But If We, Or An Angel From Heaven.
When the apostle Paul wrote the Galatian Christians in the middle of the first
century, these believers were under attack from those who would require that
they not only follow the gospel message to be justified in God's sight, but
demanded they also keep one of the requirements of the Old Law: circumcision
(cf. Lev. 12:3). These Judaizing teachers, as they have been called, wanted to
bind one portion of the Old Law upon the new converts (who were Gentiles)
where the gospel message did not require it. From the beginning of the letter,
Paul marveled at the fact that these believers would leave the true gospel
message and follow after something different. To them he wrote, "I marvel that
you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ,
to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble
you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 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. 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." gal 1:6-9
Clearly, Paul wanted it known that if anyone preached a message that was
touted as the gospel, but was different in any way than the message Paul had
already preached to them, it was - in fact - not the gospel at all. There is
only one gospel. To strengthen the point, Paul said twice that even if he or
an angel from heaven preached any other message, they were to be accursed.
That's pretty clear and strong language about those who claim to bring a
message different from the original gospel - even if they try to bolster their
claim or build credibility by saying it did indeed come from an angel.
About 180 years ago, a man named Joseph Smith, Jr. claimed to have seen a
vision of an angel, named Moroni, who led him to some golden plates that held
the text of a lost portion of God's inspired word. These events supposedly
happened near a place called Hill Cumorah somewhere in New York state. At
first, Smith said he alone was the witness to these plates, but the story soon
changed and he added three men who claimed to have also witnessed the plates
and who testified to the veracity of his story. Smith's purported vision led
to the writing of what is now known as the Book Of Mormon, with later visions
revealing further texts such as Doctrine And Covenants and The Pearl Of Great
Price.
I have serious doubts about the truthfulness of Smith's claim to have seen an
angel at all, much less one named Moroni or at some place called Hill Cumorah.
[For information's sake, there is a group of very small islands off of the
eastern coast of Africa called the Comoros Islands, and the capital city just
happens to be named Moroni. Coincidence? I don't think so.] But let's say
Smith told the truth and he really did see an angel who gave him some golden
plates. What then? Should we heed the words that were given to him by this
angel? Since he calls these writings "another revelation of Jesus Christ," and
since he claims to have been led to the plates by an angel of God, should this
motivate us to accept these words, whatever they may teach?
May I direct your attention back to Galatians 1:6-9 again? Remember what Paul
himself wrote - under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit - about one bringing
any other ("another") message than the one already delivered, even one brought
by an angel from heaven? The simple answer is: Even if Joseph Smith, Jr. did
see and angel and he did receive something purported to be the word of God,
this man is to be accursed! Joseph Smith, Junior is to be accursed! Let us not
mince words here, friends and brethren; this is a serious matter, for God has
so said it is!
Now, some of you may be saying, "Isn't that a little harsh?" or, "We shouldn't
judge others or their beliefs." Friends, I am not the judge at all, and
neither are you. The word of God says, "let him be accursed." Read it for
yourself! It doesn't matter if I say it or you say it or John Q. Public says
it; it is the word of God that makes the condemnation and the word of God is
true. This gospel that the apostle Paul preached to these Galatians was
delivered, it was proven and confirmed, and it was believed. There is nothing
further to be revealed and Paul said so - by the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit. Anything that claims to be coming from God must be held up against the
written word of God as a test of truthfulness, and making the claim that it
came from God or one of His angels changes nothing.
Jesus warned of false prophets in mat 24;24 " For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
The purpose of miracles was to confirm the word that was preached before we had scripture to go to and confirm it.. jn 20;31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
These miracles came to and end when the apostles and the ones they laid hands on all died. Paul tells us 1 cor;13;8-10 ¶ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
We have the complete revelation of God for man today.. Peter says in 2 pet 1;3
as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, Paul tells us in 2 tim 3;16-17 that the scriptures will equip us for every good work.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
DO WE NEED anything else ?
But Joseph Smith, Junior is not alone in this error. There are several
denominations who claim "continuous revelation" as a part of their defined
beliefs and will try to defend their doctrines and practices based in some way
on their claim of "continuous revelation." Those who believe in the personal
indwelling of the Holy Spirit believe that He literally teaches and guides
them every day and in everything they do, necessitating a literal, continuous,
revelation (to them, and for them, personally). The Roman Catholic church has
laid claim to an "apostolic succession" to which they run in defense of anything not found within the written word. They follow what are called "oral traditions" that were handed down by "church fathers" through the years and they are held in equal standing with the written word, the Scriptures. Any of the so-called Christian religious groups that has a creed book must and does claim Holy Spirit inspiration as its origin, though they all contradict and conflict with the others. It seems all of the 28,400 different so-called Christian denominations (and some non-Christian groups) claim they have been led to write their creeds by a "higher being."
Friend, if you are a part of some religious group that claims to be following the word of God, while simultaneously holding to a creed in addition to the already-revealed word, you must make a decision. God said that those who bring such teachings are to be accursed! What will you do? Will you welcome them into your hearts and homes ,or will you follow God's word? You can't have both!
As we read earlier
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16,17) God's word is all we need, and everything else rejected.