There is only one Gospel

[John Evens]

6 I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah) [and that you are transferring your allegiance] to a different [even an opposition] gospel.

7 Not that there is [or could be] any other [genuine Gospel], but there are [obviously] some who are troubling and disturbing and bewildering you [with a different kind of teaching which they offer as a gospel] and want to pervert and distort the Gospel of Christ (the Messiah) [into something which it absolutely is not].

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!

9 As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!

10 Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).
Galatians 1:6–10

Paul having made this startling claim to a direct revelation from God without human means, Paul goes on to prove it from history, that is, from the facts of his own autobiography. The situation before his conversion, at his conversion and after his conversion were such that he clearly got his gospel not from any man, but direct from God.

 

[Jotham]

Paul explains that he received the gospel directly from God. He didn’t invent it himself, nor did he learn it from someone else. It was a revelation from Jesus Christ.

Paul tells the Galatians the story of his conversion. He was once the finest and keenest of Jews, vigorously persecuting the Christian church. But then God showed him who Jesus really is—the Messiah, Son of God and Saviour of the world.

God turned Paul, on the road to Damascus, from fanaticism to faith. After his conversion, he spent some three years in the desert of Arabia, east of Damascus. There he absorbed the revelation of Jesus and thought through the implications for his life and future work.

11 For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man’s gospel [a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard].

12 For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through a [direct] revelation [given] by Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

13 You have heard of my earlier career and former manner of life in the Jewish religion (Judaism), how I persecuted and abused the church of God furiously and extensively, and [with fanatical zeal did my best] to make havoc of it and destroy it.

14 And [you have heard how] I outstripped many of the men of my own generation among the people of my race in [my advancement in study and observance of the laws of] Judaism, so extremely enthusiastic and zealous I was for the traditions of my ancestors.

15 But when He, Who had chosen and set me apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing), saw fit and was pleased [Isa. 49:1; Jer. 1:5.]

16 To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone].

17 Nor did I [even] go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles (special messengers of Christ) before I was, but I went away and retired into Arabia, and afterward I came back again to Damascus.
Galatians 1:11–17

 

[John Evens]

The popular view is that there are many different ways to God, that the gospel changes with the changing years, and that you must not condemn the gospel to fossilization in the first century AD.

But Paul would not endorse these notions. He insists here that there is only one gospel and that this gospel does not change. Any teaching that claims to be ‘another gospel’ is ‘not another’ . In order to make this point, he uses the two adjectives heteros (‘another’ in the sense of ‘different’) and allos (‘another’ in the sense of ‘a second’).

The Revised Standard Version brings it out: ‘You are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another gospel.’

In other words, there are certainly different gospels being preached, but this is what they are—different. There is not another, a second; there is only one. The message of the false teachers was not an alternative gospel; it was a perverted gospel.

 

[Behold]

Paul having made this startling claim to a direct revelation from God without human means, Paul goes on to prove it from history, that is, from the facts of his own autobiography. The situation before his conversion, at his conversion and after his conversion were such that he clearly got his gospel not from any man, but direct from God.

Paul's Gospel was personally delivered to him from Jesus, and Paul calls this Gospel.. "MY Gospel".. 3x in the NT.

And that Gospel, is NOT Acts 2:38.

 

[John Evens]

It is the gospel of grace, of God’s free and unmerited favour. To turn from Him who called you in the grace of Christ is to turn from the true gospel. Whenever teachers start exalting man, implying that he can contribute anything to his salvation by his own morality, religion, philosophy or respectability, the gospel of grace is being corrupted. That is the first test. The true gospel magnifies the free grace of God.

 

[Larry]

It is the gospel of grace, of God’s free and unmerited favour. To turn from Him who called you in the grace of Christ is to turn from the true gospel. Whenever teachers start exalting man, implying that he can contribute anything to his salvation by his own morality, religion, philosophy or respectability, the gospel of grace is being corrupted. That is the first test. The true gospel magnifies the free grace of God.

Makes me think of my favorite verse in the Bible.

But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel) of God’s grace (His unmerited favor, spiritual blessing, and mercy). Acts 20:24

We know it’s grace when we see a person come under the conviction of sin and put his or her trust in the Savior who died for his or her sins. When these kinds of things are going on, we know we’re seeing grace.

 

[dwight92070]

6 I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah) [and that you are transferring your allegiance] to a different [even an opposition] gospel.

7 Not that there is [or could be] any other [genuine Gospel], but there are [obviously] some who are troubling and disturbing and bewildering you [with a different kind of teaching which they offer as a gospel] and want to pervert and distort the Gospel of Christ (the Messiah) [into something which it absolutely is not].

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!

9 As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!

10 Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).
Galatians 1:6–10

Paul having made this startling claim to a direct revelation from God without human means, Paul goes on to prove it from history, that is, from the facts of his own autobiography. The situation before his conversion, at his conversion and after his conversion were such that he clearly got his gospel not from any man, but direct from God.

Amen! Paul also calls it the gospel of the kingdom of God in Acts 20:24-25, which suggests not only one gospel, but one King - Jesus. But it's one and the same gospel! And the King says: "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." And we can no more be saved by Christian rituals, such as baptism, communion, or verbal confession, than the Jews can be saved by circumcision, observing holy days, and festivals. Because of His kindness He allows us to choose whether we want to follow Him or not.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

But Paul would not endorse these notions. He insists here that there is only one gospel and that this gospel does not change.

I agree, precisely because the gospel is so simple.
But if a theologian adds to the gospel a list of 457 ideas that the sinner should adhere to, and a list of 882 which should be rejected, THEN the gospel is not the eternal gospel anymore. Those 457 details may change and have changed... or else have been interpreted in many ways, and most of the variants have not made any impact on the life of the believer.

Let me give you an example:
For millenia, God didn't demand from the sinner, as a condition or requisite for his forgiveness, to believe that a future Messiah would be God, would make a substitutionary atonement for his sins and would physically resurrect in the third day.
Since these are not eternal demands, neither for Israel nor for the Chinese, this can't be part of the eternal and unchangeable gospel.

Having said that, if we go to the most essential core of the gospel... the core applicable to all men at all nations, the eternal Gospel is the sincere worship of The Creator.

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the eternal gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation and tribe and tongue and people. He said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, for the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Revelation 14:6,7)

If you think this is insufficient and we must add the intellectual adherence to other 457 doctrines, plus the rejection of other 882, then we have a problem, and I would be delighted to debate respectfully with you about it.

 

[TomL]

I agree, precisely because the gospel is so simple.
But if a theologian adds to the gospel a list of 457 ideas that the sinner should adhere to, and a list of 882 which should be rejected, THEN the gospel is not the eternal gospel anymore. Those 457 details may change and have changed... or else have been interpreted in many ways, and most of the variants have not made any impact on the life of the believer.

Let me give you an example:
For millenia, God didn't demand from the sinner, as a condition or requisite for his forgiveness, to believe that a future Messiah would be God, would make a substitutionary atonement for his sins and would physically resurrect in the third day.
Since these are not eternal demands, neither for Israel nor for the Chinese, this can't be part of the eternal and unchangeable gospel.

Having said that, if we go to the most essential core of the gospel... the core applicable to all men at all nations, the eternal Gospel is the sincere worship of The Creator.

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the eternal gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation and tribe and tongue and people. He said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, for the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Revelation 14:6,7)

If you think this is insufficient and we must add the intellectual adherence to other 457 doctrines, plus the rejection of other 882, then we have a problem, and I would be delighted to debate respectfully with you about it.

contrariwise

John 8:24 (LEB) — 24 Thus I said to you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”

You have a gospel which is not the gospel of the New Testament

 

[Soyeong]

6 I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah) [and that you are transferring your allegiance] to a different [even an opposition] gospel.

7 Not that there is [or could be] any other [genuine Gospel], but there are [obviously] some who are troubling and disturbing and bewildering you [with a different kind of teaching which they offer as a gospel] and want to pervert and distort the Gospel of Christ (the Messiah) [into something which it absolutely is not].

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!

9 As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!

10 Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).
Galatians 1:6–10

Paul having made this startling claim to a direct revelation from God without human means, Paul goes on to prove it from history, that is, from the facts of his own autobiography. The situation before his conversion, at his conversion and after his conversion were such that he clearly got his gospel not from any man, but direct from God.

In Matthew 4:15-23, Jesus began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent of the Kingdom of God is at hand, which was a light to the Gentiles, and God's law was how his audience knew what sin is (Romans 3:20), so repenting from our disobedience to it is a central part of the Gospel of the Kingdom, which is in accordance with Jesus being sent in fulfillment of the promise to bless us by turning us from our wickedness (Acts 3:25-26), which is the Gospel of the Kingdom that was made know in advance to Abraham in accordance with the promise (Galatians 3:8), which he spread to those living in Haran in accordance with the promise (Genesis 12:1-5). The promise was made to Abraham and brought about because he walked in God's way in obedience to His law, he taught his children and those of his household to do that in accordance with spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom, and because they did that (Genesis 18:19, Genesis 26:4-5, Deuteronomy 30:16), Paul also taught the Gospel of the Kingdom based on God's law (Acts 14:21-22, Acts 20:24-25, Acts 28:13, Romans 15:4, 18-19).

 

[Watchman]

I agree, precisely because the gospel is so simple.
But if a theologian adds to the gospel a list of 457 ideas that the sinner should adhere to, and a list of 882 which should be rejected, THEN the gospel is not the eternal gospel anymore. Those 457 details may change and have changed... or else have been interpreted in many ways, and most of the variants have not made any impact on the life of the believer.

Let me give you an example:
For millenia, God didn't demand from the sinner, as a condition or requisite for his forgiveness, to believe that a future Messiah would be God, would make a substitutionary atonement for his sins and would physically resurrect in the third day.
Since these are not eternal demands, neither for Israel nor for the Chinese, this can't be part of the eternal and unchangeable gospel.

Having said that, if we go to the most essential core of the gospel... the core applicable to all men at all nations, the eternal Gospel is the sincere worship of The Creator.

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the eternal gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation and tribe and tongue and people. He said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, for the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Revelation 14:6,7)

If you think this is insufficient and we must add the intellectual adherence to other 457 doctrines, plus the rejection of other 882, then we have a problem, and I would be delighted to debate respectfully with you about it.

The irreducible gospel:

1 Cor. 15:1-6 (KJV)
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

There are other essentials (e.g. that Jesus is God manifest in the flesh, his sinlessness, virgin birth, etc., and a new Christian will believe these, once he learns them).

 

[TomL]

The irreducible gospel:

1 Cor. 15:1-6 (KJV)
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

There are other essentials (e.g. that Jesus is God manifest in the flesh, his sinlessness, virgin birth, etc., and a new Christian will believe these, once he learns them).

Pancho denies believe in the resurrection is essential to salvation making his gospel other the one of scripture

 

[jeremiah1five]

6 I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah) [and that you are transferring your allegiance] to a different [even an opposition] gospel.

7 Not that there is [or could be] any other [genuine Gospel], but there are [obviously] some who are troubling and disturbing and bewildering you [with a different kind of teaching which they offer as a gospel] and want to pervert and distort the Gospel of Christ (the Messiah) [into something which it absolutely is not].

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!

9 As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!

10 Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).
Galatians 1:6–10

Paul having made this startling claim to a direct revelation from God without human means, Paul goes on to prove it from history, that is, from the facts of his own autobiography. The situation before his conversion, at his conversion and after his conversion were such that he clearly got his gospel not from any man, but direct from God.

First, there are hundreds of gospels or good news in the Bible. It was gospel or good news that Hannah, who was barren, would have a child.
It was gospel or good news to David that he would be king.
It was gospel or good news to Hezekiah that God would extend his life.
It was gospel or good news to Mary that she would birth Israel's Promised Messiah.

And Saul did what we all do today to receive "revelation" from God (and not any man)
It's called Bible Study. And Saul under the anointing and possessing the scrolls and parchments and other documents by which he learned or received revelation from God is the same method by which we get revelation from God in and of His Word. We study.
I receive the same revelation(s) from God when He reveals something in Scripture to me. It is comparable to Saul's revelation he claims in Galatians 1.