OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to Articles Next 

ANOTHER GOSPEL, WHICH IS NOT ANOTHER

Victor M. Eskew

 

            The Bible is fun to study because it often presents us with challenging thoughts.  One of these is found in Galatians 1:6-7.  Paul was writing to the churches of Galatia (Gal. 1:2).  In verse 6, he addresses one of the problems that had developed within these congregations.  Let’s read his words:  “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into 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.”

            Paul marveled the text says.  He was in wonder or amazement by something that had happened to these Christians.  Vincent tells us that this word is often used “by Greek orators of surprise at something reprehensible” (Vincent, e-sword.com).  Paul’s amazement involved how quickly these disciples were removed from him that called them into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.  The “him” of the text could refer to Paul himself.  It was he who had brought the gospel into the region of Galatia on his first missionary journey.  Thus, when these churches turned to another gospel, they removed themselves from the apostle.  The “him” of verse 6 could also refer to Jesus Christ.  It is He who calls men through the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14). 

            Paul writes that they had turned to “another gospel.”  However, in the very next verse he writes:  “Which is not another…”  It is here that confusion sets in.  How can “another gospel” not be “another”?  When you look up the Greek words found in the text and learn their definitions, the problem is easily explained.  The “another” found in verse 6 is the Greek word “heteros.”  It means:  “another of a different kind.”  The “another” found in verse 7 is the Greek word “allos.”  It means “another of the same kind.”  Let’s apply these definitions to the passage to understand what Paul was telling the Galatian Christians.

 

                        I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace                                                          of Christ unto another gospel of a different kind, which is not another of the                                                           same kind; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel                                                          of Christ.”

 

False teachers had entered into the churches of Galatia.  They said they were proclaiming “the gospel.”  Paul noted that their gospel was a gospel of a different kind.  It was not a gospel of the same kind Paul was preaching.  As one studies the book of Galatians, he learns some things about this “different gospel.”  It involved binding elements of the Law of Moses upon these Gentile Christians.  This was not the gospel Paul preached.  Paul preached that the Old Law was no longer binding.  It had served its purpose and was abolished at the cross of Calvary.  Paul assured these brethren that the gospel he proclaimed was received “by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:12).  His gospel was “not after man” in any way (Gal. 1:11).

            Now that we have resolved what seemed to be a contradiction, let’s make some application of the text.  In the world today, there are many different gospels that exist.  Call any church and ask the minister:  “Do you preach the gospel?”  Almost all will answer in the affirmative.  However, the messages that these ministers preach are all different one from another.  The questions one must ask are two-fold:  1) Are these gospels of the same kind Paul preached?  2) Or, are these gospels different from the one Paul preached?  We must keep in mind that there is only one true gospel revealed by the Holy Spirit of God (Eph. 4:5). 

            In order to answer these questions, we must do two things.  First, we must listen to the teachings of those in the pulpits.  We must listen intently.  We need to take notes on the things that are said.  Second, we must compare the things they teach with the words found in the pages of the New Testament.  This is something the Bereans understood.  Paul tells us about their diligence in Acts 17:11.  “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they receive the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”  What is interesting about the actions of the Bereans is that they were comparing the things Paul said to the Scriptures.  They were examining the teachings of an inspired man.  These individuals were interested not only in the truth, but they were also interested in their souls.  Dear reader, not all “gospels” will save.  Gospels of a different kind from the one Paul preached will cause one to be lost. 

            Let’s continue with our application of Paul’s text.  In some churches individuals will be taught that Jesus Christ is a created being.  In other churches, they will learn that Jesus is an eternal being.  These doctrines contradict one another.  Both of them cannot be the true gospel.  The person who is taught these things has a responsibility.  He must go into the Scriptures to see which teaching is in harmony with God’s will. 

            An individual might hear from one preacher that a person must be baptized in order to be saved.  Another preacher might assert that baptism does not save.  Again, there is a contradiction between the two teachings.  Again, both of these individuals cannot be right.  The person who is seeking truth must do as the noble Bereans.  He must search the Scriptures to see which teaching is the truth.

            John warns us about false teachers in I John 4:1.  He says:  “…many false prophets are gone out into the world.”  These were not his opening words of the verse, however.  Here’s how he begins:  “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:  because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”  Again, we have the responsibility of putting the teachings of every minister on trial.  We must compare what they say with the Word of God.  In Revelation 2:1-7, Jesus gives His assessment of the church in Ephesus.  In verse two, He commends one of their actions.  He said they had “tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars” (Rev. 2:2).  Not all teachers are what they say they are (See 2 Cor. 11:13-15).  Too, not all who say they proclaim the gospel proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Yes, there are gospels that exist that are “another gospel, which are not another.”