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The Gospel Defined Romans 1:1-17
Here is a fivefold definition of the Gospel, given to us by God himself through the pen of the Apostle Paul.
Of God First, God the Holy Ghost defines it as “the Gospel of God” (Romans 1:1-2), because God is the Author of it, the Executor of it, the Subject of it, and the Revealer of it. There is only one Gospel. It is defined here as “the Gospel of God” for at least these four reasons (Ephesians 1:3-14; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Look at verse 2. This Gospel of God is no new Gospel. It is not a novel doctrine. This Gospel of peace is the everlasting Gospel. It was conceived in the heart of God from all eternity, ordained before the world was, and hidden in Christ from the beginning (Proverbs 8). It was revealed to the sons of men in promise, by prophets, in pictures, in type and in ceremony throughout the Old Testament (Acts 10:43; Hebrews 1:1-2; Luke 24:44-45). And it was manifested by the coming of our Lord Jesus (2 Timothy 1:9-10).
About Christ In Romans 1:3 we are told that the Gospel of God is “the Gospel of God concerning his Son.” The Gospel of God is all about Christ. The Gospel is not about baptism, morality, or religious reformation and ritualism of any kind. The Gospel is all about Christ. Christ is the express and solitary subject of the Gospel. Christ is the Gospel! The Gospel concerns his person and his work. The whole Gospel is included in Christ; and if a man removes one step from Christ, he departs from the Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 John 5:11-13, 20). He who is our Savior is and must be God the Son. The Gospel identifies and owns him as such. He is Jesus, the Savior (Matthew 1:21). The Gospel we preach is the Gospel of the Christ, God’s Anointed One. This great God, the Son, Jesus Christ, is our Lord. The Gospel declares him Lord, the sovereign Monarch of the universe (John 17:2; Romans 14:9). Jesus Christ our Savior is God; but God, absolute God, could never redeem and save fallen, sinful, guilty, condemned men. If he would save, if ever there was to be a Gospel to preach, the Son of God must become the Son of man. Therefore we are told that the Son of God “was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.” These two things must be found in Christ in order that we may obtain salvation in and by him: deity and humanity (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:23; John 1:14). He is the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and according to the flesh he is the seed of David (Psalm 132:11; Luke 1:32). He is David’s son and David’s Lord (Romans 1:4). He was made a man; but he was not made the Son of God. He was “declared to be the Son of God.” Be sure you get this. Christ was made or became a man, the seed of David (Galatians 4:4), but he was declared to be the Son of God (John 10:30). He is declared to be the Son of God with power by the Gospel (Hebrews 1:2-3; Matthew 28:18; John 5:36; 17:2). He was declared to be the Son of God with power “according to the spirit of holiness,” by whom he was justified when he raised him 17 from the dead (1 Timothy 3:16). But here we are told that he was declared to be the Son of God by the resurrection from the dead. — Because he raised himself from the dead (John 10:18), we know that he is God the Son. The Lord Jesus was made a man; but he was not made the Son of God. He was “declared to be the Son of God.”
Grace Alone Thirdly, the Gospel of God is the Gospel of grace (Romans 1:5). Here Paul reveals both his attitude toward the work of the ministry and the character of the Gospel. He speaks of his call to the apostleship and the purpose of his ministry as matters of great grace (Ephesians 3:8). It was through divine favor, not his own worthiness, that he was chosen for such a high office (1 Corinthians 15:10) for the honor and glory of the name of Christ, in whose name he went and whose name he preached (Romans 10:13-15). The beginning of the whole matter was grace. He received grace, all grace, from God the Father, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, just like we have, by the Gospel. This grace is known and experienced by the almighty, irresistible power and omnipotent, effectual call of God the Holy Spirit (Romans 1:6-7). Those who were the elect in eternity are the called in time. Those who were the redeemed at Calvary are the called. They, and they only are “beloved of God.”
Power of God In Romans 1:16 God gives us a fourth definition of the Gospel. The Gospel of Christ is “the power of God unto salvation.” — Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel of the grace of God. He openly confessed it and publicly preached it to everyone. He was not ashamed to believe it; and he was not ashamed to be identified with it. He gloried in it (Galatians 6:14). Some cover the offense of the cross with words of wisdom and human philosophy, seeking to please men. God’s servants preach the Gospel boldly and plainly. Some attempt to add works to grace and mix free will with free grace. God’s servants preach grace alone, free, sovereign, eternal grace in Christ! Why are we not ashamed of the Gospel? It is the power (dynamite) of God unto salvation. The Gospel of Christ and the preaching of that Gospel are the means God uses to bring dead sinners to life and faith in Christ (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; Mark 16:15,16), open blind eyes (2 Corinthians 4:3-6), reveal Christ (Romans 10:13-15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4), edify, build up, and instruct his Church (Ephesians 4:11-16), and declare salvation through Christ (Romans 3:24-26).
Righteousness Revealed Fifth, the Gospel of God is the revelation of righteousness (Romans 1:17). In order to be accepted by God and justified, we must become righteous, — not by our own deeds of righteousness, which are filthy rags, but by his free grace gift of righteousness (Matthew 5:20; Romans 10:1-4). The Gospel of Christ is the revelation of that righteousness, the righteousness of God (Romans 3:25, 26). We cannot obtain salvation anywhere but through the Gospel of Christ, for therein is the righteousness of God revealed (Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21). It is “revealed from faith to faith.” Righteousness is secured by Christ and received by faith. — “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
Don Fortner
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Pastor Fortner’s
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