If you said: “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures”, you’re right! Our ministry here at Setting Captives Free is a “gospel only” ministry in which we share the gospel with students and help them apply it to their lives to find freedom from habitual sins.
The “good news” of the gospel is always one message with two parts:
Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
Jesus was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
Question 4: While making disciples what is the “one message” Jesus wants us to share?
Problems and errors in life always come when we turn away from this message, and in so doing we begin to "ad-lib" giving our own message. We notice this clearly in the Book of Galatians:
Galatians 1:6-9 ESV I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
There may be many different gospels even in the church today, just as there was when this letter was written to the Galatians. A few examples might be the books, programs, or counseling methods accepted today where the goal for those receiving counsel is “recovery” rather than to “die with Christ.” To “get better” rather than to rise from the dead as a “new creation” which brings freedom from sins slavery and power.
However, this is not “counseling from the cross” but a different gospel and therefore not helpful. It’s missing “the power of God” (Romans 1:16) in Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is the message of the cross that “cuts our hearts” doing the work for us and in us.
When we receive the Spirit (hearing the message of the cross by faith) He continues to work His transforming power in us for the rest of our lives. The cross and the Spirit do what no man could possibly do by transforming our lives “on the inside,” in our hearts, and into the image of Christ.
Question 6: Why is it important that we do not preach a “different gospel?” Please share your thoughts.
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Ann writes, “There is no power in other "gospels". Sadly that is what is lacking in the church today, the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. Forgive me Lord that I have made witnessing about anything but you and who you are and what you accomplished for us.”
Miles writes, "Programs, boundaries, vows, promises will all fail in themselves. Without the power of the gospel, washing at the cross remembering daily that Jesus died for me, was buried and resurrected from the dead walking with and living by the Spirit that is the only power that we can tap into to war against our flesh."