What Paul Preached

Next Part The Protestants Go Further

In I Thessalonians 2:4, Paul explained that the apostles were entrusted by God to preserve the true gospel. Notice: “But as we [apostles] were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts.”

This is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. True ministers must always teach what God commands—not what pleases men (including Bible “scholars” and “theologians”). Any claim that Paul taught a different or “second” gospel (usually thought to be either about Christ or of “peace”) is impossible. Had he done this, he would literally have been pronouncing a curse on himself!

Paul was commissioned to preach to the Gentiles. First, Acts 19:8 establishes which gospel he preached: “And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.” In many of his epistles, he taught the kingdom to Gentile congregations. His message was always the same. He continually preached, taught and referred to the kingdom of God.

Next, Paul states in Acts 20:25, 21, “I have gone preaching the kingdom of God…repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” He preached the same gospel to both Jew and Gentile, but preached the truth about Christ’s role in addition to the gospel of the kingdom.

Now notice Acts 28:30-31: “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.” Of course, Jesus is foretold to rule the entire earth when He returns and establishes His kingdom. But He stands alongside the true gospel about that kingdom.

Do not lose sight of this! The role of Jesus Christ is separate—distinctly different—from the gospel!

Some get confused when they read I Corinthians 15:1-4, thinking that Paul contradicts himself from other passages we have seen by appearing to state that “the gospel” (I Cor 15:1) is “how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day” (I Cor 15:3-4). Simply note that “the gospel” reference in I Cor 15:1 is not connected to Christ’s death and burial in I Cor 15:3-4. Careful reading reveals this.

Since Jesus preached “repent and believe the gospel,” it should now be clear why both highlighted elements in this passage are in His instruction. His role must always be preached in conjunction with the kingdom of God, because one cannot enter the kingdom unless he understands and accepts that “Christ died for our sins,” and has repented of his sins.

“Another Jesus”—Brought by “Another Spirit”

Now pause and grasp the additional seriousness of what else bringing another “gospel” means—the grave danger of what is actually being brought for worship with this revised “gospel.” The reader must understand why God places a curse on those who pervert the gospel—those who blur or confuse His literally “Genesis-to-Revelation” announcement about His soon-coming world government.

The attempt to bring Jesus into the gospel is not only wrong in itself, but it derives from a much greater danger, not only that of “another Jesus,” but one born of “another spirit.” The Corinthians were falling into belief in “another gospel” and “another Jesus,” and did not recognize that these were connected to a third problem—that of following “another SPIRIT.”

The apostle John labels this alien spirit the “spirit of error,” and contrasts it to the “Spirit of truth” (I John 4:6). Take a moment to read this verse, remembering that Christians have been “begotten” with the Spirit of truth, which the apostle James explained is the same as the “Word of truth” (Jms. 1:18). It is this spirit of error that is guiding the churches of professing Christianity in its many denominations and branches—which spirit we will learn is connected to a counterfeit “body of Christ.” This is why deceived theologians have devised the false triune god.

Recognize the extreme gravity here. Understand why it is absolutely vital to get this point clear in your mind!

Extreme Danger!

Another critically important element ties in here, and is connected directly to the Church that Christ has built (Matt. 16:18)—the only Church where the true Christ is leading His true Work, and the true gospel is being preached. The living Jesus Christ has always worked exclusively leading only one, unified, organized, uncompromising Church—the biblical Body of Christ.

In summary, the “Christian” world teaches that the Body of Christ—Jesus’ Church—consists of many denominations, fellowships or “communities of believers,” said to all be connected by the “Holy Spirit” working in believers wherever they are affiliated. (Many, many sources attest to this thinking.) But this is totally contrary to I Corinthians 1:10, 13, and 12:1-31, Ephesians 4:2-16, John 15, Matthew 12:25-30—and to all of what the Bible teaches about the Body of Christ. This substitute—counterfeit—idea asserts, in effect, that Christ and His Body are divided among many groups.

Here is what the reader must be able to recognize: The entire professing Christian world believes in a different (counterfeit) “body” of a different (counterfeit) “Christ,” emanating from an entirely different (counterfeit) “spirit” that is not the Spirit of God. All of these confused, competing churches are led by the “spirit of disobedience” that is identified in Ephesians 2:2—and shown to be sent from the “god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4)! Then recognize that this is the god behind the trinity! We will discuss this “disobedient spirit” shortly.