A Critique On The Word Of Faith Movement, Part 3of3, Matt Neceda

Jude 1:4, “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Jude appeals to us in chapter 1:3 to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” I think it’s important to really understand what’s being said here. The word contend in the original Greek literally means to struggle for, or fight. And the faith he’s talking about isn’t a spiritual commodity.

A Critique On The Word Of Faith Movement, Part 2of3, Matt Neceda

Jude 1:4, “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ”

Another Word of Faith doctrine is faith being an actual substance or a force that we can direct at God. For this, they would appeal to Hebrews 11:1 which says “ now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” From looking at this verse you would think they’re right, but if you look at the word “substance,” which in the greek is “hypostasis,” you’ll see that a more accurate translation in today’s speech, is the word “assurance.”

A Critique On The Word Of Faith Movement, Part 1of3, Matt Neceda

Jude 1:4, “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ”

There’s a famous Greek story about the conquering of the city of Troy. The story goes that Greeks laid siege to the city of Troy for over ten years, and in that time, were unable to capture it. Finally, a man by the name of Ulysses decided to have a large wooden horse built and left outside the city walls as a gift to the unconquerable Trojans. The Greeks then sailed away in apparent defeat. The curious and proud Trojans felt confident enough to drag the horse inside their walls.

What Gospel Do You Believe, Part 5of5? Pastor Phil Sessa And Ray Comfort

Galatian 1:8, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed”

“Friendship Evangelism that doesn’t seek a way to quickly tell people about their eternal fate is the ultimate betrayal of trust. How can we call ourselves a friend of someone we don’t bother to warn of terrible danger? Friends don’t let friends go to hell”, (Ray comfort)

What Gospel Do You Believe, Part 4of5? Pastor Phil Sessa And Ray Comfort

Galatian 1:6-7, “6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ

Paul was marveled at those that decided to jump ship from the real gospel to a false gospel. As I have been going through this series, God has put this series on my heart to convey His heart about false gospels as compared to the only true gospel.

What Gospel Do You Believe, Part 3of5? Pastor Phil Sessa and Ray Comfort

Galatians 1:6-7, “6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”

The Gospel means good news. Paul states that some have moved to another gospel, which is not another. The false gospels, such as the Prosperity Gospel, is a false gospel, therefore it is bad news, because it does not teach the way of salvation through Christ. Let’s examine this next “gospel” in this series, which is perhaps brothers with the prosperity gospel, hence the feel good gospel. The question is asked, “Why not preach that Jesus gives happiness, peace, and joy.” Jesus didn’t initially come to bring us happiness, but rather holiness.

What Gospel Do You Believe? Part 2of5, Pastor Phil Sessa

Galatians 1:9, “As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be anathema (accursed).”

In part one of what gospel do you believe, some groundwork was laid showing the framework of the real gospel is not the gospel that everyone is following these days. Paul was greatly disturbed recognizing that the Galatians in fact so quickly deserted the biblical Gospel for a different gospel.

What Gospel Do You Believe? Part 1of5, Pastor Phil Sessa

Galatians 1:6–9, “is a curse on anyone who distorts the gospel of Christ:”

“6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed”, Galatians 1:6-9

Prevention Is Better Than Cure, Evans Olang

2Corinthians 10:4-5, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” 

It is better to try to keep a bad thing from happening than fix it once it has happened. And I will apply this to dealing with demonic forces, satanic oppressions. Anyone who is vulnerable is setting him or herself as an easy target for the enemy. Why be an easy target then try and deal with them after they come in? It’s hard to empty a boat that is being filled with water due to holes in that boat.