What is the gospel? Romans 1:1-6
Romans 1:1-6 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to
be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (2) (Which he had promised
afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) (3) Concerning his Son Jesus
Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
(4) And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of
holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: (5) By whom we have received grace
and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
(6) Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ.
In
these six verses of Scripture the Holy Spirit has given us five distinct,
identifying characteristics of the gospel. Mark them carefully. Learn what they
mean. Any gospel which fails to measure up to this standard is a false gospel
and those who preach it are false prophets. The Gospel we believe and preach,
the gospel of Holy Scripture, the only true Gospel is here described as “THE
GOSPEL OF GOD”. There are not many gospels, but one, and that one
gospel is “the gospel” which is “of God”. It came from God. It reveals
God. It is made known by God. It brings sinners to God. And it glorifies and
exalts God.
That gospel which is of God
is that “Which he had promised afore by
his prophets in the holy scriptures.” The gospel revealed in the
New Testament is the gospel promised, portrayed, and typified in the Old
Testament. As stated above, there
is only one gospel, not two. God did not save sinners by works in the Old
Testament. He saved them by grace, just like he does today.
That Gospel which is of God
and according to the Scriptures, promised in the prophets of the Old Testament,
is “CONCERNING
GOD’S SON, JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.” The
gospel is good news about a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not a set of
doctrines, a proposition, or an offer. It is the blessed good news of the
Person, work, and accomplishments of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is here called the Son of God, God the Son, the second
Person of the Holy Trinity (1 John 5:7). He is Jesus, our Savior, Deliverer, and Redeemer (Matt. 1:21). He is the Christ, Jehovah’s Servant, his Elect,
the Messiah, that One of whom it is written, “He shall not fail!” He who is God our Savior is our Lord, the sovereign Monarch of the
universe (John 17:2; Rom. 14:9). He of whom the gospel speaks is God the
eternal Son who was “made of the seed of David, according to the flesh”. He was “made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under
the law.” Being made a man, he was made a man according to the direct,
royal line of King David to sit upon his throne forever. Then, after he had
satisfied the law and justice of God for the sins of his people, which were
imputed to him, by his death upon the cursed tree, our great Substitute was
manifestly and indisputably “declared to be the Son of God with power,
according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”
It is this great God and Savior revealed in the gospel by whom we have received grace, faith, and obedience (v.5).
This gospel, everything
about this gospel is “for
his name”, for the
glory, honor, praise, exaltation, and worship of his holy name! Here is a
litmus test by which we must judge all religion, all doctrine, and all
preaching. If it exalts the Lord Jesus Christ and the free grace of God in him,
it is according to the gospel of God. If it exalts man, his will, his works, or
his religious deeds, it is of the devil, the father of lies, the flatterer and
deceiver of men’s souls.
And it is by this gospel,
the glorious gospel of the all glorious Christ, that we who believe are “the called of Jesus Christ.” Yes, God saves his elect through the instrumentality of
gospel preaching (2 Thess. 2:13-14). AMEN.
Grace
For Today Radio Message #551
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Danville, KY 40422 - 9438 - Donald S. Fortner, Pastor