Importance Of The Gospel
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IMPORTANCE OF THE GOSPEL
(The Gospel: Fundemantal Of Christian Faith)
SECTION 1: PAUL TELLS US THE IMPORTANCE OF HIS GOSPEL
1. Paul Says He Is To Testify The Gospel Of The Grace Of God
Acts 20:24 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.
2. Paul Call's It "My Gospel" (He Said It 3 Times)
2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
3. Paul Tells Us The Truth Is The Gospel
a. The Knowledge Of The Truth Is The Gospel
Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
b. The Word Of Truth Is The Gospel
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
c. A Person Is Saved By Acknowledging & Believing The Truth
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
4. Paul Tells Us The Gospel Has To Do With Our Salvation
a. The Gospel In The Power Of God Unto Salvation To Everyone That Believeth
Romans 1:16 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.
b. We Are Sealed By The Holy Spirit After We Hear, Trust And Believe The Gospel
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
c. We Become Part Of The Body Of Christ By The Gospel
Ephesians 3:1-7 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
d. We Get The Image Of God By The Gospel
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 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.
e. We Get Begotten (Born Again) By The Gospel
1 Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
f. We Will Be Judged By God According To His Gospel
Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
SECTION 2: PAUL WARNS US ABOUT OTHER GOSPELS
1. Paul's Gospel Is Separated From Water Baptism
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
2. Paul Warns Us Don't Be Fooled By Another Gospel
2 Corinthians 11:4, 13-14 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
3. Paul Tells Us There Are Other Gospels Which Are Perverting
Galatians 1:6-7 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
4. If We Preach Any Other Gospel We Will Be Cursed
Galatians 1:8-9 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.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
SECTION 3: PAUL’S GOSPEL WAS A MYSTERY KEPT SECRET UNTIL HIM
1. Paul Tells Us His Gospel Was A Mystery Kept Secret Until Him
Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
2. Paul Tells Us He Is To Make Known The Mystery Gospel
Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
3. Paul Tells Us God Dispenses Something That Was Not Reveal As Clearly To Others But Now Revealed To Him
Colossians 1:25-27 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
4. Peter Tells Us As Far As Christian Doctrine Is Concern, He Could Only Give Out A Little Of What He Knows But The Clearness Of It Was Given By Paul
2 Peter 3:15-16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
* Paul was given something that the other apostles were not given and that was the clearness of Christian spiritual doctrine
SECTION 4: SOURCE OF PAUL’S MYSTERY GOSPEL AND HIS DOCTRINES
1. Paul Tells Us He Received His Gospel By Revelation Of God
Galatians 1:11-12 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2. Paul Tells Us He Was Chosen By God Even When He Was In His Mother's Womb
Galatians 1:15-16 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
3. Paul Tells Us The Gospel Is Commited To His Trust
1 Timothy 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
SECTION 5: WHAT IS PAUL’S GOSPEL? (WHAT DID HE PREACH?)
1. What Is The Gospel?: The Gospel Is About The Death, Buriel And Resurrection Of Christ (His Blood Atonement For Our Sins)
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
a. There Are 5 Points In The Gospel
(i) How Christ Died
(ii) For Our Sins
(iii) Was Buried
(iv) Rose Again
(v) According To The Scriptures
* The gospel is Jesus’s death, buriel and resurrection (Its about the blood atonement of Christ for our sins that saves us)
* The gospel is the pillar of the Christian faith and the way of salvation and eternal life.
* The gospel is WHAT JESUS CHRIST DID FOR HUMANKIND TO SOLVE THEIR SIN PROBLEM SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE ETERNAL LIFE TO BE WITH GOD IN HEAVEN
* The keyword is "HOW CHRIST DIED"
* Jesus died in a bloody manner on a bloody cross and He shed His blood so that His blood is able to wash away all our sins. He became the blood sacrifice for our sins
* Our gospel is all about "WHAT GOD DID FOR US"
* Our gospel is "THE DID GOSPEL"
* A person is only saved by BELIEVING in the finished work of Jesus Christ, when He shed His Precious Blood for our sins.
* The apostate gospel is "THE DO GOSPEL" : One needs to do something to get saved
* If we don't preach the blood, have we even preached the gospel?
* If we don’t hear the blood, have we even heard the gospel?
2. To Be Saved, The Bible Teaches That Salvation Is By Faith Without Works
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
3. Faith In What? Faith In God’s Blood (Jesus’s Blood)
Romans 3:25-28 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
* Propitiation means the act of appeasing wrath
* Noticed the verse: “faith in his blood”: the object of faith is God’s blood (Jesus’ blood)
* Salvation is by faith in the blood atonement of Jesus Christ.
* To be justified, or saved, a person's faith must be wholly in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. This declares God the Just one. When a sinner is saved, he cannot boast about himself or his works. He'll only brag upon Jesus who saved him from his sins!
* Sadly, in our modern age of apostasy, there are very few who claim to be Christians that ever preach about the blood of Jesus, and the need to trust in it for salvation. But the simple Bible truth is, ONE CANNOT EVEN BE A CHRISTIAN UNLESS ONE IS TRUSTING ONLY IN THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST!
Note:
* The wrath of God abides on sinners, those who aren't saved
* Hell is the wrath of God. Hell is a place where God pours out His wrath on a sinner for all eternity. That's why we need to be saved, because God is angry with sinners and God hates sin. We have to come to Him, Jesus who paid for our sins
* Jesus Christ suffered the wrath of God for the sins of the whole world. God the Father poured out his wrath on Jesus Christ when He took upon Himself the sins of the whole world. Jesus Christ died in our place for our sins.
