Defending the Gospel: Faith Alone in Christ

The gospel of Jesus Christ is of utmost importance, and getting it right is crucial. Many different versions of the gospel exist, but Scripture makes it clear that there is only one true gospel. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he strongly emphasizes the necessity of being faithful to the gospel he received through the revelation of Jesus Christ. He warns that deviating from the true gospel has eternal consequences. In Galatians 1:10-12, Paul makes it clear that his mission is not to please men but to serve Christ. The gospel he preached did not come from human teaching but directly from Jesus Christ. This divine origin underscores the authority and purity of the message of salvation.

The early church faced a significant controversy regarding the purity of the gospel. Paul and Barnabas had established churches in Galatia during their first missionary journey, but soon after, trouble arose. Satan always seeks to distort the truth, and certain men from Judea began teaching that Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved. Acts 14:25-28 records how Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch and shared how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. However, Acts 15:1 tells us that some men insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation, leading to great distress among believers. The apostles and elders in Jerusalem gathered to address this issue. The Pharisees argued that Gentiles must follow the law of Moses, but Peter said that God had purified the hearts of the Gentiles by faith and that salvation is by grace alone. The Jerusalem Council concluded that Gentile believers were not bound by the Mosaic law for salvation, as stated in Acts 15:23-29. This declaration reaffirmed that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone.

Despite the clarity from the Jerusalem Council, Paul later received troubling news that the Galatians were turning away from the gospel of grace. The Judaizers had infiltrated the churches, discrediting Paul’s apostleship and promoting a false gospel that mixed grace with works. Paul immediately addressed this in Galatians 1:1-5, asserting his divine calling and emphasizing Christ’s sacrifice for sins. He expressed shock that the Galatians were so quickly embracing a different gospel, one that perverted the truth. Galatians 1:6-9 warns that anyone preaching another gospel, even an angel, should be accursed. This highlights the severe consequences of distorting the gospel message.

Understanding and defending the gospel is a responsibility of every believer. Some Christians today lack knowledge of their faith and cannot articulate the gospel clearly. Time is spent on worldly pursuits, but little effort is given to studying God’s Word. Investing in quality resources and spending time in Scripture is essential. A personal relationship with God requires more than just intellectual belief; it requires repentance and faith in Christ. A tragic reality is that some profess to be Christians yet cannot explain salvation. If one cannot explain how to be saved, how can they be sure they are saved? True conversion involves acknowledging sin, repenting, and trusting in Christ’s finished work on the cross. Salvation is not simply a ritual or an intellectual agreement; it is a desperate cry to God for mercy, leading to a transformed life.

False gospels abound, teaching that salvation is achieved by faith plus good works. Many believe that their good deeds contribute to their salvation, yet Scripture refutes this idea. Ephesians 2:8-9 says that salvation is a gift from God, not of works, so that no one can boast. Some teach that faith alone is insufficient, contradicting the clear teaching of Scripture. The Council of Trent anathematized those who hold to justification by faith alone, but Paul steadfastly proclaimed that justification is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Doesn’t adding works to the gospel imply that Christ’s sacrifice was not enough, which is a dangerous and false teaching?

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not to be compromised. Paul’s words serve as a warning against those who distort the truth. We must have the courage to stand firm in the true gospel, despite opposition. Evangelism and defending the faith will be met with resistance, but our confidence rests in the grace of God. Salvation is a free gift, and we must proclaim it rightly.