Is the true Gospel being preached today?

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Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
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#41
sooo many different opinion here on the gospel, my head is spinning. where is all that confusion from?
2000 years of church history, that's the source of a multitude of interpretations. People tend to view the scripture differently from each other.

Even in the book of Acts (15), we see the first counter interpretation. A Christian must be circumcised and obey the law of Moses, that is, Jesus was circumcised and obeyed the law. Do you walk exactly as Jesus walked?

Here is another interpretation from the scripture.

Galatians 3:1-2
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

Yet another way of understanding the revelation of the Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:12
Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am with Paul,” or “I am with Apollos,” or “I am with Cephas,” or “I am with Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
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#42
sooo many different opinion here on the gospel, my head is spinning. where is all that confusion from?
There are several reasons for spiritual confusion but they all boil down to one thing: an incorrect understanding of who the Lord Jesus Christ is, and His finished work of redemption. The Arch Deceiver also works in the background.
 

ThyKingdomComeSoon

Well-known member
Apr 1, 2023
974
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#43
There are several reasons for spiritual confusion but they all boil down to one thing: an incorrect understanding of who the Lord Jesus Christ is, and His finished work of redemption. The Arch Deceiver also works in the background.
yes, the arch deceiver is at work I can see this, I blame also false teachers, preachers, I am also surprised at the number of preachers web sites and video ( most are preaching doctrines not from the bible) that people post on this forum. Myself I am simply reading the bible it is my source if information. I agree that incorrect understanding is also a main player mostly people do not study the scriptures on a regular basis and are lacking in knowledge ( I am guilty of this also, but am fixing this) ) it is why I rely on some of the members of this forum as yourself who know the scripture well, it is why I poke people I trust with a few questions.

You have need very helpful Nehemiah and I thank you!

Be blessed.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,770
113
#44
You have need very helpful Nehemiah and I thank you!
You are a solid brother in the Lord and that is excellent. As to French Bonjour and Bonsoir should suffice! Many Blessings to you and yours.
 

FlyingDove

Senior Member
Dec 27, 2017
1,267
432
83
#45
No. Those are a variety of APPLICATIONS of the same word. And now you are merely quibbling to show us how clever you are. No need to waste time on this kind of distraction.
It's clear now as to why you answered my question with a question. You didn't know the answer! Your lack of uderstanding the contextual definitions of the word repentance are duly noted. As well as the way you wrongly applied it to salvation in your post.

Find here 4 different applications based on context. These are just the Greek definitions. There are several different applications in Hebrew as well.

[ Verb,G3340, metanoeo ] - [ Verb,G3338, metamelomai ] - [ Adjective,G278, ametameletos ] - [ Noun,G3341, metanoia ]

Repentance application for salvation under the NT gospel of the grace of God. Has a different meaning from whats written in Acts 2:38 & LK 13:3 & 5.

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
(MY NOTE: The key to this verse is found in the article "TOWARD". Repentance TOWARD God & faith TOWARD Christ. Repent/change your mind from unbelief in the Father & place your Faith in His Son!)

Peters Acts 2 message is offered to Jews only. (No gentiles) Acts is a transitional from the law dispensation to the dispensation.

The Baptist doesn't baptize any gentiles in the wilderness of Judea (whos from Judea/JEWS) Lk 1:4-5. (No gentiles)

Peter's is speaking to a Temple Mt full (millions?) of JEWS:

Acts 2:5 and there were Dwelling Jerusalem JEWS, 14 Peter said, Ye men of Judea, 22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; 36 let ALL the House of Israel! (No gentiles)

Acts is a transitional from the law dispensation to the dispensation God's grace.

The Jew (still under law) had to perform a work to receive the Promise/Holy Spirit. 1st be baptized, 2nd receive the H/S

An inversion happens in Acts 10 at Cornelius House. Gentiles heard, BELIEVED & they received the H/S (Acts 10:44-45, also see Eph 1:13)

Under the NT gospel of God's grace message. The believer hears, believes/Faith (no works) & receives the H/S. The Act of getting baptized is confirmation of your FAITH! A outwardly public statement of the inward spiritual change.

And now via Christ's forever (Jn 14:16) indwelling Holy Spirit. God grants/gives the believer the ability to truly lead a repentant life. Sin no longer has dominion over you.

Anyone that believes they can conquer their own sin nature/repent (via self-works - of any-kind), without the Holy Spirit's help is mistaken.

Acts 11:18 They heard these things & held their peace, glorifing God, saying, God has granted Gentiles repentance unto life
(MY NOTE: God has GRANTED the gentiles repentance. A grant is gift, gifts are given & not earned!)

