Rom 1:15-16
15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are
at Rome also.
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.
(KJV)
In the Old Testament, the Jews had the 10 commandments but did not have the
Holy Spirit’s enabling grace. The people then were expected to make correct
choices. They would reap blessings by following God’s commands and they would be
cursed by disobeying God’s commands. When people sinned, they were expected to
make animal sacrifices as atonement.
In the New Testament, God made a way for us to have peace with God through
receiving Jesus Christ. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is
available for each believer to live right. There is grace for salvation,
forgiveness of sins and also power to stay away from sin.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in
you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal
bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (KJV)
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
(KJV)
The term ‘gospel’, which means good message, refers to salvation through our
Lord Jesus Christ. It can also include in the larger sense, the complete or full
teaching of the Bible. That the gospel includes more than the initial new birth
in Jesus Christ is evident through study of passages mentioning the ‘gospel’.
Rom 15:19 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.
(KJV)
Rom 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the
fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. (KJV)
Rom 16:25 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, (KJV)
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with
power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the
devil; for God was with him. (KJV)
The New Testament also includes warnings to stay away from false gospels. The
same way a person becomes a Christian can be used to identify false gospels.
While there are aspects of Christian life where each person must judge
themselves according to God’s Word, there are clear truths that are essential
for salvation and Christian living.
Salvation Truths:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (KJV)
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)
Rom 10:9-10
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe
in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
(KJV)
The Gospel – the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Cor 15:1-4
1 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:
(KJV)
Recognizing False Gospels:
Gal 1:6-9
6 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.
8 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.
(KJV)
I Jn 4:1-3
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of
God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh
is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that
it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
(KJV)
The Exclusivity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)
