Which Gospel?

In the Church today there are two gospels. The first proclaims that Salvation is received through
faith. As we repent and believe what God has done for us in Jesus Christ we will receive the Holy
Spirit and by grace receive His righteousness. The second proclaims that if we do the right things, we
will be accepted by God.

With regards to the second message the list of things we must do to be accepted varies significantly
from group to group. Where does this thinking come from? It is nothing new, in the early Church
there was great dispute over this issue. The Apostles taught faith but there was a group that taught
righteous came through the keeping of the law. They held to a gospel which taught these things. It
said.

not one jot or tittle will pass from the law till all is fulfilled.. ..unless your righteousness exceeds the
righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees you will be no means enter the kingdom of heaven

and

if you want to enter life keep the commandments.

Paul opposed this gospel vehemently. He said

If righteousness comes through the law then Christ died in vain.

Paul instructed the Galatians to utterly reject the gospel which taught righteousness through the
law. Paul knew the confusion it would bring! However, we see later in history, in the writings of
Ignateous, that these corrupted copies of the Gospel continued to circulate in the Church.1
Eventually they were accepted as Iranaeus writes.

Those who are called Ebionites agree that the world was made by God; but their opinions with
respect to the Lord are similar to those of Cerinthus and Carpocrates. They use the Gospel according
to Matthew only, and repudiate the Apostle Paul, maintaining that he was an apostate from the
law.2

This is the reason for the two gospels taught in our Churches. The gospel of law was not rejected.

The following is a list of doctrines detrimental to the church that are taught in the Ebionite gospel
called Matthew.

1. Establishing our own righteousness.

Scripture is clear, our own righteousness is not sufficient, and cannot be. .. in order that
I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that
comes through the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ,... However,
Matthew declares unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes
and Pharisees you will be no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven

2. Trying to be perfected by works.

1
Ignatius to the Philadelphians 2:20
2
Iranaeus against Heresies book 1 chapter 26
 Paul is clear, it is folly to try and be perfected by works. Yet according to Matthew 5:48
this is what is required.

3. Dont call him a fool, wait Jesus did that..

According to Matthew being angry and calling someone a fool could land you in Hell.
Which is perplexing when Jesus himself, and Paul, occasionally called people fools when
they were vexed. Like Paul did when he reprimanded the Galatians for tolerating a
gospel that taught righteousness through the law.

4. The purpose of Christs sacrifice

As Paul wrote if righteousness comes through the law then Christ died in vain. His
sacrificing was not in vain, and was not to appease the Father, He loves us. Paul taught
the Romans that His sacrifice was to demonstrate that He, the Father, would be just,
since He had been forgiving people all along. He paid the price, what amazing love!

5. The Rich Young Ruler

There is a passage in Matthew, Mark and Luke where a rich young ruler asks Jesus what
he must do to inherit eternal life. The witness of Mark and Luke agree. Jesus refers to
the commandments and then tells the young man he still lacks one thing. Jesus then
calls him to sell what he has, give to the poor and follow. This is the gospel, life is in
Jesus.

However Matthew presents a different version. In Matthew Jesus says that keeping the
commandments is sufficient to enter into life. Following Jesus is presented as a bonus.
By two or three witnesses may everything be established.

6. The Kingdom in the sky

It was a perception of the ancients that God lived above the blue dome. Heaven can
also be translated sky. Matthew alone proclaims the kingdom of the sky. Heaven is real
alright, but its not up in the clouds. Unless of course you are talking about the One in
the Cloud. Hes amazing. Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God. Which is not out there
somewhere, it is within.

7. Every time a sparrow dies

Every tragedy that happens is not according to the will of God as indicated in Matt
10:29. The reason Jesus Christ was manifest was to destroy the works of the Devil! The
significant implication to this statement is that in many areas of life Gods will is not
being done. We are called to pray thy will be done on earth We need to stand up and
recognise it is our God given privilege to participate in manifesting the will of God on
earth.

8. Whos the light?

So who is the light, is that Jesus or our good works? It is no doubt beneficial to do
charitable deeds but Jesus is the light, there all kinds of people doing charity.

9. Wheres the love

 Good question. In Matthew its just not spoken of. The whole point of the gospel is that
God loves us! I can find the expression of His love toward us described in the teaching
and parables of Mark, Luke and John, but not in Matthew. We love because He first
loved us. So many of us spend our lives questioning the love of God because we dont
understand that His acceptance is not based on our own righteousness! We are
accepted in the Beloved, righteousness comes through faith.

