"The Heavenly Gospel Of Jesus Christ"

By Bob Trescott

All references are KJV unless otherwise stated.

Modified, Corrected or Updated 02/02/12

This Study Has 14 Pages

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Paul Calls the gospel of Jesus Christ, My Gospel

Did you know the gospel of the grace of God is the Gospel Of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery and and did you know that Paul calls it, my gospel? No matter if we choose to believe Paul's gospel or not, it is the only valid gospel for the world today. Now don't just throw your hands up in the air and shout, bologna!! My friend look what Paul tells us in the next two verses!  All of Paul's writings are Holy Spirit inspired and it is written to you and to me.

2Corinthians 4:3-4.

v3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: v4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Christ's earthly ministry that He left with the twelve was set aside in Acts 28:28, but it will be reestablished during the tribulation. But, that will be after the church the body of Christ is removed, raptured or caught up to be with the Lord in the clouds. I hope you understand that in the verse above, where Paul said, our gospel he is only speaking of the gospel that Christ gave to him alone for the world today. He is not speaking of the kingdom gospel.

Now read 1Corinthians 15:1-4 over several times slowly and let the words sink in. My friend the Lord Jesus Christ and the twelve's ministry was not to the Gentiles according to Matthew 15:24, the Lord Jesus said, I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The Lord Jesus Christ had to die be buried and raise again and ascend back to the Father's right hand before He could help the Gentiles. The Lord Jesus Christ saved the apostle Paul and gave him a new and different gospel, then Christ sent him to the Gentiles.

I Corinthians 15:1-4

v1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; v2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. v3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; v4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Matthew 15:24. But Christ answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Therefore Paul's gospel is the only gospel for the world today.

Romans 16:25

v25. Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

1Corinthians 4:3-4. 

v3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. v4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Hey!--- Guess what!  If you do not like Paul's gospel you do not have to hear it! But, my friend Paul's gospel is the only gospel for the world today by which we are  saved. Romans 16:25 clearly says it is the gospel of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. We must believe that God chose the apostle Paul to bring this gospel of salvation to all of mankind. Therefore if Paul's gospel is hid it is hid to them that are lost. Now please read 2Corinthians 4:3-4 over again slowly for understanding.

Now can you see the gospel that we are talking about here? Definitely it is Paul's gospel of the grace of God. I Pray that God will open the eyes of your understanding to this fact. If Paul's gospel is hid, it is hid to them that are lost.  Please allow me to be blunt! " If you do not know Paul's Gospel then my friend you surely are lost!" The gospel of Jesus Christ and the twelve is the Kingdom gospel, and it was for the Jews only. If all Israel would have believed that gospel they could have become priests of God and won the world to Christ. But they did not!

After Christ saved Saul on the road to Damascus he was no longer that zealous Christ hater that wanted to destroy the Way. Saul is now God's chosen man for the dispensation of the grace of God. God chose Saul to be our pattern for everlasting life. God gave Saul a new name, Paul. Therefore, God says we must follow Paul as he followed the Lord Jesus Christ. Take a look at the next verse:

1Corinthians 11:1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

No other Gospel:

My friend just think about it; there is no other gospel given under heaven where by we must be saved. Therefore we must believe the gospel of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery; it was kept secret before the world began. In order to please God, we must believe what He says. You will be seeing these eight verses a lot in most every thing that I write. The following four verses are the gospel in a nut shell. And Romans 16:25 tells us which Gospel Paul writes about, and 1Corinthians 4:3-4 the consequence of not knowing Paul's gospel. There can be no mistake about it! By faith is the only way to please Him. I will repeat the eight verses above over and over as many tines as I can.

Paul was commissioned by God to write to the Gentiles; therefore our salvation depends on Paul's gospel of the grace of God. Understand that Paul wrote by inspiration all the things that God committed to him from heaven. On the other hand the gospel preached by the Lord Jesus Christ and the twelve was to the lost sheep of the house of Israel alone; it was not for the whole world, it was for the Jews only! Matthew 15:24). these are the Lord's own words.

