The Gospels

[james1523]

It is commonly believed in Christianity today that there is only one gospel in the Bible. People seek this one gospel for varying degrees of accuracy and purity. This one gospel is printed in gospel tracts and called "the gospel". The approach has been to find all and any verses with the word "gospel" in it, put all of these together and say "this is the gospel", and then apply this one gospel to every audience and every situation. But this approach is not rightly dividing the Word of God. The Bible doesn't say there is just one gospel. For example, considering Galatians 2:7-8, there is at least 2 gospels, -a gospel of the uncircumcision, and a gospel of the circumcision. This verse alone disproves the "one gospel" myth. We will see from the Bible that there are a number of gospels in the Bible and that the apostles did not have a common gospel and go around with tracts called "the gospel".


For a start, there are at least 4 gospels:
The gospel of Matthew
The gospel of Mark
The gospel of Luke
The gospel of John

And,
John the baptist had a gospel (Matt 3:1-4)
Jesus had a gospel (Mark 1:15)
Paul had a gospel (Rom 2:16, Rom 16:25)
and Peter had a gospel (Rom 2:16).

So there are at least 8 gospels in the Bible.

Notice in Acts 2:38, Peter's gospel focused on repentance and baptism. But in Acts 16:31, Paul's gospel focussed on believing in Jesus. Paul did not preach water baptism or repentance, simply belief in Christ (1 Cor 1:17).

Galatians 1:11-18 says that Paul did not receive the gospel from a common source such as Peter or any of the other 12 apostles. This proves that there was not a common gospel for all the apostles to preach.
There were revelations that were revealed to Paul and none of the other 12 apostles (Rom 16:25; Eph 3:1-11). These revelations were particularly so that Paul could minister to the Gentiles.
Paul preached a certain gospel to the gentiles as seen in Galatians 2:2 known as the gospel of Grace which was given to Paul exclusively (1 Timothy 1:11). Jesus chose Peter as the apostle to the Israelites, but Paul to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7-8). Peter and the church in Jerusalem affirmed Paul's apostleship and gospel in (2 Peter 3:15-16 and Galatians 2:2).

It should be clear that the apostles did not preach a common gospel to both Jew and Gentile, but each had their own gospel tailored to the specific audience they were speaking to. Between Peter , James, John, and Paul, there are essentially two main gospels - the gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Matthew 9:35) and the the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). One tailored specifically to the Israelite, and the other specifically to the Gentiles. This is why in the 4 gospels (Matthew to John) they never use the term "gospel of God's grace", and Paul never uses the term "gospel of the kingdom".

Not realizing these differences has contributed to the much debate and confusion about the gospel in Christianity today. Today in Christianity, there is a hybrid "kingdom/grace gospel" which mixes or confuses the two together (mixture of law and grace), and some preach the kingdom gospel (and some even with circumcision, Sabbath keeping) to gentiles (law to gentiles) and the grace gospel to Jews (grace to Jews) - they have things back to front.

In our predominantly Gentile world today, there should be only one gospel and that is the gospel of grace that Paul taught. In this sense it is correct to say there is only one gospel, but in the Biblical sense it is not correct to say that there is only one gospel. Today when we define what the gospel is from scripture, we have to rightly divide God's Word, and not mix law and grace, Jew and Gentile together, and call it "the gospel", but only continue the gospel of grace that was given to Paul.

 

[Strypes]

In fact in the bible are a number of gospels, there is not really one thing called "the gospel".

Yes there is. It is the good news that salvation has come through Christ Jesus!

Tiz true...

: )

 

[james1523]

Tiz true...

: )

Yes thankyou for sharing, there is one gospel of salvation and one Savior Jesus Christ. Biblically speaking, there is more than one gospel and that is gospel of the kingdom (Messiah to setup his kingdom on Earth, the restored tabernacle of David), and gospel of salvation. Both gospels are about Christ but in different aspects.

 

[grandmamary1219]

James the gospel is the good news. You twist the Word of God and act in a teaching capacity when it would be best if you did not! Your posts confuse, blowing smoke and mirrors and confounding. When confronted, you are uncorrectable and your arguments to support your faulty viewpoints go on forever. An unteachable/uncorrectable spirit is not of God..

All the Gospels you mentioned are "one gospel"

To teach anything else is apostasy.

