Who were the contenders?
Who did Paul defend the Gospel against? 1. Eternal security advocates or 2. Salvation by works advocates? " I am set for the DEFENSE of the Gospel " (Ph.1:17). " That the TRUTH of the Gospel might continue with you " (Ga.2:5) -Paul-. So who were these people who He contended with almost on a daily basis? The clearest example that I believe can be found is in the book of Galatians. Galatians is a book about true believers allowing themselves to be intimidated into adopting the theology of obedience preservation ( you keep yourself saved by the quantity and quality of your obedience to commandments) (Ga.3:3). Paul was a "grace" preacher and was inevitably accused of preaching a license to sin (Ro.3:7-8). Paul was the Holy Spirit filled writer who penned these words; "By the GRACE of God I am what I am "(1Cor.15:10). What Paul DID NOT SAY was that" by the quality and quantity of MY obedience I am what I am". Paul knew that "by the OBEDIENCE OF ONE shall many be made righteous" (Ro.5:19). The church at Galatia was rebuked for moving away from the GOSPEL OF GRACE ( 1:6) , contrasted here and in Romans 4:4-5 with a GOSPEL OF WORKS. The contrast couldn't be any sharper two thousand years later; Saved by grace,kept by grace , and saved by a ceremony and kept by obeying commandments. Here is what Paul's contenders for the Gospel and those in our day have in common and is an undeniable fact.
1. They teach that a ceremony LITERALLY saves you
Judaizers- circumcision
Baptismal remission advocates- baptism
2. They teach that obeying commandments KEEP YOU SAVED
Judaizers- Moses commandments
Salvation-by-works advocates- New Testament commandments
When we find Paul defending the Gospel, overwhelmingly we find Him defending it against the same type of people that we are called to defend it against. One thing is ABSOLUTELY sure; 1.THE Gospel is still the same ( the preaching of the death,burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for salvation) and 2. The theology of the contenders is still the same ( a ceremony saves you and the quality and quantity of YOUR obedience, not Christ's obedience, keeps you saved). Keep up the good fight of faith! Sola Fide!
Who did Paul defend the Gospel against? 1. Eternal security advocates or 2. Salvation by works advocates? " I am set for the DEFENSE of the Gospel " (Ph.1:17). " That the TRUTH of the Gospel might continue with you " (Ga.2:5) -Paul-. So who were these people who He contended with almost on a daily basis? The clearest example that I believe can be found is in the book of Galatians. Galatians is a book about true believers allowing themselves to be intimidated into adopting the theology of obedience preservation ( you keep yourself saved by the quantity and quality of your obedience to commandments) (Ga.3:3). Paul was a "grace" preacher and was inevitably accused of preaching a license to sin (Ro.3:7-8). Paul was the Holy Spirit filled writer who penned these words; "By the GRACE of God I am what I am "(1Cor.15:10). What Paul DID NOT SAY was that" by the quality and quantity of MY obedience I am what I am". Paul knew that "by the OBEDIENCE OF ONE shall many be made righteous" (Ro.5:19). The church at Galatia was rebuked for moving away from the GOSPEL OF GRACE ( 1:6) , contrasted here and in Romans 4:4-5 with a GOSPEL OF WORKS. The contrast couldn't be any sharper two thousand years later; Saved by grace,kept by grace , and saved by a ceremony and kept by obeying commandments. Here is what Paul's contenders for the Gospel and those in our day have in common and is an undeniable fact.
1. They teach that a ceremony LITERALLY saves you
Judaizers- circumcision
Baptismal remission advocates- baptism
2. They teach that obeying commandments KEEP YOU SAVED
Judaizers- Moses commandments
Salvation-by-works advocates- New Testament commandments
When we find Paul defending the Gospel, overwhelmingly we find Him defending it against the same type of people that we are called to defend it against. One thing is ABSOLUTELY sure; 1.THE Gospel is still the same ( the preaching of the death,burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for salvation) and 2. The theology of the contenders is still the same ( a ceremony saves you and the quality and quantity of YOUR obedience, not Christ's obedience, keeps you saved). Keep up the good fight of faith! Sola Fide!