Matthew 15:24 But Christ answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

And furthermore He told the twelve not to go  unto the Gentiles; don't even go to the Samaritans. The apostle Paul was the only apostle that could write this statement: 2Corinthians 4:3-4, and we should pay very close attention to every word he writes to us. Therefore read Romans through Philemon above all else but do not neglect the other Scriptures, they are written for our learning. To know and understand Paul's writings is the most important message for us because of: 2Corinthians 4:3-4

The information below is very important to you and me because of who Paul was! Keep in memory this saying and the Scriptures will become much clearer for you.

"William R Newell-1868-1956"

"You can judge any man's preaching or teaching by this one rule. Is he Pauline? Does his doctrine start and finish according to those statements of Christian doctrine uttered by the Apostle Paul? No matter how wonderful a man may seem in his gifts and apparent consecration if his Gospel is not Pauline, it is not the Gospel; and we might as well get our minds settled at once as to that".

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Our eternal salvation depends on our ability to believe and understand Paul's gospel of Jesus Christ, but don't just take my word for it! Read all of Paul's letters rightly divided. That means, (do not lump them in with the other Scriptures) and you will see for yourself that there is no other gospel given under heaven where by we must be saved. Salvation for the Gentiles comes only thru Paul's gospel of Jesus Christ. Did you know that Paul's gospel comes directly from the risen and glorified Lord Jesus Christ in heaven?

Again don't just take my word for it. Read: 1Corinthians 15:1-4 it tells us what we must believe for everlasting life. And 2Corinthians 4:3-4 tells us what happens when we refuse to believe Paul's gospel. Ephesians 2:12-13 explains our position in Christ before and after Paul was saved and sent to the Gentiles.

Ephesians 2:12-13

v12.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: v13. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

2Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Before the Lord Jesus Christ sent the apostle Paul to the Gentiles we were condemned. As we just read in Ephesians 2:12 we were with out God in this world and we had no hope. You probably think well that's not fair! But clearly it is what the Scriptures say. On the other hand in the dispensation of the grace of God, we do have hope through the death burial and resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we believe the gospel.

Ephesians 3:1-4,

 v1. For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, v2. If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: v3. How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, v4. Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

Romans 11:13

v13. For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.

We should thank God the Father for giving us His Son and we should thank the Lord Jesus Christ for sending the apostle Paul to introduce us to Christ. Paul's writings can set us free, when we believe what God says.

" Paul writes about That which is perfect, "

In several of my pages I mention this next verse 1Corinthians 13:10 it was the verse that got me started studying the Bible. When I finally realized that, that which is perfect is the gospel of Jesus Christ that Paul calls my gospel. And through this gospel I realized that the law and the sign gifts are part of the kingdom gospel, and the kingdom gospel was set aside by God. Then the Scriptures started to open up for me and I trust that they will for you as well.

1 Corinthians 13:10. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

That which is perfect has come! That which is perfect is the mystery that had been hid in the mind of God before the world began. But, Christ revealed it to the apostle Paul for all mankind. That which is perfect is the only gospel for the world today. That which is perfect is the gospel that Paul preached. You will hear that which is perfect called the gospel of the grace of God, also the gospel of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. And finally you will hear Paul call it my gospel. But you will not hear it called the gospel of the kingdom.

But now, for salvation the Jews must believe this gospel of the grace of God individually, just like the Gentiles. The Lord waited fourteen years after Paul's conversion to send him up to Jerusalem to communicate the gospel that he preached to the Gentiles, to the Lord's kingdom apostles plus James the Lord's half brother. Now I ask you how can the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of the grace of God be the same? Truly they are not the same! And just as true you can not mix them.

Just think about it! How could the twelve preach the same gospel fourteen years before they even knew what it was? The twelve didn't know the gospel that Paul preached and that is why God sent Paul to Jerusalem by revelation to communicate it to them. Peter knew there was a change and he came to Paul's defense at the Jerusalem council, he testified that God was taking out from among the Gentiles a people for His name.

But, as for Peter and the ten, Paul's message was hard to be understood because it did not conform to the law of Moses, it was completely by God's grace. The Gentiles were never under the law, because they were not part of the Commonwealth of Israel. The Gentiles obtained mercy by believing in Christ's finished work on the cross His death burial, resurrection and ascension back to the Father's right hand. Therefore Paul says believe in the Lord Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross plus nothing and you are saved .

Ephesians 2:8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: v9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Acts 16:31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ means believe in his finished work on the cross plus nothing.

