A) INTRODUCTION.

B) THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL IS.

 

 

A) INTRODUCTION

 

 

It must first be understood where the Gospel came from.  According to Paul in his letter to the Galatians 1:11-12:  “[11] But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man. [12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  He again confirms this in First Thessalonians 2:13, “when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God.”

 

Galatians 1:8:  “But though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

 

 

B) THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL IS

 

The standard Biblically accepted definition of what “the Gospel” is, is found in First Corinthians 15:1-4:

1) Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3) For I delivered unto you first [1] of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;

4) And [2] that He was buried, and [3] that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

 

Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection are the verification of the written Word of God.  This is the MOST IMPORTANT message of the Scriptures.  Everything else follows with that declaration.  First Corinthians 15:14:  “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”

 

According to Galatians 3:8, the Gospel was also preached “unto Abraham.”  And that “gospel” was that “In thee [Abraham] shall all nations be blessed.”  Speaking of a Coming Messiah out of Abrahams lineage.  This is confirmed in Hebrews 4:2, that the Gospel given to Abraham was given to the Israelites.  Confirmed again in First Peter 1:11, which “testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory [resurrection] that should follow.”  With verse 13, speaking of the Coming of the Lord (see verse 7).

 

Now if we go to Matthew 4:23, we learn that “Jesus” went about “preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom.”  And just what is that?  If we go to Mark 1:14-15 we learn, “[14] Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, [15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand:  repent ye, and believe the Gospel.”  Meaning, the Gospel that was preached before Christ’s First Coming, that a Saviour Messiah was to Come, is now being fulfilled.  Also, the Gospel Jesus was preaching was, “repent ye.”

 

Romans 10:15, teaches us that the “the Gospel” is the “preach[ing of] the gospel of peace, and bring[ing] of glad tidings of good things!”  And verse 14 tells us that they must first be preached to, in order to hear, in order to believe.  And according to James 1:22-23 and Romans 2:13, a believer is a “doer” of the “Law,” i.e., the Word of God.

 

Also, when we go to First Peter 1:12-16 & 22-23, the Gospel is God, “which hath called you is Holy [in His sphere], so be ye holy [in your sphere] in all manner of conversation.”  And verse 21 points out the resurrection of Christ.  Finishing with First Peter 1:25, that the Gospel is “the Word of the Lord.”

 

Look also at First Thessalonians 2:2 & 4.  But then let’s see First Thessalonians 2:8, which states, “we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the Gospel of God only.”  Meaning, Paul most certainly preached more than just the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  And verses 11 & 12, tell us just what it was that Paul also preached.

 

Looking at Revelation 14:6-7, we can learn that “[6] the everlasting Gospel” is, to “[7] Fear God, and give glory to Him.”

 

Thus, “The Gospel” is whatever the Word of God says.  For, according to First Peter 4:17, the Gospel was to be “obey[ed].”  See also Romans 10:16.  That would mean more than just preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  If we compare Mark 16:15 with Matthew 28:19-20, the Gospel is everything Jesus “Commanded” them [us].  And Mark 1:1-2, teaches us that “[1] the Gospel” was everything “[2] written in the prophets.”

 

 

Therefore, when we come to Romans 2:16, we learn that “God shall judge” by the “Gospel” of Paul, which is in line with “Jesus Christ,” because it is “by Jesus Christ” that one is “judged.”  For only God can “judge the secrets of men.”  Common Sense tells us that the Standard used for “judgment” is the Ten Commandments.