The Gospel: God’s Plan Of Salvation

1. Why is it important that we examine the gospel we possess?

(Gal 1:8-9) Three Reasons:

1.1. There is only one true gospel (i.e. one that saves) (6-7a).

1.2. False gospels and teachers do exist (7b).

1.3. If we believe/embrace a false gospel – we are damned (8-9).

We need to be sure that we possess the true gospel – i.e.  “the revelation of Jesus Christ” – Gal 1:11-12 = God’s Word as found in the OT and NT; the gospel of the whole bible (Joh 1:1, 14; 1Jo 1:1-4; Luk 24:27, 44; Rev 1:9, 19:10).

2. What are the essentials of the whole bible gospel?

They are: Christ, Covenant, and Church. In other words, the Bible teaches we must possess all three in order to be saved.

2.1. Christ

2.1.1. Faith in Him alone as Savior (Joh 3:16; Act 4:12).

2.1.2. Our faith in Christ places us in covenant with Him (Luk 22:20).

2.2. Covenant (biblical def.) = relationship bound by contract.

2.2.1. Covenants are the way God saves people (e.g. OT = OC; NT = NC).

2.2.2. God’s saving covenants are marriage contracts (OC/NC, as seen in Jer 31:31-32).

2.2.3. Christ is the Husband and the Church His Bride (Eph 5:22-32; 2 Co 11:2).

2.2.4. Like our human marriages, our marriage contract with Christ contains rules (or laws) that must be faithfully obeyed if we are to:

• 2.2.4.1. Express our love for Christ as Husband (Joh 14:15 w/Jud 20-21).
• 2.2.4.2. Demonstrate our submission to Christ as Lord (Luk 6:46-40 w/ Mat 7:21-27). The context of Jesus’ words in both instances is Judgment Day. As such, the destruction of the one who does not faithfully obey is Hell. Another example of this is found in (Mat 24:36-51). Both are slaves in God’s house (i.e. those bought by the Master – Christians {1Co 6:20}). Yet only those who remain faithful to Him as “Master”/Lord receive the benefits of Him as Savior. No one therefore can have Jesus as Savior who will not submit to Him as Lord (“Lord before Savior”). False gospels would include then, those preaching you can have Jesus as Savior yet deny Him as Lord or “Master” (e.g. 2Pe 2:1; Jud 1:3-4).
• 2.2.4.3. Continue to receive His sacrifice for the forgiveness for our sins (Heb 10:27-30).

2.2.5. Such faithful obedience is not earning our salvation, but rather “maintaining what we gained” (e.g. A husband’s faithfulness to his wife does not earn him more kisses but guarantees that such blessings are still available).

2.2.6. Such faithful obedience can be done! God’s Word confirms it and countless others have already accomplished it (Deu 30:8; Heb 12:1; 2Ti 4:7-8; to believe keeping the Law faithfully is impossible, is to accuse God of being worse than Hitler since He clearly required it of His OT people and killed far more Jews for failing than the Germans ever did).

2.2.7. Our marriage contract with Christ is therefore conditional. If we refuse/fail to be faithful, then the contract will be broken and His promises to us (including salvation) will be forfeited in divorce (Isa 50:1; Neh 1:7-9, 9:32-37; 2Ch 15:2 w/2Ti 2:11-13). 

2.2.8. The rules (or laws) Christ calls us to obey are those established under the Old Testament (Mat 5:17-20).

2.2.9. The only change to the Law is in its application. This is specifically the case as it relates to the “clean laws” – those laws by which a person became “clean” – or justified before God so as to enter into covenant with Him (circumcision, sacrifice, sabbaths, and separation; e.g. Lev 16:30). Faith in Christ represents the new application of the Old Covenant clean laws and what Paul is arguing for in his epistles. Not removal of the Law but rather its Old Covenant application regarding how a person enters into a saving relationship with God (Rom 3:28-31, 10:4; 1Co 7:19). The NT therefore is where we go to find the new application (if any) to OC laws. If no change is explained, then the principle remains (e.g. 1Co 9:1-11).

2.2.10. To believe that the Law itself is no longer in force makes love and repentance impossible since both are dependent on the Law (Rom 13:8-10; 1Jo 3:4).

2.3. Church

2.3.1. Since the church is the bride of Christ, she is who we must belong to if we hope to be married to – or saved, by Him. Hence why the Bible teaches:

• 2.3.1.1. The blood of Christ was shed for the church, not individuals. (Act 20:28)
• 2.3.1.2. The “keys” to the Kingdom of Heaven or receiving Christ’s blood for forgiveness/salvation have been given to the church. (Mat 16:18-19; Joh 20:21-23)
• 2.3.1.3. It is only through the church sacrament of baptism that we can express a faith (in Christ) that God will accept unto salvation. (1Pe 3:21)
• 2.3.1.4. It is only through the church sacrament of the Lord’s Table that we can continue to receive Christ’s cleansing blood for our sins. (Joh 13:1-20)

2.3.2. Jesus recognizes as His bride only those churches defined according to His/the Bible’s criteria (Act 11:19-26):

• 2.3.2.1. At least one biblically qualified and ordained elder. (22 – “Barnabas” = an Apostle and therefore elder in the Jerusalem church {see Act 14:14}. 24 – “Full of the Holy Spirit” = ordained)
• 2.3.2.2. At least ten people who have embraced the gain and maintain Gospel. (19-21 = faith, 23 – “exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord” = faithfulness)
• 2.3.2.3. At least ten who have been “added to the Lord” through baptism. (24 w/ Act 2:41; Gen 18:32)

*Notice the change from “a great number” (21) to identification as a “church” (26) only happens after this group hears the prescribed Gospel, receives the prescribed leadership, and are officially reckoned the Lord’s people through the prescribed instrument.

To be recognized by Christ as one of His churches, these are the criteria necessary.