Micah 6:8 Simple, succinct, easy to understand. Leaves no room for multiple interpretations.

The mark of a truly godly man is humility, meekness that emulates Jesus.

I suggest we all read James Chapter 3 as a meditation.

From GotQuestions a summary paragraph of What is the gospel?

These, then, are the essential elements of the gospel: the sin of all men, the death of Christ on the cross to pay for those sins, the resurrection of Christ to provide life everlasting for those who follow Him, and the offer of the free gift of salvation to all.

Any other gospel (and yes there are many) are false gospels! False interpretations of the Bible abound. Beware of false teachers. The epistle of Jude warns of last days apostasy. We must be on the alert.

 

[james1523]

James the gospel is the good news. You twist the Word of God and act in a teaching capacity when it would be best if you did not! Your posts confuse, blowing smoke and mirrors and confounding. When confronted, you are uncorrectable and your arguments to support your faulty viewpoints go on forever. An unteachable/uncorrectable spirit is not of God..

All the Gospels you mentioned are "one gospel"

To teach anything else is apostasy.

Micah 6:8 Simple, succinct, easy to understand. Leaves no room for multiple interpretations.

The mark of a truly godly man is humility, meekness that emulates Jesus.

I suggest we all read James Chapter 3 as a meditation.

From GotQuestions a summary paragraph of What is the gospel?



Any other gospel (and yes there are many) are false gospels! False interpretations of the Bible abound. Beware of false teachers. The epistle of Jude warns of last days apostasy. We must be on the alert.

The Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, is 4 gospels alone (recording the life of Christ). The gospel of the kingdom and gospel of salvation are two gospels (two types of good news), and if we compare them side by side we will see they are quite different. Just because someone else has a different view to your own and they are not willing to change their view to yours (due to insufficient evidence), doesn't make them unteachable or uncorrectable. There is only one gospel of salvation and that is what the gotquestions article is addressing. I know you believe we must have a doctorate to share/teach/preach God's Word but can you please show me where the Bible says that and I will show you where it says the apostles were unlearned and uneducated men. You do realize I hope that the majority of doctrinal disputes in Christianity are between learned men, theologians and people with doctorates and professors in theology? So having a doctorate does not guarantee anything, and some (such as Dr LaHaye) are quite good at inventing things and writing fiction (regarding the rapture).

 

[grandmamary1219]

Ph.Ds are not required James. Just the call of Jesus on a life and the equipping through the Holy Spirit. I am finished here refuting your teachings and reasonings. You are right, it is not my place to judge you. This is the job of mods and admins who are tending the flock who gathers here. .

 

[james1523]

This is the gospel according to Mark:
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
12 And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.


The gospel of Mark is about baptism and repentance, the coming kingdom of God, and the baptism of the Spirit.

The Good News is that the Kingdom of God is coming and that God wants to baptize us in the Spirit.

This gospel is different from the gospel on GotQuestions. But I would not say it is a false gospel, because it is straight from the Bible.

 

[james1523]

Ph.Ds are not required James. Just the call of Jesus on a life and the equipping through the Holy Spirit. I am finished here refuting your teachings and reasonings. You are right, it is not my place to judge you. This is the job of mods and admins who are tending the flock who gathers here. .

They are not really teachings, they are meant to encourage thought and Bible study, not teach, and topics which are perhaps a little thought provoking and challenging. All the supporting verses are given so that people may decide for themselves. Refute really means "to prove to be false or erroneous; overthrow by argument or proof".

 

[grandmamary1219]

There you go again James, right as always! No one can refute your teachings. Slippery slope to even try! So I shall quit even trying! Touche. You win. I quit!

 

[james1523]

Only God is our teacher and only God is right, I will prove that I don't care for "being right" by refuting myself - on the other hand, that there is one gospel to both Jew and Gentile is shown by Romans 1:16,16 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.

 

[Hekuran]

I think I agree with most of what James1523 says, though I would put it differently.

There is one gospel, but there are many, many facets to that gospel.

The one gospel is simple - Christ crucifed, risen and glorified - and there is infinite depth to this. We can always find more to explore, new perspectives to approach this from. On the one hand it is easy for anyone to say, 'I understand and live the gospel'. On the other hand no-one can say, 'I completely understand aspect of the gospel and live by it'.

I'd take issue with the comments about a gospel of grace for the gentiles and a gospel of law for the Jews. I'd say that when people are starting from different places they need to use a map differently to get to the destination.

