(5) Much More’s – Roman Epistle chapter 5

1.    Romans 5:9…MUCH MORE then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

2. Romans 5:10…For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, MUCH MORE, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

3. Romans 5:15… But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, MUCH MORE the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

4. Romans 5:17… For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; MUCH MORE they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

5. Romans 5:20… Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did MUCH MORE abound:


· Forgiveness and cleansing from sin through faith in the sacrifice of Christ
· Great Grace - abundant Grace - Gift of righteousness - Power that morally changes man’s make-up
· Saved from Judgment and the condemnation of Hell’s damnation
· Reconciliation - united with Christ in the Spirit. Guilt freedom - sin’s dominion broken.
· The Offence of Adam result of the curse - divine nature lost - carnal nature passed into humanity
· Supremacy of Christ from the atonement of Calvary to His enthronement in Heaven
· Reign of death - Universal separation from God passed into humanity - resulting from Adam’s sin
· Law of Moses given to help man to recognize sin - showed the offence


Salvation offers forgiveness for all past sins. Salvation offers holiness of heart and conduct in this present life. The first man Adam at the Fall was a small picture if the divine nature (lost) – the second man Christ at the crucifixion made an atoning sacrifice and projects the HUGE PICTURE of God’s abundant Grace – Greater than the Law of Moses. Reason? Abundant Grace provides victory over sin’s dominion. Man struggled to keep the Law of Moses. Abundant Grace is freely given to make man a new creation - provides the believer with a clean heart and right life - results in the righteousness of God granted to the heart of a believer. Christ abolished the Law and thus took away the human struggle to achieve right standing in the eyes of God - at Calvary leaving us with these words, “It is finished”. MUCH MORE is the great picture of abundant grace projected in Romans 5. The free gift of Salvation given from Christ and so much more has replaced with magnitude - what Adam lost at the curse of the Fall.

A man without Christ - powerless

The human soul is the part of man that chooses and decides. The human soul is naturally out of harmony with God.

 God said: Isaiah 55:8...For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Without a broken human will - man is naturally out of harmony with God. The natural man chooses and decides right living - but does wrong anyway. Without strength. Without power to do right. Human involvement falls short. When the human will is broken by the ministry of the Holy Spirit - a new birth can take place. The new birth involves the operation of God.

So precious

So precious is God’s Mercy upon us who believe.
So precious is Salvation of the human soul.
So precious is our forgiveness from all past sins.
So precious is our redemption today.
So precious is our victory over sin that the unsaved world can never experience.
Oh, So precious is our Christ who gives us a new life.
So precious is our Christ who changes the moral character.
So precious is Christ, who changes the way we act, behave, and think.
So precious is the one who teaches us to grieve not the Holy Spirit.
So precious and so great is our Salvation.
Oh, so precious.
Oh, so precious,
So precious is Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Genuine Salvation?

A genuinely saved man will not just "quit" wrong to be saved, he we quit wrong because he's saved. He's a new creation made by Christ. He's saved by Grace. He's justified by Grace. He experiences righteousness by faith. Every sin is forgiven and the heart is clean and holy in the eyes of God. There's no more "rejection" of Christ, but acceptance and trust with an everyday consciousness to Christ's Divine presence and authority. There's a transformation made where the clean heart provides a means for the believer to live without sin. I know this state of being is not experienced by everyone, but the fact of the matter is, "Everybody is not genuinely saved".

Genuine Salvation prepares the heart of man for a future Judgment. Every genuinely saved man knows there will be a Judgment day. Every genuinely saved man knows he's saved from wrath of God in Eternal Judgment and every sin is forgiven. A saved man knows holiness of heart and conduct is essential in the life of a believer in Christ. Belief is consent of the human will to God. Belief understands the redemptive work of Christ on the Cross. Belief is enlightenment to the person of a living Christ. Belief brings God's Salvation into the human soul and it becomes a way of life. This is how God prepares a man's heart and soul for the coming of Christ in Judgment. The heart is clean and ready to caught up to meet with Christ in the air. Genuine Salvation causes man to "look" for the return of Christ to call out the Church from Great Tribulation.

