The Christian Conscience

When asked what the GOSPEL is, most will refer you to 1st Corinthians 15:1-4, where it is written: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

Notice that it says “the gospel which I preached unto you.” In other words, the author is referring to a specific gospel message that he had preached to the Corinthian church - Greeks, who knew very little about God and His Messiah, Jesus Christ.  This passage is not the whole gospel.  It is only the part of the gospel that tells us who Christ was - and is.

If you take the time to search the scriptures, you will find that there are many gospels.  The word gospel means account, or message.  It is not always good news. The same author writes in Galatians 1:6, 7 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto ANOTHER GOSPEL: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the GOSPEL OF CHRIST.”

The whole gospel includes more than just who Christ is, but it also tells us the gospel which Jesus Christ, Himself, preached.  Refer to Mark 1:14, 15:  “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.’ ”

In John 1:12,13, it says, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH, NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN, BUT OF GOD.”  When you read this scripture, focus on verse 13.  It tells us who those are that believe on this name.  Those who are born of God are those who believe on His name.  That’s what Jesus was talking about when He said, “You must be born again.” (John 3:7)

When we read John 3:3-7, it is important to read it carefully, otherwise we will be receiving “another gospel.”  Jesus said in verse 5: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, ‘Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’ When we read verse 6, we find that being born of water is not water baptism, but is simply a natural birth, born from the mother’s womb.  He then said that a man must be born of the Spirit (the Holy Spirit).  This is a major part of the Gospel according to Jesus. 

Have you been born of the Spirit?  If you regularly pray in the Spirit, (see Ephesians 6:18 and 1st Corinthians 14:14, 15) you most likely have been born of the Spirit. 

Questions or comments are invited.  Send us an e-mail.

Aren’t you tired of wondering about God’s truth?  At the Mexico Beach Christian Worship Center, you can get vital teachings from the Holy Bible, every Sunday morning.  We don’t pass an offering plate, or plead for money, or twist your arm to join.  Check us out this Sunday!  Our services begin, with a time of greeting and fellowship, at 9:30 a.m. CDT on Sunday.  Worship begins at 9:45 a.m.  Come early so that you can meet, and fellowship with us, and join in the praise and worship music led by TJ!  We meet, and worship, at the Mexico Beach Civic Center on 105 N. 31st Street, behind Parker Realty, and the Beach Walk gift shop, just off Highway. 98, in Mexico Beach.

God Bless,

Pastor Tim Morrill

Mexico Beach Christian Worship Center

tim1@jesusanswers.com

http://www.mexicobeachcwc.com