Week 46 Galatians
I noticed it when I got to chapter three. Paul said: O foolish Galatians! What magician has cast an evil spell on you?
It sounded as though Paul didn’t know the identity of this guy who was operating in Galatia. I wasn’t sure about that so I did something I didn’t really have time to do. I went back and re-read the letter – really quickly.
I found this:
You are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ.
You were getting along so well. Who has interfered with you to hold you back from following the truth?
God will judge that person, whoever it is, who has been troubling and confusing you.
Which sounds like Paul didn’t know exactly who the guy was.
What Paul did know was that the guy was trying to change the gospel. Fundamentally change it.
Paul’s gospel was that if I believe that the Lord’s death and resurrection has taken care of my guilt then I’m spiritually reborn.
So when the Mystery Man of Galatia came along and said that if I believe that the Lord’s death and resurrection has taken care of my guilt, and additionally if I follow a prescription of OT regulations then I’m spiritually reborn, then that’s a different gospel.
Churches can accept all kinds of different opinions about things. But not different gospels.
Note: quotes from Galatians 3:1, 1:7, 5:7, 5:10 (NLT)