It's obvious that genuine Salvation is missed by so many people in this modern religious era. This is so sad and hard for some to acknowledge as the time of Christ's return draws closer and closer. More and more people are turning away from the truth in this fast paced society we live in. The Bible speaks of this unholy crowd. It calls this unholy crowd, "those who perish". Those who perish are deceived by sin as they are overtaken and smothered in unrighteous and unclean living in the eyes of God. Those who perish miss Christ. They reject His love of the truth. They miss the experience of genuine Salvation in a lost world waiting for Christ's glorious return. Because of this unholy and unrighteous state of man...God is going to send upon this crowd that finds pleasure in sin...a strong delusion. This crowd will become so deceived that they become delirious believing in something false. Some even find so much pleasure in their deception they can never come back to God. Their souls are damned for Eternity.

2 Thess 2:10-12...And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Look around today at the people who reject the truth about holiness and right living that only comes from Christ. They reject God's Truth about a Saviour recorded in His Holy Scripture. They reject the fact that Jesus can cleanse the heart from "all" sin. How are these people who are so overtaken with the "deceivableness of unrighteous living" going to be prepared for Christ's coming and His Divine Judgment? What are these people hanging onto? What are these people trusting in? Are these people who are going to perish simply believing in a lie? Yes. This lie becomes so overwhelming that it takes over their hearts and lives. The root of the lie is believing that Christians can continue in sin and live a life in unrighteousness...no matter what the Bible says. It's happening now! People are so wrapped up in everything but truth, they are consumed and overtaken by the "deceivableness of unrighteousness".

This Salvation I write about is genuine Salvation. Have you got it? If you have, Glory! If you don't have it get it now before its to late. Don't let religion or tradition or human opinion cause you to miss the truth about Christ and Christian living. Get your heart right today through genuine Salvation that comes from Christ our Saviour and Redeemer. Glory! Don't wait! Today is the day of Salvation!

Are you a believer in Christ or not?

Believer’s in Christ live right in the eyes of God because the believing heart is made clean and holy by the Saving Grace of God. Many claim to believe in Christ but live like devils. Who are they kidding? Surely not God. Be not deceived. True believer’s know every sin is forgiven and the heart is clean and right.  Reason? Believers in Christ receive the power of God’s Grace that morally changes man from a state of depravity to a state of holiness. Big difference. So, are you a believer in Christ or not?

The reason life in the Spirit is greater than life in the flesh

Hebrews 4:12-14...For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

The Word of God and Death are the only (2) things that can separate the soul and spirit - from the physical body. Let's examine separation more closely. The Word of God morally transforms the soul and spirit when  Salvation and forgiveness are found through belief in Christ. Forgiveness is found. The body is no longer governed by the flesh...but by the Spirit of God's Holiness. Thinking is transformed. Behavior is transformed. Conduct is transformed. Why?

"The Word of God that "separates" the inner man from the physical make-up of man...is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Right becomes the object because Christ is within. Moral transformation is made within man's being because Christ is God and He has power to change man inwardly and morally. This is Bible Truth. Not Philosophy! Not religion!"

Bible Truth is denied and misunderstood...but clearly speaks of power that morally transforms a sinner into a saint - by the Grace of God. Here's a picture of how God's Word "separates" the inner make-up of man from the outer part of man's physical make-up.

Hebrews 4:12-14...For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

• The human make-up consists of three parts.  Body, soul and spirit.
• The physical body is controlled and governed by the soul and spirit.
• The soul is man's power to choose and decide.
• The spirit is man's eternal make-up whether lost or saved.
• The inner part of man is "regenerated" when Christ and personal forgiveness are found.
• The Spirit of God's Holiness becomes the governing part of man when Christ and personal forgiveness are received.
• When forgiveness is found...flesh no longer rules the physical body. God's Spirit is greater

Life in the Spirit is experienced by a believer in Christ - when the inner part of man is redeemed and washed by the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb. The Word of God "separates" the unsaved soul and spirit from the body and morally cleanses and changes such. Salvation by the Spirit of God thus "overcomes" the flesh. This is the reason why - life in the Spirit is greater than life in the flesh. A spirit led man keeps his eyes on Christ. A spirit led man doesn't "ever seek" but has "found" Christ. Spirit life is in harmony with Bible Truth. Experienced! Not altered by human opinion. Flesh gravitates to the ways of man. Spirit life depends on the ways of God. Not equal...God's Spirit is greater than the flesh! Why? Because God is God. He has power over human make-up.