10. Peters stories.

I understand that Mark recorded the teaching of Peter according to early Church history.
Indeed the stories are Peters. I understand that Luke recorded those things passed
down, much of which was the teaching of Peter since He was perhaps the most vocal
preacher of the early church. Johns gospel is so different because it is Johns stories.
Peter and Johns stories should be different. It is a mark of authenticy. Much like two of
my own friends would have very different experiences that they would tell of me. What
doesnt make sense is why Matthew tells Peters stories. Not just a few but nearly all the
stories of Mark are found in Matthew, only the greek is improved and the stories, well
altered. If this is the work of the apostle Matthew, where is Matthews narrative?

11. Angry, angry, angry

Whenever I read Matthew Jesus just seems very angry about a lot of things. I dont see
that in the other gospels. I dont believe it is the gospel. This is gospel. God loves. There
is a place for anger but its not the gospel. God loves us so much He gave Jesus! He
wasnt waiting to see if we would pass the test. He loves, He gave. Just believe.

12. The punishment obsession

So many threats of punishment. I have been told that Jesus mentions hell hundreds of
times. It is a pertinent point that they are nearly all in Matthew. Grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ. His mission was to reveal the Father, and bring good news.

13. Is there somewhere He isnt?

Over and over Matthew portrays a separation from God as punishment for the sinner.
But there is no place God isnt. David says even in Hades He is there. The Lord says the
fire of Hades is His jealous anger, In that place Abraham spoke with the Rich Man calling
him son.

14. The purpose of Hell

According to Matthew hell is eternal punishment. According to Mark it is the fire that
restores salt. ..therefore have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another. I
believe God is good and there is a purpose in all He does.

15. Every knee, except the others.

In the middle of Isaiah is the most wonderful prophecy that the Lord will not relent and
every knee will bow. Its amazing He is even able to subdue all things to himself. Thats
the gospel. If you would believe Matthew there are multitudes in the too hard basket.

16. Discipling nations? Oh no thats just the beginning.

 Making disciples of all nations is a nice concept, but it is so far short of the gospel.
Disciples of nations is about imposing the commandments of law on other nations. The
true gospel goes out to every creature for the redemption of even creation itself!
Restoring us to glorious freedom!

17. Baptism in the name of?..

The disciples baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Yet unique to Matthew is baptising in
the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I dont know why there is a difference,
perhaps it reflects the Ebionite understanding of who Jesus was. Acts records the
disciples baptising in the name of Jesus Christ.

18. What happened with that genealogy

The genealogies of Luke and Matthew are different. Many have tried to explain it. Its
not complicated Matthew is wrong. It is way too short for the time frame.

19. How did He sit on that donkey again?

In a strange interpretation of Zechariahs prophecy Matthew uniquely tries to explain

how Jesus sat on both a donkey and a colt at the same time. Thats an awkward picture.

20. Poor in spirit

Blessed are the poor it says in Luke. Matthew says poor in spirit. It does matter. I do
believe Jesus had a problem with people that trampled on others to line their own
pockets.

21. Do not resist evil

Resisting evil is a part of our purpose. Im not advocating violence necessarily but Paul
did say that the authorities are the Lords minister who bear not the sword in vain.
Imagine the anarchy if no-one resisted evil. Indifference is often permission.

22. Levi the tax collector

This here is a beautiful parable. Levi the son of change sitting collecting taxes. Follow
me Jesus says. The priesthood has changed! Matthew vies for a cameo appearance with
this story. By two or three witnesses may every thing be established.

23. The resurrection already past.

Paul was concerned about this strange doctrine infiltrating the church that the
resurrection had already happened! You can see it in Matthew

24. Who has bewitched you?

Paul said this to the Galatians. I dont believe it was a flippant comment. It was supposed
to get out attention. The gospel of Matthew begins with the witness of Sorcerers, who
are an abomination to the LORD. Hence Pauls comment who has put a spell on you?
In our translation of Matthew Wise men is misleading. The original greek is clearly
sorcerors but the translators, understandably, supposed it must mean something else.

25. The Church, wait was that a word..

 Ecclesia is a greek concept, only used in Matthew, and Jesus spoke Aramaic. If Jesus
taught the disciples about a gentile church they would have known it was coming. But
they didnt.

