The scope of the Gospel

The book of Romans was written by the apostle Paul who had at the time of the writing, yet to travel there. The book contains some things that are easily taken out of context and misunderstood. For instance, his teachings concerning salvation being by faith without the works of the old law of Moses are often taken to mean that one is saved by faith, without obedience to the commands of God. Nothing could be further from the truth. One only has to get to the fifth verse of the first chapter before finding the need for obedience. Nowhere does the book teach salvation by faith only. However, there are six verses that we wish to notice that give us a good picture of the importance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

First, the apostle Paul reveals his desire and determination to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to those of Rome. He says, “Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also” (Rom. 1:13-15). From the time Saul, (later called Paul), obeyed the gospel in Damascus, he began to teach and preach the gospel (Acts 9:18-20). As he told the Ephesian elders, “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you al the counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27).

The reason for his determination to preach the gospel is seen in the next verse where the power and purpose of the gospel is revealed. Paul stated, “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” (Rom. 1:16). We start with the fact that Paul was not ashamed to preach the gospel of Christ. There are a couple of obvious reasons seen in this verse. First is the fact that it is the gospel “of Christ” that he is talking about. This is not a gospel “about Christ”, but a gospel that has come from Christ. The gospel of Christ is something that can and must be obeyed (II Thess. 1:8). God has spoken to us in this age by His Son (Heb. 1:1-2) who is “…the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:9). The second obvious reason for preaching the gospel without shame is what that gospel is capable of doing. It is “the power of God unto salvation”. It is not “a” power of God unto salvation, but “the” power of God unto salvation. Paul pointed out to the Corinthians that the preaching of God’s word is the God ordained method for soul saving. Paul wrote, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (I Cor. 1:21). Do note that the text specifies that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation “to everyone that believeth”. Jesus began His earthly ministry with the words, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). He ended His earthly ministry saying to His apostles, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; The gospel must be heard and believed and then obeyed in order to obtain the salvation that is offered.

The scope of the gospel is seen in verses seventeen and eighteen. There is both a positive result and a negative one. Positively speaking, Paul pointed out the revelation of God’s righteousness that is found in the gospel. This again shows us that the gospel is not about Christ, but from Christ, teaching us that which we must have in order to be righteous. Later Paul points out that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17). The gospel of Christ teaches us, how to walk, in order to have eternal life. But, on the negative side, it also reveals the wrath of God from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Rom. 1:18). The Bible clearly teaches that not all men will be saved, only those who live in accordance with the will of God (Matt. 7:13:14, 21). Paul told the Corinthians, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” (II Cor. 5:10-11). In the second chapter of this Roman letter, Paul writes, “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel” (Rom. 2:16). Jesus said, “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” (John 12:48).