The Certified Gospel
by: Ivie Powell
In Galatians 1:11-12 Paul said, "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me was not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." The word 'certify' means to make certain or guarantee. Whenever you purchase an automobile, clothing, food, etc., you look for a guarantee it carries.
Read again Galatians 1:11-12 and you will see the message Paul preached was a guaranteed message. Guaranteed for what? Guaranteed to be from God and not man! As one observes the religious world, he will find different doctrines taught on the same subject. All cannot be right! For an example, if preacher A were to affirm, "The Bible does not say the church is glorious," and preacher B were to teach the exact opposite, "According to the Bible the church is glorious." Both cannot be right. By turning to Ephesians 3:21, one can quickly see that the church is glorious, "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
Turn to Galatians 1 and read verses 6-9, "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 which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." To 'pervert' is to corrupt or to twist the meaning or sense of something. In this case, preacher A, in our example above would be perverting, corrupting or twisting the meaning of the word of God. Therefore, not only would he be "accursed of God," but all those who believed, obeyed, and followed his false teaching. Such teaching may find a large following, but it is not the certified or guaranteed gospel!
May we all be as the Bereans, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). John also warns, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).
I hope to see you and your entire family this Lord's Day, with a smile on your face, Bible in hand, and a heart prepared to worship God "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).