Chapter 4
BEWARE OF DIFFERENT GOSPELS
(Galatians 1:6-9)
Before we begin our study let us pray,
Dear Heavenly Father,
Father we come before You in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Father we ask that You would please open our ears, eyes and heart so we can comprehend a little bit more of the warnings You have written to us concerning false teachings about You and Your ways. Father please help us to understand the seriousness of what You are telling us and heed Your instruction.
Amen
INTRODUCTION
Let us recall that the main purpose of the letter to the churches in Galatia was to defend the authority of Paul and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To do this, the Holy Spirit begins by exposing the false teachings that crept into the assembles of the body of Christ in Galatia. In addition the Holy Spirit warned the membership of these assemblies and now us of the dangers that lie in store for those who teach and follow these deceptions.
As we begin our study let us notice that the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul expressed shock on how the members of the church in Galatia have veered from the true faith and condemned those who have and are leading them astray. To see this let us read from,
Galatians 1:6-9
"[6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- [7] which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!"
Let us notice the following verses,
7 There was an element within the churches that were causing confusion by corrupting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
8-9 Notice the warning is repeated twice thus, it must be important and worthy of our full attention. Secondly, the issue of corrupting the Gospel of Jesus Christ is so serious that the Holy Spirit tells us that if an angel or Paul himself would teach something other than the true Gospel then they would be eternally condemned. Pretty serious.
Question: What was the Holy Spirit speaking against? What were the different gospels that He was concerned about?
DIFFERENT GOSPELS
Before we look into what some different gospels are like, let us first review the true Gospel. This is the one that Paul was commissioned by God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to preach and teach.
THE TRUE GOSPEL
A good summary of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ is provided for us in,
Romans 3:21-31
"[21] But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. [22] This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- [26] he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. [27] Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. [28] For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. [29] Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, [30] since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. [31] Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law."
Let us notice the following verses,
21 A righteousness from God apart from the law has been made known. In other words there is a righteousness that we can have that is not based upon how well we follow the Law, regulations and traditions.
22 The righteousness that we can have from God is through faith in Lord Jesus Christ.
23 We all have sinned and fall very, very short from the demands of the law; hence we fall short of the glory of God. In other words, because of our sins we are under God's wrath.
24 Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross we have been redeemed from sin and freely justified, that is amends have been made for us. In other words, we are no longer under God's wrath; but are now under His Grace, that is under His favor.
25-26 Through the shedding of Jesus Christ's Blood on the cross atonement, for our sins, has been made for us. God did this to demonstrate His very own righteousness. In other words God could not overlook sin, a penalty had to be paid, so He paid the penalty for us. Thus, if we believe that Jesus Christ did this for us and place our faith in Him for our salvation then we will be justified.
27 Notice there is no boasting on our part for this righteousness from God. Why? Because it is a free gift from God. Hence we can only boast of what God has done for us.
28 This is the key issue. Specifically, we are justified or saved from our sins solely through faith in Jesus Christ and what He did for us on the cross. As we will see anything in addition to this is a corruption or perversion of the true Gospel.
29-30 Specifically, the free gift of God's justification is available for everyone, that is both Jew and Gentile alike.
31 Namely, God did not cancel the Law; instead, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law for us.
With this background, let us now look into some of the different gospels that were and still are creeping into the churches.
DIFFERENT GOSPELS
As we read the New Testament we find that there were and are still some teachers from the Jewish tradition who claim that,
We find this by reading from,
Galatians 6:12-16
"[12] Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. [13] Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. [14] May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [15] Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. [16] Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God."
Let us notice the following verses,
12 Before a Gentile, that is a person who was not Jewish, could come to the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, some teaches wanted to make it a requirement for them to be circumcised. They did this because it was required by the Jewish faith that all males are to be circumcised. Thus, because of possible persecution by the Jewish community they were afraid to teach that circumcision was not necessary for salvation.
14 Paul, who was a Jewish Rabbi, that is a teacher of the Jewish Law and customs, only boasted in Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made on the cross for his and our salvation.
15 Here is the heart of the Gospel. The only thing that counts is a new creation. In other words, as Jesus said to Nicodemus the only way you can enter into the Kingdom of God is by being born again of the Holy Spirit.
