Literature of the early Jesus movement

Christianity

Book of Matthew

Who is to be saved? According to Matthew, "whoever holds out to the end will be saved," (Matthew 24:13). However, the initial focus is on the "the lost sheep of the people of Israel," (Matthew 10:6). Matthew also mentions the fact that those who are "spiritually poor," those who "mourn," are "humble," who "do what God requires," who are "merciful," "pure of heart," and who "work for peace" will enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3-10).

From what? One is saved from the "Awful Horror," (Matthew 24:15), and also from "the spread of evil," (Matthew 24:12). Salvation is also salvation from sin.

How? Matthew preaches the End Times. At the Final Judgment, "all nations will be gathered before him," and they will be divided into two groups: the righteous and the unrighteous. The righteous are those who served others, and who believed; the damned are those who did not feed the hungry or house the poor out of charity and who also did not believe in Jesus (Matthew 25:32).

Gospel of Mary

1. Who is to be saved? All who seek shall be found (8:21). Those who "did not waver" from God will be saved (10:14)

2. From what? Salvation is salvation from the darkness, ignorance, desire, death, foolish wisdom of the flesh, and wrathful wisdom (Mary 15).

3. How? Jesus saves via purification and restoration of the soul to its "root" spiritual nature (7:21).

Paul, Letter to the Galatians

1. Who is to be saved? Only those who have faith will be saved. "a person is put right with God only through faith in Jesus Christ, never by doing what the Law requires. We, too, have believed in Christ Jesus in order to be put right with God through our faith in Christ, and not by doing what the Law requires," (Galatians 2:16). Faith is the only factor that leads to salvation: "there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus," (Galatians 3:28).

2. From what? Jesus saves from the "power of sin," (Galatians 3:22) and the tyranny of the law (Galatians 3; 5).

3. How? God's grace works through faith. Having faith allows God's grace and salvation can "move through" us: "our hope is that God will put us right with him; and this is what we wait for by the power of God's Spirit working through our faith," (Galatians 5:5). Moreover, faith moves and works "through love," (Galatians 5:6). The only Law that matters is love, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." Love, faith, and grace gives us new life (Galatians 5:25).

What is happening in Galatia and why is Paul writing the letter?