False Leaders (long article, but worth the read)
FALSE BRETHREN
Galatians 2:4 "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage."
False brethren is pseudadelphos in Greek, meaning spurious brother, or pretended associate.
False brethren don't want Jesus in control and will attempt to bring believers under their control, often through legalism. Paul says of them and their legalistic gospel, that they are eternally condemned (Gal. 1:6-9). He reminds the believers that they are justified by their faith in Jesus and not by observing the Law (Gal. 3).
Galatians 4:9 "But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?"
Elements is stoicheion in Greek, meaning principle or rudiment. 'Pastors' would rather preach on the principles of the ten commandments and tithing then proclaim and practice the commands of Jesus, because the Law places people under their control through guilt, but the law of love sets them free from judgment through Christ's forgiveness.
Galatians 5:1-6 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."
"If ye be circumcised", pay tithes, observe the Sabbath, wear no mixed fibers, eat only kosher, or obey any part of the Law; you are in bondage to keep all the Law, and Christ becomes ineffectual in your life. Christians aren't going to live perfectly in this life. We have placed our hope in Christ's righteousness, and live by faith in Him.
Fifty days after the Hebrew slaves ate lamb as the angel of death "passed over" them, God gave Moses the Law on Mount Sinai. God came upon the mountain in fire and smoke and spoke the Law, and the people trembled. The Jews celebrate the giving of the Law at the feast of Pentecost. The Father chose to surpass the Law that day by sending His Spirit as "tongues of fire" upon believers who then proclaimed the good news of forgiveness and freedom to the world in their languages. Relationship conquered Rules. Mercy triumphed over justice. Liberty fulfilled the Law.
Romans 8:1-2 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."