What Does “Another Gospel” Mean?

[Administrator]

The phrase "another Gospel" refers to anything that adds to, subtracts from, contradicts, or denies the gospel contained in the Bible. In the context of the New Testament, it was used by Paul to warn against teachings that deviated from the gospel of Jesus' work of redemption. Essentially, the gospel is one, and any variation is not equivalent to the true gospel.

Let's start the discussion with this post from @Red Baker

What is another gospel........Is the gospel preach a source of information concerning how we are born again, or is it the means thereof?......... the gospel, the power of God for whom and why?

 

[Dizerner]

Thread 'My understanding of the Gospel—summarized'

Jul 23, 2023

The thing about the Gospel is you can keep going in more depth and detail, and it could take an entire book easily. If I were to describe the Gospel as a set of facts, I could make this list. But remember this is not mere information—this comes as spiritual revelation on a higher plane directly from the Spirit of God. This is a miraculous experience and revelation, not just believing in information.

1. There is a spiritual realm and not just a physical realm, with a Creator and evil and good spirits. Evil spirits were created good and rebelled sometime in the past.

2. Our ancestors...

• Dizerner
• Replies: 32
• Forum: Soteriology- The Doctrine of Salvation

• 

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

Thanks for the extremely important topic.

Gospel means "Good News" so "The Gospel of Christ" refers to the Good News that Christ conveyed.
The first/oldest reference to what Christ preached as "Good News" comes from Mark, in the very first chapter, verse 14:

"Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the good news [gospel] and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Good News [Gospel]"

To me, any study of the Gospel of Jesus takes us to understanding the Kingdom of God and the meaning of repentance. These two key concepts.

1. What is this Kingdom? Why should I consider this to be good news? What is the role of Jesus in this Kingdom? What should I do to be citizen of this Kingdom? Did Jesus give more details in this regard?
2. What is repentance? Why was it central to Jesus preaching of his Gospel? Did Jesus give more details in this regard?

So, "another gospel" would be any teaching and practice that leads man away from repentance and from entering the Kingdom of God.

This is different than considering "another gospel" as "any teaching that contains mistaken views", as it is often presented in this Forum, accompanied by the corresponding storm of accusations of heresy and unreserved predictions of eternal damnation.

I firmly defend the position that a man (you, me, everyone) can hold hundreds of illusory or mistaken views about God and his Word, and still be able to repent and enter the Kingdom of God.

 

[Soyeong]

The phrase "another Gospel" refers to anything that adds to, subtracts from, contradicts, or denies the gospel contained in the Bible. In the context of the New Testament, it was used by Paul to warn against teachings that deviated from the gospel of Jesus' work of redemption. Essentially, the gospel is one, and any variation is not equivalent to the true gospel.

Let's start the discussion with this post from @Red Baker

In Matthew 4:15-23, Jesus began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand, which was a light to the Gentiles, and the Torah 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). Moreover, Paul also taught the Gospel of the Kingdom based on the Torah (Acts 14:21-22, 20:24-25, 28:23). So "another Gospel" should not be interpreted in a way that turns it against the Gospel that Jesus and Paul taught.

 

[mailmandan]

The gospel is the "good news" of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that BELIEVES.. (Romans 1:16) To "believe" the gospel is to trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation.

The gospel is a message of grace that is to be received through faith. The gospel is not a set of rituals to perform, a code of laws to be obeyed or a check list of good works to accomplish as a prerequisite for salvation. (Acts 10:43; 15:7-9; 16:31; Romans 3:24-28; 4:5-6; 5:1; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9 etc..). Another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9) means "adding works" to the finished work of Christ for salvation.

 

[Dizerner]

Another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9) means "adding works" to the finished work of Christ for salvation.

What about Christian Universalism, that doesn't add works, since everyone is saved by grace in the end.

 

[mailmandan]

What about Christian Universalism, that doesn't add works, since everyone is saved by grace in the end.

The most common false gospel revolves around "works righteousness" (Romans 4:5-6; 10:1-4; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9 etc..) but Universalism is also a false gospel. The apostle Paul explains why people do not believe the gospel in 2 Corinthians 4:3,4.

