The curse of false gospels

Scripture

Galatians 1:6-9 ESV I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble 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 the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Fighting the enemy

An enemy tried to stop Paul preaching the Gospel by killing him. You can read about this in Acts 14. God saved him, and so instead of trying to stop Paul they tried to stop his teaching. Who do you think was behind these attacks?

Acts 14:19-20 ESV But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

God gives the precious and powerful Gospel

In his introduction Paul reminded us of how powerful the Gospel is, and that it comes from God and that it brings Him glory. Can you think of all the ways that he reminds us of how important the Gospel is?

Galatians 1:1-5 ESV Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

God calls us by His Grace

Following a Gospel that has been diluted or broken isn’t juts walking away from a teaching, but it’s walking away from God. How do we know this, what does the passage tell us?

Galatians 1:6 ESV I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 ESV For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

There is only one pure and perfect Gospel

Can we add or removed anything from God’s Words to make them better or more useful? What does the Bible say about changing the Gospel or anything that God says?

Galatians 1:7 ESV not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

Revelation 22:18-19 ESV I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Deuteronomy 4:2 ESV You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.

Proverbs 30:5-6 ESV Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

A changed Gospel is a contradictory gospel

Paul uses the Greek words to cleverly highlight that a small change in the Gospel of Jesus completely turns it around. In what ways do we hear the Gospel being added to or changed that actually turn it 180 degrees? Remember the Gospel teaches us that we saved by faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, by God’s grace alone, according to the Scripture alone and for God’s glory alone.

Galatians 1:8 ESV But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 ESV For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Set aside for God’s judgement

The word used for “accursed” is “anathema”. It means to be set apart on it’s own, especially for destruction and judgement from God. By implication this can also mean being thrown out of the Church. Why is Go’d s judgement so strong against those who pervert His teaching, what is at stake for those whp do this and for the ones that they are deceiving?

Galatians 1:9 ESV As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

2 Peter 2:17-19 ESV These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

What do we do?

We must always remember that all of us make mistakes, even murderers, and that God’s mercy as taught in the Gospel is enough for us. We’re people who sin against God and we live and work and worship with others who do the same. Jesus calls us to love and forgive each other because of the love and forgiveness that we’ve received. We’re unlikely to have people come into our Church and teach us that we can’t be saved unless we are circumcised, as was happening in the Church in Galatia, but we will hear many false teachers on podcasts, videos and social media. How should we treat those who claim to preach the Gospel and yet distort and pervert it, how should we treat their teaching?

Romans 16:17 ESV I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

2 John 1:9-11 ESV Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.