He brought us out of darkness into the glorious light of the great gospel of Christ, for we are God’s handiwork and are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God in His grace has prepared for us to do in advance.
In the seventeenth chapter of his gospel, he records that great prayer of the Lord Jesus: Father, glorify Thou Me with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was (vs. 5).
When we pray for Revival let us be careful as to what we are after and as to what means we use to promote it, or carry it on.... The Apostle Paul makes it very clear that the secret of everything in his life and service was the fact that he received his gospel by revelation.
And then you notice how frequently He links with that a hall The hallsof the am'sin John Gospel are tremendously impressive not always using the exact word, but in the context you will find the same conclusion.
Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God. (2 Timothy 1:8 ESV)
Those to whom the Gospel was afore preached failed to enter in.
The Gospel was preached to them.
These are they to whom the Gospel was afore preached.
What is the Gospel?
That is the Gospel: and the Gospel of Christ as our Rest was preached to them in type, and they to whom the Gospel was afore preached failed to enter in.
God set forth another day, saying, Today if ye shall hear His voice, harden not your hearts.... The Gospel is preached to believers to enter into His Rest.
God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. § In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. § To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” § Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. § Our Savior Jesus Christ … has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. § [Jesus is] the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person. § The god of this age has blinded [their minds], who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.Make Your face shine upon Your servant; save me for Your mercies’ sake.
Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. § Abstain from every form of evil. § If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you … But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. § Become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. § Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.Bind [mercy and truth] around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. § Brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy– meditate on these things.
Our Savior Jesus Christ … has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. § I am the resurrection and the life. § Because I live, you will live also. § We have become partakers of Christ. § Partakers of the Holy Spirit. § Partakers of the divine nature. § “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. § Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
For when I am weak, then I am strong. § I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only. § The gospel of Christ . . .
I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! § If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. § If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard.Little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. § He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Our Savior Jesus Christ … has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. § He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken. § When this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting?
We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. § [God] has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. § Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
You, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel. § That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless. § Be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.The kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea.For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! … I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart § My word … shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please. § Neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
There is none righteous, no, not one… There is none who does good, no, not one. § There is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin. § How can he be pure who is born of a woman?Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me… Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.The Lord… has put away your sin; you shall not die. § Whom He justified, these He also glorified. § We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. § If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel.Walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
For if I preach the gospel … willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge. § They called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. … for let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another… Even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace … You ran well.
No one comes to the Father except through Me. § Our Savior Jesus Christ … has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.The way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. § He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation. § The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. § You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
There is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.
Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. § I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. § But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord.I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. § I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. § I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.Whom have I in heaven but You?
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Therefore the Lord has delivered him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word of the Lord. § If we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. § Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.
Who hindered you from obeying the truth?He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ … Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. § The tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” … And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.
Today sinful men, not angels, are entrusted with the preaching of the Gospel, and before they can be used of God must first of all have plumbed the depths of their own sinfulness, and have, therefore, discovered the heights and glories of God's longsuffering.
In a great many evangelical churches the Gospel of salvation is magnificently presented, seekers are led to Christ; but the totality of the Gospel, the Gospel in its ultimate category, is by no means so clearly presented, nor maybe even understood by teacher as well as pupil.
As to the Gospel and the work of the Lord Jesus, I do not find that it is adequately apprehended that the benefits conferred by the Father is far beyond the need of the sinner.
How little, indeed, do we enter into the fulness of the benefits of the Gospel!
Then, when the light of the Gospel is brought, there is no difficulty, no conflict.
It is, then, simply a case of stand still and see the salvation of God.' This should give us confidence in praying intelligently for those who are far from Gospel light.
the freedom which the Gospel brings may be used to take things easy, and, more or less, retain or gain in the world; but where this is the case, it is seldom a soul possesses any large measure of spiritual enjoyment, and it is never accompanied by solid peace.
The more conscientious, when faced with the failure of this scheme of things, become the victims of the condemnation of the accuser of the brethren'; and take their place among the great company of Christian men and women who are constantly beset with doubts and fears, and who, often in spite of intense activity in the cause of the Gospel, are living in the conscious bitterness of defeat. -J.C.M.
