Author: Christopher
•9:55 PM
Sometimes the Bible ruins really good theology. A hyper-dispensationalist will say that Paul's gospel was different from Peter's gospel, and even though most believers wouldn't go that far, they will say that Paul's gospel was different from the Lord Jesus' gospel - after all, Jesus was preaching before the Cross, and Paul was preaching after it.


But is that what the Bible says?

In Matthew 24:14, Jesus tells us, "And THIS gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

Jesus said that the gospel that He was preaching is the same gospel that would be preached in all the world until the end of this age!

He said this again in Matthew 26:13, "Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever THIS gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her."

With this in mind, let us take a look at this gospel.

I. Jesus

1. Repent (turn from sins, to God) - "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: ..."(Matt. 4:17)
2. Believe in Jesus - "...even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:14--15)
3. Be baptized - "heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John" (John 4:1-2) and "baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" (Matt. 28:19)
4. Receive the Holy Ghost - "how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Lk 11:13) and "he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost,..." (Matt. 3:11) and "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:" (Acts 1:8)
5. Kingdom - "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God," (Mark 1:14), etc.
6. Born Again - "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)
7. With Wonders - "...Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you" (Acts 2:22)

II. Peter

1. Repent (turn from sins, to God) - "And they went out, and preached that men should repent." (Mk 6:12) "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, ..." (Acts 2:38) and "Repent ye therefore, and be converted,..." (Acts 3:19)
2. Believe in Jesus - "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:Whom God hath raised up, .." (Acts 2:23-24) and "every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38) and "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:" (I Peter 2:7)
3. Be baptized - "and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38"
4. Receive the Holy Ghost - "and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38-9) and "Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:" (Acts 8:15)
5. Kingdom - "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 2:11)
6. Born Again - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again..." (1 Peter 1:3) and "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible," (1 Peter 1:23)
7. With Wonders - "...and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles." (Acts 2:43) and "But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up." (Acts 9:40) and "that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them." (Acts 5:15)u

III. Paul

1. Repent (turn from sins, to God) - "...but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" (Acts 17:30) and "...to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God," (Acts 26:20)
2. Believe in Jesus - "And by him all that believe are justified from all things," (Acts 13:39)
3. Be baptized - "many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized." (Acts 18:8)
4. Receive the Holy Ghost "He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" (Acts 19:2)
5. Kingdom - "And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more." (Acts 20:25)
6. Born Again - "for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel." (1 Cor. 4:15) and "Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:" (Pilemon 1:17)
7. With Wonders - "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." (1 Cor 2:4-5) and "Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." (Rom. 15:19)

SO WHAT?!?!

So, this does several things.

First, it shows us the continuity of the New Testament. The Gospels do have some OT Law teaching that must be recognized, and Acts has a little as well, but the Gospel itself is the same. The method of winning the lost is the same.

Second, it negates a bunch of hyper-dispensational (and regular dispensational) nonsense that separates US from the words of Jesus.

And, Third, it reveals that the authority and power given to the Twelve, and to the Seventy, and to the 120, is for US today.

THIS is God's plan.

"As my Father has sent me, so send I you."