clementsfamilyministry.com

THE CHURCH AND THE GOSPEL

The good news of the finished work of Jesus Christ is proclaimed by the Church. This includes the message of salvation and the message of the Kingdom of God. The former is the identity and authority of God; the revelation of original purposes in creation of all things; the deviation of humanity and all creation from these original purposes; the offer of repentance, faith, reconciliation, justification, regeneration, redemption, sanctification, and restoration; and the strategies for the incorporation into a believing community. It is the declaration that the deity, birth, life, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and enthronement of Jesus Christ have supreme value in the reconciliation, regeneration, and restoration of humanity and all creation. This Gospel is proclaimed by both the use of words and the demonstration of supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. The message of the Kingdom of God is the proclamation of the sovereign rule of God over all times, seasons, circumstances, people, nations, cultures, and spirits. It is the revelation of Divine purposes and that these purposes are to be demonstrated in every sphere of human existence. That laws, government, institutions, and organizations are subject to these Divine purposes. And it is the revelation of the strategies for human response to these truths. While the former message of salvation reveals God in redemption, the message of the Kingdom of God testifies to His providence. It is important that a proper tension be maintained between both the redemptive and providential dimension of God. He saves and also rules over all times, seasons, people, circumstances, and events.

Neither of these messages of salvation, Kingdom of God, redemption and providence, is superior nor inferior to the other. That is, the foundation message of being born again is not a lesser gospel to the concept of the Kingdom of God. In fact, the two messages are inseparable. The Church is to proclaim and demonstrate the concepts, strategies, and ideals of the comprehensive Gospel. The testimony or validation that this mission is being accomplished is the manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit in mighty signs, wonder, and miraculous deeds. While the content and intent of the Gospel remains constant throughout all generations, the strategies necessary to proclaim its purpose and power may vary. So it is essential to comprehend the timelessness of the principles and the timeliness of the strategies.

But how shall this gospel be preached? What is the strategy for its communication? Paul offers some insight to these questions in his epistle to the Corinthians. He mentions revelation, knowledge, prophecy, and doctrine as indispensable ingredients in his preaching. That is, if he is to profit the Church, he must speak to them by revelation, knowledge, prophecy, and doctrine. Revelation is Divine disclosure and insight into the nature and character of God. Knowledge is the product of experience. Prophecy is inspired speech and reveals the purposes of God for individuals, a group, people, a nation, and even the world. Doctrine is the encapsulation of the Scriptures into practical form. Preaching should include a healthy proportion of all four of these ingredients. And it is evident that to preach the Gospel is always in word and deed. It is not simply oratorical skills but the use of persuasive power.

Paul further offers insight concerning the full counsel of the Lord (Acts). This is very critical since in contemporary Christian circles there exists what may be called “specialized ministries” that focus totally upon selected aspects of the Gospel. For example, there is an emphasis on faith, healing, deliverance, prosperity, and even the Kingdom of God. While all of these topics are a part of the “full counsel of God,” there are instances in which the Church tends to overspecialize in only one aspect of this counsel. An over emphasis on one of these topics at the expense of the other could be identified as “another gospel” according to Paul. That is, to dismantle the revelation of God and only dispense pieces of this Gospel is the same as changing the image of God into four footed beast and creeping things (Rom. 1)...