Will The True Gospel Of Jesus Christ Please Stand Up?

(Part One)

In Acts, chapter two, we have a perfect pattern for the true gospel of Jesus Christ in the sermon Peter preached on the day of Pentecost.

Contrary to the modern gospel, which begins with, "Smile, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life," the true gospel begins with the sovereignty of God.

In verse 24 Peter sets forth the fact that God ordained the death of Jesus Christ, and then that man is guilty before God for this despicable crime. Then, Peter sets forth the glorious person and work of Jesus Christ.

That is the gospel! God is in control, man is hopelessly lost and dead in sins, and Jesus Christ is the only hope for sinners.

For those who were ordained to believe this message (Acts 13:48), whose hearts the Holy Spirt had opened, and who were convicted of their sins, Peter tells them to repent of their sins and be baptized because of the remissions of their sins, and they would experience the same power from God as they saw in the church members.

Ephesians 2:3-5 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened (made us alive spiritually) us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

(Part Two)

Last week, we established the elements of the true gospel from Acts, chapter two. The true gospel begins with the sovereignty of God and the sinful inability of man to please God (verse 24). Then it sets forth the person and work of Jesus Christ.

To those who received this message (Acts 13:48), Peter tells them to repent of their sins and be baptized, because their sins are remitted.

Let’s contrast this to today’s modern gospel. It begins with God’s love (in this most evangelistic book of Acts, the word "love" does not appear), then encourages the hearer to see how Jesus can meet his needs, and receive this love.

It is a man-centered "gospel." What can God do for me? is the all important question.

It does not set forth the truth that a man’s destiny is in God’s hands (God’s sovereignty), but rather that it is up to man if he is to be saved. It is a works-centered gospel as opposed to the true gospel of grace.

Is it any wonder, then, that most people have no real concept of who God is, who man is, and how God really saves sinners?

On top of that, few people read and study the Bible for themselves, so they believe this modern "gospel" that robs God of His glory and enthrones man in His seat!

Romans 3:23-24,27 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

(Part Three)

Let’s look at Acts 2:38 in Peter’s message on the day of Pentecost. After Peter had set forth the sovereignty of God, the baseness of man, and the exaltation of Jesus Christ, some of those who heard the message were pricked in the heart and wanted to know what they should do.

Acts 2:38 is addressed to them, and to them alone. Why did some of the people believe the message, and others did not?

For one thing, Acts 13:48 tells us that as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed. John 3 tells us that it takes a sovereign act of God in the new birth to enable a sinner to understand spiritual things.

Peter knew that the reason these people were burdened with their sins is that they had been made new creatures by the new birth, so he tells them what they should do for or because of forgiveness of sins. They should turn away from their sins, and identify with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection by baptism.

Their repentance and baptism were not conditions for salvation for that is salvation by works. They gave evidence of their gracious state by their obedience to the gospel.

This is the fundamental difference between the true gospel and today’s modern "gospel."

The true gospel gives God all the glory for salvation, for it truly belongs to Him alone!

I Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: