Another Gospel...Really!?

2 Cor. 11:2-4; Gal. 1:3-9

THEME: Beware of the many false notions and beliefs associated with the genuine Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Have you ever heard someone say, “There are many ways to Heaven”? I can recall a debate on the Oprah Winfrey Show years ago where she advocated for “many paths to God” instead of through Jesus Christ alone. This version of political correctness acknowledges that we live in a very pluralistic society and confuses respect for freedom of religion with legitimacy of all faiths. While we all enjoy the right to believe what we want equally, all belief systems are not equal, valid, or even advisable. They all do not produce the same results.

The struggle is nothing new, people have disagreed since Cain and Abel about the tenants of genuine faith and practices (Gen. 4). There have always been those ‘peace-loving’ (but misguided) people also who tried to harmonize belief systems for the sake of “peace.” The results have been a proliferation of false notions about God, Faith, Christianity, Jesus, the Bible, and on the list goes into the future. Yes, one outcome in the first century was the emergence of other gospels….

LESSON: 

THERE ARE SEVERAL MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE GOSPEL

2 Cor. 11:2-4, For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. [3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. [4] For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

  

“Another Gospel” refers to false gospels of multiplied variations. There are many erroneous teachings today as to what the Gospel is. Humanity, religionists, and the Devil have tried to pervert the true message of the grace of God. The real Gospel of Jesus Christ is always distinguished by the fact that God saves sinners based on Christ’s work—divine performance. The formula is Faith + Christ’s Work = Salvation. Universally, false gospels always offer salvation because of our works and devotion—human performance. The formula is basically Faith + Human Works = Salvation. Genuine Christianity is the only faith in the entire world that proclaims the work of God on our behalf as the solution for our guilt, shame, and sin! All other world religions preach “another Jesus,” “another spirit,” and “another gospel.” The name of the savior will vary, the ‘holy book’ will vary, and the messages will vary, but it is still one false gospel! Please carefully note how this occurs in two extremely popular, but dangerous belief systems—false gospels….

THERE IS THE FALSE GOSPEL OF BAPTISM

There are those who teach that a person must be baptized before they can be saved or to become a Christian.  The Bible clearly teaches that we are not saved by any amount of human works at all.

    1.  Infant Baptism is a Common Practice Related to This False Gospel.

Infant baptism is the sprinkling or immersion of infants for imparting to them spiritual blessing of some sort. Though the exact purpose of it differs from group to group, almost always it implies that the child thereby receives salvation in some sense.

Infant Baptism is not taught in the N.T. "For some, infant baptism is a doctrine by implication. It is implied that in five households in the N.T. that were visited by salvation, there must surely have been young children. These were the households of Cornelius in Ac. 10, Lydia in Ac. 16, the Philippian jailer in Ac. 16, Crispus in Ac. 18, and Stephanas in 1 Co. 1:16" (The Church of God: A Symposium). This is pure conjecture, not biblical evidence or support!

    2.  What Are We to Do for Our Children?

Since babies are not to be baptized to be saved then what is a loving parent to do?

         a. Christians Can Rejoice That Their Children Are Sanctified by the Parents' Relationship with Christ (1 Co. 7:14).

1 Cor. 7:14   For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

               (1) The Presence of a True Believer in a Non-Christian Home Has a Sanctifying Influence.  To sanctify “holy” simply means to set apart.  Here it does not mean that the unsaved child is automatically saved simply because the wife/mother is, neither does it mean that he is automatically made holy.  Rather it means that he is set apart in a position of external privilege.  He is fortunate to have a Christian mother who prays for him. The child is privileged to live in a home where the parents are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God.  In this sense the children are holy.  Her life is a testimony and influence for God in the home.  He receives a Christian influence that could result in a true conversion.      

               (2)  Though We Might Not Know Everything This Involves, We Do Know That....

                      (i) The Passage Is Not Speaking of Sanctification by a Baptismal Ritual. Nothing is said here or in any other N.T. passage regarding the necessity of baptizing infants before they can partake of this family sanctification.

                     (ii) Children are Eternally Safe If They Die in Early Childhood. The case of the death of David's son illustrates this. After the child's death, David said he would one day go to be with him (2 Sa. 12:22-23). This shows David's assurance that the baby was safe with God. If this were true for the children of O.T. saints, surely it is true for the N.T. believer.

2 Samuel 12:22-23, And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? [23] But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

Certainly, King David was a saved man, who is in Heaven today with his child who went to Heaven before him!

                      (iii) At a Certain Point in the Child's Life He Becomes Personally Responsible Before God for His Relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible does not say at what age or point this occurs, but Jesus encouraged children to come to Him (Lk. 18:16), and Timothy was taught the Scriptures as a child with the goal that he would come to salvation (2 Ti. 3:15).

Mark 10:13-16, And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. [14] But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. [15] Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. [16] And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. (Jesus received little children, blessed little children, placed his hands on them and held them in his arms, but he never baptized a single one of them!)

The Lord also made it very clear that little Children where already a part of the Kingdom of God and that they were safe until the age of accountability.

         b. The Parents Must Dedicate Themselves to Train the Child in the Way of Christ. It is not really the dedication of infants that is essential; it is the dedication of parents. Parents are wasting their time if they go through a public ceremony of dedicating their child to God but fail thereafter to discipline and instruct him in the right way. Let us do both! Let us offer our newborn children to God and plead His best blessing upon their lives and let us carefully train them for His holy service.

Ephes. 6:4, And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

    3.  Scripture Declares That We Are Not Saved by Any Good Works.

Titus 3:5, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  

Being Baptized is a good work which is only proper for the true believer.  (Eph. 2:8-10)

    4.  Salvation is Strictly by Faith in Jesus Christ and What He Accomplished, the Gospel.

Romans 3:21-28 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; [22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: [23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; [26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. [27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. [28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

    5.  What Does Mark 16:16 Mean?

Mark 16:16, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

The omission of baptized with the latter clause of this verse show clearly that Jesus does not make baptism essential to salvation.  