Nice try Nehemiah6, don't give up. Sooner of later even a blind squirrel will find a nut.
 

ThyKingdomComeSoon

Well-known member
Apr 1, 2023
974
596
93
#46
You are a solid brother in the Lord and that is excellent. As to French Bonjour and Bonsoir should suffice! Many Blessings to you and yours.
Merci Nehemiah, que Dieu te bénisse!
translation; Thank you Nehemiah, may the lord Bless you!
 

Blade

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2019
1,768
622
113
#47
It would seem that by and large it it not. But there is one church out there that is claiming that the Gospel is exclusively about the Kingdom of God, and NOT about faith in Christ and His finished work of redemption. THIS IS FALSE TEACHING. But this church is promoting Herbert W. Armstrong as the only man who preached the true Gospel: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end [of this age] come” (Matthew 24:14). Only one man fulfilled this prophecy in this end-time: Herbert W. Armstrong. He died in 1986. No other religious figure on this globe has preached the true gospel worldwide. As a matter of fact Armstrong was a very subtle and very powerful false teacher, who influenced many. And here is his "gospel": "The gospel is the good news of the coming Kingdom of God and the all-powerful God family which will rule the earth. It includes the details of salvation and of how one can be born into that glorious Kingdom. How inspiring!" Yes, it is inspiring but it won't save you from Hell.

First of all Christians need to understand that the Gospel is the ultimate Good News from God, and has many designations, but it is still ONLY ONE GOSPEL -- "the everlasting Gospel". It is God who get's to decide what it should be called, depending on the context. When Christ preached, it was "the Gospel of the Kingdom" because it was the King who was preaching it, and directing men to see and enter into the Kingdom of God through the New Birth. See John chapter 3. But Mark calls his Gospel "the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ" since the entire focus is on Christ Himself. Paul calls it "the Gospel of the Grace of God" because the very foundation of the Gospel is the grace, mercy, and loving kindness of God. He also calls it "the Gospel of God" because God is the ultimate source of the Gospel. It was designed by God and implemented by God through the Lord Jesus Christ. That is also why it is "the Gospel of His Son". And since He is Christ ("the Anointed One") it is also "the Gospel of Christ". And because Christ made peace between mankind and God at the cross, it is called "the Gospel of Peace" (hence peace and goodwill towards men).

So we come to the heart of the matter, "the Gospel of Your Salvation". No person can be saved without believing the full and true Gospel. How that Christ died for our since according to the Scriptures, and rose again for our justification according to the Scriptures. So that we might have the gift of eternal life and the gift of the Holy Spirit. These are God's free gifts of grace to the one who repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ.

And this is where many stumble. Why would God give undeserving sinners these precious gifts? And the answer is found in the heart of God. See John chapter 3.

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
[Note: "water" = Word of God = Gospel]
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master
[teacher] of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
I know of Armstrong but you I know nothing about. I just read things he personally said as in faith in Christ , repent and believe in Christ. I know about some of the errors he taught OT this OT that yet its odd somethings he taught many here believe and follow to the letter. Some here have said "if you don't your not a Christian". Odd no well if some of these things Armstrong taught is the same as others here have said then are they not false also or we like them so it ok to be wrong.

Yes yes just another thread to attack go after someone that teaches something different we don't agree with. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our lord. I just listen to him talk about every lasting life that comes from? John 3:16. Sorry but I am not like most I am not going to sift through to find errors to just talk and go after this man. Yes he was off in some areas just like you just like so many others here. He didn't preach a false Christ and I didn't listen to ever sermon he ever gave never been a fan never listen to him but I did search to read the good the man did for Christ did you did anyone? Again him I know he has weight you have none like everyone else here that's me also.

Even Armstrong said love the lord your God with all your heart soul and mind love you neighbor as your self. Great he errored here and there but what good has he done for the kingdom? See I look for anyone saying Christ came in the flesh died on the cross for the worlds sin was buried rose the 3rd day is the only way to the Father. That man believed that.. stuck in the OT but.. he did believe that. They will know you are mine by your love one for another. So what did I get from this? Going to talk more share more about the kingdom about Christ.. yeah never took one negative thing tossed that out.. that is not how the sweet holy Spirit works.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,770
113
#48
I know of Armstrong but you I know nothing about.
You don't have to know anything about me. Either I am posting Gospel truth or I am not. Let the readers decide. And false teachers need to be exposed since they send people to Hell.
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
3,228
1,124
113
New Zealand
#49
It's clear now as to why you answered my question with a question. You didn't know the answer! Your lack of uderstanding the contextual definitions of the word repentance are duly noted. As well as the way you wrongly applied it to salvation in your post.

