The Bible's Gospel Under Attack - Pt. 1

From the beginning of the church the Bible and the Gospel of Salvation have been challenged by false teachers.

2 Peter 2:1-2
there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;

This is what happened in the Galatian churches. Paul was very grieved about the false teachers who were perverting the gospel of grace he had so carefully preached and taught while in Galatia.

He was deeply grieved that the truth of God’s sovereign and free gift of forgiveness and redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, was being corrupted, made crooked, by the teachings of salvation by works…Namely that a gentile must believe in Jesus, and become a Jew surgically and ceremonially to become a Christian. Then they would have to obey and follow certain laws to maintain righteousness from the Lord.

In present day terminology, you must “do something” to be saved, and you must “do something” to remain saved. Paul writes:

Galatians 1:6-9
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

Very strong words.

Any distortion of the gospel perverts the nature, the work, and grace of Christ.

Jude writes about false teachers:

Jude 3-4
contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Even if Paul himself, or one of his associates were to change their teaching, and add any human work, the saints should not listen, but treat them like heretics, …which they would then be.

Even an angel from heaven should be rejected if they were to present a different gospel.

In other words, it doesn’t matter who the person is.
How well they are known.
How godly and good they may appear to be.
How many people come to their meetings.
Even if it is an angel from heaven…

No messenger should be believed or followed, or listened to if his teaching does not square with God-revealed apostolic doctrine.

“But he’s so kind and loving.” But what is his doctrine of salvation?
“But he promotes unity and harmony.” But what is his gospel?
“But I see Christ in him.”
“But look at the miracles that are happening.” But what does he believe???

What is the gospel that Paul preached to the Galatians?
Coming soon.