If ministers and teachers of God's Word would set saints free and establish them in the Gospel, let their preaching and teaching be based upon the sixth and seventh of Romans, the central theme of which is our union with the Lord Jesus in death and burial; and our resurrection and ascension with Him into newness of life; where not the law, but grace, reigneth; where not the letter but the Spirit, moveth the heart and life of the believer.
The strength of the vessel can be demonstrated only by the hurricane, and the power of the Gospel can be fully shown only when the believer is subjected to some fiery trial.
The Ten Commandments require no life of prayer, no Christian service, no evangelism, no missionary outreach, no Gospel preaching, no life and walk in the Spirit, no union with the Lord Jesus Christ, no fellowship of saints, no hope of salvation, and no hope of heaven. -L.S.C.
For our gospel came not unto you by word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance.1Thessalonians 1:5
Paul tells me that the gospel did not only come in word, but in much confidence, and he instructs us to, draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.
Astoundingly, John tells us in his gospel that God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
All these are vital principles of the Christian life and foundational gospel facts.
and we can rebel or we can submit. We can remain a babe in Christ – OR we can mature in the faith. We can get stuck feeding on the milk of the word – OR we can start to eat strong meat. We can grieve and quench the Spirit’s work in our lives – OR we can grow in grace. All these are vital principles of the Christian life – and all these truths are foundational gospel facts and Jesus is coming back very soon – are you ready?
Grace Thru Faith - STUDY
Foundational Facts
God has given us vital principles of the Christian life – foundational gospel facts.
that faith without love is really very ineffective. Thirdly, every promise in Revelation 2 and 3 brings you back to loving Jesus. Fourth, every crown we can gain has its roots in love. Fifth – there is nothing we can do of ourselves. All these are vital principles of the Christian life. All these truths are foundational Gospel facts.
Mixed with Faith
We read: for unto us (Christians) was the gospel preached, as well as unto them (Israel), but the word preached did not profit them, as those that heard it did not mix what they heard with faith.
Liberty or Bondage
Paul was deeply concerned that false teachers were leading Christians back from the glorious freedom of the gospel of grace to the shackled bondage of the law.
Our liberty in Christ, that comes by grace through faith, dominates the pages of Galatians as point-by-point Paul warns of the serious consequences of legalism – of deserting the liberty of the gospel of grace for the shackles of a works-based ‘gospel’.
It demonstrates the futility of trying to achieve the perfection required by the Law, which would end in despair, were it not for the truth of the glorious gospel of grace, whereby Christ met all the demands of the Law on behalf of all who believed on His sacrificial death and His glorious resurrection.
Slaves of Righteousness
But Paul reminds the Christians in Rome that although they used to be slaves of sin and serve the sin-nature they were born with, they believed the gospel of grace, trusted Christ and obeyed from the heart.
The Gospel in Genesis
Adam → ManSeth → is AppointedEnos → MortalCainan → SorrowMahalaleel →The Blessed GodJared → Shall Come DownEnoch → TeachingMethusela → His Death Shall BringLamech → the SorrowingNoah → Comfort and Joy Gen.5:1 ff
Do I walk away as did Demus – and turn my ears to the user-friendly gospel – or do I in the plaintive and pathetic words of Peter cry out: Lord, to whom shall we go?
Great Salvation
The Salvation that is given as a free gift of grace to all Who trust in the name of God’s only begotten Son, is a great Salvation that was given to man by God; announced to the world by angelic beings; confirmed by all Who heard and received the glorious gospel of Christ and recorded for our learning – to guide us into all truth and to give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
Insignificant Arrival
Christ’s own humility can be witnessed in His insignificant arrival on earth for He emptied Himself of the eternal glory He shared with the Father and came to earth as a helpless babe with nowhere to lay His head but a feeding trough in a borrowed cave. The shepherds instant obedience to the angelic message can be identified through the haste with which they sped to Bethlehem, to see the thing that had come to pass. But the gospel was not for them only – but a message of hope and joy to all people.
Though their hearts may have trembled at the supernatural sight, they heard the comforting words: ‘Fear Not,’ which is a theme that floods through the gospel of the Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord.
