More Than One Gospel?

A passage Misused -- Galatians 1:6-8

• First, a word about the context.“gospel" of the Judaizers. His context is not“are there other gospels" but rather “will another gospel do you any good." Therefore, to use this passage as a proof-text that “no other gospel exists" is simply to misuse the verse.

• Second, a word about accursed. Paul says that the one who preaches any other gospel than the Pauline Gospel should be accursed. The Greek ἀνάθεμα [anathema] is *ana* (again) and tithemi (to place or put down). Note that metatithemi was used in verse 6 and was translated removed. Could ana-tithemi (anathema)“put back again into place from which they have been removed?" The etymology of the word certainly allows it, but does the usage? The word in usage in classical Greek concerned giving a gift to God (or pagan gods), that is, laying it up for God. Then, if you take that which has been laid up for God as your own, you bring a curse upon yourself. It is possible that the most common usage of the word was accursed, but the contextual use of the word can be put into place or even dedicated again to God. Would Christ redeem from one curse (Gal. 3:13) to sentence us to another?

  
  

  The Gospels of Scripture

• The Gospel of the Restoration of All Things -- Acts 3:21

  • This is the restoration of the physical universe. It uses the neuter things rather than the masculine, which would be used for people.

  • It has been announced **since the world began** and will be accomplished when there is no more curse (Rev. 22:3).

    
    

• The Everlasting Gospel -- Revelation 14:7

  • This is the gospel that God alone is to be feared and worshiped.

  • There is one God, and only one, and He judges all things.

    
    

• The Gospel of the Kingdom --

  • An inheritance of land/country was promised to the descendants of Israel based on an unconditional one-sided commitment. It will be governed by Israel's Messiah, who will come through the line of King David. It will eradicate all its enemies. It is accomplished by the Lord Himself, in His strength, with no earthly aid.

  • Two subordinate gospels are within the Gospel of the Kingdom:

    • The Gospel of God -- Romans 1:1-3, explains God's ultimate delivery of the Kingdom.

    • The Glorious Gospel of Christ -- 2 Corinthians 4:4, explains Christ's coming reign in the Kingdom.

      
      

• The Gospel of Our Salvation -- Ephesians 3:2

  • This is the gospel under which both the Galatians and everyone today is offered salvation by grace, through faith, not of works.

  • It does not offer the Kingdom, either in current spiritual benefits or in future earthly benefits. It offers eternal life in Christ Jesus as a free gift.

    
    

    Similarities and differences in the kingdom and grace gospels

    
    There are some HUGE differences in the two Gospels, including:
    ****The Kingdom Gospel
    ****The Grace Gospel
    A Baptism of Repentance for forgiveness of sins -- Luke 3:3, Acts 2:38
    Is a gift, not a reward, given to all who believe -- Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8-9
    Requires fruit -- Luke 3:38
    Allows no works whatsoever -- Galatians 3:3
    Requires personal righteousness -- Luke 3:10-14
    Is based on imputed righteousness -- 2 Corinthians 5:21
    What confuses people are the similarities of the Gospels
    

• Both are dependent on the completed work of Jesus Christ.

• Both are entered into by Christ as the only way.

• Both involve future eternal life and salvation from eternal destruction.

• Both involve grace and faith.

• Both involve Christ returning to gather those saved by that Gospel.

• Both are displayed in a life of holiness.

  
  

  What happens when wires are crossed?

• If one gospel is mistaken for another gospel, and then the trajectory continues on the wrong path, confusion arises.

• The things that are different become matters of contradiction, and the fidelity of Scripture is called into question.

• Things that do not belong in the Christian faith become part of the Christian faith, thus robbing a person of joy, grace, and a healthy fellowship with God.