* Our sins are paid for. Why do we need to still go to hell and pay for it? All that needs to take place is trust the blood, then that forgiveness is ours through the atonement of Christ. So we don't have to go to hell. We have eternal redemption through the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ
SECTION 6: PAUL’S FIRST MISIONARY CAUSED AN UPROAR WITHIN THE JEWS COMMUNITY
1. Paul Preached About Receiving Justification, Forgiveness Of Sins Just By Believing
Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
2. Jews Felt Paul Was Contradicting And Blasphemy
Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
3. Why Do They Feel Its Contradicting And Blasphemy? Because For Thousands Of Years, They Have Always Practiced Doing Righteous Works For Salvation And Now Paul Comes Along And Tells Them Its Not By Works.
* The Jews have been taught by God in the Old Testament to live by the law, to observe sabbath, dietary laws, circumcission, animal sacrifices for forgiveness of sins, gain salvation by man’s own righteousness
4. Example Of Verses To Show Their Salvation Requires Them To Do Righteous Works
a. The Soul Of The People During The Old Testmant Were Determined By The Works Of Their Flesh
(i) Wicked People: Wicked People Who Turned From Their Wickedness And Does The Law, Their Soul Will Shall Be Saved
Ezekiel 18:27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
(ii) Righteous People: Righteous People Who Turned From Their Righteousness, They Will Die In Their Sin
Ezekiel 18:26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
b. People Who Walk In God’s Commandments Is Considered To Be Righteous & Blameless
Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
* Before Jesus died, God considered people who does this as righteous and blameless.
* God was judging them at the best of their ability that time
c. They Have To Deliver The Salvation Of Their Own Soul By Their Own Righteousness
Ezekiel 14:14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.
* they have to do it by their own effort
* We christians are different. We are saved by Christ's righteousness not our own righteousness
d. Gain One’s Own Righteousness If Observe The Commandments
Deuteronomy 6:24-25 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.
25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us
* Noticed verse 25: “our righteousness”. Its man’s own righteousness
* Christians are different. We receive the righteousness of God because we have a spiritual nature that is alive. So, the Holy Spirit can come inside us and give us God’s righteousness
e. If One Quits Living Righteously, One Is Going To Die In Their Sins And Their Soul Will Die
Ezekiel 18:21-24 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
* These are the scariest verse in the bible
* What does death mean here? It means dying in their sin, its eternally gone
* How can someone say that under the law of Moses, they don’t have to do works for their salvation? No. God said right here that if one quits living righteously, one will die in their sins and one’s soul will die
f. If Jews Don’t Circumcise, Their Salvation Will Be Lost
Genesis 17:9-14 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
* Noticed verse 14: the soul shall be cut off
* Do take note that Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised (Gen 17:24)
* This event where God asked them to practice circumcission happened many years later after God counted Abraham as having righteousness
g. Blood Atonement By Animal Sacrifices Were Required For Forgiveness Of Sins
Hebrews 9:19-22 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
* they could not receive for remission (forgiveness of sins) unless they do blood atonement sacrifices
* Other verses about forgiveness of sins by physical animal blood sacrifices (blood atonement): Leviticus chapter 4,5,6,7,16
Note:
* And these are just some examples showing their salvation is by faith accompanied with many many works and it is very different from christians because our salvation is not by works but just by faith believing in the finish work of our Lord Jesus Christ which is the death, buriel and resurrection of Jesus Christ (its His blood atonement) that saves us which is the gospel of our salvation.
SECTION 6: PAUL REVEALED HIS MYSTERY GOSPEL AND HIS DOCTRINES TO THE OTHER APOSTLES
1. Paul Tells Us He Went To Tell The Apostles About The Gospel Revealed To Him From God
Galatians 2:1-2 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
SECTION 7: HIGH COUNCIL MEETING IN JERUSALEM: APOSTLES CHANGED THEIR DOCTRINE TO GO INLINE WITH PAUL'S GOSPEL AND DOCTRINES
1. Paul, Apostles And Elders Came Together Because Some People Teach To Do Works For Salvation
Acts 15:1-6 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
2. Peter Said Salvation Not By Works, Saved The Same As The Gentiles
Acts 15:7-11 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
3. Wrote Letters Informing Their Decision. See Who Are The Witnesses
Acts 15:22-28 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
SECTION 8: DIFFERENT DEALING METHOD OF SAVED JEWS VS SAVED GENTILES HAPPENED IN THE EARLIER CHURCH
1. Saved Jews Were Still Observing Jewish Physical Things
Acts 21:18-24 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to
circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
* They were many Jews saved by the apostles yet they still obeserve sacrifices, the law and circumcission but notice they kept the non Jews separated from those Jewish physical things - see the next verse (verse 25)
2. Saved Gentiles Were Kept Separated From Doing And Observing Jewish Physical Things
Acts 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
* Gentiles which believe = saved gentiles
* we can see that for the saved Jews, there will be still some observing of some Jewish physical things that they need to do
* Non Jews (gentiles) are dealt differently. They don't have to observe those Jewish physical things
SECTION 9: DIFFERENCE OF MINISTRY BETWEEN PAUL AND THE MINISTRY OF OTHER APOSTLES
1. Other Apostles Ministry Is Toward The Jews & Paul's Ministry Toward The Gentiles
Galatians 2:8-9 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
* Paul towards the heathen (gentiles), Apostles towards circumcission (Jews)
2. God Told Paul To Minister According To The Order: Gentiles First And Last The Children Of Israel
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
3. Paul Tells Us He Is The Apostle To The Gentiles
Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
4. Paul Tells Us About The Mystery Gospel: He Is The Preacher, Apostle And Teacher Of The Gentiles
2 Timothy 1:8-11 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
5. Paul Ask Us To Follow Him Because He Is Follower Of Christ
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.