God's Word has power to separate a sinner from sin. Why? Right is given from above. Right overcomes wrong. For the first time in life a believer in Christ has "power to do right" because the Spirit of Christ came in. Jesus takes over the child of God. The Spirit rules that life. Prove those things acceptable to God. The flesh is subject to the Spirit of God. God's Spirit of holiness is greater than the flesh. Why? The same Spirit of Holiness that rules a child of God is the same Spirit of Holiness that raised Christ from the dead.

 Romans 1:4... And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

The person of Christ…"now".

The person of Christ the invisible God..in whom we place our faith. Getting beyond the death of Christ takes us to a place of faith….not by sight. Faith gets beyond the suffering Savior and takes to a place of resurrection and exaltation. The resurrection of Christ from the tomb is hard to fathom in human intellect. Only faith can be placed in the evidence not seen.

Everyone knows what Christ did 2000 years ago…but what’s Christ doing now, present tense today from His Throne of Grace? Are you in Christ today? Is Christ in you today? What about having His witness in your heart? What about the power of Salvation in your soul and body? What about being, living, and walking like children of God? Let’s examine the person of our enthroned Christ and His effect upon the heart and life of a child of God. Christ, In whom…In whom…In whom…

In whom we have…redemption even the forgiveness of sins
In whom we have…obtained an inheritance
In whom…we trusted
In whom…we believed
In whom…we are “sealed” with the Holy Spirit
In whom we are…builded together as a habitation of God through the Spirit

Christ is a living Savior…in whom we have and in whom we are new creatures in Christ. We are His workmanship “created in Christ Jesus”. The Bible says “In Him” we live, move, and have our being. As you have received Christ, “walk in Him”. There is no condemnation to those who are ”in Christ”. In His person. In HIs character, and in His make-up. We are members of His holy body. By whom we have access through faith… into the power of God’s Divine Grace.

Christ is a living personality seated at the right hand of the Father. Christ is alive! Now! Christ makes new creatures now! Christ is with the Father now! By Christ all things consist. Christ in you “proves” you are made new by God. You have hope when Christ is in you and you’re in Christ. You have hope and are without condemnation when you’re in Christ. Don’t walk in the flesh. Walk in the Spirit. Walk in Christ and let Christ live though your character and make-up. Prove what is acceptable to Him.

We serve a risen Savior who is Lord of our lives. Chris has all power over the flesh! Christ has all authority over sin! As many as are “led” by Christ, these believers are definitely children of God. Christ is alive and keeps our hearts pure and right. He is able. He does because He is…God. It’s the person of Christ that produces holiness of heart and holiness of conduct in the child of God’s state of being and present life on earth. Without faith its impossible to have Christ. Without Christ its impossible to please God.

Christ in you is your ” future hope”…if you keep and don’t depart from faith in Him. His person is morally powerful! His person is so powerful that a sinner can be made and saint of God. So powerful that a believer can live holy and right! Through committment Christ will “keep” you. It’s His person that forgives and morally changes the human soul. It’s His person that enacts and produces holiness of character in you.

It’s all about Christ “in whom” we have so great a Salvation that the world often misunderstands. Christ “in whom” we are saved and changed. Christ “in whom” we are blessed by the power of His Holy Spirit. Christ “in whom” makes us witnesses in all the world to glorify Him and bring honor to His Holy name. Let the name of Christ be known “in all the world!”

In whom we have…redemption even the forgiveness of sins
In whom we have…obtained an inheritance
In whom…we trusted
In whom…we believed
In whom…we are “sealed” with the Holy Spirit
In whom we are…builded together as a habitation of God through the Spirit

Great miracles by Christ

The miracle of getting "taken out of sin" and getting "put into" Christ can be compared to the miracle of God taking the children of Israel out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and putting them into the Wilderness. It was called the "Exodus". In the Exodus deliverance by the hand of God took place. God delivered the nation of Israel (perhaps a million people) from Pharaoh. The Egyptian armies were destroyed by the judgment of an angry God.

