Some today are claiming there is more than one Gospel. Is this true or false?
An increasing number of vile, diabolical wolves are claiming that there’s more than one Gospel. They claim that Paul had a separate, a different gospel than Jesus and the other apostles and that Paul’s gospel is the only one that counts for New Testament saints. Ready to put this claim to the test?
Paul not only uses the term “my gospel”, he also uses the words “THE gospel” as in only one Gospel! In fact, in the New Testament canon, the words “THE gospel” appear 86 times while Paul’s use of the words “my gospel” appear only 3 times. Paul himself used the term “THE gospel” 59 times! I will leave it to you to do a search of the words “THE gospel” on your King James Bible software. Your jaw will drop as 86 results appear. And as you do, notice that the words “THE gospel” are used before and after Paul used this same term, further proving there’s only one Gospel – “THE gospel” of Jesus Christ.
Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle (just one of the apostles), separated unto THE GOSPEL of God (not Paul),
Rom 1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
So we must ask, what is “THE GOSPEL”? As we just read, THE one Gospel centers upon and is and has to do with “his Son Jesus Christ our LORD” who was crucified for the sins of the world and raised again from the dead, right? Is Paul the only one who had this revelation? No.
Jesus, “the way, the truth, and the life,” simply used Paul to merely expound upon the ONE Gospel. That doesn’t make the Gospel Paul preached a separate or different gospel. In fact, the Holy Ghost through Paul himself told us that anyone preaching “ANY other gospel” is “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9) More on that in a moment.
Also, Paul uses the term “our gospel” 3 times (2 Corinthians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:14).
To say there are different gospels would be to say that there is more than one way to God. Jesus Christ is the Gospel, the Good News, and the only way to God (John 14:6). This is the work of “the spirit of antichrist” perpetrated through antichrists (1 John 2:18; 4:1-6).
Before Paul was even saved, the words “many believed” appears 4 times in the Word of God and 1 time shortly after Paul was saved (John 2:23; 8:30; 10:42; 12:42; Acts 9:42). So, were those people, those “many” who believed, believing into “another gospel” – a gospel other than that one Gospel of Christ spoken of throughout the New Testament canon?
So you read the “Left Behind” series and read and listened to Hal Lindsey’s “Late Great Planet Earth” and dispensational poison and yet didn’t read God’s Word for yourself? No wonder you are horribly misled. Repent now and get into God’s Word for yourself as God commanded! (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:10-11)
At this point, any honest person would be utterly ashamed that they ever bought the lie that there’s more than one gospel. Any person saying there’s more than one gospel is preaching “another gospel” and is “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9)
It is delusional to believe there’s more than one Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures of the LORD simply do not teach such and clearly refute such a lie. The only reason there would need to be “another gospel” would be due to the imperfection of “the gospel” of Christ.
The one original Gospel begins with Jesus, not Paul, and Paul only continued what Jesus had started in his preaching of the one original Gospel.
There’s only one kingdom of God. There’s only one Gospel. The term “THE gospel” appears 86 times in the New Testament canon! Paul used the words “my gospel” just 3 times and that doesn’t mean he had a different or separate gospel, but rather that he had revelation of “THE gospel,” that is, the one Gospel and not “another gospel” which he himself says is of “another spirit” and peddled by those who are “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9) This is classic slight of hand deception being wielded over the gullible. A simple search of “the gospel” and “my gospel” blows up their sham. The score is 86 to 3. Paul himself used the term “THE gospel” 59 times!!!!! Dispensationalists will never be heard revealing the number differential here because it simply doesn’t play into the agenda they are pushing as they peddle “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9) There is no other Gospel, good news, except Jesus Christ, encapsulated in His one Gospel, “THE Gospel.”
Jesus Christ is “the true God, and eternal life.”
“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20
Notice Paul’s use of the words “ANY other gospel” – twice… which means there can’t possibly be “ANY other gospel.”
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert THE gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach ANY OTHER gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach ANY OTHER gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9
The phrases “another gospel” and “any other gospel” could mean but one thing – that there is only one Gospel.
What’s Satan’s Goal in this “More than One Gospel” Heresy?
In brief, dispensational theology is the construct of “evil men and seducers”, “ungodly men” who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 4; 2 Timothy 3:13) All dispensationalists teach the golden calf pet doctrine of “once saved always saved” also called “eternal security.” This is done to evade the cross Jesus and His apostles preached and to promulgate the antinomian lie of the ages upon men. They falsely believe that the apostle Paul didn’t address doctrines like repentance, the crucified life, hell fire, etc. This is Satan’s plan to hide the hard truths of Christ’s one Gospel, all of which Paul preached.
Were there Born Again New Testament Saints BEFORE Paul Came Along? YES.
Firstly, at the onset of the record of the Acts of the Apostles, on record in the book of Acts, let us consider that Christ had already shed His precious blood and declared “It is finished.” (John 19:30) “It is finished” simply means “Paid in full.” So, the perfect price for redeeming fallen men was already, a while before Paul was even saved and so, this alone tells us that He who is “not willing that any should perish” was immediately saving souls into His eternal kingdom (1 Timothy 2:4-6; 2 Peter 3:9, etc.).
There’s mountains of evidence that there were well over 8,000 new converts to Christ BEFORE Paul was even saved (Acts 2:41; 4:4). This alone disproves the lie that no one could be saved before Paul came along. Also, this further exposes the deification of Jesus’ servant Paul by dispensational heretics.
The book of Acts is written in chronological order and Paul wasn’t even saved will Acts 9. We witness the birth of the church in the first 2 chapters of Acts.
Jesus tells His 120 gathered together praying that they were going to be baptized with the Holy Ghost. How could anyone believe that Jesus was going to send His Spirit upon lost souls? Ludicrous.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
And Jesus kept His promise:
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4
Read this to witness how it is further established that many were saved by Christ before Paul was even saved:
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:37-41
Under the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, Peter also preached for men to “repent” and “be converted” and so it was obviously possible and happening well before Paul was ever saved.
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Acts 3:19
Dispensationalist Nightmare
The dispensationalist vainly believes he’s not accountable to the teachings of Christ, the One the dispensationalist claims has saved him. Odd at best. The dispensationalist has bought the egregious lie that only Paul’s writings are essential to New Testament saints. Little do these deceived souls realize that Paul preached exactly what Christ preached – the cardinal doctrines of the one Gospel of Jesus Christ:
That which sounds logical is not necessarily biblical. It may sound logical to be told that you can’t understand the bible without learning the different dispensations, but such is never said by god in his word. and, we know he gave us “All things that pertain unto life and godliness” – all things we needed, in His word (2 Peter 1:3-4).