Micah’s Prophecy
It was Micah who announced, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth the One to be Ruler in Israel, while Matthew in his gospel (written predominantly to the house of Israel), gives the beautiful detail of the birth of the Lord Jesus, Who was to be called Immanuel – God with us..
Their eyes would be blind to their kinsman-Redeemer and their ears would be deaf to Him – while the other gospel writers all describe another of Isaiah’s prophecies in gruelling detail:- for He was despised and rejected by men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as One from Whom men hide their faces..
Matthew’s Genealogy
Matthew started his gospel (whose targeted audience were the Jews) with a royal genealogy that started at Abraham and ended with Joseph, the husband of Mary. It was a regal lineage that traced Jesus’ ancestors through the great kings – David and Solomon and terminated with the Messiah’s adoptive father, Joseph the carpenter.
The antecedents in Luke’s gospel were still of David’s royal line but through Nathan, his son – and travelled down through a second kingly line to Mary the mother of Jesus.
Messianic Prophecies
It was Matthew who delighted to quote fulfilled Messianic prophecies in His gospel. This former tax-collector thrilled to link the Lord Jesus Christ with prophecies of old. This disciple of the Lord Jesus trawled the Old writings and linked them with the New. This apostle of Christ, uncovered prophetic Scripture and secured them in his writings.
Much in his gospel demonstrated the legitimate Messiahship of Jesus – to Israel. Matthew took the prophecies of Old and certified their fulfilment in the New. He was a writer who saw what was hidden in the Old – and revealed it in his Gospel. As the old maxim goes: The new is in the old concealed.
Attacking the Gospel
It is becoming increasingly popular and ‘politically correct‘ to water down the gospel! It is getting progressively unfashionable to teach that Jesus Christ is fully God. It is considered far too exclusive to declare Jesus as the one and only way to the Father. It’s also a ‘crime against humanity‘ to teach much that’s contained in the Word of God. Attacks on biblical truth are undertaken in many sects, cults, and government bodies.
The Biblical Gospel
There is the good news of the gospel, and there is the bad news of the gospel.
The good news is for those that believe and the bad news is for those that do not. The biblical gospel teaches man in totally is depraved and due to sin we all have missed the mark, and as a result are alienated from God and separated from Him. The bad news of the biblical gospel is that all have sinned and are deserving of death.
There are none who are excluded by God from the good news of His gospel of grace.
The Good News
The good news of the gospel is good news for all, and everyone is invited to be saved.
The Bad News
The bad news of the biblical gospel is that all have sinned and are deserving of death. All have missed the mark – all are separated from God – all are sinners to the core. All are spiritually dead – all are without hope and without God in a world of sin. But only when the bad news of the gospel is seen in its proper context – where sin separates man from God forever – does the good news of the gospel come into view. So what is the good news of the gospel of salvation that is open to every man? What is the good news for those that believe in Jesus Christ – the Son of God?
And there is even more – the gospel requires a specific response from EVERY man – and we are to believe that a specific person undertook a specific work to accomplish a specific result so that all who believe could be specifically saved.
This is the good news of the gospel of grace which centres on Christ’s finished work on the cross – and the fact that He rose from the dead to accomplish our full salvation.
There is the good news of the gospel and there is the bad news of the gospel too.
But increasingly in John’s gospel, we find the suffocating regulations of the perfect Law, starkly contrasted with willing, gentile acceptance, of Christ’s grace and truth.
And throughout the gospel of John, we see beautiful glimpses of His heart for everyone.
Secret Disciple
Nicodemus was a man with the veil of the Law shrouding his heart – but the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ shone down on this needy man – that dark night. And later we discover him to be a secret disciple – at the tomb of his Lord.
John and Romans
The two books of the Bible considered as the clearest and best explanation on how to be saved, are to be found in the gospel of John – and in Paul’s epistle the Romans. Both men, in their own unique writing style and language, explain that God’s gift of saving grace for all men, is simply by believing on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. John says that grace came through Christ and whoever believes on Him will be saved. Paul reminds us that salvation comes through faith alone – that it might be of grace. But one issue confuses and confounds many people – the issue of repentance.