Exodus 12:37-38...And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

In those days of deliverance the mighty hand of God dealt with the children of Israel as a whole nation. In this day of deliverance God deals with the entire human family Jew and Gentile alike. Deliverance today is a miracle of getting "put into Christ" and "being taken out of the bondage of sin". The miracle today is the blessing of the Gospel which offers deliverance to sinful men and actually pertains to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ that was foretold by the Prophets.

This Gospel I speak of delivers the sinner from the bondage of sin. This Gospel I speak of shows a sinner what he actually is in light of Christ. This Gospel I speak of is power from above. The same power that delivered Israel on a greater scale.  Miracle working power just like in the days of the Exodus when God parted the waters of the Red Sea and destroyed Pharaoh's army. When a sinner today finds personal forgiveness in Christ, God takes this individual out of sin and puts this person to His Spiritual body...called the Church.By one Spirit we are all baptized into one body...

The church today is on much bigger and a much greater scale than God's deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt. I speak of an omnipresent Christ who rules the entire Earth from His Throne in Heaven. Who sent His Holy Spirit in His name to testify to the hearts of sinful men that Christ is a better way and a better life for humanity. Forgiveness is found on a personal level. Deliverance from sin is found on a personal level. The heart is made clean and holy by the miracle operation of the mighty hand of God on a personal level. The same hand that took 1,000,000 Israelites from Egypt and delivered them into the wilderness, which led to the land of Canaan. Is the same hand I speak of today. Christ Jesus! God's Son!

Christ is bigger today as His Grace flows from Calvary by the Spirit of holiness. His miracles are great today as He rules from the right hand of God the Father. Sin is no match for the power of  the Gospel that brings Salvation to the human soul. Oh...how the power of this Gospel can cleanse the heart of man from sin and morally change the make-up of a sinner into a child of God. The miracle of the Exodus is only a fragment of the great miracle of Salvation that comes from Christ today. It's called the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation.

Glory! We have a greater blessing under Grace today because of Christ who built His Church...of which we are members of today by His Spirit. By the Gospel we preach Christ "adds to" this great body by deliverance from sin and the blessing of His Grace that changes man morally. Oh how great the magnitude of Christ, who is the builder of the Church that allows people from every kindred, tongue, and nation to partake of His Divine blessing...by simple belief and trust in Christ.

The Gospel reveals the importance of the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures. The Gospel reveals the Grace of God which so much greater than the Law given to Israel only. Today by Grace we have a city in Heaven. A city where Christ is seated now with all power and authority.

May we see the magnitude of Christ the deliverer, and Savior of the world on a greater level that Israel's Exodus from the bondage of Pharaoh. Glory! Christ on a much greater scale for people...like you and I. Around the globe who need forgiveness from sin and Salvation of the human soul. May the Gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection be the center of our hearts and lives. May the Gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection be revealed with great effect and magnitude around the globe. The Gospel is the power of Salvation greater than anything man can do or work for. The Gospel is the power of God "given freely" to anyone who trusts in the death of a Savior to find mercy and forgiveness.

Will you believe and trust in Christ today? I love you all and appreciate you for sharing Christ. God Bless and keep going to the fountain to drink. The fountain is Christ who performs greater miracles today.

No formula. No twelve step program. No progression. No maturing process.

Man’s ways and God’s ways differ. That’s why sinful men need Salvation of the human soul. When the Spirit of God comes in, man does right. Why? The unholy heart is cleansed. Every sin is forgiven. A godly nature is given from above. Children of God become the righteousness of God in Christ. No formula. No twelve step program. No progression. No maturing process. Simply put, believers in Christ are, “Born into the family of God by the work of the Holy Spirit that converts the human soul”.

What takes place when a sinner’s heart is cleansed from sin?

The old hymnal I love very much asks the question? What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Rick Roehm asks the question, “What takes place when a sinner’s heart is cleansed from sin?”

