Which is "True Gospel"?

Decide for yourself… what you feel the scripture is saying for something may be revealed to you that will give you a greater walk with God and bless you for eternity.  It won’t take anything away from what you have already received from God, if anything it will only add to it.  If God had an experience for you and it was from God, and it was the will of God for you to have it, would you want it?  What if it was revealed to you?  (If the answer is Yes)  That’s why you may have already chosen to read scriptures from the King James Bible. 

Sharing the scriptures with one another:  A true friend will appreciate a friend sharing the Word with them.  Wouldn’t you think?  It’s not to offend but to build on the foundation of the Word.  I’m so glad that these scriptures were shared with me one day…

“The Word of God and the Authority of the Word.”  John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”  Notice: Word is truth.  This is Jesus praying for His apostles, which are also called His disciples (keep this in mind).  Everyone claims to have the truth, yet they all differ in their beliefs.  So how do we know who has the truth?  Let the Word of God be true and every man a liar so, if a man teaches something different from the Bible, the Bible is right and man is wrong.  John 4:23 and 24 says we must worship in spirit and in truth.  (Vs 23) “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.  (Vs 24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”  Notice: must have both to be a true worshipper.  To become a true worshipper in the judgment of Jesus we must worship (in spirit and in truth) a person can have true doctrine without having the spirit or we can have the spirit without having true doctrine.

John 1:1 and 14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (Vs 14) And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth.”  Notice:  Jesus is the Living Word “Word was God” and “Word was made flesh”, so Jesus is the Living Word.  When He speaks it is God speaking to us.  John 12:48 “He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words hath one that judgeth  him, the Word that I have spoken the same shall judge him in the last day.”  Notice:  Word will judge us in the last day.  We will see this judgment taking place in the next scriptures.  Revelation 20:12-15 “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  (Vs 13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  (Vs 14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death (Vs 15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”  Notice: Two books (one is book of life) the other is the 66 books of the Bible that will judge us in the last day.  All people “small and great” must someday stand before God and our works will be judged by the Word.  The Book of life (being singular) (record of your life) and the 66 books (being plural) of the Bible that will judge us.  The works of ones’ present life will be compared with what the Bible says it must come up too.  If they do not meet the requirement of the Word they will be cast into the lake of fire.  Some people say “I don’t believe Jesus will send me to hell just because I don’t obey the Bible”.  But according to these scriptures He will.  If the Word is going to judge us in the last day, I would have to say that it carries a lot of authority to tell us what to do (It is Truth). 

II Timothy 3:12-16 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  (Vs 13) But evil men and seducers shall was worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  (Vs 14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;  (Vs 15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (vs. 16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”  (Vs 14) – things thou hast learned.  What things?  Things taught by Paul (an apostle of Jesus).  We must obey what the apostles taught.  Paul is writing to Timothy who is already saved. (Vs 13) – Paul is warning Timothy that evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.  (Vs 14) – Because of these evil men (false teachers) Paul warns Timothy to continue in what he has learned.  What things?  The things by Paul (refer to Vs 10). Some people try to read this scripture today and say “I don’t need what you have to say because the Bible says for me to continue in what I have learned”.  This scripture is not telling people to continue in what they have learned but it’s Paul telling Timothy.  For this to benefit us, we must learn what Paul preached, and since Paul was an apostle he was actually warning against teaching something different from the “apostles”.  We must keep this scripture in proper context in order to understand its true meaning.  (Vs 16) – Word was written by men, but God inspired them as to what to write.  That’s why it is called the Word of God.  We can use it for doctrine, reproof, correction, or instruction.

II Peter 1:20 and 21 “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  (Vs 21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”  Notice:  No private interpretation, men wrote as moved by the Holy Ghost.  The Word is not a man’s private interpretation (or opinion).  Example: Isaiah was not writing what he thought, he was writing what God told him to write.  Some of the Old Testament writers didn’t even know the full meaning of all they were writing at times.  It’s similar to a secretary taking dictation from the boss (God spoke it and man wrote it).

II Peter 3:15-18 “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hat written unto you;  (Vs 16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.  (Vs 17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from our own steadfastness.  (Vs 18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever.  Amen.”  Notice:  Possible to wrestle with scriptures to own destruction.  Paul also wrote letters “according to the wisdom given unto him”.  Some people try to understand these without the experience of the book of Acts (without the Holy Ghost) and cannot properly comprehend them.  They would be in the error of the wicked if they fall from their own steadfastness (fell from what the apostles taught).

