The gospel or good message is God’s power unto salvation. Paul told the church at Rome, 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 (Romans 1:16). The good news of God’s plan of salvation will save, if people will respond.
In I Corinthians 15:1-2 we read, 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. In the first century, the preaching or teaching of the good message saved people. Likewise, people today will be saved by the same good message. Peter said it this way, Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever (I Peter 1:22-23).
The good message came to Paul or to our world by divine revelation. We read in Galatians 1:11-12, But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Paul received the good news from God. The Ephesians were told these words, How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in a few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (Ephesians 3:3-5). Hence, the gospel came from heaven to our world by divine revelation.
Thus, if any person preached a different gospel or good message, God would condemn them. Paul wrote, I marvel that ye are so soon removed from his that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach another gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:6-9). For additional reading, see Revelation 22:18-19.
The gospel that saves is a gospel that the individual must trust and obey. In II Thessalonians 1:7-9 we read, And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. If people want or desire salvation, they must obey the gospel of Christ. The writer of Hebrews said, Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:8-9). Our eternal salvation is tied to our obedient heart. Hence, we must trust and obey God’s beautiful plan of salvation!
The heart or the facts of the gospel is the death of Christ for our sins, His burial and resurrection. In I Corinthians 15:1-4 we are told, 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; again the third day according to the scriptures: That which Paul delivered or preached unto the church at Corinth was the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Through the cross and the shed blood we have the hope of eternal life. Our Lord’s sacrifice is good news to those who are lost.
In Romans 6:17 we read, But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Those who desire eternal life will obey that form or pattern of salvation.
But, what is the pattern that we must obey? Baptism! We are baptized into the likeness of Christ’s death. We are buried with Him by baptism. And we are raised in the likeness of His resurrection. In Romans 6:3-6 we read, Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
God’s Plan of Salvation:
One must believe…John 8:24
One must repent…Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38
One must confess…Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 8:37
One must be baptized…Romans 6:3-6; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:21
After one becomes a Christian, they must live the faithful life…Revelation 2:10
What have we learned?
1. The gospel is God’s power unto salvation.
2. The gospel does save those who are lost.
3. The gospel came to our world by divine revelation.
4. If we add or take away from the gospel we condemn ourselves.
5. The gospel must be obeyed.
6. The heart of the gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
7. Those who are lost must obey the pattern or form of this doctrine.
8. When we are baptized, we obey the gospel of salvation.
9. God’s beautiful plan to save people.