{"id":955,"date":"2016-09-15T18:20:07","date_gmt":"2016-09-15T07:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/?p=955"},"modified":"2016-09-15T19:38:46","modified_gmt":"2016-09-15T08:38:46","slug":"the-gospel-what-is-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/2016\/09\/the-gospel-what-is-it\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gospel: What is it?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Gospel<\/em>!<\/span> Only two words. These are words known by most men, whether from within or without the Church. These are words used by most Christians on a regular basis. Those attending worship will hear them often. Yet, \u201cWhat is the Gospel<\/em>?<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n

This topic needs to be urgently addressed for whilst the term \u201cThe Gospel<\/em><\/span>\u201d is an ever present term, it is also a regularly undefined term<\/em>. Some say that The Gospel<\/em> <\/span>is \u201cgood news\u201d. What is it, then, that makes The Gospel<\/em> <\/span>good news? When asked about the nature of The Gospel<\/em> we will be told that it is salvation. Asked where we will find The Gospel<\/em><\/span>, most will reply, \u201cIn the New Testament?\u201d Asked as to the ownership of The Gospel<\/em><\/span>, we will be told that it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Macquarie Dictionary, as an example, defines gospel as: \u201c(often capital<\/em>) the body of doctrine taught by Christ and the apostles; Christian revelation.\u201d<\/p>\n

How right are these answers? What do you think? Does any more need to be said or are these definitions adequate?<\/p>\n

Our concern at this point has to do with the limited nature of these definitions and the fact that these popular definitions fall in line with the modern truncated view of Scripture and therefore of God\u2019s work<\/em><\/span>. For example, I recently had a conversation with a young man. In the context of being offered advice, he told me that the opinions of all were held up to the light of \u201cThe Gospel<\/em><\/span>.\u201d Admittedly, I should be ecstatic, should I not? Is this not an excellent answer? Well, the answer to that question depends on the answer to this question, \u201cWhat did he mean by Gospel?<\/strong><\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n

I fear, for good reason, that his answer was akin to those above. What was meant by The Gospel<\/em><\/span> was a particularly narrow, non historical, New Testamenty, Johnny-come-lately concept that highlights grace and peace and which makes no demands on sinner or saint. It is a concept the divides Scripture, brings a sharp focus to Jesus, His words and life, which thereby discounts or diminishes other writers, and generally excuses sin because grace has arrived.<\/p>\n

Okay. Grab a nice coffee. Sit yourself back down. Wait for the tremors to cease. Dry your eyes. When you are composed, we will continue.<\/p>\n

The summary definition of The Gospel<\/em><\/span> given may not be completely accurate in all cases. Nonetheless, elements of it, to a greater or lesser extent, will be found in the ordinary definition of most Christians \u2013 especially those under the age of thirty. Importantly, it must be apprehended that the summary definition or those answers given earlier are not<\/strong><\/span> The Gospel<\/em><\/span>. If you believe these statements to be The Gospel<\/em><\/span>, then you are in error. Remember, not everything called \u201cGospel\u201d is The Gospel<\/em><\/span>: \u201ceven though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary<\/em> to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed<\/span>.\u201d[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

In contradistinction to these modern concepts, The Gospel<\/em><\/span>, Biblically defined, must be seen as the totality of God\u2019s revelation and promise as it comes to fulfilment in the Messiah, Jesus Christ<\/strong><\/span>. In this sense, The Gospel<\/em><\/span> is Old and New Testament \u2013 the whole of Scripture; it is salvation and wrath; it is grace and law; it is vindication and condemnation; it is of Jesus Christ in fulfilment, of God in inception, of\u00a0 prophet in promise, of the Apostles in proclamation, of the Holy Spirit in power; it is given in time and it is eternal; it speaks of a King and of a Servant; it is Majesty and it is humility; it is Command and it is Promise; it is a free gift yet it requires payment; it is of the earth and it is heavenly; it is ultimate freedom and it is obligation; it is good news to those who believe and truth tragically realised to those who disbelieve; it is extreme joy and it is the gnashing of teeth; it is life and it is death.<\/p>\n

