The Essence of the Gospel

The Essence of the Gospel

By Apostle Felix

16  I refuse to be ashamed of sharing the wonderful message of God’s liberating power unleashed in us through Christ! For I am thrilled to preach that everyone who believes is saved—the Jew first, and then people everywhere!

Romans 1: 16 TPT

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1: 16 KJV

We have it said so often in church circles, that the Bible will cease to be the word of God when miracles are removed from it. That may sound spiritual but it is entirely the truth. This is because, miracles are not the monopoly of the Kingdom of God. Miracles are also performed in satanic shrines by witch doctors. The magicians replicated similar miracles that Moses and Aaron had performed. The presence of miracles does not confirm the presence of God. Jesus warned us that in the last days, many false prophets shall rise and deceive many through the demonstration of power and miracles.

24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 24: 24

So, therefore, we do not discern the presence of God by miracles and the demonstration of power. God is not known by miracles. The children of Israel witnessed the miraculous power of God but yet did not know God. People in Jesus’ day, saw miracles, blind eyes opening, the lame walking, the dead raised, food multiplied and many more, but yet the multitude did not know Him. In fact, they rejected Him. They ate the fish and bread that Jesus had multiplied and they abandoned Him when He tried to introduce Himself to them. Instead, they asked for a sign.

29  Jesus answered, “The work you can do for God starts with believing in the One he has sent.”
30 They replied, “Show us a miracle so we can see it, and then we’ll believe in you.

John 6: 29, 30

The word of God can only be void of God’s power when Christ is taken out of the scriptures. Scripture without Christ is the letter that brings death. Christ is the one that gives life to the scriptures.

6  He alone makes us adequate ministers who are focused on an entirely new covenant. Our ministry is not based on the letter of the law but through the power of the Spirit. The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit pours out life. 

2 Corinthians 3: 6

The essence of the gospel is Christ. Jesus introduced Himself as life, not as one who had life. The people followed Jesus for food that perishes. He then drew their attention from the natural bread to the bread of life. The people mumbled and murmured against the claim Jesus had made that He was the bread of life. They could not recognize the Christ as the One referred to in the types and shadows of the Old Testament.

What does the gospel of Christ do:

1. It separates us from religion and initiates us into the relationship with the FATHER. Upon hearing the gospel, many who had followed Jesus for other reasons rather than knowing Him, left Him.

66  And so from that time on many of the disciples turned their backs on Jesus and refused to be associated with him. 

John 6: 66

67  So Jesus said to his twelve, “And you—do you also want to leave?”
68  Peter spoke up and said, “But Lord, where would we go? No one but you gives us the revelation of eternal life. 

John 67, 68

But the twelve decided to stay and associate themselves with the Lord.

2. The gospel sets us free from past, present and future sins. Jesus died on the cross when neither you nor me were born. Your and mine sins were forgiven way before we were born. We simply came to acknowledge which Christ Jesus had already done for us. We accepted forgiveness that was wrought through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

8  But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly!

Romans 5: 8

3. Through the gospel, we are redeemed from every curse, infirmity and iniquity. There is no curse, no infirmity and no iniquity that is more powerful than the gospel of Christ. We have heard that we need to confess the sins of our forefathers for the redemption of the land. If God forgave you without confessing your sins to Him when you got saved. What makes you think that confessing the sins of the people you never lived to see, will appease God. We do not confess our sins to be saved, we simply confess Christ and His finished work.

12  For I will demonstrate my mercy to them and will forgive their evil deeds, and never remember again their sins.” 

Hebrews 8: 12