Warning against gospel confusion: "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" (Galatians 1:8 KJV)
Right division reveals distinct gospel messages in scripture, each pertaining to different dispensations. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for proper Bible study and doctrine today.
The Gospel of God - Understanding the Term
Basic Definition
From God as source: "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God" (Romans 1:1 KJV)
Prophesied foundation: "Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures" (Romans 1:2 KJV)
Both apostles used term: "That obey not the gospel of God" (1 Peter 4:17 KJV)
Different Understandings
Peter's Limited View:
Only knew prophesied aspects
Kingdom focus with required works
Limited to Israel's program
Paul's Complete View:
Knew prophesied aspects plus mystery
"According to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began" (Romans 16:25 KJV)
Grace focus without works
"But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter" (Galatians 2:7 KJV)
Key Point
Term describes source (from God)
Not a specific message
Content differs based on revelation given
1. The Gospel of the Kingdom (Time Past - Prophecy) A. Time Period and Message
Jesus preaching kingdom: "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people" (Matthew 9:35 KJV)
Twelve given same message and power: "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick" (Luke 9:1-2 KJV)
Beginning of ministry: "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God" (Mark 1:14 KJV)
Transition marked: "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached" (Luke 16:16 KJV)
Authorized Preachers
John's introduction: "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching... Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:1-2 KJV)
Christ's continuation: "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17 KJV)
Apostles' commission: "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 10:5-7 KJV)
Conditions for Salvation
Water baptism required: "Repent, and be water baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38 KJV)
Physical water baptism essential: "He that believeth and is water baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16 KJV)
Works necessary: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father" (Matthew 7:21 KJV)
Maintained faith required: "He that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 24:13 KJV)
Faith proven by works: "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:20 KJV)
Kingdom Preparation
Common property commanded: "And all that believed were together, and had all things common" (Acts 2:44 KJV)
Selling possessions required: "And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need" (Acts 2:45 KJV)
Judgment for disobedience: "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price" (Acts 5:1-2 KJV)
Preparation for tribulation: "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (Revelation 13:17 KJV)
Paul's Saving Gospel
The gospel that saves today: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV)
Sealed at Moment of Belief
Instant sealing: "In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13 KJV)
Eternal security: "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" (2 Corinthians 1:22 KJV)
Present possession: "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling" (2 Timothy 1:9 KJV)
One Spiritual Baptism
Spirit baptism today: "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" (1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV)
No water baptism: "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" (1 Corinthians 1:17 KJV)
One baptism only: "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5 KJV)
Grace Giving
Cheerful giving: "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV)
Personal choice: "Let every man do according as he is disposed in his heart" (2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV)
Liberty in giving: "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath" (2 Corinthians 8:12 KJV)
Early Grace Period (Gifts and Spirit Manifestations Ended. See Progressive Revelation Through Paul's Letters)
Church edification through gifts (: "Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church" (1 Corinthians 14:12 KJV)
Spirit manifestations: "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" (1 Corinthians 12:7 KJV)
Orderly use: "Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Corinthians 14:26 KJV)
Completed Revelation
Written word sufficient: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV)
Pattern established: "Hold fast the form of sound words" (2 Timothy 1:13 KJV)
Spirit teaches scripture: "Which things also we speak... comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (1 Corinthians 2:13 KJV)
Salvation by Grace
Faith alone: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)
Free justification: "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24 KJV)
Faith without works: "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5 KJV)
Current Operation
No national distinction: "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek" (Romans 10:12 KJV)
Law ended: "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances" (Ephesians 2:15 KJV)
Christ fulfills law: "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Romans 10:4 KJV)
After Current Dispensation
After fullness of Gentiles: "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery... that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in" (Romans 11:25 KJV)
Kingdom restored: "After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David" (Acts 15:16 KJV)
Israel's salvation: "And so all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:26 KJV)
Endurance Required Again
Must maintain faith: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10 KJV)
Works required: "I will give unto every one of you according to your works" (Revelation 2:23 KJV)
Endurance necessary: "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matthew 24:13 KJV)
Paul's Warning
No other gospel: "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" (Galatians 1:8 KJV)
Danger of mixture: "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (Galatians 5:9 KJV)
Continue in grace: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him" (Colossians 2:6 KJV)
Grace Gospel
Clear foundation: "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation" (1 Corinthians 3:10 KJV)
Current ministry: "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV)
Following Paul: "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV)
Understanding Gospel Distinctions:
Clarifies Bible study
Maintains pure message
Guides current ministry
Shows God's purpose
Current gospel is grace alone
Salvation immediate and permanent today
Paul's gospel guides today
Keep message pure
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