Gospel Teaching
Some consider that unless a sinner believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in addition, goes through the process of repenting of all their sins – they are not properly saved. Many believers are told by certain teachers and preachers that unless they repent of every sin they have ever committed – then they cannot be properly forgiven by God. But this goes against the teachings of both John – the beloved disciple of the Lord and the apostle Paul, who was called as God’s special witness to the gentile nations.
By Believing
John wrote his gospel so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God – and that by believing we might have life, but he NEVER uses the word ‘repentance’. Paul in his letter to the Romans gives step-by-step instructions on how we are justified, sanctified and glorified by grace, through faith – but only uses the word ‘repentance’ a couple of times..
Salvation in John
The gospel of John tells us how to be saved - what we must do to be redeemed.
John even wrote his gospel to show that Jesus, the Word made flesh and Son of God, is the Messiah, Who died for our sins so that we might live, by simply believing on Him.
Adding to Grace
When man is required to add something to the cross of Christ, it nullifies His work, but many, many ministries today are adding to the simple gospel message of GRACE. If we are told we are to believe AND do something – it is adding to Christ’s cross. John tells us that as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God – even to them that believe on His name… believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
‘Believing’ is all one has to do to be saved, and credited with Christ’s righteousness, but many, many ministries today are adding to the simple gospel message of GRACE.
To make Jesus your Lord is part of spiritual growth but must never be added to the simple gospel of salvation, which is a free gift of God – to all who believe on Jesus.
Some people add works of the flesh, works of the Law – self-imposed rules or Church regulations and a variety of ‘add-ons’ to the basic gospel of salvation by grace – through faith in Christ Jesus, while others insist on actions relating to eating or drinking – places of worship or times and seasons – spiritual fruit or gifts of the Holy Spirit.
But the gospel of John was specifically written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life – through His name.
Clear Gospel
The Lord has made the gospel of grace effortless, very easy, and very accessible.
God made His gospel simple and clear – believe on the Lord Jesus OR remain condemned. The redemption message is clear – salvation is of grace… through Christ Jesus..
Gospel of John
But the Baptist was not the only man called ‘John’ that witnessed of the grace of God.
The beloved disciple wrote his gospel of John so that we may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing – may have life in His name.
Gospel of Matthew
In the gospel of Matthew we see John stride onto the scene with a message to Israel, Repent for the kingdom of the heavens is here – their promised Messiah had arrived.
Witness to Gentiles
But in the gospel of John was a witness to the gentile nations of the mercy of God.
Embryonic Gospel
John’s witness of grace was more than restoration of life for the descendants of Adam.
He was presenting the embryonic gospel of grace, which was to be more fully revealed by the ministry of the apostle Paul – to include the Church as the Body of Christ in Union with Him – a new creation and joint-heirs of God’s Son – a heavenly citizenship and the indwelling Holy Spirit as a down-payment from God the Father – our Abba.
Highly Exalted
If ever there was a passage that lifted up the person of Christ, it is the 1st chapter of the gospel of John, for he identifies Christ’s supremacy from many different angles. He lifts the veil on the Christ of God by elevating Him to the throne of the Most High.
The beloved apostle in his gospel is unveiling the qualities and attributes of the Lord Jesus, one by one – as he reveals that: in the beginning was the eternal Word of God.
On that day, this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.Matthew 24:14
Second Advent
Jesus told us that on that day, this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come – for Israel will repent.
Person of Christ
There have been many people who have sought to discredit the person of Christ, and many have accused the Word of God of inconsistencies – many that deny its truth. There are many that call themselves atheists, who have used the Bible to prove the instability of the gospel and the flawed nature of Christ – who have turned around.
Just before He ascended on high He promised that not many days hence, they would all be baptised in the Spirt, placed in Christ, and empowered to proclaim the gospel.
And for a long time the gospel was preached from Jerusalem to the Jews only.
Luke 19:14. And throughout the gospel, there are little glimpses where Jesus was seen preparing and training His disciples for the dispensation of Grace – the Church-Age.
The moment they place their trust in Jesus they are baptised into the body of Christ – and in John’s gospel, Jesus promises the Spirit will abide with us and will be in us.
Gospel of the Kingdom
For three years the coming kingdom had been the wonderful gospel Jesus had taught.