The dispensational system is a doctrine of devils crafted and peddled by deceivers in an attempt to hide the cardinal doctrines, the hard truths of the one Gospel of Jesus Christ in order to promulgate Satan’s eternal security heresy (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). Of all the human writers of the New Testament canon, clearly Paul taught the most on faith and grace and so the dispensationalist can easily hide in things Paul taught while ignoring the hard truths he taught. They aren’t very deep or bright and we know this because Paul taught these same hard truths!
The central passage defining “THE GOSPEL” the only Gospel, is 1 Corinthians 15:1-4:
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you THE GOSPEL which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Clearly, to say there is “another gospel” is to say that there’s another way to God – a way other than Jesus Christ.
But Jesus says He alone is exclusively “THE way” and that is exactly what “THE gospel” communicates in no uncertain terms (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5).
So, did the Gospel writers, and the apostles John and Peter preach “another gospel”? Did they preach something different than Paul’s gospel? If so they are “accursed” according to Paul and so why would the LORD have sovereignly ordained that their writings were included in the New Testament canon of Holy Scripture? (Galatians 1:6-9) And we know this isn’t true because the Holy Spirit told us through Christ’s apostle Peter that we have the canon of Scripture because “holy men (plural) of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21)
Demonic dispensationalists claim that there’s more than one gospel. They falsely teach that the the Gospel of Jesus is different than the gospel of Paul and a different Gospel than Peter and John and the other Holy Spirit inspired writers of the New Testament canon. They falsely extrapolate this from Paul’s use of the term “my gospel.” (Romans 2:16; 16:25; 2 Timothy 2:8)
Let’s put this to the biblical test, shall we?
Paul not only uses the term “my gospel”, he also uses the words “THE gospel” as in only one Gospel! In fact, in the New Testament canon, the words “THE gospel” appear 86 times while Paul’s use of the words “my gospel” appear only 3 times. Paul himself used the term “THE gospel” 59 times! I will leave it to you to do a search of the words “THE gospel” on your King James Bible software. Your jaw will drop as 86 results appear. And as you do, notice that the words “THE gospel” are used before and after Paul used this same term, further proving there’s only one Gospel – “THE gospel” of Jesus Christ – which is not exclusive to Paul dispensation of it which simply refers to his stewardship of the calling God gave him to dispense the one and eternal Gospel of Jesus Christ who is the Gospel.
“Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.” Philippians 1:7
“My grace” simply refers to the blessing of God’s grace bestowed upon Paul in his ministry to those saints he was writing to. In another place, as Paul spoke of his labor in the LORD, he speaks of “the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10
Paul’s use of the words “my grace” does not mean that it was exclusive to him. Scripture tells us that “GRACE and truth came by Jesus Christ” and is available “to ALL men.” (John 1:17; Titus 2:11)
“Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul himself penned these words:
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL men (not just Paul).” Titus 2:11
The apostle Paul’s use of this term “my grace” doesn’t mean it’s exclusively for or of Paul, a mere man, a messenger. In the same way, his use of the term “my gospel” merely means that he is preaching THE one Gospel of Christ according to the divine calling and grace given to him to do so. He was given grace to preach the one Gospel – of Jesus Christ. 59 times he called it “THE gospel.”
Now do we begin to see how this evil system that falsely claims there’s more than one gospel deifies Paul and demotes Jesus Christ?
The Dispensation Deception of the Dispensationalist Heretics
Now let’s read the 4 Bible verses where Paul uses the word “dispensation.” The Greek word for “dispensation” is oikonomia and refers to an overseer, a fiscal agent who has been given an administration, a stewardship of the one Gospel. Dispensation simply means to dispense.
1Co_9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a DISPENSATION of the gospel is committed unto me.
Eph_1:10 That in the DISPENSATION of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph_3:2 If ye have heard of the DISPENSATION of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Col_1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the DISPENSATION of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
It is befuddling to realize that the whole dispensationalist movement is built on the foundation of Paul’s use of the word “dispensation” which they completely misinterpret and add volumes to.
Christ’s Gospel or Paul’s Gospel?
“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” Romans 1:1
Paul says here that as “an apostle”, he was “separated unto the gospel of God,” and not his own gospel. False teachers are saying the “gospel of God” and the “gospel of Christ” are two different gospels. One particular fraud, Trey Searcy of Truth Time Radio, used Romans 1:1 in a vain attempt to “prove” this. Let’s look. Here was my reply:
“gospel or God” and “gospel of Christ” are the same gospel – “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the GOSPEL OF GOD” Romans 1:1…. then in 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.” Notice that Paul was not ashamed of “THE gospel of Christ.” Hello. Paul didn’t preach his own gospel. Right here he makes it clear that he preached and was not ashamed of “the gospel of Christ.” Case closed. In Romans 1:16 Paul states that “the gospel of Christ”, not the gospel of Paul, “is the power of God unto salvation.”
According to Romans 1, the “gospel of God” and “gospel of Christ” are one and the same Gospel because “God so loved the world…. “ (John 3:16) …. “the (one and only) GOSPEL OF CHRIST” is “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:1, 16)
ANY person who says that 1. Paul’s writings are more important than any other New Testament writing, OR, 2. that there’s more than one gospel, is an agent of Satan! Beware of the dispensational heretics.
Repentance
Here’s more proof that Satan is the author of this whole dispensational system. Jesus says “Except ye repent, ye shall ALL like wise perish.” (Luke 13:3, 5) Paul taught repentance (Acts 20:21; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10). “Repentance” is found 13 times in respect to Paul (Acts thru Hebrews). Repentance is a Gospel essential and so it’s clear that Satan is behind this removal of the need to repent in order to be saved. “Seducing spirits and doctrines of devils” are exactly what this demonic dispensational system is all about (1 Timothy 4:1-2). The men who have concocted this system aren’t very bright or should we say, they are depending on they ignorance of their prey. They are hoping you don’t find out that Paul preached what his Master Christ preached. And that’s why these antichrists dismiss the teachings of Jesus Christ Himself, claiming that His words, Christ’s teachings are not important or essential to those New Testament believers who are saved by this very and only Savior whose teachings they are dismissing. Think on that one.
