The Gospel In Person—The Doctrine Of God

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; - Romans 1:1-3

    Before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh, the Gospel of God was in promise by oath, or covenant. Christ was, and remains the surety and substance of that promise—Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2 Tm 1:9).

    He is the promise of the Gospel. The Gospel and Christ are synonymous. He is the mystery of the Gospel revealed to his people. We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory (1 Cor 2:7). The preaching of the Gospel is the declaration of Christ, who has come into the world and effectually put away the sin of his people by the sacrifice of himself.

    The Lord Jesus Christ is the Good News. Make no mistake, if the message that we preach is not saturated and permeated with the person of Christ, we have not preached the Gospel. He is our doctrine! The Lord Jesus Christ is not revealed in the doctrine of God, the doctrine of God is revealed in him! If we preach the Lord Jesus Christ, as he is revealed in the Scriptures, our doctrine will be correct.

    Confused? Let me simplify it. We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:23-24).

    The Gospel concerns the Lord Jesus Christ, all he is, all he has done, and all he is doing. He has preeminence in all things. It is vital to be doctrinally correct. However, there is no correct doctrine apart from Christ our Lord. Whether one labels me a Calvinist or not, is of no concern to me. I pray that it may be said of all who hear me, he determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified (1 Cor 2:2).