James1523, is that in line with your op?

 

[james1523]

I think I agree with most of what James1523 says, though I would put it differently.

There is one gospel, but there are many, many facets to that gospel.

The one gospel is simple - Christ crucifed, risen and glorified - and there is infinite depth to this. We can always find more to explore, new perspectives to approach this from. On the one hand it is easy for anyone to say, 'I understand and live the gospel'. On the other hand no-one can say, 'I completely understand aspect of the gospel and live by it'.

I'd take issue with the comments about a gospel of grace for the gentiles and a gospel of law for the Jews. I'd say that when people are starting from different places they need to use a map differently to get to the destination.

James1523, is that in line with your op?

Thanks for your input. I agree that there are many facets to the one gospel, in a sense my post is showing that. However the OP is suggesting that there are two gospels, on the point that you take issue with (sorry).


Let's explore this further.


The verse Galatians 2:7 indicates that there are two gospels. Some translations (eg KJV) say "gospel of" and others say "gospel to". "Gospel of" can mean two different gospels, "gospel to" means the same gospel to two different groups of people. See KJV and NIV below for comparison:


KJV: Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
NIV: Galatians 2:7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.


The question is, are Peter's and Paul's gospel two gospels or one? I believe the answer is not yes or no but yes and no.
Yes, because Paul did not receive his gospel from Peter but by direct revelation from Christ, and Peter (and James, John etc) confirmed Paul's gospel as being from Christ.
If Jesus desired Paul to preach the same gospel as Peter, Paul would have got his gospel from Peter in the first instance, instead of directly from Christ.
But Christ gave Paul special revelations that he would need for his ministry to the Gentiles, that He did not give Peter, James and John (as they were primarily sent to Israel first, and then later to the gentiles).


Ways they are similar, are that both Paul and Peter preached belief and salvation (Acts 10:43, Acts 16:31).
Ways they are different is that Peter seemed to focus on baptism (Acts 2:38), whereas Paul did not (1 Cor 1:7). Baptism has special significance in Judaism, but wouldn't mean much to a pig-eating Gentile tribe, for example.
Peter's and Paul's gospel is essentially the same regarding salvation through Christ alone. However Peter's gospel is also a kingdom gospel, regarding the returning Messiah, the restored Kingdom of David, the coming kingdom of God (Acts 1:6, Acts 3:19-20). Paul's gospel to the gentiles was mainly about salvation, as the kingdom things don't really make much sense to the non-Jewish hearers.

So in summary:
The Gospel of salvation is the same - there is only one such gospel of salvation.
But the gospel to the circumcision and circumcisions are two gospels (gospel of the kingdom and gospel of salvation), intended for a different audience, by two different apostles each with their own specific calling and instructions from God.
If we were to count the number of gospels in the Bible, we might find even more (each of Matthew, Mark , Luke and John's gospels are the same, and yet also different as they are intended for different audiences).

 

[Hekuran]

OK. Don't want to argue this too much. I agree with what you say, but I would certainly use different language to express it. Talking about two gospels has too much potential to create misunderstanding and confusion for my liking.
God bless you

 

[DHC]

Hello James.

Your previous post #1, was a disaster James, and at times, a confusing presentation of the revelation
of Jesus Christ to humanity.

Here is what you said in your initial post #1.

But this approach is not rightly dividing the Word of God. The Bible doesn't say there is just
one gospel. For example, considering Galatians 2:7-8, there is at least 2 gospels

The Gospel means 'good news' James, there are not a variety of different accounts concerning the
good news of Jesus Christ and His mission. There is but one life and death of Christ for the
forgiveness of sins. So whether we read the news that Matthew announces or the news Luke presents,
it will always be about the simple good news of Jesus Christ.

Now for your reference to the letter to the Galatians as supportive evidence for your initial
claim of a variety of Gospels.

Galatians 2
7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed
to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter.

In no way does this verse support the concept of two separate or different gospels.

Exactly the same news concerning Jesus Christ is presented to two different nations.

The Jewish nation must submit to Jesus Christ and so do the Gentile nations.

Peter was born and bred in Israel and so Peter is an appropriate apostle to the Jews.

Paul was born and raised in Tarsus, a Gentile city, so Paul will be the apostle to the Gentiles.