These dispensational devils are simply regurgitating recycle heresy when they teach that the Gospel Jesus, John the Baptist, and Peter preached a different gospel than Paul preached. The underlying motive is to rid the message of the hard truths. Jesus, John the Baptist, and Paul use verses on repentance like Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30-31; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Peter 3:9.
“The antichrists (many) will follow the false prophet which that demonic spirit has clothed themselves as angels of light and has been building the false church and filling it with all kinds of doctrine that falls short of and goes beyond the doctrine of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ as plainly revealed in the New Testament canon of Scripture.” David Taylor
Trey Searcy, Robert Breaker, and all the dispensational wolves are essentially teaching that even though Jesus had already died and rose again, no one could be saved until Paul’s epistles appeared decades later. Paul’s epistles date to beginning in about 60AD. Yet we know by the record of the book of Acts, beginning before Paul was even saved, that 8,000 souls were saved by the LORD via Peter’s preaching at Pentecost, the day the church was born. It was later that Paul was saved (Acts 9).
Was Paul the only messenger (apostle) that the LORD used to reveal His one Gospel? If so, why do we have books in the New Testament canon of other of Christ’s apostles? Why didn’t God not only include Paul’s books in the New Testament canon? Surely those other human writers of New Testament Scripture were also teaching according to Christ’s one Gospel, right? Right. Such is self-evident. Let’s explore the Bible concerning the claims that Paul’s gospel is the only gospel.
A closer look at the whole of Scripture reveals that the one, the exclusive Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Good News, is Christ Himself, and that He used several of His messengers to reveal it to us, not just Paul.
“holy men (plural) of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21)
The word “gospel” appears 104 times in the New Testament canon. 28 times the word “gospel” appears outside of Paul’s writings. So, in the 4 Gospels, the word “gospel” is used 17 times. 17 times the word “gospel” appears in the 4 Gospels, specifically associated with the Son of God. This is years before Paul was even saved. Did JESUS have the real “gospel” or did the Almighty Himself have to wait till Paul penned it? Did Jesus bring the Gospel or Paul? Did Jesus die for the sins of the world or did the sinner Paul do so? Did the New Testament church begin at the Day of Pentecost when 3,000 souls were saved under Peter’s preaching or is this a lie and only Paul later brought the true Gospel?
This “more than one gospel” delusion is a laughable heresy being peddled that deifies Paul and demotes Jesus Christ and says that only Paul had the Gospel that applies to New Testament saints and that the “the gospel of Jesus Christ” was “another gospel” for another people (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6-9). Anyone teaching this is a false teacher. Run! The Pauline cult.
“The beginning of THE gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;” Mark 1:1
“Gospel” means good news and is directly coupled with “Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Paul is not the good news, Jesus Christ is. Jesus Christ chose and appointed the apostle Paul to preach HIS (Jesus’) one Gospel and yet Paul is but a mere man as were the other apostles. Jesus Christ is God.
“…the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:14-16
No different than when John wrote that he was “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, so Paul used the words “my gospel” which dispensationalists erroneously take to mean Paul had his own gospel, a different Gospel. Beware. Was John the only “disciple whom Jesus loved”? Was Paul the only messenger of the one true “gospel of Jesus Christ”? No. The use of the words “THE gospel” before and after Paul in the New Testament canon make this abundantly clear. One singular Gospel preached by John the Baptist, Jesus, and His holy apostles. And Jesus Himself is that Gospel! Paul was but one of the messengers Jesus Christ sent to communicate His one Gospel, which reveals HIMSELF. In fact, Paul wrote “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:5)
Paul simply revealed much more of the gospel of Jesus. He was commissioned with a dispensational stewardship to unfold the Gospel of Jesus Christ which began to be preached in the 4 Gospel books. Dispensational simply means to dispense and yet the dispensational wolves have defined it as much more with no biblical authority to do so. That does not mean it was a different Gospel which brings a curse as “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9) That’s why it’s dangerous language to say Paul had a different gospel or that there’s more than one Gospel. Scripture clearly refutes this antichrist heretical idea which is designed to confuse and distract from Christ – the only “Head” of His one body (Colossians 1:18-19; 2:18-19).
Paul himself says that if any person or angel preaches “ANY other gospel” he is “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9) Christ’s Gospel as is documented in “ALL scripture” and not just the writings of Paul (2 Timothy 3:16; Galatians 1:6-9). The only other gospels we read about in God’s Word would be a false gospel, “another gospel” and “ANY other gospel” and the acceptance or preaching of such makes one “accursed.” (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6, 8-9)
Paul had a specific part in dispensing the revelation of the one original Gospel of Jesus Christ as did Peter and John and the other divinely ordained scribes of the New Testament Scriptures (Matthew 13:52).
Paul had a further revelation of THE one Gospel, that’s all. But people are being gullible and heretical to say there’s more than one Gospel.
Just because God used Paul to unfold, to reveal that Gospel, doesn’t make it Paul’s Gospel which cancels out any and all other references or men HE used to dispense or reveal His one Gospel. That’s heresy and an interpretational error and this type twisting of the truth is the type thing done by cults.
If God ordained that the word “gospel” appear many times outside of Paul’s writings, especially in the singular, definite article form of “THE gospel,” did He not ordain that we understand that He gave us just one Gospel? Yes.
Peter, Christ’s apostle, uses the word “gospel” 4 times in 1 Peter, without the name of Paul. So, did Peter have and preach “another gospel” which would make him “accursed”? (Galatians 1:6-9) Yes or no?
“The Gospel of God” appears 7 times in the New Testament and was used both by Paul and Peter, neither one hinting or attributing it to themselves – but as it reads – “the gospel of GOD”, not man.
It’s interesting to note that the phrase “the gospel of Paul” appears no where in the Bible.
Notice this:
“Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostleS(plural!) and prophets by the Spirit;” Ephesians 3:5
Did Paul state that he was the only one the one Gospel was revealed to? No. Instead Paul tells us that “it is now revealed unto his holy apostleS(plural!) and prophets (plural) by the Spirit;” Case closed.
The one Gospel was now “revealed unto his holy apostleS and prophets (plural) by the Spirit” and not just Paul (Ephesians 3:5).
