The Gospel, Not According to Paul

In preparation for publishing Part 5 of "A Fundamental Belief", the last in our series, we have been presenting material that we feel will be helpful for those who are following the articles. Today, we want to help our readers better understand how divided the church is and that that which the Apostle Paul abhorred is entrenched in God's church.

Paul had a burden on his heart as he reached out to the Gentile world. He had not forgotten those who

They were so blind to the truth, they did not know the Lamb had to die

were still where he had been. He and most of Israel, had been greatly deceived. As we listen to Jesus preach on the mount, He was attempting to present the gospel of grace to His deceived people. They were also in a "Laodicean" condition not knowing they did not have eternal life. They were so blind to the truth, they did not know the Lamb had to die.

Jesus revealed to His children what is required to enter heaven. "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:12-23.

Paul had not yet learned this lesson when he was persecuting the early church. He believed Jesus to be an imposter. He saw himself as a Pharisee of Pharisees. He prided himself that he was "blameless" when it came to keeping the law of God. When converted, he wanted to correct the deceptions which had deceived his fellow Pharisees in Jerusalem. An added burden fell upon him when those which he had labored for, had fallen for a false gospel when Judaizers came into Galatia. He expressed how serious a matter it is when false teachers bring into God's church "another" gospel.

Why do we not hear concerns about "other gospels" being preached from our pulpits and published on our presses? Is it because they are not? Or, are they, and our leaders are not aware of them? Or, are they aware and say nothing? What did Paul say about "another gospel" being brought into the church?

If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed

Yesterday's Sabbath School lesson was entitled "Another Gospel." We read from the Book of Galatians how God views the heresy of bringing "another gospel" into His church. "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." Verses 1:8 and 9. The Sabbath School lesson did not adequately address the false gospels being preached in God's church, nor that because so many believe they are "saved" when in fact they are dead in trespasses and sins, they give support to the many heresies in the church.

It is not a secret that multiple gospels are being taught in our church. Just three weeks ago, ten unions from four divisions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church held a private meeting in London to discuss strategy to counter the world church's threat to discipline rebellious unions. Many leading out in the meeting were retired church leaders, but not all. Some are still employed by the church. From the organizing committee we find the president of the Pacific Union, Ricardo Graham. The rebellion is a symptom of a much deeper problem, a lack of understanding the gospel which gives power to the repentant sinner. While the meetings in London were taking place, on the other side of the Atlantic, in Loma Linda, was a Sabbath School meeting discussing a prominent supporter of the London meetings and their rebellion.

William Johnsson, former editor of the Review, was interviewed by David Larson during Sabbath school.

Johnsson believes "we are two churches"

In that interview it was revealed that the Pacific Union Conference published Johnsson's new book Where Are We Headed?Adventism After San Antonio._[1] Johnsson believes "we are two churches." He confirms what we all know, there are multiples gospels being proclaimed in the church. He says "In issue after issue.....two Adventisms."_[2]Johnsson, a well respected leader has manifested for many years while editor of the Review, "another gospel." Today, he confesses he loves the One Project, is angry about the World Church's decision to not allow women to rule over men, and vows the Norwegians and the Aussies "will not lie down and be trampled over" when it comes to women's ordination and the disciplining of rebellious unions. _[3]

Another influential minister expresses his unhappiness with those who teach that one may not have eternal life when sinning a known sin. He says "the monstrous teaching in the Seventh-day Adventist Church is that when one sins, he must be re-justified." Notice also that in this statement is seen two "gospels". At least the teacher understands there ought not be two "gospels" and he calls the other one "monstrous." Sadly he is on the wrong side. It is a most serious heresy and was supported by a previous general conference president.

There is a separation taking place in God's church. It need be, for God will have a church without "another gospel" being printed on her presses and preached from her pulpits. The "shaking" has begun

A church without "another gospel" being printed on her presses and preached from her pulpits

and the truth will do the separating. The ordination of women, and other heresies are problems, but not the problem. It is the gospel that has been perverted, thus the Laodicean condition persists with many believing they are "rich and increased with goods" when in fact Jesus says they are "miserable, wretched, and poor, and blind, and naked." _[4]

A modern day prophet explains what is the result of baptizing those who believe they are "rich and increased with goods," but are not converted. It leads to many perplexities as we see in the church today.

