How do I Obey the Gospel?
Part 1
The Bible commands us to study to show ourselves approved unto God. 2 Timothy 2:15 Jesus commands His hearers to search the Scriptures; for in them, you think that you have eternal life. John 5:39
There are also Scriptures that tell us to contend for the faith Jude 3, to hold fast to sound words 2 Timothy 1:13-14, to continue in the doctrine which will lead to salvation 1 Timothy 4:16, and finally to strive together for the faith of the Gospel. Philippians 1:27
Romans 1:16 tells us that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
The word “Gospel” is used 89 times in the New Testament. It is very important that we understand exactly what the Gospel actually is.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 gives us the Bible answer to the question, “What is the Gospel?” The Bible tells us that the Gospel is the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It is one thing to believe the Gospel; it is a totally different thing to obey the Gospel. 1 Peter 4:17-18 We must do more than just believe that this great historical event took place. We must obey the Gospel.
This brings up another important question; How do I obey the Gospel?
How do I actually obey the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ so that this terrible judgment does not come upon me?
How do I find His cross, and get crucified with Him, so that His precious blood that was spilled for me gets applied to my undeserving soul? For the Bible clearly states that it is through His blood that my sins are forgiven and washed away. Ephesians 1:7, Acts 22:16
To find the Bible answer to these questions, we must turn to the Bible in order to find the true faith that was once delivered to the saints.
Ephesians 2:20 tells us that we are built on the foundation of the Apostles and the prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone.
In Luke 10:16, we find Jesus instructing His disciples that whoever would hear them and their message, were actually hearing Jesus Himself.
We must always remember to remain within the confines of the Word of God and let the Scriptures interpret the Scriptures. 2 Peter 1:20 tells us that we cannot take the liberty to privately interpret any one Scripture.
We must look at the Scriptures as a whole.
Paul tells us that every word doctrine or teaching must be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses. The prophet Isaiah instructs us how to understand doctrine in Isaiah 28:9-10.
It must be done line upon line; precept upon precept. Paul issues a strong warning regarding the correct way to gain an understanding of the Gospel. Colossians 2:8
Now that we have a Biblical and correct way to approach our questions, let us examine the Scriptures to formulate our answers.
In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we find a beautiful parallel of the event of the Lord Himself instructing His disciples on what to do after He was to leave them. Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:44-47
Luke 24:47 says to use the Name of Jesus. This brings up another question: why use His Name? What is so important about the Name of Jesus?
We find the answer in Philippians 2:9-11, in Acts 4:12, and in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
Let us now turn to the Book of Acts of the Apostles and what they did after Jesus opened up their understanding in Luke 24:45. Jesus gave specific instructions to His Disciples which we have already read. Now, let’s see how the Disciples followed those instructions that Jesus gave them. We follow the Disciples to the city of Jerusalem where Jesus continued to instruct them. Acts 1:1-5,8, 2:1-4, 12-18, 32-33, 36-37
In verse 37, those that crucified Jesus Christ asked the Disciples a question: “Men and Brethren, what shall we do?” They were actually asking Peter, and the rest of the Apostles how do we get rid of the guilt of this sin? How can we ever be forgiven? How do we obey the Gospel? How do we receive remission of sins and obtain salvation?
Peter’s answer reflected the instructions that he had recently received from Jesus. Did Peter answer: “Just believe”? No!
Did Peter answer: “Just accept the Lord as your personal saviour”? No!
Did Peter answer: “Just say a sinner’s prayer”? No! No! No!
This is the answer that Peter gave to them that day. He said “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, remission means “the removing, washing away, and receive forgiveness of sins” and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”.
This is how the Gospel is obeyed in the true Scriptural sense of the Word.
This is the fulfilment of the command of Jesus Himself in Matthew 28:19, in Mark 16:15-16, and in Luke 24:47.
In Matthew 28:19, the command was given to baptize in the Name.
Notice the word “name” is singular. There is no “s” at the end of Name. Jesus did NOT say use the titles Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These are only three titles of many more titles of God used throughout the Scriptures.
Jesus did not tell the Disciples to use the titles; He commanded them to use the Name. You may ask why? Colossians 3:17 helps us to understand why. Jesus did not tell them to repeat these titles as many sincerely believe, but rather to fulfil the command “in the Name”.
The following illustration will help clarify the difference between repeating a command and obeying a command. If I were to say to you “Hand me a glass of water.” If you just repeated the words “Hand me a glass of water”, I would never get the glass of water; but if I said to you “Hand me a glass of water” and you fulfilled the request, I would surely have a glass of water.
In Acts Chapter 2, we find the first Gospel message being preached and we read about what the believers did in response to the Truth of that message. This is the faith that was once delivered unto the saints that is spoken of in Jude 3.
Jude 4 states that some men had already crept in unawares and changed that message thus fulfilling the Scriptures in Matthew 23:13-15.
Acts 2:36-47 was the fulfillment of the Command that Jesus gave his Disciples in Matthew 28:19, in Mark 16:15-16, and in Luke 24:46-49.
In Acts Chapter 2 was the first time that the Gospel was preached, received, and obeyed by 3,000 people.
Why was the Name of Jesus used and not just God’s titles? First and foremost, because Jesus told us to use the Name and for good reason. The following Scriptures explain why we use the Name:
Matthew 1:21 - given by the angel as commanded by God
Hebrews 1:1-4 - inherited an excellent Name
John 5:43- He came in His Father’s Name
John 17:6,26 - He declared the Name
John 14:26 - He sent the Holy Spirit in the Name
Philippians 2:9-11- His Name is above every name
Acts 4:12 - The Name by which we are saved
Zechariah 14:9 - In that day, One Lord and His Name One
Isaiah 9:6 -Describes just who He is
Matthew 12:21 - In that Name the Gentiles trust
Colossians 3:17 - Do all in the Name of Jesus
This concludes Part 1 of our study titled: “How do we Obey the Gospel?” In Part 2, we will continue to look at Biblical examples how people obeyed the Gospel.
