting against us with malicious words.”
  10
  
• “Follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.”
  11a
  
• “He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”
  11b
  

1
The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

10 Wherefore, if I come,
I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words
: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.