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the GOSPEL is

The Preacher Leave a comment

Paul wrote to the Galatians warning about those that were troubling them over the GOSPEL. He called it

  • a different gospel
  • a perversion
  • an other gospel

He said that there is not another GOSPEL, and that the GOSPEL they heard originally was not from men, nor did it come from men. He said, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Gal 1:8,9).

Very strong words with critical consequences. So critical that he says it twice!

Rather than list all the ways the Gospel can by perverted, let’s see what is the GOSPEL.

It stands to reason that since Paul warned of a perverted GOSPEL, that it can be known what is the pure GOSPEL.

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

The GOSPEL literally means, “GOOD NEWS.” This Greek word for the GOSPEL is from the root word for evangelist. But it’s not enough to just be GOOD NEWS. The GOSPEL is GOOD NEWS from GOD. More than that, the GOSPEL is the GOOD NEWS about the GRACE of GOD. “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)

As one looks up every one of the 98 verses where the word is used, they would find that the GOSPEL is something to be OBEYED. If it is to be OBEYED, then there is something we must do. “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1Peter 4:17; cf. 2Thess 1:8).

As we look for those things we must do, we learn that a person must do these five things in order…

So, the GOSPEL is the Good News of the Grace of God, and is to be Obeyed, but for what reason? A search of the scriptures shows that the GOSPEL is for the SALVATION of mankind. “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” (1Cor 15:1-2; cf. 2Tim 1:10; Eph 1:13)

Continuing our research of the scriptures, two more ideas about the GOSPEL come to our attention. The GOSPEL is the “power of God unto salvation;” (Rom. 1:16), and that it is the Good News to be PREACHED by people by people. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) We have no other thing by which we shall reach people. We are limited to the Power of God through Preaching the Gospel.

Another important thing related to the GOSPEL of the GRACE of GOD, is that it is to be preached to EVERY CREATURE (Mark 16:15; cf Mark 13:10; 14:9). The GOOD NEWS of the GRACE of GOD regarding the SALVATION of man is not to be withheld from any person. To do so would be showing partiality and judging unrighteous judgment (cf. Matt 7:1-2).

The last thing one may notice in their study about the GOSPEL is that it is to be preached out of LOVE (Phil 1:15-17), and it is to be LIVED out for the remainder of our lives. “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:” (Phil 1:27)

The GOSPEL is the Good News of the Grace of God, it is to be Obeyed so that we may be Saved, this Power message is to be Preached to Every creature out of Love, and it is be Lived out daily in the life of the those that have received its power.

— spencer

Spencer is an evangelist in Borger Texas. He has labored with the Franklin & Juniper St church of Christ for the last 8 years.

Fourth of seven Musts of Salvation; CONFESS

The Preacher Leave a comment

“…because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” [Rom 10:9]

This oft quoted verse from the ‘faith only’ error crowd doesn’t teach faith only. Notice that a person must do something to be saved, ‘confess with thy mouth.’

This is just one of a few things that man MUST do to be saved. The scriptures teach that man must participate in salvation. Grace is what God does for man; faithful obedience is what man does in response.

By citing this verse, they must admit that man has a duty toward God in responding to His Grace.

Confession is the fourth duty of man in obeying the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

#4, we must CONFESS: All quotations are from the ASV

Let’s see the lesson about what to CONFESS and why.

First, let it be known that the confession, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” is the solid rock upon which Jesus has built His CHURCH. [Mat 16:16-19]. Neither Jesus, nor Peter are the rock, that would remove them from their places in the picture. It’s the confession that JESUS is THE CHRIST, THE SON of the LIVING GOD.

Next, we will note from these passages, is that confessing Jesus is done OPENLY before men. Not kept in secret, not hidden in your heart. It must be spoken & lived out daily. [Mat 10:32-33; 2Ti 2:12]

Related to this, one must NOT be ashamed. “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.” [Luke 9:26; cr. Rom 1:16. 1Cor 1:18]

This statement was first revealed to us by our FATHER in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus and at His transfiguration [Mat 3:16-17, 17:5.]. Jesus repeated this statement of truth at His mock trial, the pivotal evidence that would sign His death sentence [Mat 26:63-64]. The Holy Spirit revealed this truth to all mankind by teaching it to the Apostles, and written in the New Testament scriptures so that all may know and believe. [John 20:30-31] The truth was preached by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit [Acts 2:36; 8:35-37; 18:28].

One day EVERYONE will. Better to do it now. “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God” [Rom 14:11].

The foundation of our confession and our belief is this STATEMENT, ‘Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.’ We don’t confess Him as just a good teacher, or a prophet. No, Jesus is the Christ (lamb of God) the Son of the Living God (making Him equal to God). [John 1:29; 5:18]

Finally, as is clearly stated, SALVATION requires it. “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:” [Rom 10:9]

Spencer