From the Pen of Paul

The Gospel

What is the gospel? Our English word comes from the Anglo-Saxon godspel which meant good tidings through godspel or god-story. In the New Testament it is the Christ-message, the good message, the message which produces joy in the heart. Paul wrote of the gospel in 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." To better understand the gospel, let's analyze this passage carefully.

It is the gospel. There is no other gospel and to alter it in any way will bring the curse of God upon the one who dares to do so (Gal. 1:6-10; Rev. 22:18-19). It is also referred to as the faith (Jude 3), one faith (Eph. 4:5), this doctrine (II John 9), the truth (John 8:32), the word (II Tim. 4:2) and the doctrine (I Tim. 4:16). All other messages are condemned.

It is the Message of which Paul was not ashamed. We also dare not to be ashamed of the gospel. We must never be ashamed to preach it, to declare all of it, and we must "keep back nothing that is profitable" (Acts 20:20, 27). "We must be ashamed to be afraid to proclaim the gospel and afraid to be ashamed of the gospel." I don't know who first made this statement. I have heard it several times over the years, but it is the sentiment of Paul's statement in this verse.

It is the gospel of Christ. It is not Mohammed's gospel; nor is it from Buddha, Joseph Smith, the pope of Rome or the Catholic church. It is Christ's gospel and of no other.

It is power, divine power, power of God. It is THE divine saving power. No man can be saved without it. God has no other power by which men are saved. In the ten examples of conversion given in the book of Acts, preaching or teaching the gospel is involved every time. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher" (Rom. 10:13-14)? "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me" (John 6:45). That is why we are commanded to "Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Jesus' way is the only way (John 14:6)!

It is for everyone, Jew and Gentile. The invitation is for all. "Come unto me all ye that labour. . ." (Matt. 11:28); "If any man hear my voice and open the door . . ." (Rev. 3:20); "And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17) [emphasis mine, PMW]. Any interpretation of any passage of Scripture which removes the possibility of anyone being saved or removes man's free will from the picture is a false interpretation. Jesus died for all; the gospel is for all; all who accept and obey it and live faithfully to it will be saved.

The salvation brought by the gospel is conditional: "to everyone that believeth." This is not universal salvation; one must believe the gospel to be saved by it. Faith that avails is obedient faith, faith which compels one to do what God has said—just because God says "do it." Some are attempting to separate the gospel into "gospel" and "doctrine" or into the "essential" and the "non-essential." This is just a deliberate attempt to pervert the gospel and will result in condemnation (Gal. 1:6-9). The gospel includes facts to be believed (I Cor. 15:1-4), commands to be obeyed (Rev. 22;14; II Thess. 1:7-9), and promises to be received (Eph. 1:3; Rev. 2:10; Matt. 25:34ff; II Tim. 4:6-8; John 14:1-6).

The gospel must be preached. Paul tells us, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (II Tim. 4:2). He also stated his own responsibility to do likewise: "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel" (I Cor. 9:16). Preachers, are you listening? Elders, don't bridle your preacher. Let him fulfill his responsibility along this line!

(Next week, we want to look at the question: What is gospel preaching according to the Bible?)
—Paul Wilmoth

From the Preacher's Viewpoint. . .

In writing from the preacher's viewpoint we often write from a brotherhood viewpoint of the churches of Christ. This may give a local view as well as a brotherhood-wide view and we hope it certainly informs brethren. What we are saying is that some of the things we write about are not just local situations. In most cases they are not local situations. The material in this article is not just local but across the brotherhood.

The Bible teaches gospel preachers to be men (I Cor. 16:13). God's faithful servants are encouraged to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might (Eph. 6:10-17). Gospel preachers are to shun preacher cliques and party spirits (Gal. 6:12-14). Paul rebuked Peter because he joined the Jewish brethren (Gal. 2:11-15). Some preachers are afraid to go against their friends. They need to read Revelation 21:8. The Bible is filled with the condemnation of the party-spirited folks and yet some preachers are the worst in the world for such. Some have opposed Tennessee Bible College and the Northeast church of Christ because of the strong stand taken by each institution against atheism, liberalism, fence-straddling, and compromise.

On matters of opinion cannot we differ and still be brethren and friends? If one writes me up and tells accurately what I teach, believe, and stand for, should it make me mad and cause me to divorce myself from all those who have so done? We think not. We have used men with whom we have differed strongly on opinion matters. Some brethren have refused to work with us because of the influence of their close friends and their cliques. These same brethren have criticized us for disfellowshipping the greater portion of the brotherhood which is not true. We have asked these same brethren to come and be with us and they refuse to do so. Their circle is smaller than ours. They are antis because if one does not do it the way they do and say things, then they "take their marbles and go home." Such folks are not men but children. What does one have when he works with such?

We have gotten along well without those who seem to be "somewhat, whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to" us (Gal. 2:6). We would that all join us in the scriptural work we are doing. There is no school nor church stronger than Tennessee Bible College and the Northeast church of Christ, we believe and think. If one can prove otherwise, we will be happy to have proof of such. We are not bragging, just stating the facts as Paul did in II Corinthians 11:16-30. It seems that the more criticism we get in standing for the truth, the more support comes our way. God has a strange way of blessing us through our enemies. When we are objects of persecution for loving the Lord and doing what He commands, He puts money in the bank of heaven for us. The persecutor causes God to lay up a great reward for us in heaven. The persecutor actually blesses us and does not know it (Matt. 6:19-21). God still rules and all is well.
—Malcolm L. Hill