Paul is saying that “now” under the New Covenant, the fulness of the one Gospel of Christ is revealed.
He speaks of “other ages” which refers to the past ages and times and puts the emphasis on the timing of GOD, not Paul’s revelation which were from GOD. Yet the divine revelations were certainly not only given to Paul. They were given to “his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” of which Paul is but one of them.
Listening to the disdaining tone of those who peddle this heresy that Paul is the only one who had the gospel, is disturbing and revealing. They are cult teachers, blaming anything you’ve ever learned as being of “religion.” This is classis cultic action to discredit the truth in order to bring in the lie. Sophomoric at best. This technique is often used by deceivers. While they themselves corrupt the Word of God, they arrogantly act is if they have exclusive rights and the sole ability to “rightly divide (ing) the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
“Ye have taken away the key of knowledge” (Luke 11:52)
Saints, there is no end to the insidious wolves working right in our midst today who each have their own special angle to sell you on. They won’t tell you just to get into God’s Word organically and seek His face relentlessly. Why? Well, they want to control the interpretation of the Bible with their “private interpretation” and they want you as a customer and a return customer (2 Peter 1:19-21). This is how indoctrination occurs. So many today are vying for your attention to their ministry, their teaching, seeking to convince, to sell you on the notion that THEY have the exclusive inside scoop, the keys to understanding the Bible. This includes those who claim the Bible can’t be understood without knowing the original languages, the lie that you can’t understand the New Testament without knowing all the Hebrew roots, and those who chop up and interpret the Bible via dispensations, etc. Whether subtly or blatantly, each claims to have the exclusive keys to understanding the Bible.
Jesus warned:
“Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” Luke 11:52
Principally, taking away “the key of knowledge” deals with stealing center stage, cornering the market on interpretation, displacing God from teaching His children (1 John 2:20, 27).
The Greek word for “key” in Luke 11:52 (above):
κλείς
kleis
klice
From G2808; a key (as shutting a lock), literally or figuratively: – key.
This rebuke and expose’ of Jesus concerning lawyers refers to those in leadership who serve the god of self and therefore block the knowledge of God from and misdirect, mislead the people under their influence.
Of this verse John Wesley wrote:
“Ye have taken away the key of knowledge – Ye have obscured and destroyed the knowledge of the Messiah, which is the key of both the present and the future kingdom of heaven; the kingdom of grace and glory. Ye have not entered in – Into the present kingdom of heaven.”
Adam Clarke writes:
“Ye have taken away the key of knowledge – By your traditions ye have taken away the true method of interpreting the prophecies: ye have given a wrong meaning to those scriptures which speak of the kingdom of the Messiah, and the people are thereby hindered from entering into it. See on Matthew 23:13 (note).
Ye shut up the kingdom – As a key by opening a lock gives entrance into a house, etc., so knowledge of the sacred testimonies, manifested in expounding them to the people, may be said to open the way into the kingdom of heaven. But where men who are termed teachers are destitute of this knowledge themselves, they may be said to shut this kingdom; because they occupy the place of those who should teach, and thus prevent the people from acquiring heavenly knowledge.
The kingdom of heaven here means the Gospel of Christ; the Pharisees would not receive it themselves, and hindered the common people as far as they could.”
Speaking of not being right there in the Bible, where does the BIBLE instruct New Testament believers to discern, to view the Bible via dispensations? Nowhere. And to assert such is to deceptively add to the Bible, the Word of God and be under the curse of Revelation 22:18-19.
Demonic dispensationalists refuse to synthesize the whole of Scripture and therefore claim there is more than one gospel and that New Testament saints are only responsible for obeying Paul’s writings – Romans through Philemon. This they do in the face of a holy God who guarantees the lake of fire to all who remove from His Word (Revelation 22:18-19). They ditch half the New Testament canon to reduce saving faith to something that doesn’t require true repentance, something much less deep than what Jesus and disciples define it as – true, necessary repentance which always, without exception, produces a holy, obedience life (Luke 13:3, 5; Matthew 3:7-10, etc.). You see, repentance was and is the first word, the first command of the original Gospel, done by faith, and that which ushers in the necessary divine regeneration (Acts 20:21).
Jesus says “Ye MUST be born again” and “born again” is synonymous with what Paul calls “the washing of regeneration.” (John 3:3, 7; Titus 3:5-7)
Recently while talking to a lady who has been ensnared in this dispensation cult, I said this:
Why do you think those wolves taught you that only some or none of the book of Hebrews applies to New Testament saints? Hebrews addresses all of the “holy brethren” 3:1 and so if you’re saved, the whole book of Hebrews applies to you and the witness of the same truths throughout the book of Hebrews is all over the rest of the New Testament. In this alone they are caught red handed. As to the reason these dispensationalist frauds are teaching that Hebrews doesn’t apply, let me help you: They taught you this lie – the lie that Hebrews doesn’t apply to you – because they know Hebrews repeatedly dismantles and obliterates their primary pet heresy – once saved always saved, eternal security. You are being deceived and have a deceiving spirit over your life and it will remain until God opens your eyes and you repent and return to Him (Hosea 14:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:14-16; 1 Timothy 4:1-2).
The Greater Danger
Those who bought this Pauline gospel heresy did not learn these things from reading Scripture for themselves – they learned this heresy by listening to mere sinful men, wolves who imposed this system on the Scriptures and led them to believe this lie by isolating a few certain phrases, words, and verses to the exclusion of the whole counsel of Scripture. Cultist like this usually hyper-interpret certain verses, words, phrases while ignoring the whole of what Scripture communicates.
HOW do you know if someone is imposing something upon the Scripture text they are reading from IF you haven’t personally, organically, thoroughly studied the whole of God’s Word for yourself? You don’t.
That’s why it’s essential to personally study the Bible organically and not be influenced by mere men. Many have been misled. They DID NOT go into the Bible and read it all by themselves with the Holy Ghost and come out with these ideas. It took some crafty deceiver or deceivers to convince you of this heretical view and much more.
Do you realize that the Bible never says to read it or view the kingdom of Christ via dispensations? There is no Scripture which gives such a hint or instruction. This is the work of devils and sinful men (1 Timothy 4:1-2)
Beware of “Strange Doctrines”
We were warned about “strange doctrines” and that is what this heresy that Paul alone had the gospel is – “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” (Hebrews 13:9)
The larger error and concern here is that those who’ve been taught this heresy are inevitably gullible and easily misled and will be further snared and deceived by the vile wolves who taught them this error.