Alright! Do we need another coffee break?<\/p>\n

These truths may be hard to bear, but bear them we must. When this definition is given, it will be at once obvious that it stands in contradistinction to those outlined above. Of all the definitions above, the Macquarie dictionary comes the closest to the truth because it at least acknowledges a \u201cbody of doctrine\u201d and speaks of \u201cChristian revelation\u201d.<\/p>\n

If you have believed the truncated view of The Gospel<\/em><\/span>, for whatever reason, it is time to put that in the past. Now is the time to move forward into greater light and understanding that we may become better and more faithful servants of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

As always, you are not to believe the opinion of man, so let us look to the Scriptures to show that the definition given is that which the Bible teaches.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Whose Gospel:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Given the modern, truncated view of The Gospel<\/em><\/span>, we often hear that The Gospel<\/em><\/span> is \u2018the gospel of Jesus Christ\u2019. This is true enough; however, we must ask why it is defined as the Gospel of Christ<\/em><\/span>. The answer is that Jesus Christ forms the centrepiece and fulfilment of God\u2019s promise. Thus, when The Gospel<\/em><\/span> is defined as belonging to Jesus Christ, the defining aspect of The Gospel<\/em><\/span>, in this instance, is to be found in Jesus Christ as the focus and fulfilment of God\u2019s promise.<\/p>\n

    However, we must grasp that this is but one aspect of The Gospel\u2019s<\/em><\/span> nature. It is vitally important for our understanding that we perceive the nature of The Gospel<\/span> <\/em>as variously ascribed to different persons and states. Thus, it is imperative that when we see The Gospel<\/em><\/span> ascribed to Jesus that we do not forget that this is but one aspect, one vantage point, if you will, and begin to think that Jesus came to give us something new, different, or contrary to God\u2019s revelation and promise. No, The Gospel<\/em><\/span> is multifaceted and it depends on what is in view as to the correct appellation used.<\/p>\n

    The truth of this point is born out for us by the fact that The Gospel<\/span><\/em> is attributed to various persons, institutions, and states. It is the Gospel of the Kingdom<\/em><\/span>.[2]<\/a> It is the Gospel of salvation<\/em><\/span>.[3]<\/a> It is the Gospel of peace<\/em><\/span>.[4]<\/a> It is the Gospel of God<\/em><\/span>.[5]<\/a> It is the Gospel of His Son<\/em><\/span>.[6]<\/a> It is the Gospel of the Grace of God<\/em><\/span>.[7]<\/a> So much so is this the case that Paul can legitimately refer to The Gospel<\/em> <\/span>as \u201cmy Gospel\u201d.[8]<\/a> Paul proclaimed what he had been given\u2014so indentifying with the promises, the fulfilment, and his commissioning, that he could, without compromise, speak of The Gospel as his Gospel<\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n

    The Gospel<\/em> <\/span>belongs to any who own it, Christ Jesus, God, Paul, and yes, you!<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. The Beginning of the Gospel:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      This is one of the most important aspects of this discussion. We have inferred that many of the moderns see The Gospel<\/em><\/span> as something new that arrived with Jesus. Thus, we previously referred to the \u201cNew Testementy\u201d aspects adored by the moderns. In this view, Jesus comes with The Gospel<\/em><\/span>, not as its goal and fulfilment, but, in essence, to introduce new doctrines and the like. Yet, this is false. The truth is that The Gospel<\/em><\/span> predates Jesus by millennia. The truth is that The Gospel<\/span><\/em>, as with Jesus Himself, was promised to us by God.<\/p>\n

      Paul says that his Gospel is the Gospel of God<\/span>, which \u201cHe promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures.<\/span>\u201d[9]<\/a> If, then, The Gospel<\/em><\/span> was promised in the Scriptures by the prophets, it makes perfect sense that The Gospel<\/em><\/span>, even if in embryonic form, predated Jesus and His incarnation. Thus, it is not new.<\/p>\n

      Equally, if The Gospel<\/em><\/span> is promised by the prophets, its shape and content must have already been known to some extent. In fact, is this not exactly why and how we know that Jesus is the Messiah? Is it not true that Jesus could identify Himself as the Messiah because He could show exactly how the promises were realised in His person and work<\/span>? Thus, the content, aim, and purpose of The Gospel<\/em><\/span> are not new.<\/p>\n

