The New and Improved Gospel? - Acts 13:45

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. - Acts 13:45

    But why? Why would the Jews be full of envy, contradiction, blasphemy, and opposition to what Paul was saying? Perhaps the previous verse alone will provide us with a reason - “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.” - Acts 13:44. Almost the whole city! It is clear that even in the early days of the church people hungered for the Word. Despite antagonism and persecution, people still wanted to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. Is it possible then that the Word of Faith movement and the consequent Health, Wealth, and Prosperity ministries are filled with the same kind of envy today?
    It is clear that Paul taught a no-nonsense gospel which accurately preached the difficulty in following Christ. “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” - 2 Corinthians 12:10. No where and at no time did Paul ever preach that following Christ would be as easy as responding to an altar call, signing a prayer card, or repeating a salvation prayer! Neither did Paul ever preach that as Christians we could have every expectation of worldly health or wealth if we merely “spoke” it into action. But almost the whole city came out to hear the word of God! So the wolves in sheep’s clothing say, “There simply has to be a way to capitalize on such a potential for our ‘personal aggrandizement and success.’ But then there is that pesky gospel which speaks of infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses. That could certainly get in the way of our grand plans. Ahaa! We’ll simply change the message. We’ll ‘improve’ it to suit our needs. People will flock to accept our ‘proprietary brand’ of the Good Word. There won’t be any more needs or human frailties when they respond to our altar call. We’ll convince them that they can have it all.”
    And what happens when the health and prosperity is not forthcoming? These false teachers lead their followers to bitter disappointment when the promises given are not fulfilled. And it is usually blamed upon a lack of faith in the believer or at it’s worst - God! Men and women like Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Crefalo Dolar, Benny Hinn, and Rod Parsley cannot (and DO NOT) muster the providence of God Almighty and bestow it upon the deceived. These modern charlatans exhibit all the same satanic shortcomings that the Jews did in Paul’s day: envy, contradiction, blasphemy, and opposition to the true word of God, all because they recognized the people’s desire to know Jesus Christ! They recognize it and have chosen to market it! Is it possible that there is something they have missed, a point in holy scripture that warns against such bold and arrogant articulation of a false gospel?
    “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?” Hebrews 10:29.
    May we always keep our hearts and minds focused on the truly Good News of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, despite the satanic murmurings of false teachers.