That Other Gospel: Understanding the First Sermon of Jesus

For many Christians, the Gospel of Christ and the Gospel of God are assumed to refer to the same thing. It is believed that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins is the direct reference. The failure to recognize the difference between the Gospel of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the single most critical cause of the rise of Arminianism and Lordship Salvation.

Not understanding the difference between the Gospel of God and the Gospel of Christ creates tension between the relationship of "works" and "obtaining the righteousness of God by faith." Those who emphasize a more significant role of works in salvation will either err in the direction of Arminianism or Lordship Salvation. The loss of the distinction between the Gospel of God and the Gospel of Christ gave rise to Arminianism and Lordship Salvation of MacArthur as each attempts to reconcile the relationship between "works" and "salvation."

Much like the Church did not universally preach "salvation by faith alone" before Martin Luther's crusade to free the " gospel of Christ, " the Gospel of God has not been preached since the apostles of Jesus Christ. Martin Luther failed to see a difference, and subsequent generations have continued to do the same.

The gospel of God concerns the Kingdom of God. This is the first sermon Jesus preached. A close examination of the synoptic gospels reveals that this is the primary message of Jesus Christ for approximately the first three years of his ministry. Most New Testament scholars recognize the good news of the kingdom of God as the core message of Jesus Christ. However, that's where the consensus ends. What exactly is this message that is not understood?

The good news of the kingdom of God is the Father's message to men and women of his intent to grant his Son, Jesus Christ, sovereign dominion over this earth and those who earn the right to join him. The focus is not on territory but on sovereign or royal rule. The Kingdom of God refers to the administration God the Father will establish to rule over the earth after the return of the anointed king.

Inclusion in the cabinet of the sovereign administration of God must be earned. One does not gain the right to reign as a king by believing in Jesus. The New Testament lists no less than five possible ways to earn the right or privilege to sit on the Lord's throne with him as Jesus won the right to sit on his Father's throne. Revelation 2:26-27 states, "The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father." Likewise, Revelation 3:21 declares, "The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne."

In both cases, the conditionality is strong. Jesus earned the right to reign. Sadly, many have assumed that salvation alone makes one a conqueror in sanctification. Recognizing the difference between the Gospel of God and the Gospel of Christ makes it possible to understand the difference between a conqueror in salvation and a conqueror in sanctification. The Gospel of God is works-oriented, while the Gospel of Christ is faith-oriented. Recognition of this difference resolves many difficult passages in the New Testament that some interpret as works-salvation.

The faithful will earn the Kingdom of God due to their pure devotion to Jesus Christ during their time on earth. Failure to see inclusion in the Kingdom of God as a reward leads to exegetical error. Arminianism and Lordship Salvation are children of this error.