Biblical Unity
Biblical Unity
Please stop right here because this is the worst time to make a wrong turn. Before you continue, answer for yourself this one important question.
Is the gospel defined in scripture, and if so, where?
I have asked countless numbers of LDS people where the gospel is defined. To a man and to a woman, each has understood and described the gospel as I did as a Mormon. Many suggested that all scripture describes the gospel. Others insisted the entirety of LDS teachings enshrine the gospel. To date, no Mormon pointed to this single passage.
1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4, KJV
Come along with me as we unpack and clarify key elements of the everlasting gospel.
Paul wrote, “I declare unto you the gospel.” This is not Paul engaged in idle chitchat. This is an official and binding apostolic declaration. When an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ says, “I declare”, prudent men pay attention.
Paul continued by saying the gospel is the place “wherein ye stand”. Because the gospel is an apostolic declaration, believers stand resolutely in it. Christians plant their flag on this hill and, if necessary, die there. Followers of Jesus consider this gospel as a line in the sand from which they will not retreat. To the biblical Christian, nothing is more worthy of a bold defense.
The passage continues, “By which also ye are saved.” Believers defend this gospel because by it they are saved.
The first key element of the gospel is, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.“ Jesus paid the debt we could never afford. He did for us what we could never accomplish alone. He, without our aid, canceled the record of debt that stood against us, carried it to the cross, and nailed it there. All this He did according to messianic prophecies found throughout the Old Testament.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5, KJV, emphasis added
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
Psalm 22:1, KJV, emphasis added
The second key element of the gospel is “he was buried.” This is a simple confirmation that Jesus died. Those who loved Him removed His lifeless body from the cross. They prepared Him for burial and placed Him in a tomb.
The third and final key is, “He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” This illustrates God’s power over life and death, even to raise Himself from the dead. He has the power to erase the stain and corruption of death and renew life in perfection. Thus, He can erase the stains that infect and separate us from God. Jesus alone; through Him alone, we may live with the God of light for eternity. Once again, Jesus accomplished this to fulfill Old Testament prophecies.
For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
Mark 9:31, KJV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16, KJV
Please pause again to consider yet another important question.
Modern Bibles translate εὐαγγέλιον, pronounced, euaggelion as gospel. What does εὐαγγέλιον mean?
Strong’s Concordance and Thayer’s Greek Lexicon translate gospel as “good message” and “good tidings” respectively. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints understand that gospel means “good news.” This aligns nicely with Strong’s and Thayer’s.
The biblical definition of “gospel” specifically showcases it as good news, tidings, and a wonderful message of hope. Being dead in my sins, and an enemy to God, He still rescued me. Let’s face it: the shed blood of Jesus to save a sinner like me is the best news of all! He died for your sins and mine and the sins of the entire world. For us all, Jesus did what we can never accomplish. I will never understand why He did such a thing for an enemy like me. In absolute awe and wonder, I will praise His name forever for this free gift of love and life.
10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Romans 5:10-11, KJV, emphasis added
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:2, KJV, emphasis added
As I close this section, I have two additional questions.
The biblical gospel is so simple that even a small child can understand. Is that good news?
The biblical gospel is all about what Jesus did for us. Is that good news?