WHICH GOSPEL?

The apostle Paul gives a stern warning in his epistle to the Galatians:

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel..." (Galatians 1:6 - KJV)

We can see from Paul's opening comment that the true gospel message was already being corrupted even at this very early stage in church history.

"...which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:7,8 - KJV)

And to emphasize just how serious this warning is, he repeats himself:

"As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:9 - KJV)

The Greek word that Paul uses here for "accursed" is one that many of you are familiar with: anathema (Strong's G#331), which properly means to be banned or excommunicated. This is different from the word Jesus uses (cursed: Strong's G#2672) to describe the condition of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God upon His return (see Matthew 25:41). Jesus uses this word (which literally means doomed) to seal the fate of those who have not been chosen to inherit the age-enduring life, but have rather been condemned to face God's judgment at the end of the ages. I think Paul was careful here not to use a word which implied judgment (for he knew that there is but one Judge), even though both of these statements in reality imply the very same thing.

So it is apparent that we need to know which gospel the apostles preached. Paul clearly tells us (see Ephesians 4 :4-6) that there is but one true body, one true faith, and one true baptism. All of the rest are counterfeits.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (I Corinthians 1:10 -   KJV)

Is this what we see in society today? Are there no divisions in the church? Is the world of Christendom "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment?" I don't think I need to answer that question, for the answer to that question is clear for all to see.

So once again, what is the gospel that Paul and the rest of the apostles were entrusted with? Does the New Testament give us a clear answer? Yes it does:

"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." (II Corinthians 5:18,19 - NKJV)

There it is: in plain black and white. God entrusted the apostles with the ministry, or the word of RECONCILIATION. So what does that mean? According to Webster's Dictionary, the word "reconcile" means: 1a) to restore to friendship or harmony. And this is, and has been, God's plan from the beginning of time: TO RESTORE (or make right) ALL THINGS. Do we have a second or a third witness to verify this?

"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on the earth, even in him." (Ephesians 1:10 - KJV)

"And, having made peace through the blood of the cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:20 - KJV)

"You gave him authority over all things. Now when it says all things, it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all of this happen. What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels and now is crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death for us. Yes, by God's grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world. And it was only right that God - who made everything and for whom everything was made - should bring his many children into glory. Through the suffering of Jesus, God made him a perfect leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation." (Hebrews 2:8-11 - NLT)

Could it really be any clearer?

"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." (Romans 8:22 - KJV)

"[And] the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19 - KJV)

"Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Romans 8:21 - KJV)

CONCLUSION:

• Eternal torment of the wicked is a FALSE gospel message.

• Annihilation of the wicked is a FALSE gospel message.

• The eventual salvation of all mankind is the TRUE gospel message.

So which gospel are YOU preaching?