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What Is The Gospel? |
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Chris:
John, you’re a Jehovah’s Witness, right?
John:
That’s right, Chris.
Chris:
Can you tell me what the gospel is that you preach, that is, the good
news?
John:
Sure, Chris. We preach the good news of the Kingdom.
Chris:
What do you mean by that, John?
John:
Well, basically, the good news is that Jesus Christ’s second presence
and kingly reign began in 1914 with the re-establishment of God’s
Kingdom. By the way, Chris, out of all the religions in the world, we
are the only ones preaching this good news.
Chris:
I see. Well, the gospel that my church and all true Christian churches
preach is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Would you
say that this is the same gospel that the Watchtower preaches?
John:
Well, not exactly. Although we do feel as though that is important.
Chris:
Do you know, John, what the gospel is that Paul and all the apostles
preached?
John:
Sure, they preached about the Kingdom.
Chris:
Actually, the gospel that Paul preached is defined in 1 Corinthians
15:1-4. Do you mind if I read that to you?
John:
No, go ahead.
Chris:
“Now brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to
you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By
this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached
to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I
passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for
our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was
raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he
appeared to Peter, and then to the twelve.” So, John, Paul said that
the gospel which saves us is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
John:
Again, Chris, we do feel as though Jesus’ ransom sacrifice is
significant.
Chris:
Notice that Paul said that the death, burial and resurrection of Christ
was not just significant but of first importance. John, is this
the same gospel that you preach when you go door-to-door?
John:
Well, uh, not really, Chris.
Chris:
Do you know what the consequence is of preaching a gospel that’s
different from the one Paul preached?
John:
What do you mean?
Chris:
Can I read to you another Scripture, John?
John:
I guess so.
Chris:
In Galatians 1:8-9 Paul said, “But even if we or an angel from heaven
should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be
eternally condemned!” Did you hear that, John? Eternally
condemned! That’s very strong language.
John:
Sure is.
Chris:
Also, in 1 Corinthians 2:2, Paul said to them, “For I resolved to know
nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him
crucified”. And if you read through the book of Acts, the good
news that the first century Christians preached was the death, burial
and resurrection of Jesus Christ; exactly what Paul said it was. Again,
John, is your gospel the same, or different from the one that the early
church preached?
John:
I’ll check into that and get back to you, Chris. Tower To Truth |