These ravenous wolves are teaching that Paul is the only one who had and gave the one true Gospel of Christ. Total heresy.
Long before Paul penned his epistles, the apostles of Christ, without Paul, ascertained what was necessary under the New Testament Gospel. See Acts 15. So, did they have the one true Gospel? To say they didn’t is utterly dishonest and false. To say John, Peter, James, and the other apostles of Christ and writers of the New Testament Scripture didn’t have the one true Gospel is to curse the whole life and ministry of Christ Himself. To say such is to say that the Gospel wasn’t available to men before 60AD. That would mean Jesus’ perfect blood sacrifice was blocked and ineffectual, not available to redeem men for approximately 30 years after He died to save all men.
Is Paul the only One Christ trusted with His one Gospel? No!
If only Paul had the only Gospel that applies to New Testament saints, why do we have books from others in the New Testament canon? Did the Almighty make a mistake? Did He give us things we didn’t need in His Word?
Of the 27 books of the New Testament canon, Paul wrote 13 (or 14 if you count Hebrews). Peter wrote 2 and John wrote 4 of the canon books. Why did God give us New Testament authors other than Paul if Paul had the only Gospel or revelation of it? Peter used the term “THE gospel” 4 times. Are you going to say the LORD is a fraud for including Peter’s version of the ONE Gospel in the New Testament canon? Someone is lying and it’s not the LORD.
“The Everlasting Gospel”
Notice below how in Revelation 14:6 we read the words “the everlasting gospel” and not “Paul’s gospel.”
“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,” Revelation 14:6
Paul merely used the phrase “my gospel” as referring to the revelation Jesus gave him of the one true Gospel. And that one true Gospel was not limited to Paul. Jesus wasn’t limited and clearly didn’t limit His divine revelation to one messenger. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have other of Christ’s apostles expounding upon the one Gospel of Christ.
There’s only 1 Gospel. Just because God gave Paul an apportioned revelation of the LORD’s one Gospel, doesn’t mean it was exclusively Paul’s Gospel, or was only revealed by Paul, or that it’s another Gospel. Cease the heresy now.
Echoing this same heavenly warning and truth as did Paul in Galatians 1, the apostle John wrote that if anyone who is saved doesn’t continue in “the doctrine of Christ“, such a person no longer has God but rather is now an apostate, a departed lost soul.
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth (remains) in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9
Notice that the apostle John here doesn’t tell us that Paul exclusively authored “the doctrine of Christ.” So, did God forget to tell us something we needed to know? Not a chance. If Paul’s writings were the only ones written directly to us, then why are we never told such in Scripture?
It’s Christ’s Gospel, not exclusively the Gospel Jesus gave to Paul which He also gave to all of His apostles – and that’s why it’s called “the apostle’s doctrine” in Acts 2:42 and not “Paul’s gospel.”
The term “THE gospel” appears 4 times in 1 Peter 1, penned by the apostle Peter. And, Paul isn’t mentioned once in these instances as associated with the Gospel.
1Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached THE GOSPEL unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
1Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by THE GOSPEL is preached unto you.
1Peter 4:6 For for this cause was THE GOSPEL preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
1Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not THE GOSPEL of God?
The one “Gospel of God” is not exclusive to Paul, it’s for all….. and “is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;” (Ephesians 3:5) The Bible never says the New Testament Gospel was exclusively revealed to and through Paul. Paul didn’t even believe that. He himself says that the Gospel is “now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” (Ephesians 3:5)
Dispensationalists are claiming that Paul’s revelation, as is recorded in the Bible, is MORE divinely inspired than that of the other 39 writers. But Paul himself didn’t believe that (2 Timothy 3:16).
“For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.” 1 Corinthians 9:17
G3622
οἰκονομία
oikonomia
oy-kon-om-ee’-ah
From G3623; administration (of a household or estate); specifically a (religious) “economy”: – dispensation, stewardship.
Total KJV occurrences: 8
So, “a dispensation of the gospel” simply means that Paul was given the divine responsibility, the stewardship of administering, dispensing the Gospel to the Gentiles. That doesn’t exclude the other apostles Jesus used to make known His Gospel.
As usual, these cultists butcher the doctrine of baptisms. In a vain attempt to prove that Paul’s is a separate gospel, dispensational wolf Trey Searcy says: “But Paul says there is now only “one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:5) But in Hebrews 6 the writer chides believers for not knowing the foundational “the doctrine of baptisms.” Notice, “baptismS” is plural. Elsewhere, in 1 Corinthians 12:13, Paul speaks of being baptized or immersed into Christ and therefore His body by the Holy Spirit upon being born again and that’s what “one baptism” is referring to in Ephesians 4:5.
“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:4-6
All cults indoctrinate their prey using a few Bible verses to the exclusion of the whole of Scripture. All other Scripture is ignored or slanted and bent by those who handle the Word of God deceitfully (2 Corinthians 4:1-2). This is exactly what we see the dispensational devils doing.
DOES THE BIBLE SAY TO PRAY FOR FALSE TEACHERS? The Answer May Surprise You.
DOES THE BIBLE SAY TO PRAY FOR OR DOES IT MANDATE THAT WE EXPOSE FALSE TEACHERS?
No, it’s not a sin to pray for the deceived. Yet, isn’t it time we obeying the command of God and stopped giving aid and comfort to the enemies of the LORD and cease caring for them more than the many they are deceiving?
A DIVINE COMMAND: “Now I beseech you, brethren, MARK THEM which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18
Wolf worshippers are first and foremost self-worshipping counterfeits who could care less how many souls their celebrity wolf is leading to hell. All they care about is the sensual thrill they feel in worshipping their demon-possessed false prophet who tells them what they like to hear!
NEVER apologize for exposing false teachings and false teachers. You do such in obedience to the LORD and it results in the protection of the Great Shepherd’s sheep for whom He died (Matthew 10; Hebrews 13:20).
Did Jesus or His apostles ever pray for a wolf? No.
To the false leaders of his day, Jesus says this:
“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers (snakes), how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Matthew 23:33
Do nothing to “bid God speed” to the enemies of the LORD lest you be judged with those enemies of God (2 John 10-11). Bidding God speed means to condone, to support, or in any way to further the cause of the enemies of God, namely human agents who are teaching contrary to the Scripture.