The gospel of the kingdom was here – how could Jesus say He was going away? And they continued to believe this to be the case for much of the book of Acts.
Sequel to Luke
Acts is the documented sequel to Luke’s gospel – a background book to the Bible. Acts is a factual, historical record that keeps the chronicles of scripture in context, and an understanding of the book of Acts gives clarity to the rest of God’s Word.
In later chapters, believers are discovered meeting together in houses and homes.. and the content of this section traces Paul’s gospel outreach to Gentile believers.
One New Man
But many lessons they needed to learn would come through the apostle Paul. They would have to come to understand that God is no respecter of persons – but it was to be a steep learning curve for every Jewish believer in Christ. They would need to accept the gospel was equally for Jew and Gentile alike. They would need to come to an understanding of the one new man in Christ.
Gospel of Grace
And Paul was the vehicle, who opened their understanding of the gospel of grace.
Paul was God’s mouthpiece concerning our heavenly position and privileges, for Paul was to be the chosen vessel to take the gospel to the Gentiles.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.Matthew 24:14
Kingdom Gospel
But this is the kicker….. Irrespective of their being faithful or not they would one day witness to the world. Jesus Himself told us in Matthew 24 that the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all nations – and then the end will come.
And Israel is the nation that will one day preach this kingdom gospel worldwide… for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.
The Witness of the Church
The witness of Israel was to be replaced with the witness of the Church – for a time. The gospel of the kingdom was to be replaced with the gospel of grace – for a time. The promised kingdom was to be postponed – until the whole nation of Israel repents.
Church Dispensation
Israel’s gospel of the kingdom had to be postponed during the church dispensation – and the Church proclaiming the gospel of grace became God’s witness to the world. But the day is coming when Israel will once again be God’s witness to the nations. The day is fast approaching when the gospel of the kingdom will again be taught.
Gospel of the Kingdom
The day is fast approaching when Israel will again be God’s witnesses and proclaim the gospel of the kingdom to the nations – for this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Gospel of Grace
Today we live in the church age when the gospel of grace is taught to the nations. Today God is continuing to do His work through the body of Christ – the Church..
but a day is coming when the Church will be raptured – and in that day the gospel of the kingdom of God will be taught to all nations… by a faithful remnant of Jews.
Historical Account
It is crucial to recognise the book of Acts is a historical account of the early church. It outlines the founding of the church; the spread of the gospel; the main characters. It lists the different congregation and individuals who were touched with gospel truth. It shows how the early focus of church evangelism was exclusively to the Jews.
It scripts the geographical spread of the gospel – to the Jew first and then to Gentiles.
Gospel of the Kingdom
Those early chapters in Acts show the apostles teaching Jews and Jewish converts.
On and on we discover the Jews were the target-audience for the gospel message – not the gospel of grace which was given to Paul, but the gospel of the kingdom.
They continued proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom – not the gospel of grace.
They preserved the teachings of John the Baptist, Jesus and His disciples – to Jews:- the gospel of the kingdom – the gospel of the coming Jewish Messiah.
Historic Foundation
It is crucial to recognise the book of Acts as a historical account of the early church. It outlines the founding of the church; the spread of the gospel; the main characters. It lists the different congregations and individuals who were touched with gospel truth.
Paul said: – For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
Lord Jesus
The book of Acts was written by Dr. Luke and is a sequel to the gospel of Luke. Both books were written to a man called 'the most excellent Theophilus'.
Luke’s gospel informed Theophilus about the life and the work of the Lord Jesus.
His gospel ended at the resurrection while Acts continues from that point onwards.
Final Instructions
In chapter 1 it summarises the gospel of Luke and Christ’s ascension into heaven. It also confirms the certainty of the resurrection and its many infallible proofs. It reviews the final instructions that the Lord Jesus gave before His ascension. It details the topic about which Christ spoke to His followers – the kingdom of God.
It follows the evangelistic journies he undertook as the gospel started to spread. It outlines the resistance he received from the Jews – his kinsmen after the flesh. It gives glimpses of the body of doctrine that were to become the epistles of Paul.
Paul’s Gospel
For I would have you know, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
The Church is in a similar, sorry state of disrepair, as gospel truths become distorted.
Covered in Christ
We need to be undergirded with His truth and remain covered in His righteousness. We should minister the gospel of peace and have trust His word implicitly – as fact. We should take the helmet of salvation and the believers’ sword, which is God’s Word.
Stand Firm
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13
As a result, they thrived on philosophic, religious speculations instead of the gospel.
The legalism of the Jews was placed alongside Paul’s pure gospel of God’s grace and as a result, many were being sucked back into slavery under legalistic demands.
Righteousness Dress
For the best of human righteousness is as filth to Him, and the kindest of human acts remain in the pits of slime in God’s eyes. Nothing we do of ourselves is satisfying to Him. Holy God points an accusing finger at sinful man and proclaims, CONDEMNED. 'Change me', I cry in despair, “Not so”, the Lord replies, 'Can a leopard change its spots', He declares, 'Can the Ethiopian change his skin', He proclaims. 'Can a sinner change himself into a saint?'. ”Never declares the Lord!” But the gospel makes an announcement of righteous dress.. adequate in the sight of a holy God, whose eyes are as a flame of fire – acceptable to the most pure eyes of the sinless Lord of Righteousness.
Instead of seeking out the pure truth of the gospel of God, which alone offers light in this world of darkness and life to all who believe.. the mind of modern man has become overloaded with an over-abundance of worthless information, which had blinded the mind from the glorious gospel of grace and dulled man’s understanding from a knowledge of the Holy.
Pursuit of the Holy
And yet for the one that is in possession of a saving faith in the Son of God – the one who has eaten of His living bread; drunk from His rivers of delight; anchored their soul in the on the Rock of their salvation; plumbed the depth of His living word and searched-out the heavenly heights of his gospel of grace – have a taken their first steps on an everlasting journey into a true knowledge of the Holy.
An Example
Paul who throughout his life spread the gospel in every part of the known world, reached toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. He wrote…. I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind I reach forward to those things which are ahead.
Preach the Word
My son once reminded me of the maxim attributed to Francis of Assisi, Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.
so your sphere of witness can fan out into all the interactions of your daily life… so that you, on a daily basis can, preach the gospel….and if necessary, use words.
Word and Deed
Well it seems we are to Preach the gospel in word and deed and to teach the truth in action and attitude.
Surely this pinnacle in the gospel of John 17:24 was an example of How to live.. an example of How to pray.. an example of How to deny self – an example of How to love as I have loved.
Anointed Comforter
In little Nazareth, He made His first announcement of this blessed role He bore:- The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.
And the destroyed lives of many people, litter the wake of these movements, as they swallowed the bait through believing a distorted gospel – or as they succumbed to the deception of false, angelic visitations.
Good News
This good news announced the eternal life penetrating the dying, terrestrial world. These good-tidings of great joy show us unequivocally, that God delights in mercy. This angelically proclaimed gospel message, announced deliverance..
No, though sadly some believers do worry that they are not truly born again. Get once and for all the gospel truth ever firmly fixed in your mind and heart.. believe… just believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you are saved – forever. No, the majority of truths in Paul’s epistles are for the saved man or woman, so that we can live the life that is best for us, as directed by the Holy Spirit.
Seeker-Friendly
In this sin-sick world sincerity, love and truth are becoming very sparse. It has infiltrated Christendom with a seeker-friendly gospel. It has spread between brothers in the faith as they try to appease each other. It has penetrated truth in relationships when one won't risk upsetting another.
Pray for the Lost
How we need to pray that God will lift the veil of unbelief from the eyes of so many – a veil the evil-one has placed over the eyes of so many of our loved ones. How we need to plead that the Spirit will reveal to them the truth about the Lord.. to protect their hearts and minds from the lies and deceptions of Satan: for the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. 2Cor.4:4
Pray for Understanding
How we need to pray for the good news of Calvary to take root in their hearts.. that Satan won’t be permitted to steal the precious seed of the gospel sown in their hearts – that God would open their hearts to understand the hope of Christ’s salvation: for when anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. Matt.13:19
Pray for Evangelism
We need to pray that God will send the opportunities to share the Gospel with unbelievers: pray also for us, that God may open for us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ.
We need to pray that we will be effective in sharing the gospel: I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective or the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us, for the sake of Christ.
