INTRODUCTION:
Paul was very surprised that they had been so quickly removed from the gospel which he preached. He quickly adds that what they were adhering to was a perverted message and not the one he had preached. He adds that what he had preached was not from man but from God.
This is very important since there is a popular idea in the world today that it makes no difference what man believes. Paul makes it clear that there is a difference. Error cannot be substituted for the truth in the plan of salvation.
THE GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOSPEL THAT PAUL PREACHED:
- He preached the original gospel (ver. 6). How may we know the difference?
(a) Any religious message that has its origin this side or outside the NT is of human origin.
(b) Every creed is outside the NT. Do you really think man can improve on the NT?
(c) Paul said he received what he preached by revelation (see also Eph. 3:3).
- He preached the pure gospel (ver. 7).
(a) Food is God’s power to satisfy hunger, but with a little poison mixed in, it will destroy that power.
(b) Water has the power to quench thirst, but a portion of salt mixed in will destroy that agency.
(c) Likewise the gospel is God’s power to save the soul, but when a little error or human opinion and doctrine are mixed in, it loses its power to save (Matt. 15:9).
(d) Blood disease – leukemia – The cure is unknown, although it is thought to be similar to cancer in origin. An abnormal function of white blood cells leads to a great overproduction of these white cells and their infiltration into body tissues. No cure is known at this time, but symptoms may be alleviated, and remission brought about by proper treatment in some cases.
- Paul preached an adequate gospel (ver. 8-9). The gospel that Paul preached is adequate for all times and for all people: Jude 3; 1 Cor. 2:2.
THE PRINCIPLES OF THE GOSPEL THAT PAUL PREACHED:
- It is the gospel of God (Rom. 1:1).
- It is the gospel of Christ (Acts 9:20).
- It is the gospel of Christ and his church (Eph. 5:32). Christ as head cannot be separated from his body which is declared to be the church (Eph. 1:22-23).
- It is the gospel of our salvation: Eph. 1:13; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:37-38.
The divine plan is the same since the Lord gave it…
Faith to change the heart, thereby destroying the love of sin – Heb. 11:6.
Repentance to change the will; thereby destroying the practice of sin… Matt. 21:29.
Baptism to change the state… Gal. 3:27.
the late Wayne Holland
from a sermon preached at:
Williston, FL – 7/31/1977
Live Oak, FL – 6/11/1978
Bayou La Batre, AL – 9/3/1978
Fairview, AL – 2/3/1980
Hayesville, NC – 8/30/1981
Blairsville, GA – 3/29/1987
St. Mary’s, GA – 7/12/1987
Gordon, GA – 7/19/1987
Roxboro, NC – 8/2/1987
South Boston, VA – 4/2/1994
Roxboro, NC – 5/7/2000
