Different Gospels

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Different gospels literally mean false teachings other than the gospel of the kingdom of heaven that Jesus taught. Salvation cannot be given by these gospels. However, as the church underwent secularization post the early Church era, different gospels gained prominence. Consequently, different gospels began masquerading as authentic, making it challenging to discern the genuine gospel of the kingdom of heaven.

The Meaning of the Different Gospels

Different Gospels denote doctrines other than the teachings of Jesus. Jesus, who proclaimed that the gospel of the kingdom of heaven would be preached to all nations,[1] instructed His people to disseminate the truths He imparted to all people.[2] In essence, the gospel encompasses all the teachings and examples established by Jesus.[3]

The apostles faithfully followed the teachings of Jesus, striving to both practice and impart His example.[4] However, following the passing of the apostles who directly received instruction from Jesus, alterations to the gospel gradually emerged, starting from the middle of the 2nd century. By the middle of the 4th century, these changes had become pervasive, resulting in a complete transformation of the gospel. In contemporary times, one may question what has altered, as the gospel personally taught by Jesus 2,000 years ago has become unrecognizable, replaced by other prevailing gospels.

Different Gospels Disguised as the Gospel

Sunday Worship

Sunday was the holy day of the sun god Mithra. Fresco depicting Mithra in the Mithraeum at Marino, Italy, painted around the 2nd century

While many churches presently observe worship on Sunday, it is noteworthy that Jesus neither taught nor practiced Sunday worship. He observed Sabbath worship as a regulation.[5] The apostles, following Jesus’ example, also observed weekly Sabbath worship as a regulation.[6] The seventh-day Sabbath corresponds to Saturday among the days of the week.

The origins of Sunday worship can be traced back to the 2nd century when the Church in the West, centered on Rome, abandoned the Sabbath and began worshiping on Sunday. This shift occurred during a period of persecution of Christianity by pagans. To mitigate this persecution, it is believed that Sunday worship commenced, aligning with, the holy day of Mithraism, a prevalent religion in the Roman Empire.[7] The Church in the East maintained adherence to the Sabbath until the 4th century.[8] However, with the issuance of the Sunday Law by Constantine in AD 321,[9] the observance of the Sabbath gradually waned, leading to the full establishment of Sunday worship.

For details, refer to: Lord’s Day Worship (Sunday Worship)

Christmas

A Christmas tree and gifts

Christmas is commonly celebrated as the birthday or anniversary of Jesus’ birth, but during the early Church era, there was no such observance. Furthermore, there is no biblical basis for Christmas.

December 25 coincided with the winter solstice in the ancient Roman calendar, which marked the shortest day of the year. This date was also recognized as the birthday of the sun god Mithra.[10][11] Mithra, known as the “invincible god” and the “deity of immortal youth,” held a prominent place in the fervent worship of the Roman Empire. Emperor Constantine, who acknowledged Christianity in AD 313, equated the sun god of Mithraism with the Christian God.[12] In this context, as the church was increasingly secularized, influenced by the benefits afforded by the Roman Empire, it adopted December 25, the birthday of the sun god, and formally established it as the birthday of Jesus.[13] Thus, Christmas is a different gospel formulated in the 4th century, centuries after the era of Jesus.

For details, refer to: Christmas

Cross-Reverence

The Ancient Cross on Mill Lane, England

The cross, initially an idol originating from ancient Babylon[14] and later serving as an instrument of execution,[15][16] finds no mention in the New Testament written during the Apostolic Age. The apostles, rejecting idolatry, emphasized that idol worshipers cannot enter heaven.[17]

For approximately 300 years after Jesus, crosses were not found in the church. However, a shift occurred during the era of Constantine.[18] As the church’s status rose under the emperor’s Christian favoritism policy, church leaders started embracing pagan concepts and symbols in the guise of expanding their outreach to pagans.[12] Among these was the cross, which was introduced into the church around AD 431 and later adorned church steeples.[19] Thus, the cross, viewed as an idol, infiltrated the church during the period of secularization and paganization, representing a different gospel unrelated to the teachings of Christ.

For details, refer to: Cross

Other Different Gospels

Thanksgiving Day and the tradition of sharing eggs at Easter, both lacking biblical basis, are also different gospels. Nowhere in the Bible is it mentioned that eggs are consumed at Easter. In the New Testament, only the breaking of bread on Resurrection Day is noted.[20][21] The practice of consuming eggs at Easter originated from ancient pagan rituals and symbolic representations.[22][23] Furthermore, teachings contrary to biblical doctrines, such as the belief that the soul is the body, the notion that the afterlife is constructed on earth, and the denial of the Holy Trinity, are all different gospels.

Results of Following Different Gospels

Jesus warned that those who practice a different gospel, characterized by lawlessness, will be barred from entering heaven, even if they outwardly resemble God’s people.[24] The apostles similarly cautioned that failure to uphold the gospel preached by Jesus would result in destruction. They instructed against preaching or following any different gospel diverging from the teachings of Christ.


This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power.

2 Thessalonians 1:7–9

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!

Galatians 1:6–8


See also

References

  1. ↑ "Matthew 24:14".
  2. ↑ "Matthew 28:18–20".
  3. ↑ "John 13:15".
  4. ↑ "1 Corinthians 11:1".
  5. ↑ "Luke 4:16".
  6. ↑ "Acts 17:1–3".
  7. ↑ The Paganism in Our Christianity, Arthur Weigall, 2008, pg. 145
  8. ↑ Constantine and the Christian empire, Odahl, Charles M., pgs. 172–173, 2004
  9. ↑ A Lion Handbook The History of Christianity, Tim Dowley, pg. 152
  10. ↑ Christmas, The Earlier Celebrations of the Festival, Christmas, Its Origin and Associations, Together with Its Historical Events and Festive Celebrations During Nineteen Centuries, Dawson, W. F. (William Francis), pg. 15, 1902
  11. ↑ Saturnalia, History.com, September 14, 2022
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 A Lion Handbook, The History of Christianity, Tim Dowley, 1977, pg. 140
  13. ↑ How Christians co-opted the winter solstice, Big Think, November 21, 2018
  14. ↑ Cross, Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words : with topical index, Crucify, Vine, W.E., 1996, pg. 138
  15. ↑ Crucifixion, WORLD HISTORY ENCYCLOPEDIA
  16. ↑ Cross, Bible Encyclopedias, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, StudyLight.org
  17. ↑ "1 Corinthians 6:9–10".
  18. ↑ Cross, Baker's Dictionary of Theology, Everett F. Harrison, Baker Book House, 1960 pg. 152
  19. ↑ A Dictionary of Dates Relating to All Ages and Nations for Universal Reference, Joseph Haydn, 1863, pg. 204
  20. ↑ "Luke 24:1–31".
  21. ↑ "Acts 20:6–7".
  22. ↑ Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D., Easter Eggs, pg. 401
  23. ↑ Stories Behind the Traditions and Songs of Easter, Ace Collins, Zondervan, February 1, 2007
  24. ↑ "Matthew 7:21–23".
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