Cynthia Cummings-Walker http://www.lifeandbibleblog.com
There are so many “gospels”, depending on what your pastor, religion, country, or denomination teaches. It is crucial to know what the true gospel is. The gospel, according to the Bible, saves. A different gospel condemns.
Some definitions to clarify what each term means: The Greek word for “gospel” comes from the word “Euangelion” which translates to “good news”. The Greek origin for the word “Salvation” is “Soteria” which refers to deliverance.
The Biblical Gospel is Good News
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
Luke 4:18a “The Spirit of the LORD is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news….”
What Do You Believe Regarding the Gospel and Salvation?
Many Christians believe that salvation is based on believing the gospel, that is a free gift from God. Other Christians believe that salvation requires a series of works. Many Christians believe that baptism is a requirement for salvation.
Baptisms may require the sprinkling of water; Others believe the Christian must be submerged in water; be baptized in Jesus’ name; be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Which One of These Do You Believe?
This belief requires baptism in Jesus’ name for the forgiveness of sins, and that salvation comes through works.
The belief is that a person must speak in tongues as a sign of salvation. The saved Christian must live a sin-free life or lose their salvation. This “salvation” is contingent upon how a person lives on a daily basis.
Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
This salvation belief is that all one has to do is believe. No baptism or works required.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Many protestant denominations say that all a person has to do is believe. Once saved, always saved.
This belief requires faith that accepts God’s gift of salvation. No baptism or human works involved.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one can boast.” What do you believe?
A Different Gospel – Republican Politics
Galatians 1:6 “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel,”
I Timothy 4:1 “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
The republican gospel is good news for you if you are a White, far-right republican, Christian nationalist, evangelical, MAGA, or everyday White supremacist. This different gospel sanctifies the republican party as a means of salvation through secular policies and laws, rather than individual’s salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
The god of this gospel is the president of the United States. This different gospel promotes hatred, judgement, intolerance, injustice, cruelty, criminality, terror, murder, narcissism, greed, and all kinds of deviancy. All non-republicans are considered to be on the Left, and are of the devil.
This alternative gospel is the antithesis of what scripture teaches, to love God and people. Christ’s name may be used as a hook for the naïve, racists and unbelievers. However, Christ’s life, nor His teachings have any part in this false gospel.
This Far-right gospel is preached from pulpits and podiums across the nation. Its declaration is saving a nation through the republican party, rather than the biblical gospel that transforms individuals’ lives and therefore, a nation.
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” KJV
Which gospel brings forth salvation, and which gospel brings righteous condemnation?
What Can Be Done to Circumvent False Gospels?
From Pastors, Christian leaders and everyday Christians, there needs to be a commitment to knowing and spreading the truth of the biblical gospel that leads to salvation. Otherwise condemnation is at hand for many.
Preach and Teach the Bible Accurately
2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season, correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.” Exegetical teaching and preaching gives the Christian an example of how to apply scripture to their everyday life.
Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”.
1 Timothy 4:6-10 “If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths…; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
Evangelize and Disciple
Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Openly Condemn Heresies
When heresies were brought into the early church, the guilty were openly rebuked and condemned. Many Pastors and spiritual leaders in American do not condemn false doctrines and erroneous gospel. Whether pastors codify it or not, silence or apathy appears to be complicity.
Galatians 1:6-8 “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed.”
The Biblical Gospel
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 “Now brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand…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.”
John 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”
What We Do Shows What We Believe
Faith in the work of Jesus Christ saves. Faith in human works condemns. It is easy to say what we believe. Actions show what we truly believe.
Are you trying to work your way into heaven by some impossible sinless perfection?
Do you believe that Jesus Christ, the sinless sacrifice, is not good enough to save you?
Do you think the Son of God dying on the cross needs human works to solidify God’s plan of salvation?
According to Scripture: Will the gospel you believe save you, or condemn you?
John 3:18 says, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
A Word to the Wise 