Paul And Other Gospels

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/ysul9h

When the word gospel is used most people correctly relate the term to Christianity. The first four books of the New Testaments are called the gospels, and the good news of the message of Jesus is also called the gospel. Sometimes the word is used to show that something is unquestionably true—“I’m telling you this and it’s the gospel truth.”

In recent years there have been books published claiming to be other gospels. These books appear as if they were written by Philip, Mary Magdalene, Thomas and even Judas, but they were not. They are generally known as the “Gnostic gospels” and have been regarded for centuries as heretical writings.

The majority of Bible believing people will quickly dismiss these other writings. But some in our culture will readily consume what these other gospels have to say. They pour over the contents hoping to find something that will give new insight on religious difficulties of the current time.

Some of these other gospels make claims that go against other Bible teaching. For example, that Jesus didn’t actually die on the cross, but that He faked His death and then fled to France to live out the rest of His life. While other books and even movies have been produced based on such lies, the truth is the Christ died, was buried and was raised from the dead on the third day. Then a few weeks later Jesus ascended to heaven and has not been back to earth since.

If not for the resurrection of our Lord, none of us would have any hope for eternal life. So to entertain a heretical document that undermines the essence of Christianity as inspired would be very foolish.

Today we have the benefit of having the printed Bible at our fingertips. But in the early years of the church it was much more difficult to maintain faithfulness to doctrine. At times people would distort the teachings of Jesus and the apostles and lead others away from the truth. And sometimes the teachings of the early church seemed too difficult to follow, so the people simply looked the other way and did what they thought was best.

Of course, to be found righteous in the eyes of God one must be faithful to obey His will which is found in the pages of the Bible. Paul dealt with some early Christians who should have known better, but still decided to distort the gospel teachings. We find this passage in Galatians 1:6-10.

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

The issue in the Galatian churches was that they had allowed elements of Judaism to be introduced as a part of the Christian conversion and worship. Specifically, they had been trying to add circumcision to the process of becoming a Christian and living the Christian life. This was what was distorting the gospel.

In our postmodern culture, many people would not see any problem with changing the word of God to be tolerant and accepting of sin or even other religions. That’s a shame. That’s also a sin.

Some churches have even touted their openness and love by going directly against what is written in the Bible. Friends, this is a very grave mistake to make.

There is only one true gospel and that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica and said that those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ will be punished with everlasting destruction. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. So let’s be sure to be faithful to the instructions that God has provided for us.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we strengthen our faith in the word of God by devoting more time to reading the Bible and more time in prayer to God. May we also be mindful of those who do not follow God’s ways and look for opportunities to bring them to the truth of the gospel.

Our thought for the day: “The gospel is not something we go to church to hear; it is something we go from church to tell.” Vance Havner

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.