      Then we have to consider the words of Paul when he states that, \u201c\u2026 the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham<\/strong>, saying<\/em>, \u201cAll the nations shall be blessed in you.<\/span>\u201d[10]<\/a> Hmmm! Very difficult to see The Gospel<\/em><\/span> as \u201cnew\u201d and bringing \u201cnew content\u201d when The Gospel<\/span><\/em> was both preached to Abraham and defined by promise for Abraham.[11]<\/a><\/p>\n

      Thus, we must correctly conceive of the complete Scriptures giving to us a complete Gospel in type and antitype or in promise and fulfilment. Nothing more. Nothing less.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Is the Gospel \u201cgood news\u201d only:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        This is one of those questions that nobody likes to answer because the answer requires stating truths that Man does not like to hear. Even Christians who say that they believe the Bible are reluctant to take Scripture on face value when it comes to answering this question. However, Scripture is our only foundation and there we must stand<\/span>.<\/p>\n

        The Gospel<\/em><\/span>, etymologically speaking, can be and is translated as \u201cgood news\u201d. Hence, to speak of The Gospel<\/em><\/span> as good news is not wrong, but it is one-sided. It is one-sided because there are two types of people on this earth and there are two destinies. For those who are saved The Gospel<\/em><\/span> is most definitely good news. Indeed, it is most excellent news. It is the news that God saves hopeless sinners. It is the good news that God pays the debt we owed. It is the good news that Jesus the Just died for the unjust. It is, for God\u2019s people, wonderful news. For the rest, however, the news can only be considered \u2018good\u2019 from the perspective that God\u2019s justice will be holy, perfect, and delivered as per His promise<\/span>.<\/p>\n

        For many, the fact that God judges sin and sinners is not viewed as part of The Gospel<\/em><\/span>. Indeed, for many moderns, God\u2019s wrath and judgement are considered to be contrary to<\/span> The Gospel<\/em><\/span>. Hence, these aspects are dropped from preaching and worship services the world over. After all, do we not hear, constantly, the false refrain that \u2018God loves the sinner but hates the sin\u2019? Yet, the truth of the matter is that God never divorces sin from sinner. The sinning one will perish; the sinning one will be judged; the sinning one must pay the penalty for their sin. Hell will be full of unrepentant sinners paying for their sins.<\/p>\n

        Unpalatable as this may be to some, the simple and basic reality is that this judgement of sinners is as much a part of The Gospel<\/em><\/span> as is the wonder of salvation. Indeed, it is a Biblical fact that salvation is always accompanied by judgement.[12]<\/a><\/p>\n

        Consider these Scriptures:<\/p>\n

        \u201cFrom the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God\u2019s <\/em>choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.<\/span>\u201d[13]<\/a><\/p>\n

        \u201cAnd even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.<\/span>\u201d[14]<\/a><\/p>\n

        \u201c\u2026on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.<\/span>\u201d[15]<\/a><\/p>\n

        Each text informs us that The Gospel<\/em><\/span> holds a message of condemnation as much as it does a message of salvation. Men are blinded to the truth. Some were cut off so that others may be engrafted. The Gospel<\/em><\/span> contains the fact that God will judge men through Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

        The truly sad reality is that Scripture is deliberately skewed at this point because men do not like this aspect of The Gospel<\/em><\/span>. Tragically, we have become those who preach a different Gospel<\/u><\/span> because we refuse to preach and teach The Whole Gospel<\/em><\/span>. This fact is demonstrated most clearly by our refusal to abide by and proclaim the totality of God\u2019s revelation as it is found in Scripture. The best example would be that of John 3:16-17, which says, \u201cFor God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.<\/span>\u201d All good so far! However, the searching question is, \u201cWhy do we not readily quote verses eighteen through twenty?<\/span>\u201d These verse state: \u201cHe who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.\u00a0 For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Conclusion.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          The Gospel<\/em>!<\/span> Only two words. Nonetheless, the most important words the world has ever received. These words convey the truth and gamut of salvation history. These words contain the fullest expression of God\u2019s revelation. These words span the millennia of Scripture. These words contain a movement from embryo to adulthood; simplicity to complexity; promise to fulfilment. These words are code for the complete revelation of God in Jesus Christ His Son. This is The Gospel<\/em><\/span>. This is The only Gospel<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

