Reading: Acts 20:25-32
"When I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ" (Rom 15:29)
"We go to a full gospel Church." "He is a full gospel preacher." These are statements frequently made by Pentecostal or Charismatic people to denote their denomination or describe their doctrine. Non-Pentecostals are offended by the usage of the words "full gospel" by the other group, and ask, "Do we then preach half gospel?" Let's examine this issue in the light of the Scriptures.
The word "gospel" is an anglo-saxon word meaning "good tidings." This is brought out on the first Christmas day in the angelic announcement to the shepherds. The gospel is the "good tidings of great joy to all people" (Lk 2:10). The best definition of the gospel is given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor 15:3,4). This is the gospel in its purest and fullest form. Any deletion or addition corrupts it (Gal 5:4).
A message is not full gospel just because of the inclusion of the need to be baptized in water by immersion, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and exercising the gifts of the Spirit. These are all simply the "elementary" or the "first" principles of the doctrine of Christ (Heb 6:1,2). The gospel content in the sermons of those who call themselves as full Gospel preachers is usually low. The gospel is not primarily about how to be healed, rather how to be saved (Mt 1:21; Acts 16:31; Rom 1:16). Someone who never got healed from a disease can go to Heaven; but anyone not saved from sin cannot go there (Rev 21:27). Lazarus ridden with poverty and disease went to Heaven!
Jesus Christ is the Gospel of God (Jn 14:6). If by "full gospel" we mean all the blessings we receive through Christ, we are justified in using these words. The Scriptures give various names to the gospel. When it is called the Gospel of Peace, we stress the sacrifice of Christ (Eph 2:14-16; 6:15). The Gospel of Grace emphasizes Christ's Saviourhood (Acts 20:24; Eph 2:8). The Gospel of the Kingdom emphasizes Christ's Lordship or Kingship (Lk 8:1; Isa 52:7). There's no blessing apart from Jesus Christ (Eph 1:3). Even the Holy Spirit does not add anything to what Christ has "finished" for us. As the Spirit of Truth the Holy Spirit will lead us more and more towards Christ the Truth. "He will not speak on His own authority." He will take of what is Christ's and declare it to us (Jn 16:13-15). Failure to understand this may trap us in "another" gospel in the name of "full" gospel. Beware!
"When I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ" (Rom 15:29)
"We go to a full gospel Church." "He is a full gospel preacher." These are statements frequently made by Pentecostal or Charismatic people to denote their denomination or describe their doctrine. Non-Pentecostals are offended by the usage of the words "full gospel" by the other group, and ask, "Do we then preach half gospel?" Let's examine this issue in the light of the Scriptures.
The word "gospel" is an anglo-saxon word meaning "good tidings." This is brought out on the first Christmas day in the angelic announcement to the shepherds. The gospel is the "good tidings of great joy to all people" (Lk 2:10). The best definition of the gospel is given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor 15:3,4). This is the gospel in its purest and fullest form. Any deletion or addition corrupts it (Gal 5:4).
A message is not full gospel just because of the inclusion of the need to be baptized in water by immersion, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and exercising the gifts of the Spirit. These are all simply the "elementary" or the "first" principles of the doctrine of Christ (Heb 6:1,2). The gospel content in the sermons of those who call themselves as full Gospel preachers is usually low. The gospel is not primarily about how to be healed, rather how to be saved (Mt 1:21; Acts 16:31; Rom 1:16). Someone who never got healed from a disease can go to Heaven; but anyone not saved from sin cannot go there (Rev 21:27). Lazarus ridden with poverty and disease went to Heaven!
Jesus Christ is the Gospel of God (Jn 14:6). If by "full gospel" we mean all the blessings we receive through Christ, we are justified in using these words. The Scriptures give various names to the gospel. When it is called the Gospel of Peace, we stress the sacrifice of Christ (Eph 2:14-16; 6:15). The Gospel of Grace emphasizes Christ's Saviourhood (Acts 20:24; Eph 2:8). The Gospel of the Kingdom emphasizes Christ's Lordship or Kingship (Lk 8:1; Isa 52:7). There's no blessing apart from Jesus Christ (Eph 1:3). Even the Holy Spirit does not add anything to what Christ has "finished" for us. As the Spirit of Truth the Holy Spirit will lead us more and more towards Christ the Truth. "He will not speak on His own authority." He will take of what is Christ's and declare it to us (Jn 16:13-15). Failure to understand this may trap us in "another" gospel in the name of "full" gospel. Beware!
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