The last article in this column closed by referencing what Paul wrote to the Galatians in the first chapter, sixth through ninth verse. Take a moment to read that passage again (Galatians 1:6-9). Note the bottom line which Paul is firmly stating here; nobody (angel or mankind) has the authority to alter the gospel of Christ in any way, shape, or form. Paul goes as far as to state that those who do so are accursed. The Greek word that is found in the ancient manuscripts of the letter to the Galatians is anathema. It is interesting to note that this word has survived the ages and can be found in your modern English dictionary. It has three similar definitions in the online dictionary I looked it up in (Oxford Dictionary); something or someone that one vehemently dislikes; a formal curse by a pope or a council of the Church, excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine; a strong curse. Placing this into the context of what Paul is admonishing the Galatians concerning leaving the truth for a perversion of the truth, he is stated that it so vehemently disliked that the source of such false teaching has a strong curse on them, and speaking ecclesiastically, they are no longer a part of the Church belonging to the Christ, that is set squarely on His true unadulterated gospel.
So, what does all this mean for us today? It does not take a very learned individual to take a look around them and see so many different congregations of people professing Christianity and adherence to the truth of God’s Word that is preaching and teaching differently. Whether it is the methodology for entering the covenant relationship with God through Christ or any number of various doctrines concerning how an individual or the Church as a whole conducts themselves once in the covenant relationship. There is simply so much variation that it can make your head spin. Could they all be right? Could they all be wrong? How did it get this way? How do we fix it?
So many questions come to mind when thinking about the splintered and divisive Christian religion with all its different denominations. I am not going to spend time going over Church history and when, where, and how all of the various denominations of Christianity came to be…there are numerous college courses for that (I have taken quite a few of them) as well as numerous books authored that tell the tale of the history that has brought us to this point of doctrinal confusion. Trust me, it did not happen all at once overnight, but slowly across decades and centuries. And, as is clear in the verses referenced earlier from Galatians, it had already begun while the Church was still in its infancy.
In Galatians 1:10, Paul asks two very important questions and makes a statement that drives to the very root of the issue. The first question is, “Do I now persuade men or God?” When it comes to an individual’s adherence to the inspired truth of God’s Word, is any given denomination trying to persuade people to yield to the truth, or are they trying to bend God’s Word to fit the desires of the people; in other words, trying to persuade God to change what He said? I had a discussion once with a minister in Kentucky regarding what the Bible teaches regarding the most important topic of all, how one enters into the covenant relationship with God. We both agreed on precisely what the scriptures teach on the subject, down to every last detail; and in fact, in the past when through his deep study of the scriptures came to this conclusion, he followed the biblical pattern and examples. But this is not what he taught to the congregation that he ministered to…why? Because the denominational body to which this congregation belonged did not hold to what the scriptures taught on this matter, and if he wanted to keep his job as a minister of that denomination, he had to adhere to their doctrine on the matter instead of to God’s.
I wish this were an isolated incident, but I have had countless conversations of this sort. In one such conversation, the individual made the statement, “I have been instructed by the governing body of this Christian denomination that where the Bible and the denominations doctrinal handbook seem to vary, follow the doctrinal handbook.” This brings us to Paul’s second question, “Do I seek to please men?” Neither God nor Christ have changed the gospel or doctrines of the Church, and in fact, while the two are often placed in two separate categories, they are so tightly intertwined together that they are inseparable. This is clearly expressed in Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:10b-11. “…and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.” Doctrine is ‘according to’ to the gospel, not a separate category apart from it. Thus, to be contrary to sound doctrine is to be contrary to the gospel. If one contorts a doctrine of the Church Christ built (Matthew 16:18), then they are contorting the gospel, and thus as Paul stated in our text from Galatians 1:6-9, they are anathema. What this means for us; is don’t alter what the Bible teaches to please people…whether those are people you teach or people that have authority over some denomination. Heed the words Paul wrote to Timothy, whether you are a leader or a follower.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and be led astray by fables. (2 Timothy 4:1-4)
Now consider Paul’s statement following these two rhetorical questions in Galatians 1:10. “If I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” The choice is simple we either serve people by seeking to please them with a gospel and doctrine that is palatable for them, or we serve Christ by teaching His truth, His gospel, and His doctrines. Ask anyone claiming to be a Christian if they love Jesus and God, and they will most assuredly without hesitation, answer YES. Jesus stated while in the upper room, as recorded in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” And later, he also states, as recorded in John 14:23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word….” John also wrote in 1 John 5:3, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” You see, the Holy Scriptures are clear that we cannot truly claim to love Jesus and God if we are not doing what they have said in regard to the Church that Jesus purchased with His own blood.
We will be continuing this thought in the next article for this column. Until then, get out your Bibles and comb through the New Testament, asking yourself, “Does the congregation I am affiliated with fully adhere to the pattern for the Church which is clearly displayed in Scripture?” There is very little, if any, room for deviation. In 1 Corinthians 4:14-17 Paul warns the Christians in Corinthian about the danger of many teachers and urges them to imitate him as he follows Christ. Paul lets them know that Timothy was on his way to remind them of Christ’s ways, which he teaches exactly the same everywhere in every church (congregation). Spend some quality time with the Bible and be reminded of Christ’s ways!
(Carl Hartman is the Minister at Main Street Church of Christ in Lockney)