          Brethren, why do we have a penchant for having a different gospel? Why does the Church Growth Movement insist on dropping doctrines from The Gospel<\/em><\/span>? Why do many of us feel more comfortable with this alternative gospel? Why do we rob The Gospel<\/em><\/span> of power and God of His glory by adopting this different gospel? Why do we insist on the cut-down, race version, which turns The Gospel<\/em><\/span> into a gospel<\/u><\/span>; a version devoid of power and the Holy Spirit? Why do we insist on the diet-lite version, rather than be satisfied with the full and complete meal of the Word that is satiating?<\/p>\n

          Brethren, if we would see God work in might and in power in these dark days then we must return to the true proclamation of the whole counsel of God, which alone is<\/span> The Gospel<\/em><\/span>. If we would see sinners saved, wickedness dispelled, Jesus Christ exalted, the Church united, the nations obey Jesus, righteousness as a standard, and so forth, then we must believe and proclaim<\/span> The Gospel<\/em>!<\/span><\/p>\n

          Footnotes:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

          [1]<\/a> Galatians 1:8. Emphasis added.<\/p>\n

          [2]<\/a> Matthew 4:23.<\/p>\n

          [3]<\/a> Ephesians 1:13.<\/p>\n

          [4]<\/a> Ephesians 6:15.<\/p>\n

          [5]<\/a> Romans 1:1.<\/p>\n

          [6]<\/a> Romans 1:9.<\/p>\n

          [7]<\/a> Acts 20:24.<\/p>\n

          [8]<\/a> 2 Timothy 2:8.<\/p>\n

          [9]<\/a> Romans 1:2.<\/p>\n

          [10]<\/a> Galatians 3:8.<\/p>\n

          [11]<\/a> We might also point out that Genesis 3:15 is also referred to as the protoevangelium or the \u2018first gospel\u2019. Whilst the term \u201cgospel\u201d does not occur in the text, theologians throughout history have traced back through the promises of God and arrived at this point \u2013 God\u2019s initial promise to save through judgement.<\/p>\n

          [12]<\/a> We see this fact in many places in Scripture. In footnote eleven, we spoke of the protoevangelium found in Genesis 3:15. There we find this juxtaposition. God declares war on Satan and his seed and declares that the seed of the woman will be attacked and bruised, but that this Seed will be the one Who deals the death blow. In essence, salvation (Jesus being bruised on the cross) is accompanied by Jesus ultimate destruction of Satan and his minions. See also 1Peter 4:17-18; Romans 9:27-30. Paul\u2019s words in Romans may seem difficult, but the essential point is that God judged Israel for sin leaving a remnant that was both life and hope. In the midst of just Judgement, Yahweh left a remnant by which Messiah would arrive and purchase for God with His blood \u201cmen from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

          [13]<\/a> Romans 11:28. Paul\u2019s argument is that Israel was partially hardened and judged in order that wild shoots may be grafted in to where the natural branches had been broken off. Judgement for Israel meant salvation for the gentiles.<\/p>\n

          [14]<\/a> 2 Corinthians 4:3.<\/p>\n

          [15]<\/a> Romans 2:16. This text is very understandable. Paul\u2019s Gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, contains the undeniable truth that God will judge men through Jesus Christ. Thus, judgement and wrath are a part of The Gospel<\/em>. See also Acts 10:42.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          The Gospel! Only two words. These are words known by most men, whether from within or without the Church. These are words used by most Christians on a regular basis. Those attending worship will hear them often. Yet, \u201cWhat is … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[21,47,10,48,6,52,3,60],"tags":[67,208,119,96,95,76,210,211,149,207,209],"class_list":["post-955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-australia","category-church","category-culture","category-doctrine","category-reform","category-scripture","category-theology","category-worship","tag-god","tag-gospel","tag-hell","tag-holy-spirit","tag-jesus","tag-jesus-christ","tag-judgement","tag-salvation","tag-scripture","tag-the-gospel","tag-wrath"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2V1tu-fp","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=955"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/955\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":959,"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/955\/revisions\/959"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}