Matt. 24:14, “And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end,” Ampl.
And so I want to summarize this discussion on, “What is the Gospel?
Sometimes we are led to think less of what Paul taught because of certain statements he made.
For instance, he said in 1 Cor. 2:2,
“For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
But this was not his message neither was he intending that this is what we must preach as a message.
This resulted from what was going on within the Church. There was a quarrel and a high level of division, and he said this to settle those quarrels. Look at this;
1 Cor. 1:10, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
“3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” (1 Cor. 3:3-4)
So it was these issues he was settling that led to his statement. He meant to simply say be united in Christ in your thinking and attitude towards one another.
So again what was his doctrine-message?
1 Cor. 15:50, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.”
Rom. 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
There in Romans 14 was a comparison of the Old Testament practices and the New Testament kingdom of God purely defined.
The kingdom carried the righteousness, the joy and the peace of God, and Christ being the king of this kingdom.
The wise men would ask, Matt. 2:2,
“Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
And his reign is in righteousness. Heb.1:8,
“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.”
And this therefore is the message of Paul, “the kingdom of God.”
Acts 28:30, “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”
These therefore are a few things “The Kingdom Message, the Good News” is meant to deliver to us:
1. Delivers to us our true identity as our eyes get opened to see.
2. It reveals our sonship and what it means to be in God’s Kingdom.
3. It gives us our inheritance as sons of God.
4. It reveals God’s ultimate plan for redemption.
5. It positions Christ as the true Messiah and the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.
6. It brings to earth the true peace and righteousness of God.
7. It delivers to us the true Joy of the Holy Spirit that passeth all understanding.
8. It reveals to us the will of God on the earth and in our lives as it is in heaven.
9. It reveals to us the keys of the Kingdom.
10. We are better placed to see God’s glory on the earth.
11. It delivers to us the true riches and all that pertains to life and Godliness.
It is also a fact that only a few are given to know and understand what this message is all about.
Matt. 13:11, “…Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”
And these ought to be the Apostles of Christ.
So the Gospel is the Goodnews of the Kingdom of God.
The End!