The Purpose of the Gospel

May 3, 2011

 Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2Ti 1:10).  The gospel does not impart eternal life, but rather sheds light on eternal life already given.  Allow me to explain with three illustrations:

 The cleansing of a leper  (Lev 14:1-32).  This chapter describes the washings and sacrifices performed by priest, but I ask:  Who can heal a leper?  God alone.  What role did the priest play in healing?  None.  What did the priest do?  The priest did not heal the leper but merely proclaimed him clean.  And so is the parallel of the gospel.

2)      The slaying of Goliath  (1Sa 17:46-52).  This passage describes the contest between David and Goliath, but I ask:  What killed Goliath?  A stone.  What role did the sword perform in killing Goliath?  None.  What did the sword do?  The sword did not kill Goliath but confirmed his death to the onlookers.  And so is the parallel of the gospel.

3)      The pardoning of Barabbas  (Matt 27:20-25).  This passage describes the pardoning of Barabbas by Pilot, but I ask:  Who pardoned Barabbas?  Pilot.  What role did Barabbas perform in the pardoning?  None.  What did news of the pardoning do?  News of Pilate’s pardon informed Barabbas that Jesus took his place on the cross.  And so is the parallel of the gospel.

 The gospel does not deliver, but manifests deliverance already given:  like a priest with an ex-leper, like a sword on a dead giant, like a Roman guard to a pardoned Barabbas.  The urgency of the gospel is not to deliver, but to share the news of deliverance already given – news worth sharing.

Article Written by Elder Dolph Painter, Moriah Primitive Baptist Church

pastordolph@aol.com

This site created by Steve McCannon. This page last updated 07/04/2011