Saturday, January 29, 2011

Galatians "Break FREE - Our ONLY standard for the Gospel Message" Galatians 1:8-9

Today's text:
8 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.
9 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. - Galatians 1:8-9

My heart goal as we study Galatians is to help you see what was going on in Galatia and also compare their problem to our own.
As we read, ask:
A. Is my church taking away or adding to (going beyond) the Bible?
B. Am I a modern day Judaizer (salvation obtained by works, law, etc.), and not by Grace Alone?
C. Do any of these warnings relate to me?

1. We must utilize God’s standard for judging error – v. 8

8 But even if we [no matter who it is], or an angel from heaven [supposed].

Yeah, like what person is going to say, "I just had a demonic hellbound angelic visit" None! Deceivers always claim it came by "an angel from heaven." Like saying that gives this angelic visit any merit!!!

Examples of this can be seen in the Mormons - Moroni (angel), Todd Bentley's - Emma (angel), and others who have said they conversed with angels.
See warning in 2 Corinthians 11:14 & Col 2:18

preach [evangelize] any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you,

In their case, it was the Judaizers. In our case "any other" would mean anyone taking from or adding to the Bible, specifically, anything that makes salvation to include works or laws as a necessity for salvation.

let him be accursed.
Accursed (Greek = anathema) means to be eternally condemned, under God’s wrath/judgment.
If someone teaches another gospel (i.e., false gospel) that affects who Christ is or how one relates to him, or distorts grace by subtracting or adding any work, it becomes another Gospel. Such a person is worthy of only one thing, a curse from God (let him be accursed).

2. We must realize the serious consequences of corrupting the gospel – v. 9
9 As we have said before [likely points to an earlier visit to Galatia] , so now I say again , if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (eternally condemned, under God’s wrath/judgment – STRONGEST POSSIBLE WORDS).

We won't overly expound this verse, but to point out that Paul again emphasizes the curse coming to those teaching a False Gospel.
We conclude this week’s lesson on Galatians.

Do invite people to join us at: http://www.biblefood.blogspot.com/or on FB go to the group: http://tiny.cc/8x6qo
In the UPPER LEFT corner of this blog add yourself with Google Friend Connect and get this blog automatically.