Chapter 3

1He cautions them against false opinions. 4 Especially those of Ebion and the Judaizing Christians . BE not deceived with strange doctrines; nor with old fables which are unprofitable. For if we still continue to live according to the Jewish law, we do confess ourselves not to have received grace. For even the most holy prophets lived according to Christ Jesus.
2And for this cause were they persecuted, being inspired by his grace, to convince the unbelievers and disobedient that there is one God who has manifested himself by Jesus Christ his Son; who is his eternal word, not coming forth from silence, who in all things pleased him that sent him.
3Wherefore if they who were brought up in these ancient laws came nevertheless to the newness of hope: no longer observing sabbaths, but keeping the Lord's day in which also our life is sprung up by him, and through his death, whom yet some deny:
4(By which mystery we have been brought to believe and therefore wait that we may be found the disciples of Jesus Christ, our only master:)
5How shall we be able to live different from him whose disciples the very prophets themselves being, did by the spirit expect him as their master.
6And therefore he whom they justly waited for, being come, raised them up from the dead.
7Let us not then be insensible of his goodness; for should he have dealt with us according to our works, we had not no had a being.
8Wherefore being become his disciples, let us learn to live according to the rules of Christianity; for whosoever is called by any other name besides this, he is not of God.
9Lay aside therefore the old and sour and evil leaven; and be ye changed into the new leaven, which is Jesus Christ.
10Be ye salted in him, lest any one among you should be corrupted; for by your savour ye shall be judged.
11It is absurd to name Jesus Christ, and to Judaize. For the Christian religion did not embrace the Jewish, but the Jewish the Christian; that so every tongue that believed might be gathered together unto God.
12These things, my beloved, I write unto you; not that I know of any among you that lie under this error; but as one of the least among you, I am desirous to forewarn you, that ye fall not into the snares of false doctrine.
13But that ye be fully instructed in the birth, and suffering, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our hope; which was accomplished in the time of the government of Pontius Pilate, and that most truly and certainly and from which God forbid that any among you should be turned aside.