THE GOSPEL

 THE GOSPEL 

By Edwin Jardinel (10-11-21)

THE GOSPEL   -- The gospel means good news.  The good news is that there is the hope of salvation because Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day.  Anyone who believes in Jesus receives eternal life. 

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 15:3-4)

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(John 3:16)

GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST -  The gospel of Jesus Christ emphasizes that that gospel belongs to Jesus Christ and that it is about Jesus Christ.  It is the same gospel that is mentioned in Mark 1: 1 when John the Baptist started to preach.  He pointed them to Christ (John 1: 29) as the lamb of God.  John the Baptist preached repentance and faith ( Matthew 3; John 3: 36).  Jesus preached on repentance and faith (Mark 1:15).  Paul mentioned the gospel of Jesus Christ and preached also on repentance and faith as requisite to salvation (Acts 20:21; 2 Cor. 7:10; Romans 2:4).  Whenever you read Paul just mentioned faith, it does not mean without conviction of the Spirit and repentance.  Repentance is implied for one would not believe and trust the Savior unless he is convicted, guilty, condemned, and helpless to save himself.  (John 21:32). The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a different gospel but the same gospel called "The gospel" or "The gospel of the kingdom".  (Matthew 4: 23).  

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

(Mark 1:1)

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

(2 Thessalonians 1:8)

GOSPEL OF CHRIST - This is the same gospel and explanation as to the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" shown above.   The Mid-Acts Dispensationalists would try to reason out that the gospel of the kingdom is associated with signs as they explain Mark 16: 15-18 that is why, they say,  it is a different gospel and was done away when signs were done away.  However, that reasoning is not valid because Paul preached the gospel of Christ with signs also. (Romans 15: 19).  The truth is that signs and wonders were done away when the Bible was completed (1 Cor. 10:8-10, James 1:25), but the gospel of the  kingdom is the same gospel as the gospel of Jesus Christ and that gospel remains to be the same gospel with different emphasis. 

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)

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

(Romans 15:19)

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

(2 Corinthians 4:4)

Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

(2 Corinthians 9:13)

And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

(1 Thessalonians 3:2)

THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM -  This emphasizes that the gospel belongs to the Kingdom and speaks about the Kingdom.  Jesus is mentioned preaching the gospel of the kingdom. (Matthew 4: 23; Mark 1:14-15).  Mark 1: 1 speaks of the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  (Matthew 9: 35).  The gospel of the kingdom is to be preached in all for a witness to all nations then shall the end come (Matthew 24: 14).  This is the same gospel to be preached to every creature and was ordered by the Lord to His church in the great commission to be taught to all nations ( Mark 16: 15; Matthew 28:18-20).  Therefore this is the same gospel called the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" which is to be preached to all the world.  

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

(Matthew 4:23)

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

(Matthew 9:35)

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

(Mark 1:14-15)

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

(Matthew 24:14)

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

(Mark 16:15)

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

(Matthew 28:18-20)

The Mid-Acts Dispensationalists say that the gospel that Christ and the 12 apostles preached was kingdom gospel and intended only for Israel, not to all men.   Thus they do not have a commission from Christ to preach to all nations, baptize and teach. (Matthew 28:18-20).  They say, they preach the gospel out of their own will and not according to the command of Christ.  The truth is that the gospel of the kingdom though it emphasized the kingdom yet it is the same gospel of Jesus Christ which is referred to as the gospel.  

THE GOSPEL OF 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)

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

(Galatians 1:6)

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

(Galatians 1:7)

This is the same gospel as the gospel of Christ as you can see in Galatians 1: 6-7.  It emphasizes that the gospel is of the grace of God.  Salvation is by grace through faith in all ages (Ephesians 2: 8-9; John 3: 36; Romans 4:1-7.  

THE GOSPEL PREACHED UNTO ABRAHAM 

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

(Galatians 3:8)

The Mid-Acts Dispensationalists believe that the gospel preached to Abraham is a different gospel and that salvation in the Old Testament is by faith plus works.  However, it is clear that Abraham was saved by faith and not by works.  

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

(Romans 4:1-5)

Salvation in the Old Testament is by grace through faith and not by works.  

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

(Romans 4:6-7)

The Old Testament people were not saved by animal sacrifices. 

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

(Hebrews 10:1-4)

The basis of salvation for all men is the blood of Jesus.  Christ died for all the sins of all men.  

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

(Hebrews 9:22)

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

(Hebrews 10:10)

The Old Testament people were looking forward to the Cross while the New Testament people were looking backward to what had happened already.  

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

(Isaiah 53:4-5)

Although they may not fully comprehend it but they just have to believe in God's provision of the promised Messiah.  

THE GOSPEL OF THE CIRCUMCISION AND THE GOSPEL OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION

But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

(Galatians 2:7)

They are the same gospel but the Apostles, Peter and Paul, had different mission focus or fields of labor.  Peter's mission focus is with the Jews while Paul's is with the Gentiles.  However, it does not mean that Peter never preached to Gentiles.  He preached and ministered to the Gentiles in Acts 10:43-47, and Paul preached also to the Jews. (Acts 20:21).  

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

(Acts 10:43-47)

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Acts 20:21)

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

(Acts 20:25)

And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

(Acts 18:5)

NO OTHER GOSPEL 

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 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 than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

(Galatians 1:6-8)

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

(Hebrews 4:2)