 

[Red Baker]

Romans 1:15-17​

“So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

The Gospel of Christ ~ A little before he had called it ‘the Gospel of God;’ he now designates it the Gospel of Christ, who is not only its author, but also its essential subject. The Gospel is therefore called the preaching of Jesus Christ, and of the unsearchable riches of Christ. This Gospel, then, which Paul was ready to preach, and of which he was not ashamed, was the Gospel of God concerning His Son. The term Gospel, which signifies glad tidings, is taken from Isaiah 52:7, and 61:1, where the Messiah is introduced as saying, "The Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings."
What are the good tiding? Is it news of what man must do, to be accepted with God, or, is it the wonderful news what God has done for us through his Son Jesus Christ to make us acceptable?

Paul tells us why he was so ready to preach the gospel of Christ. He clearly said: "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed." In the gospel, when preach according to the testimony of God from his word, it reveals how one obtains the righteousness of God, which righteousness, gives one right to eternal life, frees them from condemnation and death, perishing in the lake of fire, whish is the second death.

Paul also makes it abundantly clear, that the gospel is the power of God to only one group of people, to all others it is pure foolishness. He said:

Romans 1:16​

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
The gospel is the power of God to every one that believeth. It is impossible for the gospel to be a source of power (revealing God's great power, wisdom, etc) to men who have never been called out of darkness into the glorious light of the gospel of Christ. The gospel can only be revealed to men who have faith to another man who has faith. Listen carefully to Paul:

Romans 1:17​

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

The righteousness of God in the gospel as it is preached faithfully can only work in this manner....from faith (a true child of God preaching/teaching) to faith, one that has been born of God, and has the gift of faith to be able to hear and see, and believe. In other words, Paul went to find men and women who beleive, and to them, he sought to reveal to them how they have been made righteous before God's law through Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

So, is the gospel preach a source of information concerning how we are born again, or is it the means thereof?......... the gospel, the power of God for whom and why? Without question it is the source of information concerning how God's elect are made the righteousness of God in and through Jesus Christ. We are not made righteous by believing, but our believing proves that we have passed from death unto life through our Lord Jesus Christ. Agreeing with such scriptures as John 5:24; 1st John 5:1, etc.

 

[Dizerner]

We are not made righteous by believing

We are made righteous be believing.

Scripture couldn't be more clear.

We have ACCESS BY FAITH into this GRACE.

Not:

We have ACCESS BY GRACE into this faith.

Calvinism turning Scripture on its head and denying man's free will choice.

Romans 5:1.

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

Gal 3: 6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert he gospel of Christ.

Basically Paul is saying that if someone is teaching a different in type gospel, which is not another or replacement gospel.

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

The most common false gospel revolves around "works righteousness" (Romans 4:5-6; 10:1-4; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9 etc..) but Universalism is also a false gospel. The apostle Paul explains why people do not believe the gospel in 2 Corinthians 4:3,4.

Amen

James and Jude pretty much denounce easy believism.

Paul is denouncing legalism

 

[Red Baker]

We are made righteous by believing.

Impossible~by your understanding/teaching on how a sinner is made righteous, is what the scriptures call "another" gospel, pure and simple. Such a gospel falls under the curse of God per Galatians chapter one.

Either sinners are made righteous "legally" speaking by their own works (works would be: any work that man has an active part in, faith, repentance, baptism, etc.) or, by the faith and obedience of Jesus Christ. The scriptures are abundantly clear that we have forgiveness of our sins through the blood/death/resurrection of Christ ~ "period".

Scripture couldn't be more clear.

Provide scriptures where man's works (acts of the flesh/free will) have any part in his legal Justification ~ you will not find one, unless you go to the book of the work mongers.

Galatians 2:16​

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

This one verse (though, there are many more to come) is the gospel in a nutshell, not John 3:16! This one scripture from the very book addressing what is the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and exposing another gospel preached by false prophets as they sought to infiltrate the early churches of the saints. Which they finally did as soon as the apostles died off. You quoted in part and said:

We have ACCESS BY FAITH into this GRACE.