16 As we maintain our faith in the true Gospel of God we can expect His Peace and Mercy.
In addition to the above practice from the Jewish religion, there were and are also those from pagan religions who teach that,
To see this let us read from,
1 Timothy 4:1-5
"[1] The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. [2] Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. [3] They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. [4] For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, [5] because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer."
Let us notice the following verses,
1 Teachings like these are demonic and are from deceiving spirits.
4 All food created by God is good if it is received with thanksgiving and prayer. This is one of the reasons we pray before we eat, that is to thank God for the food and ask Him to use it to keep us healthy and strong.
5 Notice our food is consecrated, that is made whole, by prayer.
We also find that there were and are some teachers who teach that,
To see this let us read from,
Colossians 2:4-23
"[4] I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. [5] For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. [6] So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, [7] rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. [8] See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. [9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, [10] and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. [11] In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, [12] having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. [13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, [14] having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. [15] And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. [16] Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. [17] These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. [18] Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. [19] He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. [20] Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: [21] "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? [22] These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. [23] Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence."
Let us notice the following verses,
4 The Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul has written this so that we would be forewarned and not be taken in by cleaver and deceitful teachers and teachings.
6-7 As, through faith, we initially received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we are exhorted to continue our Christian journey, by faith in Him.
8 Beware of philosophy and empty deceit from the traditions of men.
Question: What is the Scripture talking about here?
It is any philosophy and method that promise a solution to our problems other than our reliance upon Jesus Christ and His power to help us. Some examples of this type of deceptions are,
To see that we do not need these things and that they take us away from the true source of our help, let us consider what the Holy Spirit said through the Apostle Peter in,
2 Peter 1:3-4
"[3] His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. [4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
Notice that through faith in Jesus Christ the born again believer has everything they need to live a life of godliness and to escape the spiritual corruption of this world's system.
Let us now return to the letter to the Colossians, chapter 2, verse
9-10 Jesus Christ is true man and true God. Hence all those who are born again believers are complete in Him. Also notice, Jesus is the head over everything. So why not rely upon Him rather than the empty, deceptive philosophies and methods to help us overcome our problems?
11 Through the Holy Spirit Jesus Christ has circumcised our heart to do good deeds.
12-15 Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ we have been forgiven for all our sins. There is no longer any warrant or decree out against us. Therefore we are free! Free from the guilt and stain of sin.
16-17 All these things of the Old Testament were given to foretell of the time when Jesus Christ would come and fulfill the law for us, see Volume II, Old Testament Foreshadowings."
18-19 Do not let anything or anyone take you away from simple and pure faith in Jesus Christ and what He has done for you. Notice that those who stray away have lost their connection with Jesus Christ and the source of all the power they need.
20-22 Now that Jesus Christ has set us free from the basic principles of this world and the empty philosophies and traditions of man, why go back to them?
23 All of man's philosophies, methods, procedures and traditions make one appear to be righteous and holy. However, they are of no value against the sinful nature. Why? Because it is only the Holy Spirit, Who lives and dwells within the born again believer, Who gives us power over sin and Satan.
With all the above in mind perhaps we now have a better appreciation of what the Holy Spirit has to say about those who preach and teach a gospel other than the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:8-9
"[8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!"
THE MESSAGE FOR YOU AND I
Now one might say that this study is fine to exhort the preachers and teachers to be diligent and careful to only teach and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But what about the other members of the Body of Christ? What about those who are not in those positions? What is the message for them?
The message is to stay away from anyone or anything or any religious system that either adds to or takes away from the pure Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To see this let us read from,
Romans 16:17-20
"[17] I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. [18] For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. [19] Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. [20] The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."
Let us notice the following verses,
17 Keep away from them!
18 Those who teach a different gospel, that is augment by adding to or subtracting from the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ, are not serving Him but are serving themselves.
19 The purpose for this instruction is for us to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.
CLOSING
Let us now close our study by reading what Paul wrote to the church in Rome in,
Romans 16:25-27
"[25] Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, [26] but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him-- [27] to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen."
Shall We Pray?