Perverting the Gospel

The pure gospel cannot be compromised and that is exactly why Paul confronted Peter about his motives and backtracking concerning the essential gospel. In Galatians 2:11-21, Paul confronts none other than Peter about his contradictory actions. I have always found this text to be profound because of who Paul is confronting, the disciple of disciples himself, Peter.  There is some great learning for every follower of Christ in this passage, primarily how we should confront false teachers when they pervert the gospel. In my day to day ministry work I have discovered there is a desperate misunderstanding of  the gospel. There are so many groups that have perverted the gospel, many of which began during the 1800s. Groups (cults) such as Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Unitarians, and the New Covenant Congregation of Yisrael-Tabernacle Elohim (located in Matthews, NC). This is not about judging, its about right versus wrong. Paul called the Galatians "foolish" and wrote "who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth" (Galatians 3:1). During the last 150 years, these groups I mentioned above have "bewitched" millions. A false religion or cult's doctrine can be determined as right or wrong because the Bible has provided clear doctrinal standards. This is not about opinions, but about truth. If cults are not exposed then they will continue to lead thousands and millions of people to Hell. Cults and false religions deny the deity of Christ, (the Trinity and that Christ was God incarnate) and salvation by grace alone, thus adding works to salvation. Here are some lessons learned from this passage (Galatians 2:11-21). Here is what happened in Antioch convicting Paul to confront Peter. Peter, Barnabas, and other Jewish believers compromised grace for the sake of avoiding possible persecution for themselves and others. They were encouraging a legalistic form of Christianity and this was not what they affirmed months ago during a previous meeting with Paul and Titus. So Paul had to confront.

Paul boldly reminded Peter that we are all declared righteous (justified) by God through faith in Christ, not by keeping the Law. The Law and works do not save anyone.

If anyone or any group claims that "you" must contribute to your salvation by doing good works or meeting Christ halfway, they have denied the work of Christ on the cross. They are saying that Jesus left things incomplete and partially done. If you are a part of a group teaching this...get away!

God's grace is sufficient!