The Gospel

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 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. (Romans 16:17-18 KJV)

This reference isn’t the only one specifying the need to maintain scriptural doctrines.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2 Corinthians 11:3-4 KJV)

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 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. (Galatians 1:6-8 KJV)

Seems to me, then, that it is very important that the gospel not come from wonderful preachers, outstanding teachers, well-worded authors but should come from the Bible. Fifty years ago I listened to Billy Graham at Skelly Field in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He spoke from the Bible, spoke of Christ of the Bible, lifted his Bible as the source of his words and the focus of his sermon. He wasn’t the first, nor will my current minister be the last, to tell me of Christ’s love direct from this book.

There have been some in between that did speak of doctrines other than scriptural, who preached Jesus different from the New Testament, who called attendance to another gospel.

To some this will appear closed-minded, unopened to the beauty of another’s religion. It may even appear offensive. Should it appear so, please remember the words of He whom I worship as Lord:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18 KJV)

Just continue with the advice Paul sent to Timothy: Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:13 KJV)