The unholy heart is made holy as God’s Justification takes place. The new nature is given to the believer in Christ because of regeneration of the Spirit. God takes man out of the world and “baptizes” him into the body and person of Christ. By one Spirit we are all baptized into one body. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Repent and be baptized everyone of you for the remission of sins…

Many things take place when a sinner is made into a child of God. Sin is washed away. The heart of man is cleansed. The Spirit’s baptism “puts the repented sinner into Christ”. A miracle takes place when every sin committed in the past life is forgiven. The dirty heart of fallen man is made clean. The sin stains are washed away as a result of suffering and shed blood of Christ. What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Or…There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb. Or, He sought me, and he bought me with His redeeming Blood.

The cleansing power of the cross flows into man’s heart and life. Baptism takes place as God immerses the beleiver into Christ. This baptism is performed by the Spirit of God. Forgiveness is found and the conscience is freed from the guilt of sin. Many things take place in the heart of man according to the power of God’s Grace.

The heart is made clean. Man is “placed into” (baptized)into right-standing with God. It’s soul cleansing that comes from above. Born of the Spirit washed in His blood. Many things take place in redemption. I write of these things to clarify words in the Bible such as redemption, Salvation, being cleansed, the Spirit’s baptism, remission of sins, forgiveness, Justification, Sanctification, etc.

Honored to share with you what God has shared with me. Love using the lyrics to the old hymnals also. Those songs were scripturally sound. Based on the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb. This Blog also illustrates what takes place when a sinner repents, believes, and finds redemption in the human soul. God puts man into Christ. Man is baptized by the Spirit into the holiness and purity of Christ. If any man gets into Christ he is a new creation. We are His workmanship “created” in Christ Jesus. Much happened! Much took place! The sinner becomes a saint of God! Glory!

Has Jesus became real to you?

The reality of Jesus is how Jesus morally changes the believing heart. Man's initial change first begins when forgiveness is found through the power of God's Grace. Forgiveness is an experience that flows from Calvary into the believing heart. The reality of forgiveness is a conscience freed from the guilt of sin. Only the Grace of God can free the human conscience from the guilt of sin. This is the "real" blessing of God's Grace found through and acceptance of Christ as Saviour and Redeemer. It's a blessing that offers true contentment and peace to the human soul that can be found from no other source within humanity. It's a blessing that's only found when Jesus becomes real to you. You can know every sin has been forgiven when Jesus becomes real in your heart and life. Jesus has power to cleanse the heart of fallen man from sin. Jesus is real as His merciful hand reaches out to humanity. Has Jesus became real to you? Make sure He has. You can know every sin is forgiven. You can know you are in rightstanding with God at all times. All it takes is a clean heart that is cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Has Jesus became real to you?

You can't make people believe in Christ

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could make people believe in Christ? All of your loved ones would be saved. Everybody you come in contact would be saved. Unfortunately no matter how hard we try...we are incapable of making other people believe in Christ.

So...What causes men to believe in Christ?

Repentance.

What is repentance? Repentance is when you change your mind. Repentance is what happens when the goodness of God touches the human soul just enough...that man turns from wrong and accepts right. The right that is accepted is the actual person of Christ.

Belief is consent of the human will. Belief comes when man is enlightened and stirred by the actual presence of a living Christ. When the Gospel is heard...belief can be exercised. Belief causes men to renounce disobedience to God. Belief understands that redemption is the effect that Calvary has on a man that repents from wrongdoing.

Belief allows forgiveness for sin to flow from the Saviour on the cross into your heart. Belief allows man's conscience to be freed from guilt caused from past sinful conduct. Belief opens the floodgates of the Grace of God to morally change man from dirty living.

Wouldn't it be nice if you could make others believe? That's the Gospel's job. That's why faith comes by hearing. The Spirit of of God "ministers truth" to the heart of fallen man. Truth is heard when Christ is preached! The Gospel reveals Christ, His power, His presence, His Glory! The Gospel stirs men to conviction and repentance. The Gospel causes men to believe and give consent to the Christ of their Salvation.

When man realizes he's a sinner and don't want to live that way anymore...it's because he sees Christ. The person of Christ shows man what he really is! When man sees what Christ did for him personally...he sees a way to get away from the old life, the old misery, and the part of man that rejects Christ. The power of Gospel can "sway" man just enough to believe. When man believes in Christ he will obey God.

