To: Hebraic-Foundations@yahoogroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date sent: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 17:19:50 -0500
Subject: HF006 - The Gospel the Apostles Preached
Hebraics,
This is a sixth Bible study. It is entitled, 'The Gospel the Apostles
Preached." (In this study we will briefly look at the issue of a
metaphysical gospel that is being preached today.)
Let's begin with Paul:
"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I
PREACHED TO YOU, which also YOU RECEIVED, in which also
YOU STAND, by which also YOU ARE SAVED, if you HOLD
FAST the word which I PREACHED to you, unless you believed in
vain." (Caps for emphasis only. I'm not shouting.)
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was
buried, and that He was raised the third day according to the
Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
Paul goes on to speak of the appearances by Jesus to those who
had been chosen to be his witnesses. He includes himself as the
last testifier to the resurrection of Jesus, "as to one untimely born."
(Verse 8)
Finally Paul says this; "Whether then it was I or they, so we
preached and so you believed." (Verse 11)
It is not strange that we would even have to ask what gospel the
apostles preached? It is not laid out so plain in the Scriptures? Is it
not strange that we would have to ask, "What is the message that has been
entrusted to the Church for the past 2000 years, by which any person can
be saved?"
Well, don't find it strange that we should ask these questions.
Satan's greatest efforts of deception have always been to put a
death shroud over the gospel of our salvation. He does it by
wrapping it up on religious jargon. He does it by introducing a
mixture of strange teachings. He does it by adding things that were
never taught by Jesus or the apostles. He creates strange gospels.
Satan well knows that the simple gospel of Jesus Christ is the one
thing people need to hear in order to be saved. Somehow he has to
keep that message from going forth in its purity.
Did not the writer of Hebrews, say, "Do not be carried away by
strange teachings?" (Heb13:9)
Did not the apostle say, "We are no longer to be children, tossed
here and there by *waves* and carried about by every *wind* of
doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful
scheming." (Eph4:14)
It isn't necessary to bore you with the Greek here. Paul is using a
picture of a foamy sea, combined with twisting winds, to make his
point. And his point is that immature believers, who are not
anchored in the true gospel of Jesus Christ, are easily caught up in the
swirl of false teachings. (Most of us have been deceived at some point,
even if but temporarily.)
Contending false gospels have always been a major battle zone for
the church. This is why you see so much 'experience' chasing
today. People have never discovered the beauty and power of the
simple gospel. And so, they are continually seeking the 'next'
experience that will truly set them free.
Ever notice how its always the next revival, or the next move, or 'we are
right on the edge of something great,' or, 'the next thing is the Elisha
move.' Ever stop to think what all these terms are saying? They are saying
that Jesus is not enough by Himself. They are saying that no believer can
stop and rest. We must strive! Strive! Strive! Next thing you know, you
have believers confused, tired and a little more than upset.
We are living in an age of spiritual junkies. The next great revival is
just around the corner. Did you know that the apostles never taught any
such thing? They never taught a striving after the next move. What they
preached was our fulfillment in Christ Himself. Did not Paul say, "Christ
in you the hope of glory."
What did Jesus say? "Come to Me, all who are weary and heaven-
laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt11:28)
Did not John say, "For of His fulness we have all received, and
grace upon grace." (John 1:16)
Paul said, "But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his
craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity
of devotion to Christ." (2Co11:3)
James said, "But the wisdom (fruit of the gospel) from above is first
pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits,
unwavering, without hypocrisy." (James 3:17)
Listen carefully to this Scripture: "For in Him all the fullness of
Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him YOU HAVE BEEN MADE
COMPLETE, and He is the head over all rule and authority."
(Col2:9,10 - Caps for emphasis only.)
So what did the apostles preach? In addition to our beginning
Scriptures in this study, there are two others that must be
considered.
First understand that Paul placed a curse on false gospels? Do
you remember him saying, "But even if we, or an angel from
heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have
preached to you, he is to be accursed." (Gal1:8)
Please listen carefully - What is the one word that we need to
connect with in this study? The gospel the apostles 'preached.'
The apostles preached something that every false gospel tries to
undermined. Do you know what it is?
Well, let's see what it is. Listen carefully to Romans 10:8-10; "But what
does it say? 'The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart,' that
is, the word of faith WHICH WE ARE PREACHING ...
...that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your
heart that God raised Him from the dead, YOU WILL BE SAVED; for with the
heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he
confesses, resulting in salvation."
You can read the Scriptures for yourself. Ask the Lord to show you
the true plan of salvation. He will open your eyes to the glory and
beauty of simple faith. The only thing you will need to do is to get into
the Bible for yourself. Read it with a passion.
And let me pass something on to you that is wonderful beyond
words. Someone once asked Charles Spurgeon, the man known
as the prince of preachers, to write a defense of the gospel. He
responded that the gospel did not need to be defended. It is like a
caged lion. Turn it loose and it will take care of itself.
Now a mention on metaphysics - Many believers today do not
realize how very subtle the teachings of metaphysics are. It is very easy
to cross over into this realm without truly understanding what is
happening.
Metaphysical teachings appeal to our desire for control. Since we
are supernatural creatures, we love the appeal of great things. All
we have to do is learn the spiritual laws. For example, "You can
create with your words!" Or, "If you say a thing enough, it will
happen." Did you know that this kind of teaching is the basis for
sorcery? Sorcery involves the manipulation of spiritual forces.
But is this what the apostles taught? Hardly. The apostles taught
the principle of Lordship.
To keep this study from becoming too lengthy, I'll leave off with
this. Paul warned the Corinthian Church that they were bordering
on the occult. Did you know this?
Listen carefully; "For if one comes and preaches another Jesus
whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which
you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not
accepted, you bear this beautifully." (2Co11:4)
What under heaven was Paul talking about? He was talking about
the very thing that is happening in Christendom, and on the
television tube at this very moment. Spiritual laws are being taught in
the place of Lordship. How to accomplish prosperity is being preached in
the place of Biblical repentance, and in not striving after wealth. The
list is endless.
Do you understand the gospel? Let's talk about it. The study is
open for discussion.
Shalom in Christ,
Buddy
Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin, HF Host
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org