Not:

We have ACCESS BY GRACE into this faith.

Calvinism turning Scripture on its head and denying man's free will choice.

First, this thread is not about Arminianism and Calvinism.

Romans 5:2​

“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Truth is one cohesive whole, and one scriptures does not live on an island by itself, we take all scriptures and seek a perfect flow from one to the next so that we can clearly see the truth as God intended for us to see, preach, and live by.

Ephesians 3:12
“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

Ephesians 2:18​

“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

To be short, we by faith (which faith is the fruit of the already indwelling Spirit of God coming from our new man, not our flesh) practically speaking enjoy the spiritual blessings of the gospel that Christ secured for God's elect. The scriptures are plain:

Ephesians 3:12
“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” So, if by the faith of Christ, then it is not our faith legally speaking.

Romans 5:1.

Romans 5:1 is speaking about what takes place in our hearts/spirits when we hear and believe, and have true understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. ....it brings joy, peace, comfort, true hope, etc.

Romans 5:1​

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Romans 5:1 is speaking of practical Justification, not legal! You are being deceived by sound bites, instead of seeking for the true sense of the scriptures.

Nehemiah 8:8​

“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”

 

[Dizerner]

First, this thread is not about Arminianism and Calvinism.

Calvinism (in whatever form) is the ONLY doctrine that puts regeneration before faith.

To insinuate that this point is irrelevant of Calvinism is a cheap debating trick and disingenuous.

Then you quote several verses that disprove your point, but say you just have to interpret them your special way so they mean the opposite.

By faith.

By faith.

By faith.

Not by regeneration.

If I'm regenerated, I'm already saved, and do not need faith to BE regenerated if I ALREADY am.

Nonsense and turning Scripture on its head.

 

[Red Baker]

Calvinism (in whatever form) is the ONLY doctrine that puts regeneration before faith.

Once more ~ this thread is about another gospel, take scriptures you believe supports your gospel and prove it with the word of God ~ it is not that complicated. Leave Calvinism out of this discussion. It is the scriptures that puts regeneration before man's ability to hear, see, and understand truth. Jesus Christ taught this very truth.

John 3:3​

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, "Except" a man be born again, he "cannot see" the kingdom of God.”

This is the teaching of th3e word of God, period.

To insinuate that this point is irrelevant of Calvinism is a cheap debating trick and disingenuous.

This thread is not about whether or not regeneration is before faith a doctrine of Calvinism, and thereby one must attack Calvinism. Yes, many folks who are known as Calvinist teach regeneration proceeds faith, but, the question at hand is this: what is another gospel and can you prove your position? Pro, or con.

We affirm without apologies, that the true grace of God secured eternal life for God's elect through the faith and obedience of one person~JESUS CHRIST, the Son of the Living God. We believe that the new birth is according to such scriptures as:

John 1:13​

“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

The false gospel, or another gospel, teaches man's by his own free will chose Jesus Christ, and thereby are born again. That's another gospel, pure and simple and falls under the curse of God.

Then you quote several verses that disprove your point, but say you just have to interpret them your special way so they mean the opposite.

Take the scriptures I used to prove what I said, was used in my own special way ~ you cannot, but I do desire that you try to do so.

If I'm regenerated, I'm already saved, and do not need faith to BE regenerated if I ALREADY am.

You sound like Joe Biden when he debated Trump, I have no glue what you are attempting to say, and pretty neither do you.

Nonsense and turning Scripture on its head.

Why do you not use scriptures to prove what you say you believe?

 

[Dizerner]

You sound like Joe Biden when he debated Trump, I have no glue what you are attempting to say, and pretty neither do you.

What I said wasn't even that complicated.

If you can't understand a simple sentence that says:

If I'm regenerated, I'm already saved, and do not need faith to BE regenerated if I ALREADY am.

Why should I expect you comprehend any sentence.

Take care.

 

[Soyeong]

The gospel is the "good news" of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that BELIEVES.. (Romans 1:16) To "believe" the gospel is to trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation.

