As promised I would like to discuss those that say that only certain parts of the Bible need be listened to. I will go further into that shortly when I address the letter to Galatia from Paul, but first I wish to make it clear that I have nothing to gain by my writings and know for a fact that I will be hated by many for what I have said and what I will say. I have been called a “Nazi hunter.” I have been called a “homophobe.” I have also been called much worse, but that means nothing to me. For I know it is not me they are attacking, but my message, which comes from the Bible and so comes from God. So in actuality it is not me they are attacking or insulting but it is God Himself they are calling names and berating. I know I am not perfect, but I get my message and my knowledge from one source: The Bible. The entire Bible. I know without a doubt that God is real. I know without a doubt that Jesus is alive this very moment having risen from the dead, the final example that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, is the Son of God.
It is through the Bible that we learn how to be true servants to God. Within the Bible it also warns of what to look out for, what to avoid, and to be alert against.
1 Galatians 1:6-12 – I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 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. 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. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Removed – metatithemi – (a) I transfer, mid: I go over to another party, desert, (b) I change. To turn from, to fall away, to become apostate (NTD)
Apostate – a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle
Another – heteros – another, different; of uncertain affinity; (an-, the) other or different:–altered; something which is not identical with what has been referred to previously. – is revoked by the apostle (NTD)
Gospel – euaggelion – the good news, The Gospel as thus proclaimed is heard (NTD)
NOTE: In the first two verses set before you we find Paul is confronting an issue. There are those that were taught the true gospel, the story of Jesus Christ, but they have turned their back upon these teachings for an altered version of these teachings and so have fallen away from their salvation. This is happening today as well. When people take a few words form the Bible and say it is biblical fact. Or when they take only the certain parts of the Bible and do not teach the book in its entirety. Example: Say that God loves all, but leaving out the fact that if you do not repent and stop sinning you will become an apostate.
Preach any other gospel – euaggelizo – I bring good news, preach good tidings. {1}
Other – para – properly, near; from, in the presence of. A preaching contrary to that previously commanded. (NTD) {1}
Accursed – anathema – a curse, a cursed thing. For Paul the word denotes the object of a curse
NOTE: In verses 8 and 9 it is made clear that if anyone even an angel does not fully and correctly teach the true gospel then they are to be cursed, damned. This is why it is so very important to teach the entire Bible, both the old and the new and completely. Not just the love of God but the anger of God as well and the result of making God angry.
To please – aresko – I please, serve. Where serving men and being the slave of Christ are brought into contrast. (NTD)
In the next verses it is made clear by how Paul worded the sentence that men were changing the teaching of Christ to please men, which would allow them to continue in their sinful lifestyles but feel they were one with God which it is made clear earlier this is the furthest thing from the truth. He says clearly that if he only taught that which would please men he would no longer be a true servant of Christ.
Revelation – apokalupsis – an unveiling, uncovering, revealing.
NOTE: It this usage of the word “revelation” it was due to the fact that Jesus Christ appeared to Saul in person and so due to this he became Paul the servant of the Messiah. He did not learn for any human source but by Christ’s appearance to him.
2 John 1:10 – If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
Here is it made clear that those that do not give the full and true version of the Bible they are not to even be received or bid a blessed farewell. For they do not represent God, but man or even the father of all lies.
So any that does not tell you that if you continue to live in sin you are not one with God, but may even be considered to be the enemy of God.
James 4:4 – Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
The friendship – philia – friendship, affection, fondness, love. It is first of all love for; are the strongest ties of love;
NOTE: The meaning is that the world has more power over the people then God does. They embrace the ways of the world. The culture of the world. The daily activates of the world over those of the Bible and God. The lukewarm of Revelation 3:15-16. They call themselves of God but love the world more and so are hypocrites.
You cannot live in sin and in the world and be a true Christian. You must pick one over the other, and far too many choose the world over God. Going about acting like everyone else is not true Christianity. Does this mean to act superior then others? By no means. The Bible makes it very clear we are to be servants, humble. If you think you are superior then others then you are a Pharisee and not a true child of God. It is extremely important to read the Bible yourself, to know the Bible yourself and to share the knowledge of Jesus Christ yourself by action at the very least, by telling people of your Savior at the most.
NTD = Theological Dictionary of the New Testament Unabridged Editors Gerhard Kittel, Gerhard Friedrich.