26. The kingdom of keys.

Matthew facilitated an institution. The kingdom of keys, kingdom given to the gentiles
is a concept exclusive to Matthew. Jesus didnt start another institution. Hes bigger than
an institution. And again it is written that the disciples were not anticipating the
salvation of the Gentiles until Peters encounter. If Jesus had made this statement about
the Kingdom being given to the Gentiles, again, it would not have been a surprise when
Gentiles were converted.

27. Replacement Theology

There is a passage where Jesus speaks of the Fathers vineyard, he declares that the
wicked vinedressers will be destroyed and the vineyard given to others. The vineyard
clearly speaks of Israel as the Lord refers to them in this manner in the prophetic
writings of Isaiah. However in contrast to Mark and Luke the gospel of Matthew clearly
stated in the Greek that the kingdom would be taken from the Jews and given to the
Gentiles. This is where replacement theology comes from. However the disciples after
Christs resurrection asked him when the Kingdom would be restored to Israel. Again
they had no understanding of the gospel going out to the Gentiles, much less that the
Jews (which the disciples were) would be rejected entirely.

28. Rejection Theology

Many live with the fear that one day they will stand before Jesus and He will say depart
form me I never knew you. There are indeed many who do not know him. But in
Matthew this is in the context of those who minister in His name! It is as if there is a
standard of goodness we must attain to if we are to be accepted. No one is quite sure
what it is and many are terrified of falling short and being rejected. So many come up
with our list of requirements believed to deem us acceptable and cling to them will all
our strength. The ability to live according to the list, for many that has become thier
salvation. But Jesus says come, come follow me. We understand that perfect love casts
out fear. When the disciples stopped a man ministering Jesus said he who is not against
us is on our side. And He made it clear to John whoever comes to me I will never cast
out. Thats my Jesus. I cling to Him.

Life is found in Jesus Christ. I do not trust in my own ability, but I find as I follow Him, He has become
my life. So where does this lead? This is an incredible book the Bible. I love the word of God. In the
tabernacle of Moses, in the Holy Place there was a table. On this table was the showbread. It was
baked daily and placed in the presence. These things teach us. Jesus made this wonderful statement

I am the bread of life

The showbread was placed on a table and illuminated by another piece of furniture called the
Menorah. A golden candlestick of elaborate design. It had seven branches in all and on these
branches were 22 ornate cups, each in the shape of an almond bud with calyx, petals and cup. Atop
the branches were seven lamps that shed light upon the showbread.
At the time when Jesus was ministering in Israel the Jewish scriptures were considered 22 prophetic
books, all written by the prophets of Israel. Then Jesus appointed Apostles to preach the gospel of
the Kingdom.

There were many writings circulating in the early church. Each book circulated individually until
many hundreds of years later when people attempted to write lists of what was and what wasnt
reliable. Today the Church relies on a list penned by a man named Athanasius for the New
Testament. What concerns me is that this was a time of bitter factions within the Church. Shortly
after his ministry we see the first instance of the church consenting to the execution of brothers in a
war against heresy. Athanasius considered himself just in hating those who had a doctrine different
to his own3. But Jesus said we should love our enemies.

If we look a little earlier there was a man named Eusebius who was appointed historian when
Constantine converted. He writes that there were eight books which were universally accepted by
the early church. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, the Acts of the Apostles, the epistles of Paul, first John
and first Peter. So you can imagine my amazement when I realised that if I am to heed the warning
of the Apostle Paul and reject the Gospel of Law we have seven accepted books. Seven lamps! So for
me the path has become simple and clear. The Menorah of scripture is what I rely upon to
understand the gospel. 22 Prophetic books and 7 Apostolic books. There are many other writings of
great value, past and present, which should be measured by these. I do not rely on a letter by a
fourth century Bishop. I rely on the collective witness of the early Church, the Apostolic and
Prophetic Testimony.

For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers
and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the
whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are
being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

I submit to the wisdom of the pre-Nicene Church and of the Apostle Paul himself. In doing so I
believe I have been wonderfully restored to the simplicity in Christ that Paul spoke of. See how this
authentic gospel of the Kingdom, righteousness through faith, is spreading throughout the entire
earth by the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit. It is wonderful, it is what they called the Way.

3
Against heresies Ch9. Athanasius