The Crusader's Home Page

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST


The term "The Gospel of Christ" appears some twelve times in the Bible, but only in the epistles of Paul. Its first occurance, according to the arrangement of the books in the King James version, is in Romans 1:16 where we read: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." The Gospel of Christ is the good news of God concerning Christ, as indicated in verse three of this same chapter, having to do with the Person of Christ and His redemptive work of the cross for lost humanity. In other words, the Gospel of Christ is synonymous with Paul's "my gospel," not limited or restricted to the gospel of salvation, but it incorporates the entire body of truth relative to spiritual life and walk of the believer-the members of the Body of Christ. The great apostle preached and lived Christ: For me to live is Christ; I am crucified unto the world and the world is crucified unto me. Men are prone to glory in their own great church structures-they speak of my church, etc. Not so with Paul. Listen to his instructions to his son in the faith and to us in II Timothy 1:7-10 (vs. 8 and 9 quoted): "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who has saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own grace purpose, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

"The Gospel of Christ is not to be confused with the gospel which the Lord Jesus preached while here on earth. He preached the good news concerning the Kingdom of Heaven which will be established upon earth in the future. One should observe carefully the message of the gospel of the kingdom as recorded in the book of Matthew, and to whom directed:

Then, Acts 1:6 will be fulfilled: "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" As well as many, many other prophecies. God will surely fulfill all His promises to Israel. Incidentally, the Lord Jesus applied all of the book of Matthew to the kingdom and to try to apply it to the present dispensation of Grace results in endless confusion among the saints.


THE FAITH OF CHRIST


The phrase, "The Faith of Christ," concerns, first of all, the Person and the work of Christ. It is concerning Christ just as the Gospel of Christ is concerning Christ. In other words, the Faith of Christ is: the testimony of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord and is reckoned over to or put to the account of the person who believes the record that God has given. Now in the dispensation of Grace, there is only ONE faith, not many faiths. The faith of Christ is not to be compared with the faith of Buddah or of any other religious leader of the so-called great religions of the world. They and their followers had a religion of their own, not the faith of Christ not faith in Christ and His redemtive work. One should bear in mind that: Religion is not Christianity. Religion is of the flesh and is man made (God will have no flesh to glory in His presence). Christianity is a Person-Christianity is Christ. Actually the term religion has become an obsolete term in a spiritual sense. Religion consists of moral codes, ethical systems, and pious observances, as someone has stated. Does not a similar situation prevail today in organized religion, as in II Timothy 3:1-5? True faith accepts God's word, the Bible, as final authority. There is not higher court of appeal. By faith the saints of old won God's approval, even though they did not have have the Bible in its present form. However, today there are dispensational distinctions to be considered. Remembering this basic principle: All for us, Paul to us. Today salvation is by grace through faith apart from any requirements of the law of Moses-it is the free gift of God, bestowed on the principle of grace, and received on the principle of faith. Surely God excepts nothing from anyone whom He classifies as: dead in trespasses and sins-not even repentance in its general sense, because it is not of works, lest anyone should boast. Even to repent (do penence) for salvation would constitute works and contrary to the divine principle. God justifies the ungodly (Romans 4:4-5). This too is contrary to human comprehension. But God has provided His free gift of salvation which was accomplished on the Cross for all who will receive it and say "thank you." It is that simple but someone has said "simply tremendous!" He is made unto us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption (I Corinthians 1:30).


Summary


An excellent summary of the foregoing is set forth in these most marvelous passages of Scripture: Romans 8:2-4-"For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do (Christ did), in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful (not IN sinful) flesh, and for sin, condemned sin the flesh; that the righteousness (righteous requirements) of the law, might be fulfilled in us (note: IN us, not BY us), who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit." And Galatians 2:20-21 "For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved Me, and gave Himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the law then Christ died in vain." In conclusion: The Gospel of Christ concerns Christ-His person and Work for lost humanity. The Gospel which Christ preached, concerns the Kingdom of Heaven and concerning which all the O.T. prophets prophesied, to be established upon the earth in the future.

The Faith of Christ, concerns the Person and Work of Christ in one who believes the testimony of God's Word. The Holy Spirit which then indwells, is the Gift of God.

 

                               WHAT DO YOU SEE?