“The Gospel Of Christ”
Jarrod M. Jacobs
The gospel of Christ is something that deserves our respect. Paul said, “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” (Rom. 1:16). Jesus spent three solid years preaching the gospel to a lost and dying world (Matt. 4:23). Why is the gospel of Christ so important?
The gospel saves! When the gospel was preached in Acts 2, it centered on Christ. In Acts 2:22-36, we read of the first gospel sermon. Here, we learn about Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection. As a result of this sermon, about 3000 were baptized into Christ and added to the church that same day (Acts 2:38-41). From that time on, when people were taught the gospel, those with honest and good hearts obeyed God’s word and were saved (Acts 8:12, 35-39, 10-11, 16:30-34, etc.)! The gospel will save people today just as it did in the first Century if they have the attitude of those first Century converts.
The gospel of Christ is not for the faint of heart nor those afraid of confrontation! Paul told the Ephesians, “And take the...sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). The Hebrew writer said, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword...” (Heb 4:12). The Word of God is not merely a defensive weapon, it is an offensive weapon! This weapon is to be used in the “pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Cor. 10:4-5). It is high time that we used it in this manner! We shame the name of Jesus when we refuse to use the gospel as the sword it is. The reason there were 3000 saved on the day of Pentecost was because they were “pricked (cut, stuck, or pierced) in their heart” by the sword of the Spirit (Acts 2:37)!
There is only one gospel by which we are saved (Gal. 1:6-7). At the same time, many try to pervert the gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:7); we must “try the spirits” and find out whether they are of God (I Jn. 4:1). If they are of God, we need to listen. If they are not, we must reject the doctrine and rebuke the teacher (Rom. 16:17)! Who is willing to do this? Who will “fight the good fight of faith” and “lay hold on eternal life” (I Tim. 6:12) by using the Gospel not only to protect but to actively fight against Satan, who “is transformed into an angel of light” (II Cor. 11:14)? In case some are uncomfortable thinking about fighting, let them remember that Paul said, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8). I do not want to find myself facing God’s wrath (Heb. 10:31). Thus I must use the gospel skilfully as the sword it is. I want to be in fellowship with God and His Son. This means that I cannot consent to the enemies of righteousness, regardless of what form they take (II Jn. 9-11; Rom. 1:32; Acts 13:10)!
From Romans 1:16, we read that Paul said the gospel is God’s “power” to save. The word “power” comes from the Greek word “dunamis,” from which we get our English word “dynamite.” The gospel has the power to “break” the hardened heart that has been hardened by sin and false doctrine to reveal a heart willing to obey God. However, just like literal dynamite, nothing will happen until the fuse is lit! One lights the fuse of the gospel by teaching and spreading God’s word to others (II Tim. 2:2; I Tim. 4:2).
The gospel is an essential tool. Without it, people wander through this life in ignorance and sin. Without it, man has no hope, no goal, and no purpose for living. Who will deprive their friends and loved ones of a chance to hear the “glorious gospel of the blessed God” (I Tim. 1:11)? Jesus brought this gospel to us, and it is our responsibility to spread this gospel to the world (Matt. 28:19). Who will do it? Who will work to bring lost souls to Christ and fight the enemies of righteousness?