So he’s not calling out the wolves and you still sit under that devil? You want to go to hell with him? (2 John 10-11) Repent and run now! (Matthew 7:15; 24:11; Romans 16:17-18; Jude 3, etc.)
Of the false teachers at Galatia, Paul says he wishes they, the false prophets, were “cut off.” Make not mistake, this is violent language.
“I would they were even cut off which trouble you.” Galatians 5:12
To “cut off” means to castrate, to mutilate, to amputate and so Paul is either saying that his God fearing desire is for false teachers to be castrated or taken out completely. There’s no getting around this appropriately violent language. It’s fitting for this situation because the eternal souls of men, the sheep of Christ’s pasture are at stake.
Many self-deceived people today have more compassion for Satan’s hell bound false leaders than they do for the beloved sheep who are being being misled by those wolves in sheep’s clothing! Repent now.
Beware of misplaced compassion. Compassion without discernment, compassion while ignorant, is dangerous.
The the false prophet Elymas, the apostle says:
“And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” Acts 13:10
Can anyone find in this Acts 13 text where Christ’s apostle Paul pray for this Elymas, this named false prophet? I’m sorry, perhaps I missed something here.
There seems to be no end to the novices, perhaps well meaning, who argue out of their own ignorance to defend wolves who are devouring Jesus’ sheep. They come off as if they are highly superior in approaching, dealing with wolves with “love” and accuse those who expose as not doing so. Let’s take a look at who’s walking in true love, and who isn’t.
“Open rebuke is better than secret (hidden, concealed) love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Proverbs 27:5-6
Hebrew word for “secret” …..
סָתַר
sâthar
saw-thar’
A primitive root; to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively: – be absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret, X surely.
As you will see below, it seems accurate to observe that we’ve never seen “love” like the love of prey for the wolf that’s tickled their ears and told them what their unrepentant hearts wish to hear (Isaiah 30:9-10; 2 Timothy 4:2-4).
Most wolf protecting enemies of Christ simply don’t know and don’t want to know what God says about this topic. They are under the control of Satan himself, covering for his agents and will be judged with them (2 John 10-11). God doesn’t like cowards (1 Corinthians 16:13; Revelation 21:8). The “fearful” are the first class listed as going to the lake of fire.
Those who defend Jesus’ enemy’s will be judged, damned with them (2 Pet 2:1-3; 2 Jn 10-11).
TYPICAL DEFENSE OF A WOLF BY HIS PREY:
“But wait, he’s led many thousands to the Lord!”
REPLY:
Jesus saves all by Himself, even using wolves at times. That is a front, intentionally taught to you by the wolf to cover, to keep himself from being detected, like sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). After witnessing the “ministry” of this false teacher for years, I highly doubt most of those people truly were saved. He doesn’t even speak of the chasm their sin has caused so how can they truly be convicted and repent? They can’t in most cases. Luke 13:3…. If God truly did save some of them, it was in spite of White, not because of him.
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“I do applaud your zeal for truth! I personally just think it is wise exercising prudence about knowing the hearts of men or women, only God knows. He will separate the wheat from the chaff.”
REPLY:
Jesus commanded us to “KNOW (Gr. discern) by their fruits” and told us that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 15-16, 20; 12:34) ALL men are known by the fruit of what they teach – either sound or false doctrine (Titus 2:1). Why would the Son of God told us to “KNOW” people by the fruit of their lives if He didn’t want us to discern, to “Judge righteous judgment”? (John 7:24)
God knows all men’s hearts yes and yet GOD commanded us to know people also. How? Jesus says to “know (discern) them BY THEIR FRUITS” and thereby we know that anyone teaching “another gospel” is “accursed” and is the very enemy of Christ and to be “earnestly” contended against and marked, scoped out and identified – so as to protect the body of Christ (Matthew 7:16, 20; Romans 16:17-18; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 3-4).
HOW DID JESUS tell us to know/discern others? The FRUIT of their lives (Matt 7:16,20) THE FACT that JESUS told us to “know” (discern) people means He wants us to do so! (Matt 7:16,20) Same chapter as “judge not” v1-5 When Jesus taught us to “judge not” He is speaking in that context of hypocritical judgment and wrongly assigned condemnation. The JUDGE has spoken in a book called THE BIBLE. He’s calling us to pay attention when we read it. His written WORD records for us HIS judgments – the judgments of the Judge. So when a man preaches the Word, he is preaching GOD’s judgments, warnings, and not his own.
MESSAGE TO ME FROM A MAN ATTEMPTING TO CURTAIL THE MARKING OF A KNOWN WOLF:
“Dear Lord Jesus Please show Todd White your Holy Truth. May Todd White find peace and assurance in your wisdom and may he become a light upon a hill guiding others to Christ. Help him to leave behind his old self and ignite in him a desire to unashamedly make known Your Truth and disown and depart from the untruths he has held onto. In Jesus Mighty name we ask, Amen. Matthew chapter 5 verse 44’ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
REPLY:
Can you give chapters and verses where Jesus or His holy apostles specifically prayed for a wolf? Ever read Matthew 23?
Interesting that you seem to hate all those precious many souls Todd White is misleading. Interesting. Why don’t all those precious souls matter to you? If you aren’t defending Todd White, why do you seem to care more for him than those many people he’s misleading?
How intense was Jesus’ apostle Paul about protecting Christ’s flock?
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” Acts 20:27-31
In Matthew 5:38-45 Christ is speaking of not retaliating against OUR enemies. Jesus is speaking of how we are to react to OUR ENEMIES, not HIS enemies in Matt 5:44. HIS enemies in specific are those who are misleading HIS people, the sheep for which HE bled to save on that cross. You are misguided and taking Scripture out of context. What did He mandate that His disciple do?
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4
GOD TOLD YOU TO “MARK THEM” – WOLVES – AND NOT DEFEND THEM! (ROMANS 16:17-18) YOU GOING TO OBEY GOD OR REBEL?
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18
Todd White is being marked, scoped out (Gr. skopeo) and named, identified as an enemy of Christ, a wolf in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15) so His people can be aware and escape being deceived…. no different than warning your children not to go near the street. Danger.