"The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ."_[5] There is a reason why a great majority of the leaders in the North American Division voted to change their by-laws so a woman could become a ruler over men, despite being told by the world church they could not. To go contrary to the General Conference in Session, and to not abide by the Annual Council's refusal to grant them a variance, reveals a rebellious attitude that can only come from a heart not fully given to Christ.

Again, this action taken by the North American Division is not the problem, but only the sympton of a

The gospel that Paul preached is not the gospel that many have been hearing

much more serious problem. The gospel, not according to Paul, is "another gospel" being proclaimed from the pulpits in North America. In the days of Paul, it was primarily the false gospel of "salvation by works" that Satan had used to deceive Israel. But, today there is more than one fork in the road. Satan has had another two thousand years to plan for our day. We share the testimony of William Johnsson to illustrate how high in the church these deceptions have risen. For over 20 years the members of God's church were influenced by the Review's articles. Now, as the curtain is pulled back, all may understand that the gospel that Paul preached is not the gospel that many have been hearing for many long years.

Some will stop their ears rather than listen to the truth as it is in Jesus, but our prayer is that you will hear the true gospel and respond with the whole heart:

     The world’s Redeemer endured sufferings commensurate to the guilt of a lost world. The sacrifice of Christ on Calvary’s cross fulfilled the demands of the law, and when a sense of sin presses upon the heart, and the burden seems intolerable, Jesus invites the sinner to look to Him and live. There is power in Christ to cleanse the soul. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” The gift of life has been freely, graciously, joyously offered to fallen man. Encircling the throne of God is the rainbow of promise, that God will receive every sinner who gives up all hope of eternal life on the ground of his own righteousness, and accepts the righteousness of the world’s Redeemer, believing in Christ as his personal Saviour. It is when the sinner realises that he is without hope, lost, condemned to eternal death, incapable of doing anything to redeem himself, but accepting of Christ as his complete Saviour, that the word of God is fulfilled, when He says, “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”
     Under the covenant of grace, the conditions of eternal life are precisely the same as those given to man in Eden. The believing sinner, through his divine substitute and surety, renders obedience to the law of God. Mercy granted to man is the reward of the merit of Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and “purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Provision made for the salvation of men through the imputed righteousness of Christ, does not do away with good works, release us from our obligation to keep the law, nor lessen in the least its holy claim. Christ came to exalt the law and make it honourable, to reveal its exceeding breadth and changeless character. The glory of the gospel of grace is the imputed righteousness of Christ, providing a way of salvation through obedience to the law of God by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
     Christ must be the ground of our hope; for only through Him can we be heirs to eternal life. An immortal inheritance is presented to us on certain conditions. We cannot inherit a possession in this world unless we have a title that is without a flaw, and our right to an inheritance in the world to come, must also be clearly proved through a faultless title. The line through which the heavenly inheritance is to come is plainly revealed in the Word of God. We must come under the provisions of the Abrahamic covenant, and the requirements are, “If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” If we are Christ’s, our title to the heavenly inheritance is without a flaw, and in harmony with the provisions of the covenant of grace. Through grace we shall be able to make our calling and election sure, putting on the excellency of Christ in spirit and character. No one will be entitled to the heavenly inheritance who has not been purified, refined, ennobled, and sanctified. Then let us be diligent to make our calling and election sure, that an entrance may be administered unto us abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ._[6]

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[1] William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed? Adventism After San Antonio. Oak and Acorn Publishing, 2017; Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
[2] William G. Johnsson interview, David Larson; Roy Branson Legacy Sabbath School in Loma Linda, California on June 17, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5PPTOjo1U0
[3] Ibid
[4] Jesus, Revelation 3:14-22

[5] Ellen White, Vol. 6, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary; pg 1075.

[6] Ellen White, Messenger, May 10, 1893.