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Another, Which Is Not Another

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. II Corinthians 11:3,4

In the above Scripture Paul expresses his concern about the Church at Corinth. He is worried that they may leave the message that he delivered to them and follow another gospel, delivered by another spirit and preaching another Christ.

Paul’s fears are just as valid for the Body of Christ today as when he wrote to the Corinthians. We must be on guard and not allow ourselves to be deceived by Satan.

Satan’s Transformation

Paul reminds the Corinthians of Satan’s methods.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. II Corinthians 11:13-15

It is Satan’s practice to present himself as something or someone he is not. This plan is revealed in Lucifer’s initial boast against God’s authority.

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:12-14

Satan boasted that he would be like the Most High God. Ever since his goal has been to deceive people into worshipping him by appearing to be God. Satan does not approach man overtly and demand or even request his worship and obedience. Instead he works covertly, imitating God and deceiving people into worshipping him, while they think they are worshipping God. Paul warns about this trickery in his letter to the Ephesians.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:11,12

These wiles of Satan are certainly not something new to Paul’s epistles. As he told the Corinthians Satan has been using these tactics since the Garden of Eden.

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Genesis 3:1-6

Satan, at that time a subtle, beautiful creature, in the form of a serpent approached Eve. He promised her spiritual benefit if she ate the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He deceived Eve with a lie that made wickedness look like righteousness.

This deception of Satan, beginning with His announcement to be like the Most High God reaches its culmination in the 70th Week of Daniel with the reign of antichrist.

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. II Thessalonians 2:3,4

Satan, in the person of antichrist will make good on his boast to be like the Most High God when he sits in God’s temple in Jerusalem and proclaims himself to be God. This is wickedness masquerading as righteousness. Paul warns the Church in Thessalonica that the same policy is at work right now.

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. II Thessalonians 2:7

Paul’s warnings about another Jesus, another sprit, and another gospel must be viewed in the context of Satan’s plan to deceive. To follow another Christ, Spirit, or gospel is to follow the lie of Satan.

Another Gospel

Paul’s detailed explanation of another gospel is found in his letter to the churches of Galatia.

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 ye have received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:6-9

The Galatians had moved from the gospel that Paul preached to “another gospel.” He described this other gospel as, “another gospel: Which is not another.” What was this other gospel that the saints at Galatia followed?

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:1-3

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Galatians 5:1-4

The problem in Galatia was the attempt to perfect salvation by the fleshly works of the law. They believed that the works of the law could perfect their salvation, which was by grace.

Paul uses a meeting with Peter, James, and John in Jerusalem as condemnation for the false gospel that enticed the Galatians.

But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Galatians 2:6-9

The conference took place in Jerusalem in Acts 15. It is there that the crucial issue in the Galatian churches was discussed.

And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. Acts 15:1-5

As Paul preached the Gospel of the Grace of God among the Gentiles, Jews followed him, teaching that they must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses. The Jews who taught this doctrine among the Gentiles were not part of the unbelieving nation that persecuted Paul. They were the “Pharisees that believed.” That is, they were part of Israel’s leadership that had accepted Christ as Messiah and become a part of the little flock of believers in Israel. They were not encouraging the Gentiles to leave their faith in Christ; rather, they encouraged the Gentiles to add the works of the law to their faith. Paul says this is “another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” Adding the law to faith in Christ does not deny Christ but perverts the message of faith in Christ alone.

Paul warned about taking truth from another dispensation and applying it to the present dispensation. To apply the law, which was good in its proper context to the Gospel of the Grace of God makes it another gospel. This produces another Jesus, which is not another and another spirit, which is not another.

Another Jesus

The Scriptures of the prophets reveal the coming of Christ to the earth in two separate and distinct advents.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6,7

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; Isaiah 61:1,2

Christ is presented as a humble servant preaching the gospel to the meek; and also as a conquering king defeating His enemies and establishing His kingdom on the earth. Peter wrote of the prophets’ two views of Christ.

Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. I Peter 1:10,11

Most preaching today focuses on one of these two views of Christ. The focus is either on the past earthly ministry of Christ, recorded in the four gospels, or the future return of Christ as prophesied in the book of Revelation. There is very little preaching about the appearing of Christ that occurred between these two prophetic events.

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Acts 9:1-6

The information revealed to Paul in this and subsequent appearings comprise the message of God for this dispensation. This message reveals the formation, ministry, and destiny of the Church, the Body of Christ.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. II Timothy 1:8-11

This message revealed to Paul gives a third view of Christ, a view of Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: Romans 16:25,26

Applying information about Christ from the prophetic message to the mystery makes Him another Jesus, which is not another. He is still the same person, but application of information from the prophetic program perverts the work of Christ in the Age of Grace.

Another Spirit

As with Christ, the prophets had a very definite message about the coming of the Holy Spirit and what that Spirit would do when He came.

For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Ezekiel 36:24-27

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. Joel 2:28-30

The prophets proclaimed a future outpouring of God’s Spirit that would be evidenced by miracles, signs, and wonders and would prepare the nation Israel for the coming kingdom. This outpouring occurred in Acts 2.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4

Most of the teaching about the Holy Spirit today focuses on this prophetic view of the Spirit. In Paul’s epistles however, we see another presentation of the Spirit, a presentation based on the revelation of the mystery that completed the Word of God.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:17

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:18,19

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

The Spirit’s work of revealing truth is now complete. No longer does He need to confirm the truth with miracles, signs, and wonders. The written Word of God now stands as the source and confirmation of truth. In the parallel passages from Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3, to be filled with the Spirit is equated to the Word of Christ dwelling in us. The Spirit’s work today is carried out through the completed Word of God, not the miracles, signs, and wonders of the prophetic program.

Applying information about the work of the Spirit from the prophetic message to the Age of Grace makes Him another spirit, which is not another. He is still the same person, but applying information from the prophetic message perverts the person and work of the Spirit in the Age of Grace.

Another, Which Is Not Another

Today the Church has largely ignored Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians to beware of another Jesus, another spirit, and another gospel. As a result Satan is deceiving many and using his wiles to propagate the lie. We must not allow ourselves to be in that group. We must keep the message of the true Jesus, the true Spirit, and the true gospel pure and not perverted.

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