Apostasy (Part 4) The Apostasy Subset and the Truth of the Gospel

The Apostasy Subset and the Truth of the Gospel

For before certain came from James, [Peter] did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

 But…I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel  [Galatians 2]

If you were asked to define “the truth of the gospel”, how would you answer?  Because of the modern apostasy, too many of us would answer in doctrinal language. It is striking that, as Paul recounts this personal story, he clearly has in mind a completely different kind of ‘truth of the gospel’ than is current today.  For him and ‘primitive’ friends, the truth of the Gospel is a way of relating to others, not a doctrinal formulation!  When Peter got up from eating with ‘outsiders’ and went and sat with the ‘insiders’, strict law-followers (who were part of James’ party), he was denying the Truth of the Gospel. The essential truth of the Gospel is to be inclusive of others in our fellowship.  Though he knew better, the power of the strict religion group was overpowering to Peter.  He was close to going from apostle to apostate!  And, the danger is very real for all of us today. None are exempt.

We can recap the steps away from the truth:

First, claim the printed text is the Word of God. [The real living God is too hard to control!]  Second, claim that it is a lie that all people on earth have the Light: only a small subset.  Third, no eating with outsiders: that is, no fellowship with those who do not meet our strict outward rules.

That’s how we get to this point of apostasy.  I ask again, “What is the Truth of the Gospel?”  It is the inclusion of all who have the light: that is, it is to include all whom God includes.  The only unforgivable act is to deny the truth of the Gospel: to become a judge over another human being and arbitrarily exclude them from fellowship. Apostasy is characterized by ‘subset thinking’ rather than ‘full scope’ thinking.