The word 'apostle' means a witness of Jesus Christ, Peter and Paul both witnessed to the Christ.

When the title of a letter in the New Testament states 'The Gospel of Luke'. This does not imply
that Lukes news about Jesus is different to Matthews or Marks accounts. In fact they are
referred to as synoptic Gospels, they are identical in the way they see the messiah. John's
Gospel is some extra information concerning the Christ, that the other accounts omitted.

We will see from the Bible that there are a number of gospels in the Bible and that the apostles
did not have a common gospel

Here James is the common Gospel presented by both Peter and Paul, and they are identical.

1 Corinthians 15 (Paul's proclamation of the good news)
15 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received
and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to
you unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ
died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day
according to the Scriptures

1 Peter 1 (Peter's proclamation of the good news)
1 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has
begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith
and hope are in God.
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree

The Gospel itself is the revelation of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant in His blood.

This is what the entire revelation of the scripture is centered upon.

1 Corinthians 1
22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified,
to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness

Christ crucified is what was preached regardless of the nationality of the audience James.

1 Corinthians 2
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

This is the Gospel and nothing more or less, a simple Gospel.

1 Corinthians 3
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the core of Christianity, believing in Jesus is what the definition of a Christian is James.

For a start, there are at least 4 gospels:
The gospel of Matthew
The gospel of Mark
The gospel of Luke
The gospel of John
And, John the baptist had a gospel (Matt 3:1-4)
Jesus had a gospel (Mark 1:15)
Paul had a gospel (Rom 2:16, Rom 16:25)
and Peter had a gospel (Rom 2:16).
So there are at least 8 gospels in the Bible.

There are not at least eight Gospels, James, the word 'Gospel' means the good news concerning Jesus Christ.

John the baptist did not preach the good news of Jesus Christ and your reference to the four paragraphs
(Matthew 3:1-4). Do not in any way support your initial claim. Here are the paragraphs you referred
to from the good news that Matthew presents.

Matthew 3
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’”
4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food
was locusts and wild honey.

John the Baptist as the name implies, proclaimed a baptism of repentance. John the baptist did
not proclaim the good news concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. John warned
people that the kingdom of heaven was imminent but not yet a reality. For Jesus had not yet
been crucified and raised from the dead. John was imprisoned and died before Jesus even
accomplished His mission. John in prison did not even know whether Jesus was the messiah,
he had to be told.

Ways they are different is that Peter seemed to focus on baptism (Acts 2:38), whereas Paul did not (1 Cor 1:7).
Baptism has special significance in Judaism, but wouldn't mean much to a pig-eating Gentile tribe, for example.
Peter's and Paul's gospel is essentially the same regarding salvation through Christ alone. However Peter's gospel
is also a kingdom gospel, regarding the returning Messiah, the restored Kingdom of David, the coming kingdom of
God (Acts 1:6, Acts 3:19-20). Paul's gospel to the gentiles was mainly about salvation, as the kingdom things don't
really make much sense to the non-Jewish hearers.

You managed to work yourself into a corner James, this whole paragraph is nonsense.

1 Corinthians 1
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I
had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas.

Paul baptized and so did Peter, Paul was primarily an apostle, so Paul explains that his
preoccupation is not with baptism but with the message of Jesus Christ. Peter baptized,
but Peter also like Paul, was primarily concerned with the proclamation of the good news.

You seem confused about the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven.

The Jews would not utter the name of God (YHWH) as it was too sacred a name.
Hence James, when we read the Gospel of Matthew, a Gospel to a Jewish audience, we find
the phrase the 'kingdom of heaven' is common. When we read the letters directed to the Gentiles
such as Luke's letter. We see in Luke's account the constant reference to the 'kingdom of God'.

Gentiles will say the name of God (YHWH) without any reservation whereas the Jew will not.
So on the surface there are two different kingdoms, below the surface is one kingdom.

 

[grandmamary1219]

Thank you DHC! Very clearly and concisely said.

I will await the reply to this post with bated breath.

Would like to say that I can only WISH I had managed to attain the level of apologetics capability you demonstrated here..

 

[james1523]

Hello James.

Your previous post #1, was a disaster James, and at times, a confusing presentation of the revelation
of Jesus Christ to humanity.

Here is what you said in your initial post #1.

The Gospel means 'good news' James, there are not a variety of different accounts concerning the
good news of Jesus Christ and His mission. There is but one life and death of Christ for the
forgiveness of sins. So whether we read the news that Matthew announces or the news Luke presents,
it will always be about the simple good news of Jesus Christ.

Now for your reference to the letter to the Galatians as supportive evidence for your initial
claim of a variety of Gospels.

Galatians 2
7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed
to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter.

In no way does this verse support the concept of two separate or different gospels.

Exactly the same news concerning Jesus Christ is presented to two different nations.

The Jewish nation must submit to Jesus Christ and so do the Gentile nations.

Peter was born and bred in Israel and so Peter is an appropriate apostle to the Jews.

Paul was born and raised in Tarsus, a Gentile city, so Paul will be the apostle to the Gentiles.

The word 'apostle' means a witness of Jesus Christ, Peter and Paul both witnessed to the Christ.

When the title of a letter in the New Testament states 'The Gospel of Luke'. This does not imply
that Lukes news about Jesus is different to Matthews or Marks accounts. In fact they are
referred to as synoptic Gospels, they are identical in the way they see the messiah. John's
Gospel is some extra information concerning the Christ, that the other accounts omitted.

Here James is the common Gospel presented by both Peter and Paul, and they are identical.

1 Corinthians 15 (Paul's proclamation of the good news)
15 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received
and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to
you unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ
died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day
according to the Scriptures

1 Peter 1 (Peter's proclamation of the good news)
1 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has
begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith
and hope are in God.
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree

The Gospel itself is the revelation of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant in His blood.

This is what the entire revelation of the scripture is centered upon.

1 Corinthians 1
22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified,
to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness

Christ crucified is what was preached regardless of the nationality of the audience James.

1 Corinthians 2
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

This is the Gospel and nothing more or less, a simple Gospel.

1 Corinthians 3
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the core of Christianity, believing in Jesus is what the definition of a Christian is James.

There are not at least eight Gospels, James, the word 'Gospel' means the good news concerning Jesus Christ.

John the baptist did not preach the good news of Jesus Christ and your reference to the four paragraphs
(Matthew 3:1-4). Do not in any way support your initial claim. Here are the paragraphs you referred
to from the good news that Matthew presents.

Matthew 3
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’”
4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food
was locusts and wild honey.

John the Baptist as the name implies, proclaimed a baptism of repentance. John the baptist did
not proclaim the good news concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. John warned
people that the kingdom of heaven was imminent but not yet a reality. For Jesus had not yet
been crucified and raised from the dead. John was imprisoned and died before Jesus even
accomplished His mission. John in prison did not even know whether Jesus was the messiah,
he had to be told.

You managed to work yourself into a corner James, this whole paragraph is nonsense.

1 Corinthians 1
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I
had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas.

Paul baptized and so did Peter, Paul was primarily an apostle, so Paul explains that his
preoccupation is not with baptism but with the message of Jesus Christ. Peter baptized,
but Peter also like Paul, was primarily concerned with the proclamation of the good news.

You seem confused about the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven.

The Jews would not utter the name of God (YHWH) as it was too sacred a name.
Hence James, when we read the Gospel of Matthew, a Gospel to a Jewish audience, we find
the phrase the 'kingdom of heaven' is common. When we read the letters directed to the Gentiles
such as Luke's letter. We see in Luke's account the constant reference to the 'kingdom of God'.

Gentiles will say the name of God (YHWH) without any reservation whereas the Jew will not.
So on the surface there are two different kingdoms, below the surface is one kingdom.

DHC, are you saying that the gospel about Jesus's coming as the Messiah to rule from Jerusalem, and the other one about salvation from hell because of what Jesus did on the cross, are in fact the one gospel?.

"John the Baptist as the name implies, proclaimed a baptism of repentance. John the baptist did
not proclaim the good news concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ."


DHC you have me confused because it says Luke 3:18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

If as you say, there is only one gospel, then John the baptist must have preached the gospel about Christ's death and resurrection. Given that you say that John did not preach this, proves my point that there is more than one gospel, and I call this "John's gospel". Perhaps this is an issue with bible versions, the KJV does not explicitly say "good news" in this verse, but nearly every other version does. The NASB version even translates "good news" to gospel in this verse.