We are to be witnesses of the glorious Light, of the gospel of light and truth.
The Son of Light
Our little light is but a small glister of His Son-light shining out through our dull soul. Our flickering flame is but a gleam of the all-glorious light of the gospel of Christ.
A Sublime Gospel
This was the first and most sublime gospel sermon ever preached: “Behold……” This magnificent proclamation, is the model for all teachers and ministries. “Behold……” This final forerunner of the Messiah pointed to the Lord Jesus and cried, “Behold……”
Spiritual Truth
IN HIM you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; IN WHOM also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Eph.1:13 Through time and through eternity, this heavenly fact is expressed in many forms, Through the cross, this eternal reality is wrought in literal and experimental forms, but always, Always, ALWAYS the same principle emerges:- always, ALWAYS the same abiding, infinite, glorious, spiritual truth is manifested.
Paul recognised the shroud of darkness that curtained across the minds of men… preventing the light of the glorious gospel of truth shining down on a needy race.
Spiritual Accountability
The Lord Jesus Himself is the guide-stone of effective spiritual ministry. The Lord Jesus Himself shows the way to examine spiritual accountability: “The Son can do nothing of Himself…” John 5:19 “The Father doeth the works…” John 14:10 “The Father speaketh the words…” John 12:49 “My Father worketh until now…” John 5:17 And when Jesus sent his disciples out to preach the gospel, He told them:-.
Full Gospel
How important it is that we realise the truth of the full gospel of God. If I asked 10 people to profess the Gospel..
yet God is multifaceted in His beauty. The gospel is one, yet its truths are like so many cut faces on a sparkling gemstone.
John 3:16 is a most loved and precious passage to all believers, and this verse is likely to be the most inclusive proclamation on the Gospel.
Gospel of God
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ..
was the gospel reality to the Philippian jailer, and John the Baptist and Jesus both proclaimed the gospel of the coming Kingdom. I am the Resurrection and the Life..
was the great gospel the two sisters discovered – while Paul proclaimed ‘my gospel’ – which is the gospel of the grace and glory of Christ.
Multi-Dimensional
Each wonderful truth is a constituent part of a multi-dimensional gospel, yet the full gospel in all its splendour has deeper depths than this and fuller truths – a gospel that we are likely to spend an eternity considering its astonishing wonders.
Profound Words
Austin Sparks’ proclamation of the gospel is so simple and yet so profound:- It is that the Son of God, Who is Son of Man, has come, and His coming, has expressed to the world (before times eternal...)
Hope of Glory
Oh yes… the full, multi-dimensional yet single Gospel is indeed a glorious mystery.. a mystery which has been hid from all ages and generations, which is Christ in you the hope of glory.
Member of His Body
The Gospel mystery is great, and it is amazingly awe-inspiring - and we are very members of His body; bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh.
The Gospel is both a manifestation and revelation of the heart of God, before the foundation of the earth in the distant, eternal past.
Reproduction is sacrificial – life means death, and the Lord Himself summarised that guiding principle in John’s gospel, for unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone ….
Rebellious Apostasy
Seven times the Spirit warns the Church, 'he who has an ear... let him hear'. But too often ears are tuned to listen to the wrong voices, declaring a false gospel.
Limited Gospel
Well, too frequently it is the voice of a man that is sought after and not God’s voice.
Too often it is a limited gospel; a perverted gospel; a gospel that tickles the itching ear – a gospel where challenging, uncomfortable passages of truth are eliminated.
Glorious Gospel
This is no “mysterious phenomena,” that cannot be understood by you or me! This is no “secret illumination” given only a few men with mystical minds. This was a truth hidden by God, until it was time to proclaim it to the world. The mystery of godliness is the wonderful truth of the glorious gospel of Christ.
The mystery of godliness is the gospel of Christ, unfolded in the scheme of salvation.
It is the mystery of our faith; it is the glorious gospel of Christ; it is the amazing plan of God’s gift of salvation to you and to me.
Precious is the gospel of God’s great salvation.
The mystery of godliness is the wonderful truth of the glorious gospel of Christ, unfolded in the scheme of Salvation.
