THE GOSPEL: Not mere DOCTRINE.

We are surrounded by a vast number of excellent and prolific preachers and bible teachers. Many of these great men have spent years developing sermons and researching the Scriptures as it pertains to people of the past such as: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Sampson, Gideon, David, Isaiah, Solomon, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Peter, Paul and Barnabas; their works and the examples the set; using them to develop thesis, write books, sermons and study notes or material. Yet: when we examine all these men of renown from the annals of Scripture; we find that they and their works were all pointing to that Shepherd and Bishop of our souls Jesus the Christ. They all testify of him. He supersedes them all setting forth the ultimate example, the only one that really matters. We have often been admonished, encouraged, directed and taught to obey the Laws in observance of days, times, seasons, practices and the examples set by those men of old; but we see Christ coming and doing otherwise; preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, saying: “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). He was preceded by John the Baptist preaching the same doctrine in the wilderness. For in those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea and saying, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:1-2). This was entirely new to the Jews of that day and they were troubled by the works and doctrine of Jesus. Christ did not come enforcing the laws and commandments that they were required to keep. Everything that he did was in their eyes contrary to their laws, customs and traditions. Christ and the Disciples he trained and sent forth did not teach obedience to the Mosaic Laws and Commandments, but were instead advocating freedom from such bondage by Grace Divine.  They were not teaching how to be prosperous, wealthy and healthy in this life on earth. The Commandment from Jesus was: “follow me”. Those who had repented and were baptized were not been directed to go to the Scribes and Pharisees to be taught the Laws and Commandments of God. A new Covenant was been unfolded in Christ who had a more excellent ministry than that of Moses. God having now put his Law in their inward parts and written it in their hearts that they would know Him and be his people and he their God; with the Anointing (The Holy Spirit) their teacher (Jeremiah 31: 31 – 36) (Hebrew 8: 6 – 13) (1John 2: 27), had effectively removed the power and authority that some had and made them all equal. The door was been open for Jews and Gentiles; Sinners from both side of the fence to enter into the Holiest of the Holy and it was not right in their eyes. All that was needed was for the Gospel to be preached and souls would be converted. Those who were not Jews by birth were now been adopted into the family of God becoming Sons of God and heirs to the Kingdom. Saul of Tarsus, a Jew and a Pharisees, brought up at the feet of Gamaliel; and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, was zealous toward God, so he persecuted the Church binding and delivering into prisons both men and women who were converted; even consenting to the death of some. However when he himself was converted he was so transformed, having understood the importance of the Gospel; that he declared: “I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified”. “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:16-17) & (1 Corinthians 2:2). Christ emphasized the importance of the Gospel by commanding the Disciples: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16). The Salvation of God’s elect rests on them hearing the Gospel: The Word; which is necessary to activate that seed of faith which is in each one, that each may exercise their faith doing the will of God the Father. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word. The believer is commanded to take the Gospel into the world. To preach anything less is to fail to keep the Word of Christ and is therefore no different from the Jews breaking the Laws and Commandments. It may be that by not sharing the Gospel we are denying someone access to the Word of Life even delaying their coming to Salvation. Our actions may even have destructive results, except that God is able to deliver all and bring them to Salvation. The Gospel which has all the elements of Salvation must always be preached. It is not mere doctrine; but it’s the source of compulsion, the accelerating force, the Covenantal Instrument, the element of the believers Breakthrough, the transforming and transferring agent of Grace for God’s elect. The very Power of God Almighty unto Salvation.

Beloved: if you know that you have been saved, do as he has done, even as he has said: “Follow me”. Love your neighbor as yourself and share with them, that which God by Grace has given you. Share the Word it is THE POWER OF GOD and he commands that it be done.

Love you always with the love of Jesus. Be blessed.

W. Bennett