THE GOSPEL CENTER

Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible….

Acts 28:30-31 NASB

³⁰ And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 

³¹ preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

Francis Schaeffer writes “What is central in the Christian message of good news to the world?  It centers in only one thing; the redemptive death of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  True Spirituality, pg. 21, Francis Schaeffer 1971. 

Having met Schaeffer and studied under him, I have a great respect for him and his many accomplishments.  The statement quoted is not unique to him and though it is common in the church for at least the last 150 years, it is no less erroneous and no less mischievous.

If Schaeffer’s statement is true as it is representative, then Paul was not demonstrating concern for the “good news”.  His commitment to the message of John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter and the other Apostles who all came preaching the kingdom of God is at its best inadequate.

There are only two events of importance in the history of the world, the creation with the sin of Adam, and the crucifixion with resurrection of Jesus.  This being so the preaching of the kingdom is more extensive than the death of Christ.  This is not changed by the fact of the message of good news in that death.

It is saying that the “Gospel” to be proclaimed to the nations is a message which has content other than the “cross”.  Paul’s message to the Ephesian Elders in the 20^th chapter of Acts is an example of Gospel preaching.  Please note the following: 

vs 20 ^- how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 

vs 21 -  solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Vs 24 -  But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

Vs 25 -  “And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face.

Vs 27 -  For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 

Vs 31 -  Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 

There can be little dispute but that Paul is not naming so many different messages but the singular concern, “The word of His grace”.

Further when Paul in Romans 10:8 writes about his message as “the word of faith which we are preaching”, does not mention the cross but in 10:9-10 sets forth confession (probably intending baptism), and faith terminating on the resurrection as the necessary requirements for salvation.  Then in 10:13 salvation is summarized as “calling upon the name of the Lord.”  This is further explained in 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  “Hearing by the word of Christ” cannot be limited to His death but must include the important truths of who He is as well as what He had done.

In conclusion I would ask you to look at I Cor. 15:1-11.  Paul claims this as “the word which I preached”.  Please look closely at 15:1, “in which you also stand”.