This verse has the same since as the following statement; “He who boards the bus and sit down will arrive at the down town shopping mall.”  It really doesn’t matter at all if they sit down on the bus, they will still arrive at the Mall if they board the bus.  A person who believes on Christ but does not get baptized will still go to heaven.  This verse does not teach at all that baptism saves it actually is a very strong argument for the need to believe on Christ to be saved.

ILLUSTRATION: The Thief Who Died on the Cross Beside the Lord Jesus Was Saved by Faith Without Baptism.   Luke 23:42-43 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. [43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Jesus, Himself assured this dying thief that he was saved and would go and spend forever with Him in paradise.  Jesus made it clear that faith in Him alone was enough to receive the benefit of His Death, Burial and Resurrection.  This thief was not baptized but he certainly got saved! 

   

      6.  Baptism Is ONLY for Those Who Have Trusted Jesus Christ As Their Savior.

Acts 8:34-38, And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. [36] And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? [37] And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. [38] And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

THERE IS THE FALSE GOSPEL OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

There are those that claim that you must join their church and take the sacraments to be saved.  They claim that salvation can only be obtained through their church.  As a result, many feel that since they belong to a certain church or denomination that they will be saved and certainly go to Heaven because they belong to a specific church.  Often when I ask them, “Are you 100% sure that if you died right now you would go to Heaven?” they will respond by saying, “Well I’m a Baptist” or “I was raised a Catholic” or “I belong to the Methodist Church”.  In other words, their confidence concerning how to go to Heaven and forgiveness of sins rests in the belief that they belong to a certain church. 

Their response reveals that their hope of Forgiveness, and Salvation from Sin is wrapped up in the fact that they belong to a church, lodge, or fraternity.  All of these are false ideas and must be rejected as legitimate hope of salvation.

      1.  The Scriptures Declare That Jesus Christ is the Only Mediator (Middleman or Liaison) Between God and Humanity.

1 Tim 2:5, For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

          a.  Mediator Means Intercessor; Middle Man; One That Interposes Between Parties at Variance for the Purpose of Reconciling Them.

          b.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the Sole Mediator Between God and Men.

Hebrews 8:6, But now hath he [Jesus Christ] obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he [Jesus Christ] is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Hebrews 9:15, And for this cause he [Jesus Christ] is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 12:24, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Bible commentator Albert Barnes says,  

Christ constantly presents the merits of his death as a reason why we should be saved. He does in heaven whatever is necessary to obtain for us grace and strength; secures the aid which we need against our foes; and is the pledge or security for us that the law shall be honoured, and the justice and truth of God maintained, though we are saved. It is reasonable to presume that this is somehow by the presentation of the merits of his great sacrifice, and that is the ground on which all this grace is obtained. As that is infinite, we need not fear that it will ever be exhausted.

This automatically excludes any church or religious group who claim to have a monopoly on salvation and entrance into Heaven. Jesus, the God-man, is the only one who can save not a church.

      2.  There is No Salvation in Any Other.  Jesus Christ is the ONLY WAY to Heaven.

There is no such thing as many ways to Heaven.  There is no such thing as the Hindu way, Confucius way, Baptist way, Methodist way, or Catholic way to Heaven. All approaches to God are NOT acceptable. All roads and religions do not lead to God! Inventing our own conditions and prerequisites for salvation is not possible with God! We must come to Him on His terms.  

            a.  We Must Come to God, His Way and on His Terms! 

Acts 4:12, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.      (ALSO EPH. 2:8-10)

John 3:36, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Beloved, Jesus is the ONLY WAY to God, forgiveness of sins, a home in Heaven, and a new life! It is through FAITH in Jesus that we receive eternal life by grace.

            b.  Salvation Is in the Person Jesus Christ and Not in an Institution!  No church, lodge, or religious group can save a person. Only Jesus Christ can Save us from our sin and promise us Heaven when we believe on Him and Him Alone. Salvation is for anyone and everyone who will believe on Christ.  If a Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Mason, Eastern Star, or Pagan will Trust Jesus Christ and Him alone for eternal life, He will save them.

John 6:35, And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6:37, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Bible Salvation is in the Person Jesus Christ and His Accomplishments; Nothing nor No One else! This is God’s Good News, we are not saved by our merits and accomplishments but by those of Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION:

THOSE WHO PERVERT THE GOSPEL ARE CURSED OF GOD

Galatians 1:3-9, Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, [4] Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: [5] To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

    [6] I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: [7] Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

ANY OTHER GOSPEL MUST BE REJECTED AS A LIE, AND THE GOSPEL OF GOD MUST BE EMBRACE THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND HIS FINISH WORK.

Because Christ is Alive, God Has a Basis for Saving and Justifying the Believer; We are Just as Righteous as The Risen Christ is!

Romans 8:33-35, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. [34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 When a sinner trust Christ as their Lord and Savior, he is accepting the credit of being alive and in Heaven because he is identifying with Christ’s Resurrection.  For the sinner who believes on Christ, there remains no more obligations to sin and death.  He is freed from such obligations so that he can serve his Lord with his new life.   (See Rom 6:4-13).

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is an essential element of the gospel of the Grace of God, without it we have no hope or means of going to Heaven, Forgiveness of Sin, a Relationship with God, and Peace for all Eternity.  But now is Christ risen from the dead! This is the Gospel, the Good News of Christ who died in the place of sinners and the One who was buried to put away our sin.  Finally, the One who lives today in the power of and eternal life.  He can offer life to all that will believe on Him.