Spring 1975
This Gospel
Joseph A. Nieves
Academic Dean, Pinecrest

In Romans 16:25, Paul speaks of “my gospel.” In Ephesians 2:19, he speaks of the “mystery of the gospel.” And in Colossians 1:23, he refers to the “hope of the gospel.” In Matthew 24:14, we read of “this gospel of the kingdom.” What is the “gospel?” It is the good news of the kingdom of God.

Is there more than one gospel? There is in the church today the preaching of the gospel from a humanistic point of view. Seldom is the Word ministered from the divine point of view. The humanistic gospel is directed toward the emotions, ambitions and aspirations of man. Seldom does it touch the will. But the gospel of the kingdom reaches the will of man and faces man with God’s claim on his life. Preaching from the human viewpoint makes salvation from sin the object, and heaven becomes the goal. It presents man with the goal of pardon from sin, peace, joy and eternal life. It deals with man’s interests, man’s conditions and what man has obtained.

John the Baptist came forth from the wilderness saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” He presented the kingdom as the object of the gospel. “Repent” not just for forgiveness of sins so we can go to heaven; but repent because the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent means to turn around; to have a change of mind and heart. Judges 21:25 states that there was no king in Israel and every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Man must repent because his heart is in rebellion against God. Jesus said in John 3:3, “Except a man be born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God.” God wants to bring us under His rule and authority. We have been saved for that purpose. In Philippians 1:27, Paul exhorts the Philippians to live a life worthy as citizens whose habits and principles are those of the kingdom of God.

Luke 17:20, 21 says, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation.” That is, it comes not with an outward demonstration, but rather, the “Kingdom of God is within you.” There is an inner working of the rulership, or government of God in every believer. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God . . .” or rather, “seek ye first your normal adjustment to the reality of God.” Instead, we are trying to adjust God our way of thinking and doing. The kingdom is the reality of God, the realm of the Spirit. It is through the indwelling Holy Spirit that the kingdom of God is manifested in our lives.

The kingdom was inaugurated on the day of Pentecost. He brought into existence a kingdom of priests (Revelation 5:10). We are now unto our God kings and priests (Revelation 1:5, 6). And “God has made Him both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone who saith Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of my Father.” Therefore, we need to repent and bring our lives under the authority of Christ. This is the “gospel” –God establishing His kingdom within us. Anything less than this is to come short of His will and intention for us.