Revelation 22:18-20 “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, (Bible) if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (Bible).  (Vs 19) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.  (Vs 20) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.  Amen.  Even so come, Lord Jesus.”  Note: Can’t add nor take away from the word.  Some feel this scripture is speaking only about the book of Revelation and it may well be, but Deuteronomy 4:2 says the same thing concerning the entire Word of God.

II Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed no to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  Notice:  Word must be rightly divided.  We must study the Bible in order to not be ashamed in the judgment, because we can take scripture out of context and make the Bible say anything we want it to. Example:  One scripture says “Judas went out and hung himself” and another says, “Go ye and do likewise”.  But, if we put these two together we would be in trouble. 

The divisions of the New Testament: Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), these books begin somewhere around the birth of Jesus and end somewhere around the death of Jesus so they are the biography of the life of Jesus. 

Acts (actions of the apostles), the only book in the entire Bible with the verbatim preaching of the apostles to the lost, telling a person how to be saved.  So, if we want to know what the apostles preached to the lost we have to go to the book of Acts (Acts 2:38).  Some say “that’s only one book”, but so is Genesis.  If we want to know in detail how the earth was created we have to read Genesis because it is the only book that has it.  Yet it is true because it is the Word of God.  Another reason to place full confidence in the book of Acts is because every book before the book of Acts leads right up to it, and every book after Acts confirms it. 

Epistles (or letters), (Romans through Jude), these are letters written to the church or individuals in the church that are already SAVED.  It tells them how to live and act and warns of false teachers, etc… 

Revelation, (a book of prophecy which is written in symbolic form). Example: Two women are mentioned, one is the nation of Israel and the other is the false church (Mother of Harlots).  We also read about a dragon, various beast, and horses, which represent something else.  That is why we should never try to begin studying our Bible by reading Revelation first. 

Importance of the Word…  Questions to inspire thought and purpose:

(1) Some say “it doesn’t matter what we believe as long as our hearts are sincere”.  Can a man be sincerely wrong?  What does the Word say about this? 

(2) So is doctrine important according o the Word?  If the Bible says doctrine is not important it isn’t important, but however, if the Bible says it’s important then it is important. 

(3) Are there false prophets today? 

(4) Who are the false prophets today? 

(5) Who are the false prophets according to the Word?  (By the time we finish reading we will know exactly how to tell a false prophet according to the Word of God).

(6) Is the “Word, and Doctrine, and Gospel” necessary for salvation?  These words can be used interchangeably because they basically mean the same thing and many people feel they are not essential for salvation.  But let’s see what The Word says about this.

II Timothy 4:1-4 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (Vs 2) Preach the Word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (Vs 3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall thy heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (Vs 4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, (singular) and shall be turned unto fables.  Notice: Preach the Word – Time will come – men will not endure sound doctrine (Turn from the truth).  “What truth?  The one taught by the apostles.  Preach what?  The Word.  The time will come when men will not endure sound doctrine because the people are full of lust, they shall hire them a preacher that will tickle their ears (tell them what they want to hear).  They will turn from The Truth.

I Timothy 1:3 “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.”  Notice: No other doctrine from what?  From the one the apostles taught because Paul was doing the writing.

I Timothy 4:13-16 “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  (Vs 14) Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.  (Vs 15) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.  (Vs 16) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”  Notice: Doctrine will save us and those that hear you.  Give attendance to doctrine.  Sounds as if Paul believed that doctrine was important.  Doesn’t it?

II Timothy 2:24 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach , patient, (Vs 25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (Vs 26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”  Notice:  Possible to oppose your own self (repentance to the acknowledging of the truth), if we don’t know the truth we are in the snare of the devil.  Some people oppose themselves.  Why?  Because they have not acknowledged the truth, if people do not have the truth they are in the snare of the devil.  Notice:  The emphasis continually placed on The Truth as though there is one truth that saves and all others are error.  Man divided this into chapter and verse for reference purpose but they sometimes divided a thought with a chapter so keep this in mind when studying the bible or we may not understand it properly. 

Here in II Timothy 3:1 Paul is still continuing the thought of chapter 2.  II Timothy 3:1-7 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (Vs 2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (Vs 3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.  (Vs 4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. (Vs 5) Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof; from such turn away. (Vs 6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lust, (Vs 7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  Notice:  Having a form of godliness but denying the power (ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you), ever learning yet never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (Vs 1-4) – Describes sins of the last days.  (Vs 5) – Yet they have a form of Godliness or belong to some type of religion or church while they commit these sins.  They deny the power thereof and Jesus said in Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Notice: So if the Holy Ghost is the power of God working in man these churches must deny the power of the Holy Ghost to deliver a man from the sins mentioned in Vs 1-4.  (Vs 7) – Always going to church and learning yet never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

II Timothy 3:10 “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,”  Notice again: My doctrine.  Whose doctrine?  Paul’s doctrine. 

James 1:21-24 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. (Vs 22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (Vs 23) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: (Vs 24) For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”  Notice: You must be a doer of the word for it is able to save your soul.  The Word is able to save your soul.  Like looking in a mirror – you see what you need to do but your don’t do it.  You deceive yourself into believing you are alright. 

Matthew 7:13-27 “Enter ye in at the straight gate, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadith to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; (Vs 14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  (Vs 15) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (Vs 16) Ye shall know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (Vs 17) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (Vs 18) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (Vs 19) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (Vs 20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (Vs 21) Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven.  (Vs 22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (Vs 23) And then wilt I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (Vs 24) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (Vs 25) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  (Vs 26) And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: (Vs 27) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”  Notice:  Beware of false prophets.  He that heareth the sayings of Jesus and doeth them builds upon the rock.  What is the rock then?  The Word?  These scriptures all pertain to the same subject.  Straight and narrow is the way to life and few will find it.  How many is a few?  In the days of Noah, there were only 8.  Which proves God won’t spare people that disobey His Word just to have a large number.  (Vs 15) – Why just a few?  Because of false prophets which come to you in sheep clothing or as ministers of Jesus Christ.  (Vs 16) – Tells us that the false prophets will produce a fruit that we will know them by, because an evil tee cannot produce good fruit.  (Vs 21) – Now he is beginning to reveal some of the fruits of a false prophet.  A false prophet will get you to call on the name of the Lord, but will not do the will of God.  The will of God is the Word of God.  A testament is a will and we have the old will and the new will.  The New Testament is the Old Testament being revealed and the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed.  Notice:  They will call on the Lord but not according to the way the Word teaches we must call on Him.  Verses 22 and 23 observe how deceived these people are.  They thought they were ready to meet Jesus.  They were deceived into thinking they were saved when they really were not.  Notice:  Jesus said “I NEVER KNEW YOU” and called them workers of evil.  Remember that he mentioned not knowing them.  Therefore, we need to find out “why”, he never knew them so we won’t be deceived by them also.  Verses 24-27 says therefore (or because of this deception), whoever hears His sayings and does them is a wise man that builds on a rock.   What is the Rock, then?  The Word of God.  He is actually warning that the fruit of a false prophet is that he will not build on the True Word of God, and unless we build on The Word, our house will not stand.

Matthew 16:18-19 “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  (Vs 19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”  Notice:  Build church upon the rock, revelation of who he is.  Whatever Peter binds on earth is bound in heaven.  (Vs 18) He will build His Church upon the rock.  What rock?  Not Peter as a man but the revelation of His Word that he is going to give Peter because His Word is the Rock.  That is proven in the next verse. (Vs 19) – He will give Peter the key which is the truth of the Word of God that will unlock the door of heaven to people when they obey Peter’s preaching.  Jesus said, whatever Peter preaches will be (which means He will stand behind whatever Peter preaches).  Now if the Word is His Rock that the false prophets won’t build upon and here He took His Word and gave it to Peter and said it is what He would build His Church upon, then a false prophet will not build on it.  What the apostle Peter and the other apostles preached that’s the fruit that we will know them by.  At this point, I could go to the book of Acts and see what Peter preached to the Lost,(Acts 2:38) and obey that, and I couldn’t be condemned in the judgment because of doctrine since Jesus said, He was binding (standing behind) all that Peter said.

