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Fri, 08 March 2013 16:02

james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL

Senior Member

I have a buddy who approached me about the validity of the Lakeland, Florida/Todd Bentley 'Revival' back in April of 2008 (he wanted to go to it) and that resulted in the thread by that name and much research went into it. It also drew quite a bit of interest and discussion. Well now he has decided (through the influence of someone 'teaching the real truth' on TBN) that there are two gospels taught in the New Testament. His understanding is that Jesus taught one gospel (the gospel of the kingdom Matt.24:14, which he now believes is 'law', requiring 'works'<repentance and baptism>); and Paul taught another gospel (the gospel grace Acts 20:24 which he's been convinced that is what we're to follow<nothing for us to do but confess and believe> and he uses II Corinthians 11:4 as proof text that Pauls gospel is the only one for true believers to follow.)

Seems like people are looking for ways to live as they choose and still convience themselves they are following God. Now Paul's 'gospel' is being thought to be different from the gospel Jesus taught, and that Jesus taught legalism and works (he says Jesus was only speaking to the Jews and isn't for the 'church' today). Romans 7 is used to defend continually sinning because 'Paul' struggled with sin and 'he' made it in.

Ever since I met this man I've tried to get him to study God's Word and quit taking these T.V. preachers word for everything. I'm going to meet with him this Sunday and share with him, but since the 'gospel of grace' (as defined by these false teachers) is so much easier than the Gospel Jesus taught (repentance...obedience...Holiness...) I know it'll be by God's GRACE that he'll receive it.

Just in case anyone might think I'm against grace and think I'm saved by works (by keeping the law), I'm NOT. I, as much as anyone alive, know that it is by God's awesome GRACE that I'm saved...but I also know that I have a responsibility to walk as He has given instructions for us to walk, to daily contend for the faith, to put on the armour of God, to resist the devil, to be holy as He is Holy...Opps! I believe Paul might have written some of those instructions...guess that's part of the new gospel of 'hyper-grace', pick and choose what to apply to daily life and what to ignore.

I'm sure there's much more to be said or pointed out (I hadn't even heard that this was a popular teaching sweeping through christendom until he told me this and I did some searching around...) Man, some of these people are so deceived it'll only be by GRACE for them to see the truth.

GOSPEL, the good news...It is ALL the same gospel, God loves us, He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins. He was without sin, spotless, pure, and holy; He suffered and died on the cross and was resurrected from the dead. He is in heaven seated at the right hand of The Father, He is coming against to receive His Bride (those who have believed the good news<gospel> and are His). Now THAT IS good news!

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”

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