Find here 4 different applications based on context. These are just the Greek definitions. There are several different applications in Hebrew as well.

[ Verb,G3340, metanoeo ] - [ Verb,G3338, metamelomai ] - [ Adjective,G278, ametameletos ] - [ Noun,G3341, metanoia ]

Repentance application for salvation under the NT gospel of the grace of God. Has a different meaning from whats written in Acts 2:38 & LK 13:3 & 5.

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
(MY NOTE: The key to this verse is found in the article "TOWARD". Repentance TOWARD God & faith TOWARD Christ. Repent/change your mind from unbelief in the Father & place your Faith in His Son!)

Peters Acts 2 message is offered to Jews only. (No gentiles) Acts is a transitional from the law dispensation to the dispensation.

The Baptist doesn't baptize any gentiles in the wilderness of Judea (whos from Judea/JEWS) Lk 1:4-5. (No gentiles)

Peter's is speaking to a Temple Mt full (millions?) of JEWS:

Acts 2:5 and there were Dwelling Jerusalem JEWS, 14 Peter said, Ye men of Judea, 22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; 36 let ALL the House of Israel! (No gentiles)

Acts is a transitional from the law dispensation to the dispensation God's grace.

The Jew (still under law) had to perform a work to receive the Promise/Holy Spirit. 1st be baptized, 2nd receive the H/S

An inversion happens in Acts 10 at Cornelius House. Gentiles heard, BELIEVED & they received the H/S (Acts 10:44-45, also see Eph 1:13)

Under the NT gospel of God's grace message. The believer hears, believes/Faith (no works) & receives the H/S. The Act of getting baptized is confirmation of your FAITH! A outwardly public statement of the inward spiritual change.

And now via Christ's forever (Jn 14:16) indwelling Holy Spirit. God grants/gives the believer the ability to truly lead a repentant life. Sin no longer has dominion over you.

Anyone that believes they can conquer their own sin nature/repent (via self-works - of any-kind), without the Holy Spirit's help is mistaken.

Acts 11:18 They heard these things & held their peace, glorifing God, saying, God has granted Gentiles repentance unto life
(MY NOTE: God has GRANTED the gentiles repentance. A grant is gift, gifts are given & not earned!)

Nice try Nehemiah6, don't give up. Sooner of later even a blind squirrel will find a nut.
Something I have been looking at is how 'turning from sin' is put in gospel tracts..as part of salvation.

In the past I never worried about it..but then I was shown how salvation is purely and simply believe on Jesus Christ. 'Turning from sin' can only happen AFTER being converted already.

Any sort of behaviour over time before salvation ..to be saved .. is works for salvation...and I think 'turning from sin' subtlety is just this very thing.

Like you say... It should be turning from unbelief to belief. Not 'im reducing sin in my life at the same time as believing '

You gotta believe and be converted..
Then reducing sin in your life can happen


Otherwise it's putting 'perfume on a corpse'
😊
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,230
3,572
113
#50
Even Armstrong said love the lord your God with all your heart soul and mind love you neighbor as your self. Great he errored here and there but what good has he done for the kingdom? See I look for anyone saying Christ came in the flesh died on the cross for the worlds sin was buried rose the 3rd day is the only way to the Father. That man believed that.. stuck in the OT but.. he did believe that. They will know you are mine by your love one for another. So what did I get from this? Going to talk more share more about the kingdom about Christ.. yeah never took one negative thing tossed that out.. that is not how the sweet holy Spirit works.
Armstrong has done far more harm than good. If you consider seeking justification by obeying the law good; if you believe the true church is comprised of those who obey the law good; if you consider denial of the trinity good; then yeah, maybe he did a lot of good. The real question is: Is the Hebrew Roots Movement a cult?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
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#51
In the past I never worried about it.. but then I was shown how salvation is purely and simply believe on Jesus Christ
That is not what the Bible teaches. What were the first words from the lips of Christ as He went out to preach?From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Mt 4:17) And what were the first words out of the lips of Peter on the day of Pentecost? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) And what did Pail say about his preaching of the Gospel? Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)

It is simply ASTOUNDING how Christians pervert the true Gospel in the face of Scripture. And Paul warned that anyone who perverts the Gospel comes under a curse. Now we have one poster actually defending false teacher Armstrong!
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
3,228
1,124
113
New Zealand
#52
That is not what the Bible teaches. What were the first words from the lips of Christ as He went out to preach?From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Mt 4:17) And what were the first words out of the lips of Peter on the day of Pentecost? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) And what did Pail say about his preaching of the Gospel? Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)

