Introduction
It is the writer’s conviction that the Bible alone contains all the information necessary to an individual’s salvation. On the surface, this may seem an obvious statement, but popular opinion will have it that the Bible contradicts itself; that it is the result of many and varied translations over the centuries, and therefore is subject to error; and that so many different cults and sects base opposing beliefs on the same Book that it is therefore hopeless for the ordinary layman to expect to profit from the study of it.
Nevertheless, the essential fundamental beliefs of our Christian faith are there for any and all who care to dig them out. No supplemental books are necessary (with the exception, possibly, of a good concordance). No aids to study, no theological treatises, no catechisms, no statements of faith are required for the knowledge on which we build our faith. The only requirement is a Bible with an adequate cross-reference system.
The Bible has been given by divine inspiration for the sole purpose of showing us the Way. To those who are willing to sacrifice the time required, if indeed it can be called a sacrifice, will come a rich and lasting reward of growing enthusiasm and strengthened conviction, as the pieces of God’s plan fall into an obvious, dove-tailed pattern.
John 5:39 — “Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me.”
2 Timothy 3:15 — “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ.”
The Gospel:
What is the “Gospel?” Most churchgoers, when asked this question will reply that it is the glad tidings, or the good news. This, of course, is true; but if you ask them the glad tidings of what, or the good news of what, they are usually at a loss to give a definite answer. About the most you will learn is that it is the good news about Christ, and if you proceed with the questioning the answers will grow either more and more vague or more and more diversified. Now, does this matter? What has the Gospel to do with our salvation, if anything? Is it worthy of our study or not? In answer to these questions we find the Scriptures have the following to say:
Matthew 4:23—”And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” (See also Matthew 9:35).
Matthew 24:14—”And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.”
Mark 1 :24—”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.”
Mark 16:15—”Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Romans 2:16—”In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”
2nd Thessalonians 1:7,8—”And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them which know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
These are only a few of the references which may be found regarding the Gospel in the New Testament; but even these few plainly state that the Gospel has something to do with the Kingdom of God, with salvation, and with judgment. Surely it is worthy of our study!
In the following we shall attempt to show that the Gospel of the Kingdom of God was not something new introduced by Christ and expounded only in the New Testament, but the Gospel (or “good news”) preached by Christ and His disciples concerning a kingdom which was synonymous (one and the same with) the inheritance promised to Abraham and his seed under the terms of the Old Testament.
The glad Tidings of the Kingdom of God concern tile promises given in the Old Testament:
Paul, the apostle, who was especially commissioned to go and preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, has much to say regarding these promises and the Gospel. We find him giving a long exhortation to the Jews at Antioch in the 13th chapter of Acts, and in it he says:
Acts 13:32, 33 — “And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again.”
Peter has the same message when asked what was necessary for salvation:
Acts 2:38, 39 — “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you. and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
Paul, this time writing to the Christian church in Ephesia, and commenting on their position regarding the promise, before they were “saved through faith” (2,8) has this to say:
Ephesians 2:12 — “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”
And in his letter to the Romans, Paul goes to considerable length to explain why the promises made to Abraham and Isaac and “their seed” were finally taken away from the lineal descendants of these patriarchs and given to the Gentiles: to you and me!
Romans 9:7, 8 (This entire chapter should be read) — “Neither because they are the seed of Abraham; are they all
children, but in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”
In other words: Because “they,” the Jews, are the lineal descendants of the “seed” of Abraham, they are not necessarily the children of God and therefore inheritors with Abraham of the promises. But those who accept the Gospel through faith in Christ — these will “be counted for the seed,” and these will inherit the promises made to Abraham!
Now, before we are accused of reading too much into the above verses from Romans, let us turn to the 3rd chapter of Galatians for a complete understanding of “the seed.” Once we are convinced that we have the privilege of becoming the “seed of Abraham,” and therefore inheritors with him of “the promises,” we can turn our attention to a study of just what these promises are.
The children of the promise — the seed:
In the beginning of his letter, chapter 1, Paul has warned the Galatians against believing the wrong Gospel, and in the 3rd chapter he gives an inspired explanation of the difference between those who lived under the Mosaic law and those who are justified by faith in Christ. (This is an excellent chapter to study for those who are interested in the relation of the Old Testament, or covenant, which was given under the law, and the New Testament, or covenant, which is given through faith.)
Paul established the groundwork for the 3rd chapter by stating:
Galatians 3:7-9 — “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the came are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”
See also Romans 4:13 — “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”
From these verses we learn:
- We become the children of Abraham through faith in God.
- God preached the Gospel unto Abraham, saying, “In thee shall all nations be blessed” (we shall see later that this is also part of the promise).
- As children of Abraham we shall receive the same blessings promised to him.
May we emphasize this:
Those who become the children of Abraham, through faith in God, will also receive the same blessings promised to him by God.
Now, Abraham’s entire life (especially his willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac) showed his faith in God. How do we come to this faith? How do we show our faith? Continue right on reading in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, 3rd chapter:
Galatians 3:14 — “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ. that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
Galatians 3:16 — “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”
Galatians 3:22 — “But the scripture has concluded ALL under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”
Galatians 3:26 — “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:27 — “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Galatians 3:29 — “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”
What can be clearer than this? If you are Christ’s (by faith and then baptism into Him), then are you also Abraham’s seed (because you have shown the same faith in God and His promises that Abraham had), and therefore you will be an heir with Abraham of the promises.
For further Scriptural proof that we who become “heirs” through faith in Christ, the “mediator of the New Testament” (Hebrews 9:15), will also “receive the promise of eternal inheritance,” see:
Romans 4:16 — “There it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to ALL the seed; not to that only which is the law (the Jews), but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham (the Gentiles); who is the father of us all (Jews and Gentiles alike).
Romans 4:17 — As it is written, I have made thee (Abraham) a father of many nations” (part of the promise).
Hebrews 10:30 — “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
Hebrews 10:37 — “For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and shall not tarry” (speaking of Christ’s return to establish the inheritance, in fulfillment of God’s promises).
Hebrews 6:12 — “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
Colossians 3:24 — “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
Now that we have established that Jew and Gentile alike (those who are Abraham’s seed through faith in Christ) will all be heirs of an inheritance according to the promise, next month, God willing, we will go on and find out what the promise is. What is the inheritance?
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One