I Peter 1:22-25 “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (Vs 23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.  (Vs 24) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.  The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away: (Vs 25) But the word of the Lord endureth forever.  And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”  Notice: Purified your soul in obeying the truth.  Being born again by the word of God, incorruptible seed, it endureth forever which by the gospel is preached unto you.  This proves Gospel and Word are one and it is speaking of the gospel Peter preached.  Purified your souls in obeying.  Obeying what?  The truth.  Being born again… by the Word of God, incorruptible seed it endureth forever.  Which by the gospel is preached unto you.  This proves gospel and word are one and it is speaking of the gospel Peter preached.

I Peter 2:6-8 “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  (Vs 7) Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which he builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, (Vs 8) And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient:  whereunto also they were appointed.”  Notice: Rock – stone of stumbling – to them which stumble at the Word – Being disobedient to the Word.  Rock of offense - when were offended at the Word the apostles preached we are offended at Jesus, our Foundation.  The gospel is our foundation we must build upon.  Note: That the rock is called “Him” (speaking of Jesus) because Jesus is the Word of God we can’t separate Him from His Word. 

Ephesians 2:18-22 “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (Vs 19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God: (Vs 20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Vs 21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.  (Vs 22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”  Notice: Foundation of the apostles and prophets.  Why them?  Because they are the ones that preached the Word.  We must obey what they preached in order to build on Jesus. 

John 17:17-20 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (Vs 18) As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. (Vs 19) And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. (Vs 20) Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;” Notice: Jesus prayed for them that would believe on Him according to the apostles words.  This is Jesus praying for His apostles.  He sent them (the apostles) into the world sanctified with truth.  If we want to know who is sent of God, the Word (which is truth) tells us here that the apostles are sent of God.  Jesus prayed for them that would believe on Him according to the apostles’ words.

Galatians 1:6-12 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (Vs 7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Vs 8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Vs 9) As we said before, so say I again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Vs 10) For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Vs 11) But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. (Vs 12) For I nether received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”   Notice: For I neither received it of man neither was I taught it.  It’s a gift from God.  We must obey what the apostles preached or we are accursed.  Some will pervert it, they are the ones to fear – that’s how we can tell a false prophet.  (Vs 7) – Some will pervert the gospel, which means to change the gospel.  They will preach a gospel message but it will be one different from what the apostles preached (as proven).  (Vs 8-9) – If any man or angel preaches another gospel, other than that what the apostles preached, he is accursed.  II Peter 3:2 proves the words “we, us, and our” refers to the apostles when they were writing.  Apostle Paul said, If he pleased man he would not please God.  He received the gospel by revelation of Jesus Christ and not by word of mouth as the original twelve apostles.  Yet he preached the same message they did, which proves there is only one gospel.  He was confirming what has already been said.  The fruit of a false prophet is that he will not preach “Word for Word” the gospel that the apostles preached to the lost in the book of Acts.  He will change it to some degree.

I Peter 4:17&18 “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  (Vs 18) And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”  Note: If the righteous scarcely be saved where are the sinners going to appear?  What is going to be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?  Notice: How he mentions not obeying the gospel and being a sinner together.  The Bible is so inspired of God that Peter is going to ask a question here and Paul is going to answer it in our next scripture.  Judgment begins at the house of God because the apostles gospel provided for the remission of all past sin.  Begin at us (the apostles) were the first to preach this message.  What is going to be the end of them that obey not the gospel?  He is actually saying that if the righteous will scarcely be saved what chance does a sinner have?  None!

II Thessalonians 1:7-10 “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (Vs 8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (Vs 9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ: (Vs 10) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our (the apostles) testimony among you was believed) in that day.”   Answer to I Peter 4:17 as to what will happen to those who deny the gospel the apostles preached – obey not the gospel.  Also notice how he ties obeying the gospel he speaks about in with, the coming of the Lord, which proves the gospel won’t change until the second coming of Jesus.  (Vs 10) – Because our testimony was believed meaning they believed what Paul preached.  Jesus will come in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel.  Note: This ties in not knowing God with not obeying the gospel.  So, that’s why the people didn’t know God at the judgment in Matthew 7:23.  They had not built on the sayings (gospel that Jesus gave His apostles), which not building on them is the fruits of a false prophet.  They will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.  This sounds like hell, doesn’t it? (Vs 10)… The gospel he preached as being the same gospel that will judge people at the coming of the Lord proves that the message they preached will not change until Jesus comes for His Bride (the church).

