Introduction
In the religious world, today there seem to be many different ‘gospels’, all of which seem plausible and all of which seem to offer something to attract the unbeliever. Some offer a pain and trial free existence, some offer financial wealth and some offer both but when we listen closely to their message, we soon discover that it’s actually not the Gospel we read about in the Bible they are proclaiming.
Now proclaiming a different gospel isn’t anything new, the apostle Paul warned the Galatian Christians against accepting a different gospel, Galatians 1:6-9.
These are strong words from Paul, the Galatians had already heard and obeyed the real Gospel but now it seems some people were coming along and proclaiming a different gospel.
Why was Paul so stern?
Simply because if they abandoned the real Gospel and began to follow this new gospel, they would have ultimately lost their salvation.
What was the Gospel Paul preached to them?
‘Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the GOSPEL I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this GOSPEL you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.’ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
When we read what the actual Gospel message is, it is clear, it’s simple and it’s certainly not confusing. The Gospel is ‘Good News’ and it’s all about what God did for us, God wants us to rejoice over the good news of what Jesus did for all of us on the cross.
Although our sin deserves death, Jesus paid the price and even defeated death, so we too can live forever with God. We’re all sinners, Romans 3:23, in need of salvation but through the death, burial and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, He has provided an opportunity for us to be forgiven of our sins Ephesians 1:7 / Ephesians 2:1-10 and receive eternal life, John 3:16.
His love for us is unconditional, Romans 5:8, but the salvation He offers us is conditional and that’s because God isn’t only a God of love, He’s also a God who requires obedience to His will, Jeremiah 7:23 / Matthew 25:21 / John 14:15 / Revelation 2:10.
How Should We Respond To The Gospel?
Our response must be to have FAITH in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Romans 10:17 / Hebrews 11:6.
We must REPENT (change the direction of our lives), Acts 2:38 / Acts 3:19 / Acts 17:30, and ACKNOWLEDGE our faith in Christ Jesus, Matthew 10:32 / Romans 10:9-10 and be BAPTISED (immersed) into water to receive the forgiveness of our sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and so be ADDED to the Lord’s church, Mark 16:16 / Acts 2:37-42 / Acts 22:16.
In this way, we enter into a NEW RELATIONSHIP with God and His Son and begin a NEW LIFE in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 4:17-32.
Faith
‘Without faith, we can’t please God’ Hebrews 11:6
Faith is an essential part of our relationship with God and it’s the beginning of the process of becoming a Christian and receiving eternal life. If we don’t believe in Him and believe Him, we won’t really be trying to please Him! Mark 1:14-15.
Mark tells us that Jesus wants us to believe the Gospel, as we noted earlier, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 tells us that the Gospel is believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Remember the good news speaks of how Jesus died for our sins and rose again so that we too can live with Him for eternity, this really is good news for all of mankind.
Repentance
There are two types of repentance found within the Bible, one of which is all about just feeling sorry for ourselves and the other is about feeling sorry for the sins we’ve committed against God, but that sorrow brings us to the point where we change the direction of our lives, 2 Corinthians 7:10.
Along with faith, God requires repentance from sin from anyone who wants to become a Christian, Matthew 21:28-29.
This is a great example from Jesus about repentance, in the story the son disobeyed his father but when he ‘regretted’ his decision, he repented, he changed his mind about his decision and he went on to do what his father asked him to do.
Confession
Along with faith and repentance, if a person desires to become a Christian they need to acknowledge their faith in Christ Jesus, Matthew 10:32 / Romans 10:9-10.
Everyone must confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God before they can become a Christian.
Baptism
Along with faith, repentance and confession, anyone desiring to obey God must be baptised, Mark 16:16.
Notice that Jesus says that baptism is a command for ‘believers’, here Jesus is explaining where our obedience begins and where it leads to. In other words, we start with faith which leads us to be baptised in order to be saved.
Obviously, if someone doesn’t believe, they won’t do everything else, God has commanded us to do, repent, confess and be baptised in order to receive salvation.
There are four reasons why we must be baptised
1. We must be baptised if we want to be saved. Matthew 28:19-20 / 1 Peter 3:21.
2. We must be baptised to have our sins forgiven and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38.
3. We must be baptised if we want to be ‘in Christ’ which means to be a Christian. Galatians 3:27.
4. Finally, we must be baptised if we want to become a member of the body of Christ, His church, Ephesians 1:22-23 / 1 Corinthians 12:13.
The Church
Upon our baptism, we’re added by God, to Christ’s church, the total of all people who have obeyed Him, Acts 2:37-47. Christ and His church are inseparable because He gave Himself for the church, Acts 20:28 and is the Head and Saviour of His church, Ephesians 1:22-23 / Colossians 1:18. Christ is Lord of everything, including our daily work responsibilities and relationships, Ephesians 5:21-6:9.
The church, the body of believers, shares the Lord’s Supper as a memorial to Christ’s death on the first day of each week, Acts 20:7 / 1 Corinthians 11:17-32, the church sings hymns of praise together, Ephesians 5:18-20, they pray together, Acts 2:42 / 1 Thessalonians 5:17, they receive God’s Word in teaching together, Acts 2:42, and encourage each other, 1 Thessalonians 5:11. Christ’s followers show the presence of Christ in their lives by both their words and their deeds, Colossians 3:17.
The Gospel Simplified
He came for YOU
‘For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’ Luke 19:10
He died for YOU
‘But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ Romans 5:8
He was buried but rose from the dead for YOU
‘For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.’ Romans 6:5
GOD’S PART
1. The great love of God for man. John 3:16
2. He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Saviour. Luke 19:10
3. Sent the Holy Spirit as a guide. John 16:13
4. Gave the Gospel ‘Good News’ as ‘the power’ that brings salvation. Romans 1:16
5. Provided atonement by the blood of Christ. Romans 5:9
YOUR PART
1. Hear the Gospel. Romans 10:17 / John 8:32
2. Believe the Gospel. Hebrews 11:6 / John 20:31
3. Repent of past sins. Luke 13:3 / Acts 17:30
4. Confess faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:10 / Matthew 10:32
5. Be Baptised ‘full immersion’. Galatians 3:27 / Mark 16:16 / Acts 2:38
