Multiple gospels?

food4thought

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Hi. I am loosely dispensational, being part of the Calvary Chapel movement for over ten years, but I confess that I do not fully understand dispensationalism. I am debating a SDA guy about the Law, and he has brought up an issue I can't resolve on my own right now.

Is there more than one gospel? If so, how do we deal with this passage:

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
(Gal 1:6-9)

Thanks in advance!
 

SeventyOne

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It states right there in that passage that the different gospel they've turned to is not another gospel, but rather just a perversion of the gospel. He's saying there is the gospel, and then there are perversions of that gospel.
 
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Radagast

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I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another

The NIV translates it better: I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all.
 
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food4thought

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It states right there in that passage that the different gospel they've turned to is not another gospel, but rather just a perversion of the gospel. He's saying there is the gospel, and then there are perversions of that gospel.

Hi SeventyOne. Are you saying that there has never been another gospel than the one that Paul preached?
 
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food4thought

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The NIV translates it better: I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all.

Hi again Radagast. So there has never been another gospel?
 
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Randy777

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Hi SeventyOne. Are you saying that there has never been another gospel than the one that Paul preached?
That would be other than Christ preached. This is my blood of the covenant which is shed for the forgiveness of sins. What work did you do to have your sins forgiven? Righteousness doesn't come from works of the law but is credited by faith in Christ Jesus. For those who seek righteousness by the law its written cursed is he who doesn't keep ALL THE LAW. The commandments Jesus spoke of were the 10. In which Jesus abolished enforcement of the sabbath which was a absence of all work on that day as even meals had to be prepared in advance. If you are loving as Jesus loved you are keeping the 9. The law of love. And you will remain in Jesus.

GAL 3:10
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

A very much alive Jesus's appointment of Paul.
to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
 
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food4thought

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That would be other than Christ preached. This is my blood of the covenant which is shed for the forgiveness of sins. What work did you do to have your sins forgiven? Righteousness doesn't come from works of the law but is credited by faith in Christ Jesus. For those who seek righteousness by the law its written cursed is he who doesn't keep ALL THE LAW. The commandments Jesus spoke of were the 10. In which Jesus abolished enforcement of the sabbath which was a absence of all work on that day as even meals had to be prepared in advance. If you are loving as Jesus loved you are keeping the 9. The law of love. And you will remain in Jesus.

GAL 3:10
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

A very much alive Jesus's appointment of Paul.
to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Where did Jesus abolish the enforcement of the Sabbath?
 
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Dave-W

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Paul mentions 2 gospels:

Galatians 2:7
But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.

But they are actually the SAME gospel with the same doctrines; the only difference being one of emphasis and responsibilities.
 
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Gregory Thompson

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In Christianity, you have the option of being "under the law" instead of being directed by the Holy Spirit. When people are under the law, the spiritual reality of the new covenant is not visible to them. Regardless of numerous texts stating that there is a new and better covenant, they're pretty convinced that it is the same old covenant.

Paul said in the same letter, if we could be justified by our own effort then Christ died for nothing ... However, as it is written, if they wish to be under the heavy curse of the mosaic law or the heavy curse that makes them ignorant (to use the gospel's example) then just let them .. only God can lift that veil, don't waste your breath.
 
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food4thought

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Paul mentions 2 gospels:

Galatians 2:7
But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.

But they are actually the SAME gospel with the same doctrines; the only difference being one of emphasis and responsibilities.

What about the gospel that Jesus preached? He wasn't crucified and risen yet, so it couldn't have been the gospel that Paul preached per 1st Corinthians 15:1-8. I am just confused about how to explain the distinction between Jew and gentile, and how they differ under the Law, if at all, in the New Covenant.

Help if you can...
 
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food4thought

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In Christianity, you have the option of being "under the law" instead of being directed by the Holy Spirit. When people are under the law, the spiritual reality of the new covenant is not visible to them. Regardless of numerous texts stating that there is a new and better covenant, they're pretty convinced that it is the same old covenant.

Paul said in the same letter, if we could be justified by our own effort then Christ died for nothing ... However, as it is written, if they wish to be under the heavy curse of the mosaic law or the heavy curse that makes them ignorant (to use the gospel's example) then just let them .. only God can lift that veil, don't waste your breath.

Thanks for the reply, Michael. My question still remains, though, as now I am confused. Was there more than one gospel? And if so, how do we reconcile this with Galatians 1:6-9?
 
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Dave-W

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What about the gospel that Jesus preached? He wasn't crucified and risen yet, so it couldn't have been the gospel that Paul preached per 1st Corinthians 15:1-8.
And yet Paul describes the Gospel as being "according to the scriptures."

1 Corinthians 15:1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,​

Realize that when this was written the ONLY scriptures were the OT scriptures. So even the death and resurrection are in the OT.
 
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Randy777

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Where did Jesus abolish the enforcement of the Sabbath?

Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. By not keeping a sabbath you are not bringing harm to anyone it was to give the people a day off from there task masters. Otherwise they probably would be worked 7 days a week.

“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

Paul strengths that as in
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day
 
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EastCoastRemnant

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In Christianity, you have the option of being "under the law" instead of being directed by the Holy Spirit. When people are under the law, the spiritual reality of the new covenant is not visible to them. Regardless of numerous texts stating that there is a new and better covenant, they're pretty convinced that it is the same old covenant.

