Real Gospel 2

I will sum up gospel truth in light of God’s original purposes:

God created man to bear His own image and likeness, to be in perfect submission to Him and have fellowship with Him, and to have dominion over everything under His direction, guidance and authority.

These purposes were shipwrecked through man’s rebellion. His nature and ways were distorted. Man subsequently became self-centered and self-directed, which two things are the very essences of sin. There are “bad” sinners, like Charles Manson and Adolph Hitler, and “good” sinners, like Gandhi, but they all have the wrath of God hanging over their heads ready to fall, and hell as their final destination, because they are self-centered and self-directed, even if they seem otherwise outwardly.

When the time was right, Jesus, the Son of God, came into this world to live a perfect human life, just as the Father had always intended man to live. He demonstrated the nature, character and ways of His Father, was perfectly submitted to Him and had fellowship with Him, and exercised dominion under the Father’s authority, and to serve His purposes.

After His ascension, we see believers, disciples, demonstrating the nature, character and ways of God, being submitted to Him and exercising dominion under His authority. They didn’t do it perfectly, as Jesus had, but they were doing it. Remember, Jesus never had a fallen human nature to contend with. The disciples did have one, which they had to reckon dead by faith. They also had to walk in their new nature by faith, patience and repentance.

Can I show from scripture that the disciples were demonstrating the nature, character and ways of God, being submitted to Him and exercising dominion under His authority? I believe I can.

First, let’s look at an example of a disciple demonstrating the nature, character and ways of God. There are other examples in scripture and history, but we will look at the highest one I can think of.

Acts 7: 51-60: 51“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Stephen had the opportunity to speak truth to the religious leaders. It was hard truth, but he did it in love. Jesus did the same on many occasions.

The truth he speaks arouses their anger and resentment and they decide to kill him. As they put him to a terrible, painful death, Stephen calls upon the Lord for their good. He asks that their horrible sin not be put on their account. Does this remind you of someone else in a similar situation?

Jesus said at one point:

Luke 6: 27-36- 27: “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Stephen’s act of calling on the Lord for the good of his murderous enemies (as Jesus, Himself had done) is clearly the highest demonstration of the nature, character and ways of God. They had nothing but evil intentions for Stephen, but Stephen showed God-like intentions for them. This can only be done by the power of a new nature recreated in the image of God.

What about being submitted to God? There are so many examples of this, biblically and historically, but I will simply summarize by saying they faced fiery trials and ordeals; they risked and lost their lives; they defied religious and governmental authorities; they were beaten, stoned, imprisoned and crucified; they forsook all that this world has to offer and they went to the ends of the earth, all in obedience and submission to the Lord and His commands.

They didn’t sit around in comfortable, air-conditioned churches listening to clever “sermons” and saying “Praise the Lord” as a sick, lost and dying humanity perished.

Finally, what about exercising dominion under the Lord’s authority? Remember, Jesus Himself exercised dominion under the Father’s authority as the following scripture shows:

Luke 7: 2-10: 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”

6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Jesus did not live His life on earth as God dressed up as a man. He lived it as a man in perfect submission to and dependence upon the Father and Holy Spirit, just as men are called to do now. He did not correct the centurion’s perception that He, Jesus, was operating under authority. He did not, as God, do things that mere men could never do. He clearly said that He only did what He saw the Father doing; that the Father in Him did the works; that those who believe will do the same works, and greater.

So, what about the disciples?

Acts 3:1-9: 1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

Acts 13:6-12: 6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man (Sergius Paulus) called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”

And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Acts 9:32-42: 32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.

There are some things we need to see through these scriptural examples. Firstly, we must see that the apostles were doing what Jesus did. They were doing what they saw Him doing. They were not praying, in hope that God would respond, as we pray today. They saw and knew what the Lord was doing.

With the lame man, Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

He knew what was happening. He didn’t pray, “Oh Lord, if it be thy will, please heal this lame man, in Jesus’ name. Amen. And by the way, Lord, please heal my aunt Gertie’s ingrown toenail. It’s been troubling her for years.”

With the sorcerer, Paul said, “And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him. Paul saw the hand of the Lord on the man, and knew what would happen.

With Aeneas and Dorcas it was the same. Peter spoke what he saw and knew the Lord was doing. The only praying we see is Peter praying before he did what he did in raising Dorcas from the dead.

Secondly, we should see that all of these works done by the apostles resulted in glory and honor going to the Lord and people being saved. The works had an evangelistic theme to them, primarily so that people outside of the New Covenant community could see the goodness, love and power of the Lord. This was also the primary purpose of the works that Jesus did.

Jesus said, in John 15, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”

Paul said to the Corinthian believers:

1 Corinthians 2:1-5: 1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Paul wanted the faith of the believers in Corinth to rest not upon wise words but on the power of God. He also said that the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power (1 Corinthians 4:20).

At this point, someone is bound to say something like, “Yes, but these were the apostles, and the book of Acts is a transitional book, and these things happened during the time of the Church’s infancy and before the Canon of scripture was completed. These things don’t apply to the Church today. If they did, we would see them happening, and don’t try and tell me about the great healing crusades and charismatic mumbo-jumbo.”

