Not many weeks ago, we began a series of lessons through Luke’s gospel. In our first lesson, I asked the question, “How many gospels are there?” That question can be answered in a variety of ways.
One Gospel
Nowhere in the Bible will you see gospel in a plural form; nor will you see it with an indefinite article. The Bible speaks of the gospel, not many gospels or a gospel. Paul spoke to the Corinthian church of
…the gospel which I preached unto you …by which you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you… (1 Corinthians 15:1)
The gospel is identified as Jesus’ death, burial, and ressurection (v 3-4). Such are not just facts to be acknowledged, but to be obeyed (Romans 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8). How do we obey the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ? We’re told how in Romans 6:3-4. It reads:
…do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
We start by obeying what He said for us to do to be saved; and then obey His commands for our manner of life, worship and work in His kingdom.
Four Gospels
There is but one gospel (good news), but there are four gospel accounts; two written by apostles (Matthew & John), and two by companions of apostles (Mark & Luke). These four records tell us about the Lord’s ministry. Collectively, these are what we know about the Saviour while He was upon the earth.
Years after these were recorded, other gospels arose (Nicodemus, Peter, Thomas, Philip, James, Judas, Mary Magdalene, Bartholomew). None of these are referenced in the writings of Christian apologist in the first few centuries AD. The four which are in the Bible are quoted extensively. Also, unlike Matthew-John, the apocryphal gospels are riddled with contradictory occurrences and details.
Another Gospel
To the Christians in the province of Galatia, the apostle Paul wrote,
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7)
He is not speaking about the apocryphal gospels we just mentioned, but simply that some taught error, marketing it as the truth. No stronger warning could be given than the words which followed:
…even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8)
In the early 1800s, Joseph Smith claimed to bring “another gospel of Jesus Christ,” having received direction from the angel Moroni. Smith maligns any who reject the Book of Mormon, declaring that God caused more to be written (2 Nephi 29:3-10). If Smith is right, then Paul was wrong; if Paul was right, then Smith and any like him are wrong, and stand accursed.
Implications For Us
Set the different gospels aside, whether the one brought forth by Smith or any number of other false teachers (2 Corinthians 11:3-4). Become a diligent student of the true gospel, the word of God revealed by His holy prophets and apostles (Ephesians 3:5; 2 Peter 3:2). As you study, seek to know ALL of what God would have you to do. There is no need to guess or speculate, and we have no right to add to or subtract from anything which God has revealed.
Is the topic salvation? God said nothing of a sinner’s prayer or faith alone. He commands those who believe Jesus to be the Messiah to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
Is it worship we’re looking at? Let us worship in the same manner that the first century church did. Their music was vocal, not instrumental (Ephesians 5:19). The Lord’s supper was observed weekly, not semi-annually (Acts 20:7).
What is the work of the church? To teach the lost (Matthew 28:19), edify the saved (Ephesians 4:29), and minister to destitute saints (Acts 11:29). God said nothing of political, social or community activities, thus we should not involve the church in any of these.
“…Do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). May we neither go beyond or fall short of the gospel of our God.
Links: YouVersion | GROW magazine
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