Romans 6:14. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Galatians 5:18. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

These two gospels are different

The twelve could not have preach the same gospel that Paul preached because it was not their's to preach. James the Lords half brother and the eleven agreed, that since Paul's message was different and it was hard for them to understand, they would leave Paul's converts alone and they would speak to the Jews only, Paul and his helpers should go to the Gentiles.

Galatians 2:1-2, 9.

v1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. v2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. v9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

The Great Commission

The great commission that the Lord Jesus Christ gave to the twelve was different in that it was still under the law; and it was still part of the gospel of the kingdom. The twelve had to win Jerusalem first then all Israel, before they could go into all the world and preach their gospel. If the twelve had gone into all the world, the gospel that they would have preached would have been the gospel of the kingdom, and not the gospel of the grace of God that Paul preached.

If they had gone into all the world, God would not have needed the apostle Paul to go to the Gentiles, everyone would have been on the same page. But the twelve did not win all Israel and they did not complete their great commission. Therefore God chose Paul to go to the Gentiles and preach the gospel of the grace of God. Later this same gospel would be offered to the Jews as well. Paul called some of his helpers, apostles such as Barnabas, Silas, and several others, but Paul was the only apostle directly commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ as the apostle of the Gentiles.

Christ's kingdom apostles were not privy to Paul's gospel until fourteen years after Paul received it; at which time the Lord sent Paul up to Jerusalem by revelation to communicate his gospel to the eleven plus James the Lords half brother. But the kingdom apostles could not fully understand Paul's gospel, because it did not include the Mosaic law.

Paul's gospel is the gospel of the grace of God for the Gentiles. The eleven plus James the Lords half brother agreed not to interfere with Paul's preaching. But now, Paul's mystery gospel is complete, and the Kingdom gospel is set aside. Paul's gospel is made known in all the world it is no longer a secret, then according to Deuteronomy. 29:29 it is ours.

Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever,...

I believe it is proper to stop reading verse 29 at the comma for the dispensation of the grace of God. Because, we are not under the law!

The mystery Gospel

Here are a few names Scripture gives to the mystery gospel: The gospel of Christ, The gospel of the grace of God, My gospel, Paul's gospel, The gospel that we preach and Our gospel. The mystery gospel was delivered directly by revelation to the apostle Paul by the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul shared the mystery gospel with all who would hereafter believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for everlasting life.

1Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

God the Holy Spirit says, Paul is our apostle. All of Paul's words are Holy Spirit inspired.

Romans 11:13  For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.

2Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: v17. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

As I said before, all of Paul's writings are to us, they are for us and they are about us; all of the other Biblical writings are for our learning. God does not want us to be ignorant of the past. God wants us to know how He dealt with the Jews and with all mankind in the past. We should understand by reading the old testament Scriptures how fortunate we are not to be under the law. We should thank God everyday, that we are under His pure grace. Therefore when God looks at us, He sees the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ and not ours.

No Hope and without God!

Before the apostle Paul was saved and commission as our apostle, we were without God in this world and we had no hope according to Ephesians 2:12-13.

Ephesians 2:12-13 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: v13. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Paul's authority comes directly from the risen and glorified Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. But keep in mind that for a short time God had two programs, the one program was under the Law and the other was pure Grace. One was fading away because it was for the Jews only. It was called the gospel of the kingdom or the gospel of the circumcision, but God set it aside in Acts 28:28. The gospel of the grace of God is for all mankind; this gospel is the only gospel for the world today. This gospel will end with the rapture of the church the body of Christ.

The Rapture!

My friend, the rapture of the church the body of Christ is not His second coming. At the second coming, Christ's feet will touch down on the mount of Olives. At that time: One will be taken away in judgment, not caught-up to be with the Lord in the clouds, and there will be one left behind to go into the kingdom. I hope you see the difference here! The rapture is not a spectacle for all to see, it is the silent catching away of the church the body of Christ.

1Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, v52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Wouldn't it be reasonable to say: if two groups taught the same gospel from God using the same rules, they would be the same. Surely this would be true, if every thing was the same! For the folks who insist that there is no difference between the two gospels. I have one question, has the god of this world blinded the eyes of your understanding? Peter said, Paul's message was hard to be understood; because it was not under the law.