The gospel is a message of grace that is to be received through faith. The gospel is not a set of rituals to perform, a code of laws to be obeyed or a check list of good works to accomplish as a prerequisite for salvation. (Acts 10:43; 15:7-9; 16:31; Romans 3:24-28; 4:5-6; 5:1; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9 etc..). Another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9) means "adding works" to the finished work of Christ for salvation.

In Matthew 4:15-23, Jesus began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent for 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 the way to believe 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).

In Titus 2:11-13, our salvation is described as being trained by grace to do what is godly, righteous, and good, and to renounce doing what is ungodly, so those works are not a prerequisite for salvation, but rather God graciously teaching us to be a doer of those works is part of his gift of salvation. In Titus 2:14, Jesus gave himself to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own possession who are zealous for doing good works, so becoming zealous for doing good works in obedience to God's law is the to trust in the Gospel that Jesus spent his ministry teaching and in his death, burial, and resurrection.

In Psalms 119:29-30, he wanted to pt false was far from him, for God to be gracious to him by teaching him to obey His law, and he chose the way of faith by setting it before him, so this has always been the one and only way of salvation by grace through faith.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

Calvinism (in whatever form) is the ONLY doctrine that puts regeneration before faith.

To insinuate that this point is irrelevant of Calvinism is a cheap debating trick and disingenuous.

Then you quote several verses that disprove your point, but say you just have to interpret them your special way so they mean the opposite.

By faith.

By faith.

By faith.

Not by regeneration.

If I'm regenerated, I'm already saved, and do not need faith to BE regenerated if I ALREADY am.

Nonsense and turning Scripture on its head.

May be, but the thread is not about listing the 689 doctrinal mistakes within Christian churches and movements.
It is about the kind of gospel that would make its proponent accursed, anatema. (Galatians 1:8,9)
Are the Calvinist within the Forum accursed?
Sorry for my intervention, but I find very important to distinguish between a mistaken and an accursed brother or sister.

 

[Dizerner]

Are the Calvinist within the Forum accursed?
Sorry for my intervention, but I find very important to distinguish between a mistaken and an accursed brother or sister.

Well, I agree.

Calvinists although badly mistaken, still trust in Christ's suffering to atone for their sins.

 

[Red Baker]

If I'm regenerated, I'm already saved, and do not need faith to BE regenerated if I ALREADY am.

That was my very point~man's faith that comes to him (his new nature, which nature only has the power to hear, believe and repent) comes solely by the hearing by the word of God, which means, God has chosen the scriptures as a source of information to give his elect knowledge of the great truths of the word of God, apart from which, we would not know him as we do by the hearing of faith. God could have chosen many different ways to communicate to his people, but he has chosen the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe ~ saved being used in a practical sense.

1st Corinthians 1:21​

“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”

Regeneration impart spiritual life to the elect somewhere from conception, to the death of their bodies ~ two prime examples are John the Baptist, quicken to life in his mother's womb; and the thief on the cross, quicken just before he left this world. After one is regenerated by the Spirit of God, they need (to grow in grace and knowledge) to be saved in a practical sense, by imparting knowledge, wisdom and understanding to their new man ~ this comes by desiring the milk of the word of God, and from there, moving on to the meat of the word, etc. and this come by the scriptures. You, sir, are obliviously lost with this biblical concept of how the Spirit of God uses words in his scriptures to convey truths to his children.

Why should I expect you comprehend any sentence.

If you can't understand a simple sentence that says:

If you stop and ponder what I have written, then your words should know how I feel dealing with men with very little knowledge, even though they think they have much. Nevertheless, the Spirits of God can open hearts to understand at any time he choose to do so. That's my desire for others and myself as well.

 

[Red Baker]

Sorry for my intervention,

Pancho, there's no need to apologize ~ please participate.

but I find very important to distinguish between a mistaken and an accursed brother or sister.

So do I ~ yet, if we search the scriptures, the only curse laid at the feet of anyone would be to those men who purposely, and continuously preach a gospel contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ ~ "another" gospel that has man having an active part in his salvation from sin and condemnation.

We must be careful not to bid anyone God's speed if knowing they preach another gospel after being warned with the scriptures one or two times.

2nd John 1:11​

“For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

Titus 3:10​

“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;”