THE GOSPEL OF GOD
I wrote a post some time ago called,
“GOSPEL—It Doesn't Mean What You Think!” Be sure to read it for a quick refresher on the word “gospel”.
One thing to remember before reading further is that this study is not exhaustive, or most people will not read it due to its length.
There are many gospels spoken and
written about throughout God’s word.
Often people think the word “gospel” refers to salvation only, or their
idea of salvation according to denominational or religious beliefs. It seems they believe that any gospel they trust in
produces salvation from hell and destination to Heaven (I’m speaking in the
general sense). This mindset is faulty and certainly not biblical and one can know this with just a little study.
However, our primary goal today is to briefly
discuss one particular gospel preached by two (I’d
argue) very different apostles who had two distinctly different missions. These two apostles proclaimed this particular gospel as part of
their greater, primary gospel message, which we will discuss in the future (I
won’t name it now—I’ll keep you in suspense).
The gospel we will discuss today
is the GOSPEL OF GOD. Both Apostles Peter and Paul proclaimed the
gospel of God—in fact, Peter proclaimed it first! Furthermore, the gospel of God was prophesied in
glimpses throughout the Old Testament by the Holy Men of God—it was not a new God-given revelation simply to both apostles during their lifetime.
Well, I bet you're wondering what the Gospel of God is? We shall find out!
GOSPEL OF GOD DEFINED
The English phrase “gospel
of God” appears seven times in your King James Bible (Romans 1:1, 15:16, 2
Corinthians 11:7, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 2:8, 2:9, and 1 Peter 4:17). You can study this in detail by yourself.
The two main characteristics that define the gospel of God are as follows:
1) That Jesus Christ was made of the seed of
David according to the flesh (in human form).
2) And that Jesus Christ was declared to be the Son of God with power,
according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
Someone might say, Brother Mike,
where did you get this at—where did you get this definition? I’m glad you asked. I certainly didn’t make it up!
In this dispensation of Grace in
which we live today, the apostle Paul writes in the letter to the Romans by the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit a very concise and clear definition. Let’s review:
Romans 1:1-4 KJV
1 Paul, a
servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he
(God) had promised afore (before) by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning
his (God’s) Son Jesus Christ our
Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with
power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Do you see how the Bible defines it clearly?
This passage, I believe, is the best
definition of the GOSPEL OF GOD demonstrated in all of scripture.
Let's break it down...
First of all, did you notice how
Paul stated that he was called by God to be an apostle—a sent one of God. Paul has a mission. He states that he is a slave of Jesus
Christ—a servant to do his will. And Paul’s
purpose (not his only purpose) was to preach the good news which was bestowed
upon him by God. And that good news is
the GOSPEL OF GOD. And the details of
the gospel of God were to make it known that (and I will enumerate them again for
clarity):1) Jesus Christ was made of the seed of David according to
the flesh (in human form).
2) Jesus Christ was declared to be the Son of God with
power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
Compare these two characteristics
with Romans 1:1-4 (noted above in red). Again, do you see how
clearly Paul defines the gospel of God? These
two characteristics sum up this particular gospel in its entirety; nothing
added, nothing subtracted--concise, plain, and simple!
GOSPEL OF GOD ENTRUSTED TO PAUL
Even though the Gospel of God wasn't some new revelation; even though it was spoken in times past by Holy Men of God; it was still committed to and carefully placed in the hands of the apostle Paul, in confidence, that he would be faithful in its proclamation.
Here is a passage
that describes Paul as being put IN TRUST BY GOD with the GOSPEL OF GOD as
noted in 1 Thessalonians. Paul wasn’t
just arbitrarily preaching things, God entrusted him to get this message out
there to specific people. And he did it
with confidence in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:2-4 KJV
2 But even
after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know,
at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with
much contention.
3 For our
exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4 But as we were allowed of God TO BE PUT IN TRUST
WITH THE GOSPEL, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which
trieth our hearts.
GOSPEL OF GOD FORETOLD
The Apostle Paul states in Romans 1
verse 2 that God foretold of His gospel via the prophets who wrote it down in
the Holy Scriptures. Here are a few
example passages from the Old Testament to demonstrate the gospel of God’s
foretelling:
Both in Jeremiah and Samuel, the
prophets foretell of Jesus, the offspring of the Jewish King David, after his
death, being raised up in David’s lineage as the Righteous Branch and King who
will establish the throne to rule over Israel in his literal, visible,
physical, earthly kingdom forever.
One of the two key elements
totaling the gospel of God is that Jesus
Christ was made of the seed of David manifest in the flesh, which these
verses expound.
Jeremiah 23:5-6 KJV
5 Behold,
the days come, saith the Lord, that I
will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and
justice in the earth.
6 In his
days Judah shall be saved, and
Israel
shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness (clearly
speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ, comparing scripture with scripture).
2 Samuel 7:8, 12,13 KJV
8 Now
therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of
hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote (home or dwelling place), from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
12 And when
thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee
(Lord Jesus Christ), which shall proceed out of thy bowels (seed of David), and I will establish
his kingdom.
13 He shall build an house for my name, and I
will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever (eternity).
The second key element that makes
up the gospel of God is foretold here in the book of Isaiah and Psalm. It declares that Jesus Christ is the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of
holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
Isaiah clearly prophesies God’s Son
born in human flesh. And Jesus Christ,
the Son of God, who is the Wonderful…the Counselor…, the mighty God…the
everlasting Father…the Price of Peace…seals the fact of His power by His titles—He
is God! Isaiah demonstrates both characteristics of Romans 1:1-4 clearly, whereas the other noted passages focus on either characteristics one or two only.
Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV
6 For unto
us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall
be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order
it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for
ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Psalm 16:10 KJV
10 For thou
(God) wilt not leave my (Jesus Christ) soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One (Jesus
Christ) to see corruption (bodily decay and
destruction).
This Psalm is clear that God will
raise Jesus Christ up from the dead which also speaks to the second key element
in the gospel of God.
Do you see how in times past the Old Testament
prophets foretold of the gospel of God according to Paul’s definition by
inspiration of the Holy Spirit as written in Romans 1:1-4?
NO CALLING TO ACTION
No calling to action or demand to do something? What does that mean?
The gospel of God has no command for
any believer to act upon anything or do anything concerning the Gospel of God by itself. It is simply, as stated above, important specifics of who Jesus Christ is. One cannot be saved solely by trusting in it alone, but it is clearly important information that God wanted to be made known. And this reason will become clearer in future posts.
One must have FAITH in an
additional gospel to the GOSPEL OF GOD, such as the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM or
the GOSPEL OF CHRIST, depending upon the dispensation the individual physically
resides in, to be saved.
In other words, it's GOSPEL OF GOD + (G.O.K. or G.O.C.) = SALVATION.
The SALVATION in this case refers to two particular gospels preached by Peter and by Paul. I know it may sound a little confusing so far and sorry to leave you hanging. But stay tuned! We shall talk more about
this later.
Please email me and let me know
your thoughts. Also, please sign on to be a follower and be notified when I post more.
Thank you for reading.
Be blessed,
Brother Michael
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