Remember, Paul's message to the Gentiles does not include the law of Moses. But the eleven's message to the Jews was fully under the Mosaic law. God made these two messages completely different; He even calls them by different names (Law & Grace), the gospel of the circumcision and the gospel of the uncircumcision. Therefore why is it so hard to believe that they really are different?

The gospel that Paul Preached!

Galatians 2:1-2,7-9).

v1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. v2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. v7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; v8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) v9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

The Lord's half Brother.

The James of Galatians 2:9, is the Lord's half brother; and now he, is the new leader and spokesman for the little flock. The great commission given to the twelve, was left, incomplete. The apostle James was killed in Acts 12:2 this was the strongest sign that the ministry of the twelve was coming to an end.

Acts 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.   

Shortly after that, James the Lords half brother assumes leadership of the little flock, Peter steps down and the twelve begin to fade off the seen.

Note: In Galatians 2:9, Paul says, James, Peter and John perceived the grace that was given unto 'me', he did not say, they perceived the grace that was given unto 'us'. Therefore don't be fooled and mislead by tradition, because this is the age of deception. Paul was chosen by God as the apostle of the Gentiles. But Paul had helpers that he called apostles.

Jesus Christ will Judge the secrets of men according to Paul's gospel!

Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

1Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Caution: Truly the only place you can find the gospel for today is in Paul's epistles, because, they are written to the church the body of Christ. Please do not misunderstand me!  We can not throw away the rest or any part of the Scriptures, it is all for our learning and fits together perfectly rightly divided.

2Timothy 3:16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Things written before the apostle Paul's commission, were written for our learning.

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

These Scriptures are essential for the understanding of God's Word. When the Jews received the law they did not understand how important it was to do exactly what God told them to do. Example the man who gathered sticks on the Sabbath found out the hard way; it cost him his life. God did not spare Moses either, He told Moses to speak to the Rock, but Moses struck it instead. Moses that great leader of the Jews was not permitted to enter into the promised land. But God permitted him to see it from afar. God gives us instructions for a good reason, and by faith we must obey.

God gave the Israelites the law, but it was a yoke to heavy for them to bare. God showed them through signs, miracles and wonders that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that Jesus was their Messiah. But, they did not believe it and they hung him on a Roman cross. The nation of Israel was found to be destitute of faith just like Cain, and God finally set them aside, along with the kingdom gospel in Acts 28:25-28.

God chose the apostle Paul with a different message, and sent him to the Gentiles with a better gospel. Paul told the gentiles that, Christ did all that was necessary for their salvation in His finished work on the cross plus nothing. We are saved by believing the gospel found in: 1Corinthians 15:1-4. Christ died on the cross for our sins, He was buried, and after three nights and three days in the tomb, He arose from the dead. And He returned to the Father's right hand to make intercession for us who believe.

Far to many so called Christians are under the impression that they can keep the law, and God will let them into heaven, but we can not keep the law it is not ours to keep. They negate Christ's finished work on the cross. Do you actually think God will say, oh well they really meant well? I'll let them into my heaven. Folks I really don't think He will do that. I believe he will say, depart from me... I never knew you.

Great White Throne!

The nation Israel was not obedient they did not believe God therefore God set them aside. The majority of the Gentiles are not obedient either and they too will stand before the Great White Throne. Neither group is obedient to God's instructions? What do you think God will say and do? Well you don't have to guess any further if you neglect 1Cor.15:1-4 you will get your answer at the Great White Throne.

Everyone who has not believed the gospel will stand before God's Great White Throne and fall on their faces before the Lord Jesus Christ and admit He is Lord, but it will be to late. Saving Grace and Mercy will be absent at the Great White Throne. We must believe what the Lord Jesus Christ tells us today, through the apostle Paul because tomorrow it will be to late.

A Blood Sacrifice by faith!

Do you remember how God instructed Cain and Abel? He said, bring a blood sacrifice for sin. But, Cain was a worker of the field so he brought the best of his crops for a sin offering to God; Cain did that which seemed right in his own eyes and Cain was rejected.

Abel on the other hand was a shepherd and brought the best of his flock as a blood sacrifice for sin to God. Abel's sacrifice was excepted, because he obeyed God. Both men brought the best of what they had as a sacrifice to God, but Abel took God at his word by faith, and offered the required sacrifice to Him and God called him righteous.