Jacob’s Trouble
A time is coming when God will once again turn His attention back to Israel.. time of prophesied tribulation; a time of judgment; the time of Jacob’s trouble.. time when the gospel of the kingdom will have been taught worldwide – time when the veil over the heart of the Jewish nation – is lifted.
John’s gospel is a wonderful record of the wonderful life of his wonderful Jesus.. and much can be learned through his inspired penmanship.
Federal Head
John’s gospel, letters and apocalypse were scripted at a time of departing glory, and Christ is presented in his writings by John as the heavenly Man.
John 16:13. And John’s gospel, letters and apocalypse explain spiritual understanding… and we are to live by faith and not by sight.
Gospel of the Kingdom
Then Christ was born and the four gospels announced to Israel, 'your King is here!' Israel’s long waiting for their King and His long promised Kingdom had arrived, and the Gospel of the Kingdom was preached to the lost sheep of the house of Israel – and Israel as a nation was to believe on the Son of Man – repent and be baptised, as recorded in Holy writ.
a passing of the baton from Peter to Paul.. change of God’s focus from Israel to a focus on the Church.. change from the dispensation of Law to the dispensation of the Church – a change from the gospel of the kingdom to the gospels of God’s grace and glory.
and the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom is postponed for a season. But Israel will one day preach the gospel of the kingdom throughout the world.. for a witness to all nations.. (in the tribulation) – and then shall the end come.
and the gospel of grace is unlocked by Paul, for all who are His body, the Church.
as the gospel of the grace of Christ starts to be unfolded – and the gospel of the glory of Christ through Paul and others is also unfolded.
Liberating Gospel
It seems that most believers stop their pursuit of salvation when they are saved. Truly salvation is the liberation from sin and the loosing from bondage. Salvation is the free gift for all that believe in Jesus Christm Who died and rose again..
Being 'born again' is not the ultimate goal of the gospel, but the first. New birth is a prelude to the lifelong process of sanctification – spiritual growth. Sanctification develops into the intimate relationship God desires with each of us.
Word of God
But we must rightly divide the word of truth, and we must rightly divide the gospel of truth, and we must rightly divide the creations of God – and it’s all laid out in the word of God for those that have eyes to see.
Fruit of the Kingdom
The Church is the nation bringing forth the fruit of the kingdom – through Christ, and the Word of God describes in detail the gospel of this coming glory of Christ – a kingdom when the perfect Man..
But we must rightly divide the word of truth, and we must rightly divide the gospel of truth, and we must rightly divide the creations of God – and is all laid out in the word of God for those that have an eye to see.
We must rightly divide the gospel of truth and rightly divide the creations of God, but we must also rightly understand the spiritual battle currently raging.
Israel then will teach the Gospel of the Kingdom throughout all the world: this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end shall come.
Gospel of God
There is so much more to the Christian life than just being saved! Being saved is not the end of the glorious gospel of God, but the first step..
Gospel of Truth
We must rightly divide the GOSPEL of truth – the good news from God:- the gospel of the kingdom points to both a heavenly and earthly rule.. the gospel of the grace of God points to Christ’s perfect sacrifice.. the gospel of the glory of Christ points to His coming Kingdom – the everlasting gospel points to grace before judgment, justice, and mercy.
to understand the gospel of the kingdom, and the gospel of the grace of God – to understand the old creations in Adam and Jacob and the new creation in Christ.
In Christ you also, when you HEARD the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and BELIEVED in Jesus, were SEALED with the promised Holy Spirit.Ephesians 1:13
Scripture alone provides the truth of the when, where, why, and how of our 'sealing'. 'In Christ you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Jesus, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.' Ephesians 1:13
Down Payment
We are placed into the body of Christ the moment we first trust Jesus as Saviour. First, we had to hear the gospel of truth, for faith comes by hearing the word of God. Then we had to believe the gospel of truth and all who believe in Christ are saved – and through believing in His name we were given the right to become His children.
Identified With Christ
Everyone who hears the gospel and believes in Jesus is placed in Him immediately. Anyone who trusts God, to take care of all our sin, is immediately placed in Christ – dead to self and alive to Christ – identified with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
That is what John brings out so clearly, by way of illustration in his Gospel, and by way of direct statement in his epistle ...God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.