Belief and obedience are one in the same. You can't be disobedient to God and believe in Christ at the same time. You can't have unbelief in your heart and be obedient to God at the same time. The Bible (in the greek text) teaches that obedience "springs" from faith in Romans 1:5.

Obedience is the outflow of Calvary in the human soul.

The unsaved world must hear about Christ to have something to believe in. Christ is ministered by holy men of God that preach the Gospel. Saving faith is not "blind faith". Saving faith is directly focused on the personality of Christ. Faith is built on a person. Faith is based on what is written about that person. Christian faith is based on the Bible...the Holy Scripture. Isn't that beautiful?

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. God draws men to himself when they hear, learn, and are taught about who Christ is, what He did at Calvary, and what He's doing right now in the Throneroom.

We can't make people believe in Christ...but when men hear the Gospel being preached, and they see themselves in light of a Saviour...they will cry out, "What must we do?" What must we do? What must we do? God convicts. God sways their thinking. God stirs them to repentance. God prods fallen man just enough...that consent of the will is given through the broken-ness of seeing yourself in light of a Saviour's love. This causes belief! Glory! Belief allows Divine Grace to come in and morally change the make-up of man to a holy state of being. This is the power of the Gospel message.

Brokenness causes men to believe, accept, and trust in Christ. Brokenness puts fallen man in a place that turns from sin and reaches out for the Saviour's power and holy presence. Belief says I'm through with the old life...I'm yours Jesus. Belief says I'll never let Jesus go. Belief says sin can't have me anymore. Belief says disobedience can't have me anymore. Belief says alcohol can't have me anymore. Belief says fornication can't have me anymore. Belief in Christ says all that stuff is dirty and wrong...I'm through with it! Then the Grace of God will take the believer over...completely. Isn't that beautiful! That's Saving Grace brother!

Belief is consent of the human will to God through Christ. You can't make a man give his consent to God unless he's broken and repents. That man has to throw in the towel. He will find broken-ness when he realizes that Christ died for him personally. He will also realize personal forgiveness for his sins and freedom from the guilt of sin is found in no other place but Christ. Glory! Do you believe?

Christ doesn't save men "because" they believe...He saves them "when" they believe.

Be a faithful witness and bring honor to God. God will use you for His Glory! Dishonor and disgrace is no good in the eyes of God. He uses holy men and women of God to testify and witness for Christ. You can't make any man believe in Christ...that's the Lord's business. When Christ touches or melts that heart...fallen man will have something to believe in. Glory!

What is the true Gospel? (pt. 3)

The Gospel preached from Isaiah 53 reveals the plan of God through the redemptive work of Christ at Calvary. Calvary ministers the power of healing to the body and an Eternal Salvation to the human soul.

In Psalm 22 David prophesies Christ’s final hours on the cross at Calvary.

· Ps 22:1…My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
· Ps 22: 16… the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

This prophecy was recorded approx.700 years before Christ came. Its truth was concealed in the Word of God for centuries but now revealed by the preaching of the Gospel in the Grace Age we live in. Many Old Testament prophecies point to the redemptive work of Christ at Calvary but far more point to His second coming and the restoration of Israel.

The essence of the true Gospel comes from prophecy. The power of the Gospel changes and heals the entire human being. The Gospel message is always a Christ centered message. Why? Jesus said in Saint John 15:26;

· John 15:26-27…But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness

The Holy Spirit testifies Christ to the human soul. The Gospel message reveals Christ to the human ear. The written Word of God testified of Christ in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.

· Ps 40:7-8…Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God
· 1 Thess 1:5…For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance;

All the Apostles after the death of Christ preached this same Gospel message. Men of God throughout the Old Testament also preached the Gospel…Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, etc.

· 1 Peter 4:6…For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
· Heb 4:2…For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

One of the reasons the true Gospel isn’t preached sometimes is because of a lack of evidence of Christ in the Holy Scriptures. A shallow knowledge can sometimes mean a shallow faith. Getting people to the Gospel message is the will of God. Having knowledge of the Word of God can broaden the preacher’s message of a Savior. The more a preacher knows about Christ the better he can help people to understand who Christ is and what Christ does. The demonstration of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the Lords servant does the rest.

· 2 Cor 4:3-6…But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 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. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
· 1 Cor 2:4-5…And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God

What is the true Gospel? (pt. 2)

The Gospel message being what the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms said about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ was to go beyond the Jewish nation to the Gentile world. The revelation of Christ concealed in the writings of the Word of God to the Jew first was now revealed to all humanity through preaching. The basis of the Gospel was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning Christ as the Messiah. These prophecies were vaguely recognized by the Jew through the Holy Scriptures and totally unknown to the Gentile world.

· Rom 16:25-26…Now to him that is of power to stablish 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, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

The purpose of the Gospel was to offer the power and presence of Christ to an unsaved world. Saint Luke described the Gospel as a means of repentance and remission of sins. Mark described the Gospel as a means of being saved. The Apostle Paul described the Gospel as the power of God unto salvation. Repentance, remission of sins, and salvation for the soul is the power of the God that comes through the Gospel message. How? Through man’s belief in Christ as Savior and Lord based on what was written.

· Rom 1:16…For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth

Records show that men of old that preached the Gospel were Jewish men. The Gospel message recorded in the Holy Scriptures came through the Jewish nation. The Jewish people from whom the Word of God came have always kept perfect records and perfect genealogies concerning the Messianic lineage. Jesus was a Jew, the 12 Apostles were Jewish, and the Word of God was written by, and given to the Jew. This is the reason why the Apostle Paul said the Gospel was to…the Jew first.

· Rom 1:16…For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The Apostle Paul clarified what the Gospel was in the following verses. As a knowledgeable Jew concerning the Law of Moses yet later converted to Christianity, Paul understood how the truth of the Gospel was derived from the Holy Scriptures.

· 1 Corinthians 15:1-4… Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

· Rom 1:1-5…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; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

The above verses point to the prophetic truth of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ written in the Scriptures. The Grace of God was given to man and received by man through faith in Christ. Faith came by hearing the Word of God. The Word of God confirmed the person of Christ through preaching. The Word of God preached by the Apostles was Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms concerning Christ. Remember the New Testament Epistles had not been written yet.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit upon the human soul actually confirms the truth of the Word of God through the Gospel message. This same Gospel message preached today contains the same person of Christ preached in the first century… in repentance, redemption, and the forgiveness of sins.

· Acts 13:38-39…Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Prophecy reveals and confirms the truth about Christ. Messianic Prophecy goes back to the Garden of Eden where God promised a Savior to the Serpent, after the serpent caused the fall of man…Genesis 3:15. Genesis 3:15 was the first prophetic utterance of the promised Savior. This Prophecy concerning Christ was written in Genesis, the first book of the Law of Moses. It was concealed for centuries but revealed in part when the Messiah actually came. Now, in the Church Age it’s revealed more through the power of a Living Savior and the work of the Holy Spirit. Even more is to be revealed after the Rapture of the church, and the second coming of our Lord in the Kingdom Age to restore Israel. Christ with all power and authority over the devil through the ages is the central theme of this verse.

· Gen 3:15…And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel

· 1 John 3:8…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible…Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus. Being the Holy Scriptures for the Hebrew, the Nation of Israel, and the Jewish people the first five books of the Bible were called the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses pointed to the Messiahship of Christ. The Gospel can be preached from prophecy contained within the Law of Moses.

· John 5:46…For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

The Prophet Isaiah recorded one of the most descriptive passages in the Bible concerning Christ as Savior and redeemer…Isaiah 53. The Gospel can be preached endlessly from this passage that distinctly reveals a Savior and redeemer.

· Isa 53:4-7…Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth:

What is the true Gospel? (pt.1)

                The Gospel is a Scriptural based sermon that gives evidence to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The Gospel message is honored by God as it touches and changes the human soul. The ministry of the Holy Spirit testifies through men of God called to preach about a Saviors suffering, obedience, and love for the human family. The Gospel is confirmed truth from Old Testament Prophecies concerning the Messiahship of Christ. It delivers an unsaved soul from sin and disobedience, to a right standing with God.  If kept in memory the Gospel can provide any man with a clean heart and the hope of an Eternal life beyond the grave.  When accepted its Salvation to the soul through Prophetic truth of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The Gospel puts men and women into the body of Christ by the same power that delivered the Children of Israel from the hands of Pharaoh through the Red Sea. The Gospel is Gods channel of Divine Grace given to the human soul through mans belief in Christ as Savior and Redeemer. The Gospel is the power of God offered to the unbelieving world through men of God called to preach. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel”

            For years as a Christian and preacher of the Gospel I’ve asked many people the question, “Do you know what the Gospel is?”  I’ve received a variety of answers but only few have ever described what the Bible actually says the Gospel actually is.  Of course the Gospel is a good message according to the Greek text, But!!!

·          euaggelion (yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on); a good message, i.e. the gospel:

To reveal the Gospel it’s necessary to use the Old Testament, the four Gospels, and New Testament Epistles to form a better basis.

            In Saint Mark’s account of Jesus, before the ascension to heaven an instruction from Jesus was given to the disciples to preach the Gospel…Mark 16:16. After the death of Christ the New Testament defines the Gospel as the power of God unto salvation…Romans 1:16. The Apostle Paul said he was separated by the Gospel of God…Romans 1:1 so… Why is the Gospel so important? How does Scripture interpret what the Gospel is? Why did Jesus instruct us to preach the Gospel?

            Jesus preached the first Gospel sermon to the disciples as recorded by Saint Luke.

·          Luke 24:44-47…These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name

Note how the Gospel message itself would minister repentance and remission of sins to an unbelieving world in the name of Christ.

            Jesus opened the Scriptures and helped the disciples to understand the truth about him written and concealed in the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament. The Scriptures were the Law of Moses (which contained the first five books of the Bible), the Prophets, and the Psalms. Jesus revealed and confirmed to the disciples the truth about him by using the Holy Scripture. When preached to a lost world this great truth is the true and only Gospel message.

            In the same account only recorded by Saint Mark notice how the Gospel was to be conveyed through preaching… where it was to be carried to…and the power of salvation it offered. 

·          Mark 16:15-16…And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved

            Mark declares that the power of the Gospel in Salvation and Baptism are one in the same.  The Spirits baptism which comes from receiving the Gospel puts the believer into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. All three members of the Godhead make their spiritual abode within one body which is the body of Christ, the church.

·          Matt 28:19…Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

·          1 Cor 12:13…For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentile

            Saint Matthew’s account of the Gospel is phrased slightly different than Mark and Luke’s account. All three accounts focus on how the power of the Gospel (baptizes) or puts man into one body through… repentance, remission of sins, and Salvation by the Divine power of the Godhead. Men are called to God through this Gospel message.

·          2 Thess 2:14…Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Why some people reject the truth...

A child of God has the witness of the Spirit in his heart. The witness of the Spirit testifies Christ and truth to the human soul. All this comes from a "Glimpse of Calvary"...which comes through mans belief in what the Prophets said about Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. After a sinful man's repentance...believing allows Christ to come into the character and make-up of the human soul. This conversion is "not" a process...it's an instantaneous experience of God's Salvation by Grace. It's the Christian experience of the new birth! That's why James said in ...

James 1:21...Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Many things happen in belief. First man understands the things concerning Christ's redemptive work on the cross for his own personal forgiveness for sins. Secondly, a renunciation of sin and disobedience to God becomes the attitude of this believer's heart. Belief obligates man to God in Christ. Forsaking sin is a part of a believer's obligation to God.

Knowledge of the Bible brings even more responsibility to the believer. You show me a man that's truly saved and I'll show you a man in agreement with the truth of the Bible. You show me a man who rejects Salvation of the human soul and I'll show you a man who rejects the truth about what's written in the Bible. Bible truth isn't hard for a child of God to accept...but it is hard for a sinful man to accept. Why? Belief requires forsaking sin. This allows the power of God's Grace to save (convert) the human soul... This conversion and Christian experience of Salvation is automatically in agreement with the truth of the Holy Scriptures.

Again, I quote...

James 1:21...Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.