By faith we must do what God tells us to do. We should not do the things he tells someone else to do. Let's pray that by faith we get our instructions right, because we only get this one chance, then comes the judgment. Will it be the Bema seat or Great White throne? Today you can choose, but tomorrow will be to late. Today we can choose to believe God, or we can choose not to believe God. Tomorrow our choices have already been made. Therefore, we can only choose on this side of the grave.

Why do you suppose the Holy Spirit directed the apostle Paul to tell us not to follow Christ after the flesh? First of all we are not Jews and secondly Christ's earthly ministry was not ours. Christ's earthly ministry was to and for the Jews only.

2Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

This verse is very clear to me now, Jesus after the flesh is His earthly ministry to the Jews only.  I pray that this is clear to you as well. In Matthew 10:5 Christ commanded the twelve not to go to the Gentiles. We must be clear: This is a commandment ! He said, go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

Matthew 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

We must understand that the Lord Jesus after the flesh, is His earthly ministry and it was to the Jews only to fulfil the covenant promises made to the fathers. We can then understand why He could have nothing to do with the Gentiles until after His death, Burial, resurrection and ascension back to the Father. But, Christ did, make at least two Gentile exceptions. Because of their great faith.

The Canaanite woman, the Roman Centurion. The Canaanite woman because of her great faith, the Roman centurion because he loved Israel.

The three exceptions!

(Matthew 15:22-24).

v22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. v23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. v24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shoddiest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

Before the cross the Gentiles were with out God in this world and they had no hope. After the cross, with the salvation of Saul (later called Paul) the Gentiles received salvation as a free gift to all who would believe the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.

1Cor. 15:1-4 is the only gospel for all mankind today, it is Paul's basic gospel for the. We are told to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross and we are saved.

The Basic Gospel in a nut shell.

1Corinthians 15:1-4

v1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; v2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. v3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; v4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

1Corinthians 15:1-4 is the plain and simple truth of the gospel in a nutshell. Why do we continue to test God by trying to follow the gospel of the kingdom that Peter preached. But Peter preached Christ after the flesh and we can not know Christ after the flesh. Faith means that we believe God, if we want to please Him. God really does care how we follow Him.  Are we looking for heaven as of by fire, or through a job well done, my good and faithful servant?

Three absolutes!

Hopefully, I have shown you that, the only way to please God is by faith. Faith is one of Scriptures absolutes. No forgiveness without the shedding of Blood, is another absolute: We are all sinners, and we have come short of the glory of God is another absolute.

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please (GOD): for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Follow Paul!

Here is what God says, follow Paul as he follows Christ, not after the flesh, which is Christ's earthly ministry to the Jews only. Therefore, we must follow Paul's example because he follows the risen and glorified Lord Jesus Christ.

1Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

2Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

How to relate to others!

2Thessalonians 3:6 is not telling us to relate to the world in this manner, it is telling us how we should relate to other believers. The world can not follow Paul's example, because they do not know the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is writing about believers that are not following his example, or he would not have said, every brother. The world is not our brothers and sisters, believers are our brothers and sisters.

The entire Bible is God breathed and it was not left to chance or to someone else's recollection. Have you ever heard someone say? Mark and Luke sure must have been good note takers and their research was truly outstanding. Warning: If the Scriptures are Holy Spirit inspired, you can not use notes nor a good memory for the facts. The Holy Spirit supplied the information to write at the time of it's writing.

If the Scriptures are Inspired by God the Holy Spirit and it is; then it cannot come from notes nor can it be trusted to the memory of other men or women. Therefore no matter how closely we observe an event we can miss the part that could make a big difference. If someone tells you that Mark and Luke or even John could have received their information from other men or women do not believe it, it is the devil's deception.

If we only knew and understood that all Scripture is God breathed, that means Holy Spirit inspired. That also means that the writer's did not use notes or anything else from other men or women. The Holy Spirit moved them to write at the time they wrote. Better yet they wrote as the Holy Spirit directed them to do so. Look at Moses he wrote from the beginning of creation with out notes. Moses wrote with authority and accuracy.

I hope this study has helped you in some way to better understand the Gospel of the Grace of God. It has helped me a great deal. Thanks for reading and my prayer for you is: May the God of creation open the eyes of your understanding that you may understand the Word rightly divided.

If You Have Comments Or Questions Please E-mail Bob