The gospel during Christ's earthly ministry did not include Christ's death, burial and resurrection and John the Baptist and the disciples had no understanding of it (Luke 18:31-34). The gospel they preached was repentance and the kingdom ( Matt 3:1-2). The gospel of the kingdom was the good news that God was going to complete his word to Israel regarding the promised Messiah who would sit on David's throne in Jerusalem. This is not the same gospel that Paul preached regarding Christ's death, burial and resurrection. The two, or even 3 types of gospels are seen by Matt 4:23 where we have gospel of the Kingdom, Eph 2:8-9 is gospel of the grace of God, and Rev 14:6 is the everlasting gospel. I agree that the distinction between Peter and Paul's gospel based on baptism, is weak. However the scriptures show that Peter in some cases preached only repentance, and Paul preached only faith, and these would be considered today to be "half gospels", or even "false gospels" on their own, based on today's view that there is only one gospel. Realizing that there are multiple gospels in the Bible, we have to believe in the right gospel message, which is Paul's gospel, where Paul refers to it as "my gospel" (Rom 16:25), it is his gospel because it was given to him by direct revelation, and did not come from Peter, James, John etc.

Confusion arises because we wrongly assume that the gospel they preached in the time of Jesus's earthly ministry was the same gospel we preach today. This cannot be because as you said, John did not preach about the death and resurrection of Christ, and neither did the disciples (when Christ was with them). Only Paul, much later, was given special revelation of the mystery of Christ. You are dwelling on the point that there is one gospel for salvation (which is true) but ignoring the fact that in the Bible are many gospels about Christ, and there is even a gospel in the book of Genesis, about how the woman's offspring (Christ) would defeat Satan. Gospel simply means good news and the Bible is full of good news, or gospels, and much, if not all, are about Christ, but not necessarily "how to get into heaven".

 

[james1523]

OK. Don't want to argue this too much. I agree with what you say, but I would certainly use different language to express it. Talking about two gospels has too much potential to create misunderstanding and confusion for my liking.
God bless you

How should we best explain this? Would you agree that just as there is one Church and yet many churches, there is one Gospel and yet many gospels?
The Bible is full of good news, every single verse can be considered a gospel in itself. There is only one gospel of salvation concerning the one Savior, but many gospels concerning different aspects of this one gospel of salvation.

 

[Strypes]

Confusion arises because we wrongly assume that the gospel they preached in the time of Jesus's earthly ministry was the same gospel we preach today. You are dwelling on the point that there is one gospel for salvation (which is true) but ignoring the fact that in the Bible are many gospels,

. I agree that the distinction between Peter and Paul's gospel based on baptism, is weak. However the scriptures show that Peter in some cases preached only repentance, and Paul preached only faith, and these would be considered today to be "half gospels", or even "false gospels" on their own, based on today's view that there is only one gospel.

There are many gospels found in the Bible.

Balderdash!

No Other Gospel
Galatians 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

So James who are you trying to please?

Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord

That is the "Good News"..

In fact in the bible are a number of gospels, there is not really one thing called "the gospel".

Yes there is. It is the good news that salvation has come through Christ Jesus!

James,
You can try to make it complicated and you can attempt to dazzle us with your "proof" text but the truth remains. You are wrong.

The Gospel is so simple that a child can understand it.

Don't let your pride cloud your judgement. Learn from your mistakes and grow in wisdom.

 

[james1523]

Balderdash!




So James who are you trying to please?




That is the "Good News"..




James,
You can try to make it complicated and you can attempt to dazzle us with your "proof" text but the truth remains. You are wrong.

The Gospel is so simple that a child can understand it.

Don't let your pride cloud your judgement. Learn from your mistakes and grow in wisdom.

I have only one question. Did John the Baptist, Peter, James and John, when Christ was on Earth, as recorded in the 4 books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, preach the same gospel that is preached today? That Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that He rose from the grave, that He ascended into Heaven, that He sent the Holy Spirit? That we only need to repent and believe or invite Him into our heart? I guess my point is, how could they preach something which had not happened yet?Therefore how could the gospel they preached at this time be the same one that Paul preached?

 

[Strypes]

I have only one question. Did John the Baptist, Peter, James and John, when Christ was on Earth, as recorded in the 4 books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, preach the same gospel that is preached today? That Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that He rose from the grave, that He ascended into Heaven, that He sent the Holy Spirit? That we only need to repent and believe or invite Him into our heart?

I count three questions...

: )