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QUESTION 42
There are so many different voices I would like to know, just what is the "gospel" anyway?

ANSWER:
This is not only a good question, but an important one also. In my experience over many years I have asked this many times and get many different answers.

The gospel is God's power to save sinners. Romans 1:16, ".it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." This verse tells us "what it does" and how to get it." There is no salvation apart from it. Galatians 1:8-9, tell us that there is only one gospel. "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." In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, we read, " If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not..."

Now the "gospel, what is it?" 1 Corinthians 15:1, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, make it very clear. I quote, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you...For I delivered unto you that which I also received, HOW THAT CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES; AND THAT HE WAS BURIED, AND THAT HE AROSE THE THIRD DAY ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES." There is NO BAPTISM HERE, NO LAW, NO WORKS OF OUR OWN or ANYTHING ELSE. This is the pure gospel, by which a person is saved.

Don't listen to anyone that hides the gospel, under baptism, the law, good work or religion. Every born-again Christian should be baptized, and maintain good works, but they add nothing to the gospel. This is the gospel according to the scriptures and they are the "Thus saith the Lord." Jesus said, "Repent and believe the gospel." Mark 1:15 Have you taken these two steps yet?

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen