Mike,I was wondering what you may think about the following, regarding the gospel?-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
("As much as in me is": Paul is not referring to his flesh, his old nature, being ready:)
Romans 7:18a For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:
(But rather, as a saved person, Christ in him:)
II Corinthians 11:10a As the truth of Christ is in me,
II Corinthians 13:3a Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me,
Galatians 1:16a To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen;
Galatians 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Galatians 2:20a I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:
Colossians 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
(To preach the gospel:
The word gospel, by definition, means, "good news", and to preach the gospel, "to announce the good news".
The word gospel is only in the new testament, and it is used 101 times, with the most times in the book of Romans.
Does it always refer to the exact same message?
I had been told many times, that the gospel the disciples preached during Jesus' earthly ministry, was the same as what Paul preached.
Well, let's take a look at that.
The first one to mention the word gospel, and to preach the gospel, was Jesus, early on in his earthly ministry:)
Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
(Jesus is preaching that the kingdom of God is at hand, the King is here, Israel needs to repent and believe this good news.
Jesus calls it, the gospel of the kingdom of God.
This had been prophesied and promised to Israel, and it was finally at hand.
This gospel of the kingdom was also accompanied with signs and miracles, which had also been prophesied to Israel:)
Matthew 9:35 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 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 7:22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
(Then, also during his earthly ministry, Jesus sent his disciples out to preach this gospel of the kingdom of God, accompanied with miracles:)
Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
(Again, I had been told many times, that the disciples, during Jesus' earthly ministry, preached the same gospel as Paul did.
When Paul preached the gospel, what did he preach?)
I Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
(In line 1, Paul says to the Corinthians, that he is declaring the gospel that he preached unto them.
Then in lines 3-4, he declares that gospel that he had preached unto them in Corinth, some years earlier:)
I Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
(1. how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures
2. And that he was buried
3. and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures)
(The gospel that Paul preached was the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
And as someone recently pointed out, Paul wrote, "how" that Christ died for our sins.
That, "how he died", is the blood sacrifice on the cross.)
(Paul is not mentioning the kingdom of God at this point.
Also, did the disciples during Jesus's earthly ministry, preach the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus?
No, we know that they didn't, because, even when Jesus mentioned this, they did not understand what he was talking about:)
Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Mark 9:9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.
31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
Luke 9:44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
Luke 18:31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
John 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
(Clearly, the disciples did not understand when Jesus spoke of his death and resurrection, until after he had risen from the dead.
So, during Jesus' earthly ministry, they couldn't have been preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.)
(So, if they were not preaching the gospel that Paul was preaching, what gospel were they preaching?
They were preaching the same gospel of the kingdom of God, that Jesus was preaching, accompanied with signs and miracles.
This truly was good news for Israel, the King had come, and the promised kingdom of God was at hand.
And to prove who Jesus is, and that this was prophesied, it was accompanied with signs and miracles, for Israel to receive it.
However, Israel, as a nation, at that time, rejected the King, and the promised kingdom, and had the Romans crucify him.
Yet the promise remains, the King will return, and Israel at that time will receive Jesus and the kingdom.
That is why, during the tribulation, the gospel of the kingdom will be preached again.
It will be the good news of the kingdom, that the time of the coming of the King is at hand, and will be preached again, similar to:)
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
(The promise of the kingdom was made to Israel, it will be finally fulfilled when Jesus returns, and they receive him as their King.
This time, the whole world will be involved, for three reasons:
1. Israel rejected Jesus, and they have been scattered to the nations, and the whole world knows about this.
2. The nations will reject the idea of Israel, and their promised kingdom, and will gather together to destroy Israel.
3. When Jesus returns, he will not only reign over Israel, but he will reign over the entire world, for a thousand years.)
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(But now, during the church age, the preaching of the gospel of the coming kingdom of God, is on hold, until the tribulation.
So, what gospel is being preached, now, during the church age?
It is the gospel that was given to Paul to preach, the gospel of the grace of God:)
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
(The grace of God:)
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(The gospel was specifically given to Paul, by direct revelation by Jesus:)
Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
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(This gospel of the grace of God, given to Paul, was a mystery not known previously to Israel, but revealed in the church age:)
Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
II Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
(How could Paul call it, "my gospel", in those two previous lines, as also mentioned above, in Romans 16:25?)
Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
(Peter who had been given the keys, was called to first preach the gospel to Cornelius, a Gentile.
However, that was not to then be his ministry, Jesus called Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles.
Peter, and the other apostles, had their ministry to the Jews, the gospel of the circumcision.
Until 70 A.D., the Jewish Christians continued as Jewish believers, but now also believers in Jesus.
Those in Israel continued to go to the temple, where for close to 40 years, there were still sacrifices and oblations being offered.
Those outside of Israel still came to Israel for the feast days.
And many of the priests believed on Jesus:)
Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
(There were thousands of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, and they were all zealous of the law:)
Acts 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
(But the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to Paul, where he preached the mystery gospel of the grace of God.
There was a transition going on from the time Israel rejected Jesus, crucified him, and he rose from the dead.
This transition came to the forefront on the day of Pentecost, and continued until 70 A.D., when the temple was destroyed.
To the Jews saved during that time, they, like the Gentiles, had to believe on Jesus, and be washed in his blood.
For each individual Jewish Christian, like each Gentile Christian, the kingdom of God was within.
However, the Jewish Christians still looked forward to the promised kingdom of God on earth.
And until 70 A.D., while the temple still stood, there was a hope that the nation would repent, and believe on Jesus, at that time.
But with the destruction of the temple, that was put off until way in the future, at a time known only to God.
So, between Pentecost and 70 A.D. there was the church, and there also was the temple.
There was a gospel of the circumcision preached until 70 A.D., but there was also the gospel of the uncircumcision preached.
From 70 A.D. until the blessed hope, the rapture, the only gospel preached, is the gospel that Paul preached.
Now, any Jew or Gentile who repents and believes the gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, is saved by grace.
This is the same gospel that was given to Paul:)
Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
I Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
I Corinthians 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
(Even in Paul's day, like there are today, there were those who preached another gospel.
Some preached that people needed to be baptized to be saved.
Some preached that people needed to go back under the old testament law to be saved, like the Galatians were deceived by this:)
II Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 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.
9 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.
(But the gospel given to Paul was not from man, but as previously seen, was given to Paul by revelation.)
Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
(Again, that in the church, Gentiles now come into the body by the gospel:)
Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
(This church age gospel, was a mystery, not previously known to Israel, but revealed by Jesus to Paul:)
Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
(Jewish believers before 70 A.D., and those in the tribulation, look forward to the coming kingdom of God on earth.
But for the rest of the believers, we look forward to that which is laid up for us in heaven:)
Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
(The gospel that was given to Paul, was committed to his trust:)
I Timothy 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
(So, this is the gospel that Paul was referring to, when he wrote this to the Romans:)
Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
(Paul was ready to preach this gospel in Rome.
Not only for the edification and encouragement of those who already believed, but also to those who do not yet believe.
Paul got this opportunity, when he was sent, as a prisoner, to Rome.
Paul preached the gospel to those also in the prison, and he preached it to those they let him visit.
Paul preached the gospel to those of Caesar’s household, and he even was brought before Caesar, himself.
Also, Paul preached the gospel in epistles that he wrote while imprisoned in Rome.)
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