Now, brothers and sisters, I want you to remember the Good News {\cf2\super [106]} I told you about. You received this message, and you continue strong in it.
There is a judge for the person that refuses to believe in me and does not accept what I say. The message I have taught will judge that person on the last day.
Then those people who accepted (believed) what Peter said were baptized. {\cf2\super [44]} On that day about 3,000 people were added to the group of believers.
That is true. But those branches were broken off because they did not believe. And you continue to be part of the tree only because you believe. Don’t be proud, but be afraid.
All these things will happen on the day when God will judge the secret things inside of people. The Good News {\cf2\super [15]} that I tell people says that God will judge people through Christ Jesus.
Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace (kindness) that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory.
Also, we always thank God because of the way you accepted God’s message (teaching). You heard that message from us, and you accepted it like it was God’s words, not the words of men. And it really is God’s message (teaching). And that message works in you people who believe.
Brothers and sisters, now I have some other things to tell you. We taught you how to live in a way that will please God. And you are living that way. Now we ask you and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live that way more and more.
Brothers and sisters, by the authority (power) of our Lord Jesus Christ we command you to stay away from any believer who refuses to work. People who refuse to work are not following the teaching that we gave them.
Silas will bring this letter to you. I know that he is a faithful brother \{in Christ\}. I wrote this short letter to encourage you. I wanted to tell you that this is the true grace (kindness) of God. Stand strong in that grace.