FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
July 19
THE GOSPEL OF CHRISTIANITY’S CHRIST VS THE ‘GOSPEL’ OF ROME’S ANTICHRIST – Part 1
There is the gospel of Jesus Christ and there is the “perverted” version of it, which is “another gospel,” or “other gospels,” even as there are “other god” pretenders to the one and only true God. (Exo. 20:1-3).
We are blessed to believe and accept (in the fullest sense of these words) the former, and certainly “accursed” if we choose the latter for the former.
Here is what apostle Paul sternly warned the early Christian converts in churches in Galatia, many from Judaism, the national religion of the Jewish nation at Christ’s time (also called the religion of the Pharisees by Christ) who were still zealously trying to enforce literal circumcision prescribed in the ceremonial “law of Moses” under the Old Testament Jewish dispensation, which were done away with when shadow met the substance, type met antitype when Christ the Lamb of God was offered at Calvary, :
31 A.D.
Before Saul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus and his name changed to Paul the apostle to the Gentiles, he was like them and worse for he zealous persecuted the first followers of Christ!, wrongly believing that he “was serving God.”
He warned them and all professed Christians today:
“I marvel [am astounded] that you are so soon removed from Him [Lord Jesus Christ, verses 1-5] that called you unto the grace of Christ unto ANOTHER GOSPEL: which is NOT ANOTHER; but there be some that TROUBLE YOU, and would PERVERT the gospel of Christ. But though WE [Paul and all the apostles], or an ANGEL from heaven, PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be ACCURSED [whoever preaches ‘another gospel’].
As we said before, so say I now AGAIN, If any man [particularly “the man of sin” and “son of perdition.” 2 Thess. 2: 1-17] preach any other gospel unto you than ye have received, let him be ACCURSED.” [Note: Both the preachers and the receivers of the “other gospels” are cursed, not blessed by God!].” Gal. 1: 6-9, KJV.
Paul continues: “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to PLEASE men? For if I get pleased men, I should NOT be the servant of Christ. [Note: If the hidden motive of anyone preaching the gospel is to please men, including himself, he is not God’s servant but the servant of the author of the counterfeit gospel, and therefore “accursed”].
But I certify you, brethren, that the GOSPEL which was preached of me is NOT after MAN. For I neither RECEIVED it of man, neither was I TAUGHT it, but by the REVELATION of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the JEWS’ RELIGION [the course of my past life and career as a overzealous Pharisee], how that beyond measure, I PERSECUTED the church of God [not the ‘synagogue’ of the Jews], and WASTED it: and profited in the JEWS’ RELIGION above many my equals in mind own nation [the Jewish nation], being MORE EXCEEDINGLY ZEALOUS of the TRADITIONS of my fathers.” Verses 10-14.
Now follows part of the genuine conversion process, change of mind, and realignment of his previously misdirected “righteous zeal” which was as dramatically manifested as his experience on the road to Damascus when literal layers of scales came of his eyes—scales of tradition and false teachings by the “fathers” that blinded him! He said:
“But when it pleases God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace [called by grace and response by grace, is saving grace], to reveal His Son to me, that I might preach Him AMONG THE HEATHEN [whom the proud Jewish nation looked down upon, cynically addressing them as low-life “Gentiles”], immediately I conferred NOT with flesh and blood [fellow mortals]: neither went I to JERUSALEM to them who were APOSTLES BEFORE ME [older and more senior in rank and knowledge]: but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus [in Syria].” Verses 15-17.
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF