Cole (my son-in-law) writes:
I was reading this morning the first chapter in Galatians and I am not sure I fully understand what he is talking about because it seems as though Paul is pretty much preaching like my pastor does; as in, “everything else is wrong but what I say.” Can you explain what Paul is getting at or why he is saying what he is saying?
Cole is most assuredly alluding to the following verses in Galatians 1.
Galatians 1:8, 9 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any preach any other gospel unto you than that (which) you have received (from us), let him be accursed.
Cole, you are going to be a spiritual force to be reckoned with! Why? Because you’re beginning to call it like you see it. You might think everybody does that…..but they don’t! Think about your own life up to this point. “Don’t question anything. Do as you’re told. Don’t sin.” But hey! God’s Word is for the exploring, for questioning everything, for discovering new thoughts and new ways of thinking!
The 2 main differences that I see (and there may be more) between Galatians 1 and your pastor’s line of preaching are:
1) The AUTHORITY of Paul’s ministry. Now, you either believe it or you don’t (or you’re WILLING to believe it but haven’t arrived there yet). His authority is set forth by Paul in the first chapter. He says that the gospel he preached was received from God by the revelation of Christ within. Then he goes on as to how he got the authority…not from men, but by God through Christ directly. What he says is confirmed in other places in Scripture….Acts of the Apostles especially. He doesn’t indicate he’s the only one preaching it (see my reference to Romans 16 below), but indicates that whatever anyone else is preaching cannot go against what he is preaching, and still be the true gospel.
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God
Who gave your pastor HIS authority to preach what he’s preaching? God, or man? If God gave it to him, then what he is preaching/teaching will not be contradicting what Paul preached.
2) The CONTENT of the gospel Paul preached. Paul’s was a gospel of freedom in Christ. Of salvation by grace without the works of the law. Of a walk of the spirit. Of enjoying the fruit of the spirit. Of standing approved before God, and not man. All these concepts are clearly and repeatedly set forth in Galatians. Galatians is a correctional epistle, preaching against that teaching which desired to take believers away from the grace and love of God which is ours in the spirit of Christ and to put them into the bondage of behavior modification and walking by the flesh.
What is the content of your pastor’s gospel? If it is bringing the hearers into closer understanding of and relationship with Jesus Christ, then it will not be contradicting what Paul preached.
So you see, really, until and unless you believe on the authority of Paul’s ministry, it will be easy to be talked out of the content of Paul’s ministry.
Romans 16:25, 26 are 2 good verses, summing up Paul’s ministry in a nutshell. Note the words ‘my gospel‘ in verse 25, yet verse 26 indicates others also were receiving the same revelation and also making it known. (Ephesians 3:5 indicates the same thing) Of course, that revelation being given to others would have been understood and communicated in a unique way, but with the same flavor of God’s love and grace in Christ.
Romans 16:25, 26 Now unto Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and (which is) the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is being made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets (of that day), according to the commandment of the everlasting God made known to all nations (Gentiles) for the obedience of (which is) faith.
Also, see , Ephesians 3:1ff (“ff” means “the verses following”).
Ephesians 3:1-3 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If you have heard of the administration of the grace of God which is given to me for you; How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote before in few words, Whereby, when you read, you may have my understanding regarding the mystery of Christ)..
What I’ve noticed in the last 8 years, dear Cole, is that the true gospel of Christ has a lovingly spiritual flavor to it. Light, lovely, tender, caring, always dwelling on Christ and the abundance of God’s grace. So even when we don’t completely agree on everything, we still can fellowship in that spirit of love….because, as long as it’s Christ, then any differences are only differences in understanding.
The false gospel, on the other hand, has, among other things, a very dark spiritual flavor to it. Hard, unmovable, condemning, always dwelling on sin and self-shortcomings, always looking at self and at others, judging others and self harshly…..this dark gospel has not accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Oh, it pays lip service to it….”Jesus died for my sins,” and then goes on about how we’re not good enough……as if our sins had not been paid for!!!
Well, I hope I’ve given you something to think about. Paul was tough about being tender. Anyone who ministers Christ in this world, preaching and teaching the true gospel, is going to grow some tough skin, to be able to withstand persecution and tribulation…..yet at the same time will be growing a more and more tender heart, as God’s law of love is written on it, one revelation of Christ at a time.
John 16:2, 3 They shall put you out of the synagogues; yea, the time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
___________________________________
Related Studies
If you enjoyed how this study challenged your thinking and opened up your understanding of Christ, click on one of the related studies below:
I Corinthians 3
Paul’s Trip to Jerusalem
Vanity of the Mind
The True Purpose of Christ’s Ministers ….. Ephesians 4:11-24
Morality versus Godliness
Get notified when new studies are posted by subscribing in the upper right corner.
Your information will not be shared.
_______________________________
The book, Give Me Christ … Revelations of the Glorified Christ is now available on Amazon
..
Ever read questioningpaul.com ? Extremely detailed – studying every word from the Greek lexicon – very eye opening. The letter of James/Ja’aqob certainly refutes Paul’s theology. Study Habukkuk Chapter 2 – S’WL . . .
No, I’ve never read the website you speak of. Paul certainly refutes the generally accepted (mis)understanding that many have of James’/Ja’aqob’s writing. Rather, the revelation given to James/Ja’aqob must be correctly understood in the light of the revelation given to Paul, to whom was given the revelation of the mystery of Christ. This mystery was kept hidden from ages and generations, but only by Paul (as far as writers of the New Testament) was it revealed in its fullness, in order to complete the Word of God. The revelation of God is a gradual unfolding, meaning what you receive toward the end is greater than what you begin with. Sarah, do not be stuck in the Old Testament. It is O L D, and no longer applicable, except in light of the N E W !!
Paul talks a lot about being loving, but what I notice, is that Paul, himself, never acts loving . . .
Why on earth would Paul rather be judged by Nero regarding a religious dispute in the Jerusalem Temple? Makes no sense at all. God says that circumcision is required for any male, Israelite, or foreigner, who wants to be part of God’s family, period. No exceptions. Remember, “All the world will be deceived.” We shall live by “every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Father / Yahowah.” “the Way is narrow, unpopular . . . few there are who find it.” Seems to me Paul and his gospel is very popular.
I’m not sure whether or not you even believe that the writings of Paul are the divinely inspired Word of God. There is certainly a big difference between the writings of the New Testament and those of the Old Testament. OLD Testament….the way God USED to deal with man. Using the Old Testament to confirm judgment against the writings of the New Testament would be like using laws of Medieval England to judge computer hacking in the 21st century. It just won’t work. Paul writes about and to those born of the spirit of God. And who was born of the spirit of God in the Old Testament? No one. Not one single soul. The Old Testament, per II Corinthians 3, serves up death and condemnation to those it ministers to. Do you really desire to count yourself in that number? Rather, subject yourself to the revelation of Christ provided by Paul, and you too can find yourself in a bold, kind, powerful, loving relationship with God as your spiritual Father.