II John 1:9-11 “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.  He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (Vs 10) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (Vs 11) For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”  Notice: Must abide in the doctrine of Christ or we don’t have God if not.  This definitely proves that doctrine is essential.  We should not be supportive of anyone preaching any other doctrine (anything other than what the apostles preached).  No one should know any better than John himself, so lets go to our next scripture.

I John 4:6 “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us (the apostles); he that is not of God heareth not us.  Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”  Notice: This is how we know truth from error.

II Peter 3:2 “That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:”  Don’t forget: The words WE and US refer to the apostles, when they were writing.  We (the apostles) are of God: They were chosen.  He that knows God hears the apostles (even today).  He that is not of God won’t hear them.  That’s how we tell who has The Truth and who has error.  (This proves everything that has been said in the study up to this point).  This further proves the reason the people were deceived and did not know Jesus.  They had believed another gospel other than the one they preached in the book of Acts.

Jude 1:3 “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”  Notice: COMMON SALVATION – All had the same message - once delivered - what the apostles preached.

Matthew 23:15 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”  Notice: Proselyte - one converted to a belief.  Once a person is supposedly saved by the wrong belief, you cant get them to realize they are lost, so they can be saved, according to the truth.  Therefore he is a two fold the child of hell.  Matthew 15:14 “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”  Notice: As further proof of the dangers of following false teachers.

Romans 1:16-17 “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. (Vs 17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”  Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”  Notice: Godhead is without excuse.  There are three basic theories on the Godhead, TRINITY, ONENESS, AND JEHOVAH WITNESS. 

TRINITY – Three persons in a Godhead that are co-equal, co-existent, and co-eternal that agree together to make up one God.

ONENESS – That there is one God which is an omnipresent spirit (deity) that lived in the Son (flesh).  (Quote) I Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”  II Corinthians 5:19 “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

JEHOVAH’S WITNESS THEORY – That Jehovah is the only Almighty God and Jesus is just a little god.  We need to know which of these is correct because the Bible says that its without excuse, so if you desire to know more there is a Godhead post in my blog named "Who is Jesus?".  Any questions feel free to ask.

Romans 6:17 and 18 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (Vs 18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”   Notice!  Were sinners – saved and freed from sin then they obeyed the gospel.  Were sinners – saved – freed from sin when they obeyed from the heart the doctrine delivered them.

Romans 16:17 and 18  “Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Vs 18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”   Remember: Mark them which teach something other than what you have learned (apostles taught them what they knew).

Romans 16:25 and 26  “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began. (Vs 26) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:” Proves this – Paul said “stablish you according to my gospel”.  They are not serving Jesus but by good words and fair speeches deceive the heart of the simple.  Example of deceptive speeches:  (1) “It does not matter what you believe as long as you are sincere.” (2) “You don’t have to do all of what the apostles preached, that was just for their day, or Jesus knows my heart.”  When you hear this kind of talk, just place a big “check mark” on them in your mind because the Bible says they are not of God.

II Corinthians 4:1-5  “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; (Vs 2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (Vs 3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (Vs 4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (Vs 5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”  Note: If the gospel Paul preached is hid to us, we are lost.  Many people ask the question: “What about those that never hear the apostles’ gospel?”  This scripture answers that, they are lost!  The god of this world (which most consider this to be referring to satan) has blinded their minds so the true gospel won’t get to them.

II Corinthians 11:10-15 “As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. (Vs 11) Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knoweth. (Vs 12) But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. (Vs 13) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (Vs 14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

(Vs 15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”  Notice: False prophets have become as ministers of light.  How can we tell a false prophet?  By knowing if they preach the same thing the apostles did.

Ephesians 4:14 and 15  “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Vs 15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”  Notice: Don’t be carried away by every wind of doctrine.

Colossians 1:22 and 23  “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: (Vs 23) If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”

Colossians 2:8 and 9  “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Vs 9) For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”  Note: In Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead.

II Thessalonians 2:9-15  “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (Vs 10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (Vs 11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (Vs 12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (Vs 13) But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (Vs 14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Vs 15) Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”  Note: A love for the truth (must have).  People should appreciate the gospel when it is revealed to them - ONE WAY OF SALVATION, ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, and ONE BAPTISM.  We must hear what the apostles preached and love it enough to obey it and live a godly life as a result of the gospel.  We must obey what the apostles preached because they have THE TRUTH.

The Apostles have the only TRUE GOSPEL.

email: kimlovesjesus@icloud.com