MESSAGE FROM WOLF JUSTIFIER:
“I believe we can still learn from (false) preachers and pastors biblical teaching, but we must test the spirits. Bring what is taught back to the word. Paul Washer, MacArthur, Spurgeon all preachers. Even today’s motivational speakers. I use what the Holy Spirit blessed me with, discernment, knowledge, wisdom.”
REPLY:
Good morning. Yes and yet, the LORD mandates that we separate ourselves from His enemies who pose as His ministers yet Paul says they are actually the ministers of Satan (2 Cor 11:12-15). Jude 3; Rom 16:17-18 …. we know all men, beginning with ourselves by the fruit…. false doctrine is bad fruit which means the root and tree is cursed. Matt 7:15-21; 12:33
Mat 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
Paul Washer, MacArthur, Spurgeon are all calvinist heretics. Everything they say, teach is poisoned with this calvinistic system, a doctrine of devils.
The Holy Spirit blessed you with the Word and so why do you need to even listen to known false teachers? Why would you? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.)
How would you feel if your own husband communed with a sworn enemy of yours? How does Jesus feel by what you’ve just said?
SETTING THE BIBLICAL RECORD STRAIGHT
Jesus commanded HIS people to “JUDGE righteous judgment” (John 7:24) And, He commanded us to know/discern others “BY THEIR FRUITS” and that’s exactly what we’re doing under the command of KING JESUS (Matthew 7:16, 20). Dare you interfere with HIS work and become His enemy? You are bidding Godspeed to evil doers, satan’s wolves in sheep’s clothing, and you will be judged with those enemies of Christ if you don’t repent (2 John 10-11).
Jesus and each of His apostles on record in the New Testament canon warned the flock of wolves who would devour! There is no instance where they prayed for an enemy of Christ, a wolf who was misleading the flock of God.
Here is the list of the 8 evil doers the great apostle was divinely inspired to justifiably identify by name in 2 Timothy – in order to protect God’s people:
1) Phygellus 1:15
2) Hermogenes 1:15
3) Hymenaeus 2:17
4) Philetus 2:17
5) Jannes 3:8
6) Jambres 3:8
7) Demas 4:10 (apostate)
8) Alexander the coppersmith 4:14
Read the book of 2 Timothy and underline these deceivers that the apostle was marking.
How to Pray Effectively for Your Friends and Family! [podcast]
Someone has wisely stated that “We are never more like Jesus than when we are praying for others.” Which of God’s people are on your prayer list? No greater way to serve another than to lift them up to the Father in the name of Jesus! “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:3-5 […]
"Warn them from Me": The 3 Things Paul did to Protect God's People [podcast]
The 3 Things Paul did to Protect God’s People [podcast] Jesus and His holy apostles often rebuked and exposed false leaders and false doctrine (Matthew 23; Acts 13:10; 20:29-31; Galatians 5:11-12; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2 Peter 2; 2 John 7-11; Revelation 2:6, 15, etc.). Therefore we know that part of following Jesus includes doing the same. In fact, the body of Christ is mandated to do just that (Romans 16:17-18; Philippians 1:17; Jude 3-4). PWT = Preach, WARN, Teach “Whom we PREACH, WARNING every man, and TEACHING every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in […]
SATAN'S SEMINARIANS [podcast]
Seminaries are the Invention of Satan WHEN Jesus declared “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:16), …. was Jesus speaking here of men who “earned” and paid big money for a degree, a piece of paper from a “higher learning” institution of mere men? No. Read John 15:1-16 and you will see that Jesus alone can choose, call, prepare, and ordain a […]
Spiritual Formation—A Dangerous Substitute for the Life of Christ [podcast]
Sometimes we think of spiritual formation as formation by the Holy Spirit. Once again. That’s essential. . . . But now I have to say something that may be challenging for you to think about: Spiritual formation is not all by the Holy Spirit. . . . We have to recognize that spiritual formation in us is something that is also done to us by those around us, by ourselves, and by activities which we voluntarily undertake . . .There has to be method.1—Dallas Willard
Aside from the fact that Spiritual Formation incorporates mystical practices into its infrastructure (remove the contemplative aspect and you don’t have “Spiritual Formation” anymore), Spiritual Formation is a works-based substitute for biblical Christianity. Let us explain.
When one becomes born again (“that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9-10), having given his or her life and heart over to Christ as Savior, Jesus Christ says He will come in and live in that surrendered heart:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)
If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11; emphasis added)
When God, through Jesus Christ, is living in us, He begins to do a transforming work in our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:18). Not only does He change us, He also communes with us. In other words, we have fellowship with Him, and He promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
This life of God in the believer’s heart is not something we need to conjure up through meditative practices. But if a person does not have this relationship with the Lord, he may seek out ways to feel close to God. This is where Spiritual Formation comes into play. Rather than a surrendered life to Christ (through repentance and faith), the seeking person begins practicing the spiritual disciplines (e.g., prayer, fasting, good works, etc.) with the promise that if he practices these disciplines, he will become more Christ-like.
But merely doing these acts fails to make one feel close to God—something is still missing. And thus, he begins practicing the discipline of silence (or solitude), and now in these altered states of silence, he finally feels connected to God. He now feels complete. What he does not understand is that he has substituted the indwelling of Christ in his heart for a works-based methodology that endangers his spiritual life. Dangerous because these mystical experiences he now engages in appear to be good because they make him feel close to God, but in reality he is being drawn into demonic realms no different than what happens to someone who is practicing transcendental meditation or eastern meditation. Even mystics themselves acknowledge that the contemplative realm is no different than the realm reached by occultists. To understand this more fully, please read Ray Yungen’s book A Time of Departing.
Bottom line, it is not possible to be truly Christ-like without having Christ inside of us because it is His righteousness that is able to change our hearts—we cannot do it without Him. It is His righteousness we need:
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. (Romans 3:22)
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. (Philippians 3:9)
It is interesting to note that virtually every contemplative teacher has a common theme—they feel dry and empty and want to go “deeper” with God or “become more intimate” with God. But if we have Christ living in us, how can we go any deeper than that? How can we become more intimate than that? And if going deeper and becoming intimate were so important, why is it that none of the disciples or Jesus Himself ever told us to do this? As Larry DeBruyn states:
Why are Christians seeking a divine presence that Jesus promised would abundantly flow in them? . . . Why do they need another voice, another visitation, or another vision? Why are some people unthankfully desirous of “something more” than what God has already given to us? Why is it that some Christians, in the depth of their souls, are not seemingly at rest?2
Is There a “Good” Spiritual Formation?
