The Gospel of Christ
The word ‘gospel’ means good news “glad tidings”. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent?” (Romans 10:14-15). As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”. It was first preached in promise and then as fact. The gospel has power to save all who believe and obey it. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
Lest another gospel be preached, the apostle Paul warned, “Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you…let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:7-9). But it might be reasoned, Surely a person would not dare preach another gospel? Well, many have and many continue to do so. There is the ‘gospel’ of faith only, the ‘gospel’ of many churches, the ‘gospel’ of worship as you please, the ‘gospel’ of grace only and the ‘gospel’ of prosperity and many other – but all of these are false gospels. There is only one true gospel: “And he said unto them, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16).
Later, Paul warned that the Lord would eventually come and take vengeance on all of those who do not obey the gospel. He said: “and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). But how can one obey the gospel? That is something we are going to find out.
First, let us consider the facts of the gospel. They are the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We read, “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. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures: and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Now everything else is based on these facts. This is the foundation of Christianity, and of hope. Naturally, those facts must be believed.
Secondly, there are commands of the gospel that must be obeyed. The Bible teaches that each one must hear the truth: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). One must believe it or have faith in it. We read further, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). After faith, one must repent of his sins, or turn away from them. Christ said: “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Again, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at: but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Then what? The confession that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is necessary. Christ himself said, “ Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven”. (Matthew 10:32,33).
At a later time, the eunuch said that he believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and straightway Philip baptized him (Acts 8:37,38). The last command to be obeyed is the act of baptism: Peter told the people on the day of Pentecost, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). And Christ said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that beliveth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). By obeying these commands, one obeys the gospel of Christ, is to the ‘church’ and can be saved (Acts 2:47). There is just one way to be saved, and that is the way Christ has ordained it in God’s word: “If ye love me, keep my commandments”. (John 14:15). “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was” (James 1:22-24).
Thirdly, through belief of the gospel we receive forgiveness of our past sins. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Peter also said: “’Repent ye therefore, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you’” (Acts 3:19). “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth”.
Truly, without obedience and faithfulness, man has nothing. So this is the gospel of Christ with facts to be believed, commands to be obeyed, and promises to be received. The Lord is gracious to those who love his will and who strive to obey it. He has invited all to come and obey him. It is now man’s responsibility to take advantage of what the Lord has to offer.
As servants of the Lord, let us all hold fast until the day of our Lord’s coming by preaching the true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we may receive a good reward on judgement day.
Photo: Shama Ecclesia, Ghana
Bro Joseph Oppong (Shama Junction, Ghana)