It is simply ASTOUNDING how Christians pervert the true Gospel in the face of Scripture. And Paul warned that anyone who perverts the Gospel comes under a curse. Now we have one poster actually defending false teacher Armstrong!
Hold on.. i'm saying repentance isn't a work of effort... it's still obviously part of salvation.. but it's not 'turning from sin'..it's a 'change of mind, heart'

It's turning from unbelief to belief.. rather than .. 'im reducing sin in my life as well as believing on the Lord Jesus Christ'

Like I said.. you gotta be converted.. believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.. before you can reduce sin in your life.

That's all i'm saying. Not that repentance isn't part of salvation.

Also I don't tie water baptism to salvation.. as COC people do.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,770
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#53
Hold on.. i'm saying repentance isn't a work of effort... it's still obviously part of salvation.. but it's not 'turning from sin'..it's a 'change of mind, heart'
It is not a turning from sins, evil, and idols along with a change of heart, mind and spirit? Where do people come up with such nonsense? Every time Christ tells a church in Revelation chapters 2-3 to repent, it is merely "a change of mind"? You had better dig deeper from Genesis to Revelation. You will be held accountable for misleading people. How serious was the matter so that Christ said "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (be damned)?
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
3,228
1,124
113
New Zealand
#54
It is not a turning from sins, evil, and idols along with a change of heart, mind and spirit? Where do people come up with such nonsense? Every time Christ tells a church in Revelation chapters 2-3 to repent, it is merely "a change of mind"? You had better dig deeper from Genesis to Revelation. You will be held accountable for misleading people. How serious was the matter so that Christ said "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (be damned)?
The admonishments to the churches in Revelation were not about receiving eternal life, but after conversion turning from sin. A church is of an assembly of saved, baptised believers in a congregation. These were for overcoming...not getting saved.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,708
13,519
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#55
sooo many different opinion here on the gospel, my head is spinning. where is all that confusion from?
If there were not disagreements, and those openly voiced, a pope would now be emperor of the entire world - determining all doctrine by fiat according to his whims.

however also because we ((in the western church)) separated ourselves from the ruling authority of papacy, we also set a precedent of being corrected by no one but our own conscience, so that now, 500 years later, there is more heresy preached than ever.

"each one does what is right in his own eyes"
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,708
13,519
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#56
2000 years of church history, that's the source of a multitude of interpretations. People tend to view the scripture differently from each other.
We don't have 2000 years of people being able and/or allowed to read the scripture.

We only have a few hundred of that, and less still for people to culturally believe in their own personal sovereignty to decide what it means.

It doesn't take long for water outside of a riverbed to flow in all directions
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,708
13,519
113
#57
There are several reasons for spiritual confusion but they all boil down to one thing: an incorrect understanding of who the Lord Jesus Christ is, and His finished work of redemption. The Arch Deceiver also works in the background.
yes

which is why the first four councils of the whole church ((after Acts 15)) were all focused on coming to agreement on the nature of Christ. no one denied He is God or quibbled over whether salvation was by grace through faith, but deep, technical questions about what it means to be both God and man.
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
2,828
845
113
#58
We don't have 2000 years of people being able and/or allowed to read the scripture.

We only have a few hundred of that, and less still for people to culturally believe in their own personal sovereignty to decide what it means.

It doesn't take long for water outside of a riverbed to flow in all directions
We still have 2000 years of a minority of Christians able to read the scripture. Even today, we have a minority of Christians that would read the scripture every day.

What I find interesting is that most of the Christian cults we have today. Started in the 1800's in the USA.

SDA
JW's
Christadelphians
Mormons
E.t.c

This ties in with your point, education of the general public spread in the 1800's in the USA.
 

ThyKingdomComeSoon

Well-known member
Apr 1, 2023
974
596
93
#59
If there were not disagreements, and those openly voiced, a pope would now be emperor of the entire world - determining all doctrine by fiat according to his whims.

however also because we ((in the western church)) separated ourselves from the ruling authority of papacy, we also set a precedent of being corrected by no one but our own conscience, so that now, 500 years later, there is more heresy preached than ever.

"each one does what is right in his own eyes"
I understand and agree but should we not all align with the words of Christ? In any case this is what I am following, the teachings of Christ.

Blessings.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
18,832
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#60
I understand and agree but should we not all align with the words of Christ? In any case this is what I am following, the teachings of Christ.

Blessings.
The whole Bible is the words of Christ.