One of the most common arguments we hear defending Spiritual Formation is that there is a “good” Spiritual Formation done without contemplative prayer. To that we say, we have never yet seen a Spiritual Formation program in a school or a church that doesn’t in some way point people to the contemplative mystics. It might be indirectly, but in every case, if you follow the trail, it will lead you right into the arms of Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and other contemplative teachers.
Think about this common scenario: A Christian college decides to begin a Spiritual Formation course. The instructor has heard some negative things about Richard Foster, Henri Nouwen, and Brennan Manning, and he figures he will teach the class “good Spiritual Formation” and leave those teachers completely out. But he’s going to need a textbook. He turns to a respected institution, Dallas Theological Seminary, and finds a book written by Paul Pettit, Professor in Pastoral and Education Ministries. The book is titled Foundations of Spiritual Formation. The instructor who has found this book to use in his own class may never mention Richard Foster or Dallas Willard, but the textbook he is using does. Within the pages of Pettit’s book is Richard Foster, Philip Yancey, N.T. Wright, Dallas Willard, Thomas Aquinas, Lectio Divina, Ayn Rand, Parker Palmer, Eugene Peterson, J.P. Moreland, Klaus Issler, Bruce Demarerst, Jim Burns, Kenneth Boa and Brother Lawrence’s “practicing God’s presence.” You may not have heard of all these names, but they are all associated with the mystical contemplative prayer movement and the emerging church.
Another example of this is Donald Whitney’s book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Whitney is former Associate Professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While his book does not promote contemplative mysticism, he says that Richard Foster has “done much good”3 in the area of Christian spirituality (which we believe is blatantly untrue).
Our point is that even if there is a sincere attempt to teach Spiritual Formation and stay away from the mystical side, we contend that it cannot be successfully accomplished because it will always lead back to the ones who have brought it to the church in the first place.
Spiritual formation is sweeping throughout Christianity today. It’s no wonder when the majority of Christian leaders have either endorsed the movement or given it a silent pass. For instance, in Chuck Swindoll’s book So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There, Swindoll favorably quotes Richard Foster and Dallas Willard. Swindoll calls Celebration of Discipline a “meaningful work”4 and Willard’s book The Spirit of the Disciplines “excellent work.”5 In chapter three, ”Silence and Solitude,” Swindoll talks about “digging for secrets . . . that will deepen our intimacy with God.”6 Quoting the contemplative poster-verse Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God,” Swindoll says the verse is a call to the “discipline of silence.”7 As other contemplative proponents have done, he has taken this verse very much out of context.
Roger Oakland sums it up:
The Spiritual Formation movement . . . teaches people that this is how they can become more intimate with God and truly hear His voice. Even Christian leaders with longstanding reputations of teaching God’s word seem to be succumbing. . . .
We are reconciled to God only through his “death” (the atonement for sin), and we are presented “holy and unblameable and unreproveable” when we belong to Him through rebirth. It has nothing to do with works, rituals, or mystical experiences. It is Christ’s life in the converted believer that transforms him.8
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10
What Christians need is not a method or program or ritual or practice that will supposedly connect them to God. What we need is to be “in Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:30) and Christ in us. And He has promised His Spirit “will guide [us] into all truth” (John 16:13).
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30
In Colossians 1:9, the apostle Paul tells the saints that he was praying for them that they “might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” He was praying that they would have discernment (“spiritual understanding”). He said that God, the Father, has made us “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (vs 12) and had “delivered us from the power of darkness [i.e., power of deception]” (vs. 13). But what was the key to having this wisdom and spiritual understanding and being delivered from the power of darkness? Paul tells us in that same chapter. He calls it “the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (vs. 26). What is that mystery? Verse 27 says: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (emphasis added).
For those wanting to get involved with the Spiritual Formation movement (i.e., contemplative, spiritual direction), consider the “direction” you will actually be going.
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel. (Colossians 1:21-23)
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2: 8-10)
This article is an extract from the Lighthouse Trails booklet, Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why They Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.
Endnotes:
1. Dallas Willard, “Spiritual Formation: What it is, and How it is Done” (https://dwillard.org/resources/articles/spiritual-formation-what-it-is-and-how-it-is-done).
2. Larry DeBruyn, “God’s Present of His Presence” (https://www.guardinghisflock.org/gods-present-of-his-presence/ ).
3. Donald Whitney, “Doctrine and Devotion: A Reunion Devoutly to be Desired” (http://web.archive.org/web/20080828052145/http://biblicalspirituality.org/devotion.html).
4. Chuck Swindoll, So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There (Nashville, TN:W Publishing Group, a div. of Thomas Nelson, 2005), p. 15.
5. Ibid., p. 13.
6. Ibid., p. 55.
7. Ibid.
8. Roger Oakland, Faith Undone (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2007), pp. 91-92.
This has been an extract from our booklet Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why It Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.
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“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ephesians 1:4
Holiness comes by the Savior in self denial (death and burial – the cross), not by self will or effort. Surrender is the cross – “NOT my will but thine be done” (Lk. 22:42) and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). We surrender to Christ by saying “Not my will but thine be done” dear Lord, by Your grace and the deliberate act of my own will I submit to the cross, the crucified life – where You alone reign supreme in this vessel (Luke 22:42; Galatians 2:20, etc.). I love You LORD Jesus! You must increase but I must decrease! (John 3:30)
Holiness, not happiness, is the divine command, the chief purpose and end of Christ’s salvation.
Of holiness, one disciple writes:
“Holiness speaks more to nature than it does conduct. Good conduct is the spontaneous byproduct of the new nature of the new creation man thru the cross and death to the old nature. We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-18). To preach holiness as conduct without the new nature thru the cross understanding is legalism. Holiness is actually derived from ‘wholeness’ meaning the thorough transformation of the whole tripartite man (1 Thess 5:23). So many of these ‘holiness’ preachers are preaching nothing but conduct under law. Law arouses sinful passions and causes sin to increase and was given in order to provoke transgressions (Rom 7:5; 5:20; Gal 3:21). They are enemies of the cross!”
Holiness comes by way of the cross, not by way of the flesh. Just as sin was conquered by the cross of Christ, so sin in the life of the saint is conquered by the daily cross – the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). It’s time to stop trying harder and to simply die deeper.
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