To respond to this, I’d like to first point out the following scripture:

Acts 8:3-8: 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

Philip was not an apostle. Neither was Stephen. Scripture shows, though, that these ordinary believers, who were full of the Spirit, did signs and wonders. So, the argument that these works were done only by apostles is not correct.

To respond to the rest of the argument I’ll say this:

Jesus said that those who believe would do the works He did. He did not say only certain believers for only a very short period of time. There is nothing in His statement which would even hint at an interpretation that only a tiny handful of all believers throughout all of church history would do these works, and only for a very short period of time, until the scriptures were completed and the church was past its infancy. And yes, I’m aware of 1 Corinthians 15, and how it says certain things will pass away when that which is perfect has come, but I don’t believe this refers to the completion of the Canon of scripture.

Jesus said, in Matthew 21:21-22:

“Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

He also said, in Matthew 17:20:

“Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

In Matthew 21, Jesus had caused a fig tree to wither away with a word. In Matthew 17, He had cast out a demon that the disciples were unable to cast out. He says if we say to a mountain to be moved, and we believe, it will move and nothing will be impossible to a believer who believes.

I’ve heard sermons about these passages and read teachings on them. Usually that say something like, “The mountain that Jesus refers to are problems, trials or difficulties in our lives that will be removed if we believe.”

Think about this: Jesus had caused a real, physical tree to wither away. He had driven out a real spiritual being from someone. He had also quieted the wind and waves, walked on water, turned water into wine, and recreated limbs and eyes. He says that nothing shall be impossible to those of us who believe. There is not even a hint that He is referring to problems or difficulties in our lives.

Psalm 78:40-42: 40 How often they (Israel) provoked Him in the wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert! 41 Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. 42 They did not remember His power…

The people of God have always been willing and able to allegorize or trivialize God’s word, truth and power, and limit Him. There are places in the gospels where it says that Jesus could do no mighty works among certain peoples because of their unbelief.

Think about the gospel in light of God’s original purposes. Consider that Jesus is the beginning of a new race. Ponder that we are clearly called to walk just as Jesus walked. Consider that we are called to put off the old man and put on the new. Remember that Jesus said that those who believe will do the same works that He did. And finally, realize that we see early believers, including non-apostles, demonstrating the nature, character and ways of God, being submitted to Him and exercising dominion under His authority.

Does it really add up to think that this was only for the apostolic Church in its infancy, until the scriptures were completed? Does the fact that there is little, if any of this kind of thing going on today prove that it has all passed away. I don’t think so. I simply think it proves that the church, just like Israel, is in a state of unbelief and must explain and rationalize its incredible powerlessness. We must find a way to explain away the phenomenal practical difference between our modern “Christianity” and that of the early believers.

Let me also say this: I believe that these kinds of powerful things are going on today, but they are not being done by the televangelists, great healing crusaders like Benny Hinn, or the “Word-of-faith” practitioners. They are being done by unknown, obscure believers in far out-of-the-way places, who humbly walk with their Lord and obey Him.

Let me also say, I’m sure to the shock and dismay of any charismatic readers of this paper, that I sincerely believe that the vast, vast majority of the mighty signs and wonders that supposedly go on in Pentecostal and Charismatic circles are delusions and tricks of the enemy. I won’t go into the reasons here, but Paul spoke of Satan transforming himself into an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14) and his “ministers” doing the same. Jesus spoke of the enemy sowing tares among the wheat. There is much delusion and many doctrines of demons within the charismatic church.

Let’s also remember that the Church has been joined to the world and the State for many a century. Is it surprising if men are not walking in true, biblical faith and power today? Remember, Peter said that God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32), not to those wallowing in apostasy, worldliness and self-contentment.

Also, Jesus said, in Luke 18:8 “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

A Potential Problem With My Perspective

I have presented the proposition that God created man to bear His own image and likeness, to be in perfect submission to Him and have fellowship with Him, and to have dominion over everything under His direction, guidance and authority. I believe that these were God’s original plans and purposes for man, that Jesus and the early believers modeled this reality, and that the gospel of God makes the way once again for their realization.

There is a potential problem, though, that I see and I can only offer my opinion as to the solution to this issue. Let’s first look at the issue.

Philippians 2:25-27: 25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my needs. 26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because you had heard that he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick near to death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

1 Timothy 5:23: 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your often infirmities.

2 Timothy 4:20: 20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

James 5:14-15: 14 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

It appears that believers are to be healed or delivered, if at all, by the prayer of faith, or perhaps by medicinal means. Paul says that Epaphroditus was sick, close to death, but God had mercy on him. He encourages Timothy to take a medicinal path to help with his health problems. He left Trophimus at Miletum sick.

Why weren’t these issues and problems dealt with by other believers exercising dominion under God’s authority? I don’t know. I can only offer my opinion.

My opinion is that the Lord has chosen to not heal and deliver His people from sickness or affliction through other believers walking in dominion and authority, but through humble dependence and trust; through the prayer of faith; and sometimes through medical means. The walking in power and authority appears to be towards unbelievers or those in opposition to the gospel, and it is not an absolute dominion and authority, but subject to the Father’s will and purposes, just as the works of Jesus were.