Set apart to preach the gospel. Acts 13:2-4, Ro.1:1
Many quoted Acts 13:2-4 and claim that God called them to preach the gospel!
A. There is only one gospel. Gal.1:8-12
1. Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one
we preached to you, let him be condemned! Gal.1:8
To emphasize the point Paul repeated the same message in verse 9.
2. One preaches to please man is not a servant of God. Gal.1:10
3. The gospel one preaches must be by revelation from Christ. Gal.1:12
B. What is the one gospel in the Bible? 1 Cor.15:1-4
1. Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received
and on which you have taken your stand. 15:1
2. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.
Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 15:2
3. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance;
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried,
that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 15:3-4
Important points we must pay close attention:
1. The gospel Paul preached to them. 15:
2. The gospel they received and have taken their stand. 15:1
3. By this gospel they are saved.
4. If they hold firmly to the word Paul preached to them. 15:2
5. If they failed to hold firmly to the word they have believed I vain.15:3
6. ***The gospel is that Christ died, buried, raised on the 3rd day! 15:4
C. How do we understand the scriptures? 1 Cor.2:11-13
For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him?
in the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 1 Cor.2:!1
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God,
that we may understand what God has freely given us. 1 Cor.2:12
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words
taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 2:13
By the grace of God, we know exactly what this mean!
This means we must let the truth in the Bible explain itself!
D. By inspiration we found Ro.6:3-4.
Ro.6:3-4 explain to us baptism is the death, buried and raised with Christ.
By inspiration we found Acts 2:36-38 talk about what kind of people receive this baptism.
It was those who heard the words of the Lord, believe Jesus is Lord and Christ,
repent and baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and received
the gift of the Spirit.
By inspiration we found Acts 16:30-34
Paul was preaching the same message!
By inspiration we found Mark 16:15-16, Jn.3:1-16 Jesus said the same thing!
Therefore, we conclude this is the gospel which Paul preached in his time! Preach
the word of the Lord, people who heard believe Jesus is Lord, repent
and baptize for the forgiveness of their sins.
E. One who is called by God has to know and preach this same gospel!
1. It is impossible for a God who is righteous, holy and love to call a man to preach
a gospel which is different from the one gospel Paul preached!
Paul wrote: Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than
the one we preached to you, let him be condemned! Gal.1:8
2. If one said, God called him to preach, but God did not give him the same
gospel that Paul preached, this means God is tricking him to go to hell!
3. James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me."
For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! March 18, 2010.