It is Settled!

A series of lessons from the Bible

by Howell Lasseter

Has the Gospel changed?

As mentioned in previous articles, we appreciate hearing from our readers. If, as you read these articles, you know that God's Word condemns what is being taught, we beg you to contact us, with the undeniable proofs from God's Word. It is always the goal of this writer to give book, chapter, and verse for the things taught in the column. The law that came into force by the shedding of our Savior's blood at Calvary has not changed, will not change, and cannot be changed. It is the law whereby we are saved. In the first century, the apostle Paul, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, said, "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" (Romans 1:16). Question: has the gospel changed for us today? The gospel is unchanging and unchangeable; it is the power of God unto salvation. We can be assured, because of God's Word, that the gospel is the same today. If any person or any group of people is teaching anything different from the first-century gospel, we can be sure the teaching is not from God. Let's look at 2 Peter 1:21: "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." What did these holy men of God speak? The gospel. Going back to Romans 1, look at verse 17: "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith." Friends, in what are we to have faith? The gospel of Christ, because in it is revealed the commands by which we may be saved and may live a faithful Christian life.  In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said "I will build my church." "Will" is future tense. We learn in Acts 2:47 that "...the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." In this verse, the present tense is used; we know the church existed at that time. So, sometime between Matthew 16:18 and Acts 2:47, Jesus' church was built. Question: Are you a member of His church? Since the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, and since the Lord adds the saved to the church, obedience to the unchanging and unchangeable gospel will result in one's being in Christ's church! Watch for more studies, identifying from the New Testament this one church which is Christ's.