“Any Other Gospel” 09/24/2006 Dr. Dane Boyles

Any Other Gospel Introduction A long time ago slaves were men and women forced to serve their conquerors or captors. But there are other ways to become enslaved and slavery comes in many forms. But the worst form of enslavement is slavery to sin.

Any Other Gospel And although the enslavement to sin is the worst form of slavery, it’s the least recognized and the most ignored. That’s what makes the letter to the Galatians so important. Paul himself had been a slave to religious fanaticism and legalism, but he also knew what it meant to be free.

Any Other Gospel In Galatia, the Christians who had found freedom in Christ, were being pressured and persuaded by false teachers of the circumcision group to accept another gospel. Paul hears of this and writes this letter.

Any Other Gospel 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. Galatians 1:6-7

Any Other Gospel 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! Galatians 1:8-9

Any Other Gospel PAUL’S ASTONISHMENT Paul was stunned. This wasn’t a matter of interpretation. These believers were turning away from Christ, to a different gospel! They were turning away from the truth to lies, from what was right to what was wrong.

Any Other Gospel THEIR DESERTION They were deserting the grace of God. Why would anyone insist on attempting to pay for a free gift? 6 I am astonished you are so quickly deserting the one who called you… Galatians 1:8

Any Other Gospel The verb “desert” was used in military circles to indicate that a soldier went AWOL (absent without leave). … turning to a different gospel, which is really no gospel at all. Galatians 1:6

Any Other Gospel THEY WERE BELIEVING A PERVERTED GOSPEL 7 … Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:7

Any Other Gospel Pervert means “to twist” or “to change the meaning to cause misdirection.” But perverting the gospel goes beyond the idea of confusion and complication. It makes something the opposite of what it originally was.

Any Other Gospel It looks as if the Galatians had no problem in understanding the gospel when Paul first presented it. 1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. Galatians 3:1 To misunderstand the gospel, someone has to help you.

Any Other Gospel THE GOSPEL The gospel and how understandable it is. 1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 1st Corinthians 15:1-2

Any Other Gospel 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1st Corinthians 15:3-4

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Any Other Gospel Here’s where people get off track. The question of “how one responds to God’s offer of salvation.” There are two passages that directly speak to this: 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 2nd Thessalonians 1:8

Any Other Gospel 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17

Any Other Gospel We don’t just accept Christ as our Savior, we have to obey the gospel. Examples wherein people obeyed the gospel. The Day of Pentecost: 37 “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37

Any Other Gospel 38 …“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 Saul of Tarsus: 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’ Acts 22:16

Any Other Gospel Some Samaritans: 12 … when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12 The Ethiopian Eunuch: 30 “do you understand what you are reading” Acts 8:30

Any Other Gospel 31 “How can I unless someone explains it to me?” Acts 8:31 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. Acts 8:34-35

Any Other Gospel The eunuch’s response to the gospel. 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. Acts 8:36-38

Any Other Gospel Over and over again, when people heard the gospel preached they responded by obeying the gospel. To obey the gospel you REENACT the death, burial and resurrection of Christ through baptism. Paul himself explains this reenactment in Romans 6:3-4,

Any Other Gospel 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:3-4

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Any Other Gospel If any other gospel is preached except that one, it’s not the gospel of Christ. No other person, ritual, or method can give eternal life!

Any Other Gospel PAUL’S SERIOUSNESS 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! Galatians 1:8 Paul is so serious because eternal salvation is at stake!

Any Other Gospel If someone is teaching a false gospel, and you believe it and respond to it, you are still lost. Even if an angel from heaven should come to you, don’t believe it! 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! Galatians 1:9

Any Other Gospel Eternally condemned. 1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1

Any Other Gospel Conclusion Listen…make no mistake. People still find the bold simplicity of the gospel scandalous. People will either add to the gospel or subtract from it. And the only way to be safe is to know what the gospel is.

Any Other Gospel 09/24/2006 Dr. Dane Boyles