Paul said in the same letter, if we could be justified by our own effort then Christ died for nothing ... However, as it is written, if they wish to be under the heavy curse of the mosaic law or the heavy curse that makes them ignorant (to use the gospel's example) then just let them .. only God can lift that veil, don't waste your breath.
The "new covenant" was given to the OT readers in Jeremiah so then why wasn't this "new covenant" in force at the time of Christ? It's because the covenant has never changed, but the understanding of it did.

The "spiritual reality" you speak of was very apparent to the OT saints. I suggest you read through David's Psalms and some of the other Patriarchs comments of the beauty and joy they found in the Law. They understood what Jesus came and taught because they were in a close relationship with the Lord and had the Holy Spirit upon them, as do we.
 
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food4thought

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And yet Paul describes the Gospel as being "according to the scriptures."

1 Corinthians 15:1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,​

Realize that when this was written the ONLY scriptures were the OT scriptures. So even the death and resurrection are in the OT.

So Jesus preached His death and resurrection from the start?!?
 
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Dave-W

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food4thought

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Actually - He did. But not many had ears to hear it.

According to Mark, the gospel was that "the Kingdom of God was at hand":

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
(Mar 1:14-15)
 
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EastCoastRemnant

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Thanks for the reply, Michael. My question still remains, though, as now I am confused. Was there more than one gospel? And if so, how do we reconcile this with Galatians 1:6-9?
There was always just one gospel and it was stated in Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

The woman represents the church, God's people all through time. (Jer 6:2) This promise given in Genesis is what the revelation of God plan for the redemption of mankind was expounded upon all through the scriptures.
 
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JackRT

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Hi. I am loosely dispensational, being part of the Calvary Chapel movement for over ten years, but I confess that I do not fully understand dispensationalism. I am debating a SDA guy about the Law, and he has brought up an issue I can't resolve on my own right now.

Is there more than one gospel? If so, how do we deal with this passage:

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
(Gal 1:6-9)

Thanks in advance!

When Paul wrote that there were no written gospels. He is using the word in a generic sense to refer to his message of salvation. However, aside from the four canonical gospels, there are a total of perhaps fifty gospels in all. Some are quite childish --- the Infancy Gospels and the Gospel of Peter come to mind. A few are quite worthwhile --- for example the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary (Magdalene). In addition there are a great many other early Christian documents. What follows is a list of these together with their approximate date of composition. I hope that you find this helpful.

John Dominic Crossan has provided a detailed classification of our sources for the historical Jesus according to the chronological stratification of the traditions. For a brief discussion of each source, including the reasons for its proposed dating, see John Dominic Crossan, The Historical Jesus (HarperCollins, 1991) Appendix 1, pp. 427-50. All dates shown are C.E. (Common Era).

First Stratum [30 to 60 C.E.]

1. First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians (late 40s)

2. Letter of Paul to the Galatians (winter of 52/53)

3. First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians (winter of 53/54.)

4. Letter of Paul to the Romans (winter of 55/56)

5. Gospel of Thomas I (earliest layer of Thomas, composed in 50s)

6. Egerton Gospel (50s)

7. P. Vienna G. 2325 (50s)

8. P. Oxyrhynchus 1224 (50s)

9. Gospel of the Hebrews (Egypt, 50s)

10. Sayings Gospel Q (50s)

11. Miracles Collection (50s)

12. Apocalyptic Scenario (50s)

13. Cross Gospel (50s)

Second Stratum [60 to 80 C.E.]

14. Gospel of the Egyptians (60s)

15. Secret Gospel of Mark (early 70s)

16. Gospel of Mark (late 70s)

17. P. Oxyrhynchus 840 (?80s)

18. Gospel of Thomas II (later layers, 70s)

19. Dialogue Collection (70s)

20. Signs Gospel, or Book of Signs (70s)

21. Letter to the Colossians (70s)

Third Stratum [80 to 120 C.E.]

22. Gospel of Matthew (90)

23. Gospel of Luke (90s)

24. Revelation/Apocalypse of John (late 90s)

25. First Letter of Clement (late 90s)

26. Epistle of Barnabas (end first century)

27. Didache (other than 1:3b2:1, 16:35) (end first century)

28. Shepherd of Hermas (100)

29. Letter of James (100)

30. Gospel of John I (early second century)

31. Letter of Ignatius, To the Ephesians (110)

32. Letter of Ignatius, To the Magnesians (110)

33. Letter of Ignatius, To the Trallians (110)

34. Letter of Ignatius, To the Romans (110)

35. Letter of Ignatius, To the Philadelphians (110)

36. Letter of Ignatius, To the Smyrneans (110)

37. Letter of Ignatius, To Polycarp (110)

38. First Letter of Peter (112)

39. Letter of Polycarp, To the Philippians, 1314 (115)

40. First Letter of John (115)


Fourth Stratum [120 to 150 C.E.]

41. Gospel of John II (after 120)

42. Acts of the Apostles (after 120)

43. Apocryphon of James (before 150)

44. First Letter to Timothy (after 120)

45. Second Letter to Timothy (after 120)

46. Letter to Titus (after 120)

47. Second Letter of Peter (between 125 and 150)

48. Letter of Polycarp to the Philippians, 112 (140)

49. Second Letter of Clement (150)

50. Gospel of the Nazoreans (middle second century)

51. Gospel of the Ebionites (middle second century)

52. Didache, 1:3b2:1 (middle second century)

53. Gospel of Peter (middle second century)
 
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