This message isn’t just about some distant church in Galatia or theological debates from centuries ago. This is about you. This is about your soul. And I have to ask you plainly: Are you following the gospel the apostles taught? Or have you embraced something that’s been twisted, added to, or watered down?

When Paul wrote to the Galatians, he didn’t hold back. He said, “I marvel that you are so soon turning away from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.” And I feel that same burden today. I look around and I see many turning to something that sounds like the gospel—but isn’t. It’s a perversion. And Paul was clear: if anyone—even an angel—preaches a different gospel, let him be accursed. That’s not my opinion. That’s God’s word through His apostle.

Let me show you how these perversions look, not just back then, but right now in your life.

The first false gospel Paul faced was one that tried to bind the old law—circumcision, rituals, traditions—onto the new covenant in Christ. Some of the Jewish Christians were saying the Gentiles couldn’t be saved unless they followed the Law of Moses. But Paul went to Jerusalem, met with the apostles and elders, and they made it clear: That’s not the gospel. Salvation isn’t Jesus plus something else. It’s not grace plus the Law of Moses. If you’re trying to be justified by the law, Paul says, you have fallen from grace.

And you know, we still see that same spirit today. Some believe their salvation comes by obeying religious customs or traditions passed down, rather than what Jesus and the apostles taught. But salvation is not in the old covenant. It’s in Christ alone.

Now let me speak to another perversion—the gospel of works without faith. There are those who think that the act of baptism alone, or any other outward deed, can save them—even without true faith. Some even baptize infants or force unbelievers to be baptized. But Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him.” Faith is essential. Faith must come before baptism. Peter made that clear on Pentecost when he said, “Repent and be baptized”—not just be baptized. Repentance and belief must come first. Baptism, without faith, is just getting wet.

Then there’s the gospel of good works only. And I know this one sounds so noble, so appealing—just be a good person, do more good than bad, and God will let you in. But that’s not true. That’s not the gospel. Cornelius in Acts 10 was a devout man, a moral man, a generous man—but he still needed to hear and obey the gospel to be saved. Good is not good enough. Salvation is not earned—it’s received through obedient faith.

Now here’s where some people overcorrect. They see the error of salvation by works and swing the other way—to salvation by faith only. Just believe. Just say a prayer. That’s all, they say. But the Bible doesn’t teach that. In fact, it warns against it. James says plainly, “Faith without works is dead.” Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Not just believe. Not just be baptized. Both.

Hebrews 5:9 tells us that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Not just believe in Him. Obey Him.

So what does God require from you? Not empty rituals. Not mere good deeds. Not just belief. But obedient, living faith. That’s the gospel. That’s the gospel the apostles preached. And it hasn’t changed. I don’t care what a church says, what a preacher says, or even what an angel claims. If it’s not this gospel, it’s a lie. And those who follow it, Paul says, are accursed.

You may have heard of other gospels—Mormonism, Gnosticism, and others that claim new revelation, new insight. But let me tell you: if it’s different than what the apostles taught, reject it. God’s word is complete. There is no “another gospel” of Jesus Christ.

So I ask you, as personally and directly as I can: Is the gospel you received the one that the apostles taught?

Because if it’s not, you’re not saved.

But you can be.

Hear the gospel. Believe it. Repent—truly turn from your sins. Confess that Jesus is the Son of God. Be baptized—not into a denomination, not into a man’s church, but into Christ. And when you rise from that water, you’re a new person. Not because of what you did, but because of what God did.

And maybe you’ve already done that. Maybe you’ve stumbled. Maybe you’ve strayed. But the blood of Jesus still flows. You can come back. You can be cleansed again.

So I leave you with this: Are you following the true gospel? Or have you accepted something that only looks like it?