Are You Being Taught a False Gospel?

The Gospel is a message of power and incredible hope, and yet it seems that no message is more misunderstood, twisted, or attacked. All it takes is a fast survey of your Bible, like this short article does, to see the truth—and it is a powerful truth!

ARE YOU BEING TAUGHT A FALSE GOSPEL?
by Wyatt Ciesielka

The true Gospel is the most vital message this world has ever received.  It is the message Jesus and the Apostles preached.  It is the message the faithful Church of God proclaims today.  It is also a message that is often misunderstood and even shamefully attacked!

Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14).  Jesus continued throughout all the cities and villages, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 9:35).  Instructing His disciples about signs preceding His Second Coming, Jesus warned that although false ministers would deceive many (Matthew 24:11), the true Gospel of the kingdom would be preached to the entire world (v. 14)!  Scripture makes plain that the focus of the true Gospel is the coming kingdom of God!  Yet, how terribly neglected is this powerful message of Christ’s literal return by so many of today’s churches! 

But, does this mean that Jesus is not part of the Gospel?  Absolutely not!  While the Gospel is primarily about the coming Kingdom of God, it is unscriptural, illogical and impossible for Christ not to be part of that message!  Don’t believe people’s opinions about this!  Holy Scripture makes it absolutely evident that the true Gospel includes both components!  Simply accept what your Bible proclaims!  Notice: 

• God’s faithful ministers have always taught “the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 8:12).
• Paul declared, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16). 
• Peter taught, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). 
• The Apostles were literally often beaten for “preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:42)! 

As Tomorrow’s World Editor in Chief Dr. Roderick C. Meredith summarizes, the Gospel includes Jesus’ role as “personal savior” and as “our heavenly High Priest… Finally, the Gospel’s main focus is on Christ’s future return in power and glory, as the Almighty King of kings, to rule this world and the entire universe under the authority of God the Father” (Do You Believe the True Gospel?, pp. 35–36). 

As briefly demonstrated, the above is exactly what Scripture teaches.  The above is also exactly what God’s faithful ministers have always preached! 

Notice one of dozens of similar statements from Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong: “We must believe the Gospel, and that means also believing on Jesus Christ, the King of the Kingdom of God, and coming King of kings over all the families of the earth.  It means believing in Him as personal Savior, as High Priest now, and as coming King” (“What is the True Gospel?,” Tomorrow’s World, January 1970, p. 7). 

We must believe the true Gospel to receive God’s grace (Mark 1:15; Ephesians 2:8–9), and Scripture indisputably teaches that this message is primarily about the coming Kingdom of God and includes Jesus Christ as Savior (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).  Again, notice the very clear words of Scripture:  “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him” (Acts 28:30–31). 

Jude warns us to not accept the teachings of “ungodly” or “lewd” men (licentious or insolent teachers) who “deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Jude 4). 

Please don’t accept human opinion or half-truths on this most vital subject—instead, simply prayerfully and humbly believe God’s word.  If you have been misled to accept a false or an incomplete Gospel, then please study 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 and then prayerfully read all of the above Scriptures again in your own Bible.

Adapted from “Are You Being Taught a False Gospel?” from www.TomorrowsWorld.org.