The True Gospel
Please note that in this article the erroneous name Jesus, used by the world, is substituted by the Savior's true name, Yahshua (meaning Yahweh is Salvation), and that the titles LORD and/or God are substituted by the true name of God which is Yahweh. For more about these names click here.
What does the word "gospel" mean?
According to the Webster's New World College Dictionary the word "gospel" or "evangel" means "good news" and:
1. a) the teachings of Yahshua and the Apostles, specif. the Christian doctrine of redemption of man through Yahshua the Messiah
b) the history of the life and teachings of Yahshua,
2. any of the first four books of the New Testament…"
The purpose of this article is to explain the good news of the original gospel.
What is the gospel according to Christianity?
Traditionally, the gospel of Christianity is the story of the death, burial and resurrection of Yahshua the Messiah as described in the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament of the Bible and also spreading the good news that salvation is possible through faith in Yahshua the Messiah. The faith needed for salvation is often taught by Christianity as being a matter of blind acceptance. Indeed, the Webster's dictionary defines faith as "firm belief in something for which there is no proof".
How is the Christian gospel preached? (the erroneous title, God, and name, Jesus, is used in this section)
This gospel is often preached by Christians in the end of church sermons with a call to "come give your heart to Jesus", on the radio or TV, or in handouts, in a brief way highlighting these things:
a) the first man named Adam, due to God's giving him free will, made a choice to disobey God in the garden;
b) because of Adam everybody sinned and fell short of the glory of God;
c) God so loved the world that he sent His only begotten son to save the world;
d) Jesus died for our sins;
e) we have to believe in Jesus and pray, asking him to come into our heart and lives, often repeating the words after the preacher; f) when we believe in Jesus after hearing those words, we are saved and our sins are forgiven although it is also taught that believers will continue to sin as long as they are in the flesh.
Are the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John the gospel?
The writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the Bible are called "four gospels", as each individual book is called "the gospel" (e.g., "The gospel according to John"). The reason each of these writings is called "the gospel" is because it describes the physical life of the Messiah including His death, burial and resurrection. However, the term "four gospels" is misleading, as there is only one True Gospel as stated in I Corinthians 15:1. Moreover, although these writings are very important and present the true accounts of the Messiah's life, including his death, burial and resurrection, they are not the Gospel.
What is the True Gospel according to Paul?
The Apostle Paul describes the Gospel as follows, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that the Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:1-4).
What difference is there between the TRUE GOSPEL and what Christianity teaches?
There are two major distinctions between the True Gospel described in I Corinthians 15 and the gospel generally preached in Christianity: 1) that knowing HOW the Messiah died for our sins is important; and 2) that He died according to the SCRIPTURES. Moreover, the True Gospel is provable and not a matter of blind faith. In fact, in Hebrews 11:1 it says that "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." In other words, faith is substance and there is evidence for it. It is not blind at all.
One gets a knowledge of the TRUE GOSPEL by the evidence presented by the "foolishness of preaching" (I Cor 1:21) and "line upon line…precept upon precept" (Is 28:9-13) using as witnesses that which is contained in the Law and the Testimony (Is 8:20). This will lead one to noticing the shadows and types of Yahshua the Messiah contained in the Law and the Prophets, the prophecies concerning Him, and the fulfillment He makes of them as recorded in the New Testament. All of this evidence leads to knowledge and then faith in Yahshua as our Savior, as well as the understanding of the age and dispensation we are currently in and what is actually appropriate in terms of worship now. In fact, Yahshua himself said in John 17:3 that knowledge is eternal life (not blind faith). Ever since Yahshua's sacrifice in our behalf, the Old Law of Moses has been "nailed to His cross" (Col 2:14) and a new Covenant began at Pentecost where we are to worship Yahweh in "spirit and in truth" as described by Yahshua to the woman at the well in John 4:24 before He died, was buried and resurrected, then poured out the Holy Spirit 50 days later. One can only worship Yahweh appropriately in this 4th age not by keeping physical laws, but rather by gaining a correct knowledge and understanding of Yahweh and Yahshua from the Divine vision and revelation given in the end of this age, as presented, in part, on this website.
Once someone sees the correlations of the institutions and fulfillments made by Yahshua Himself, the beauty of the mystery is revealed and is breathtaking. For instance, do you know what Yahshua wrote in the sand, twice, after rescuing the adulterous woman from being stoned? Or, why Yahshua walked on water? Or why he turned the water into wine? Or why He was crucified on a cross and there were four points of blood on Him and then why there was finally a 5th point of blood when the spear was thrust into His side? These all and many other questions you might have wondered about have answers that are beautiful and fully understandable when revealed by someone knowing the True Gospel.
How did the Messiah die for our sins?
The True Gospel does not just state that Yahshua the Messiah died for our sins but it also explains "how" He died. The Webster's dictionary defines the word "how" as (quoted):
1. in what manner or way; by what means
2 in what state or condition
3 for what reason or purpose, why (how is it that you don't know?)
4 by what name
5 with what meaning; to what effect
6 to what extent, degree, amount, etc.
7 at what price...
All of the above factors are very relevant to having faith in the Gospel or, to put it another way, believing the report about it. Without a convincing explanation of these matters, a person can only have what is called blind faith and as was mentioned above, according to the Bible, faith is not blind at all. Without Divine vision and revelation, people rely on their own interpretations of the Bible, so proof, or evidence, is needed to truly have faith which is also a gift from Yahweh. Some are presented the evidence and just don't see it, others get the revelation of the truth of that evidence and that revelation comes directly from Yahweh.
For what reason or purpose:
First of all, Yahweh's purpose is rarely mentioned by Christian preachers and yet understanding His purpose is essential to knowing Yahweh and what He is doing in this earth plane. As we are told, He knows the end from the beginning (Is 46.10) and in Eph 1:9 & 10 His purpose is stated thusly:
Having made know unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one, all things in the Messiah, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.
This purpose is very broad and contains the entire spiritual and physical creation inasmuch as everything responds to Yahweh's Will to do His purpose and includes Him having created an adversary, Satan, to give us the opportunity to sin so that Yahweh can save us through His physical manifestation as Yahshua the Messiah, once we actually have a knowledge of His mission in the physical (to save us spiritually) through evidence and thus have faith. How else could we know Yahweh, who is all in all but to be put through the trials of temptation and evil? Only that way could we begin to understand the good and the greatness and mercy of Yahweh Who willed as His purpose to save us from our sins if we believed on Yahshua who provided the necessary sacrifice, the only innocent and holy sacrifice there ever was, for the penalty of our sins which is death (spiritual death after taking off the flesh).
Furthermore, Christianity teaches that Yahweh's initial purpose for mankind was to give people a happy, eternal life in a paradise on earth. That teaching also says that Adam and Eve, because of their free will, sinned in the Garden of Eden and, therefore, Yahweh had to send His son Yahshua to die for Adam's sin and the sins of mankind. This belief presupposes that Yahweh can make mistakes but in truth He knew Adam would sin - it was part of His purpose so that He could offer salvation as Yahshua. Thus, Yahweh Elohim told Adam that he would die in the day he ate the fruit, not IF he ate it (Genesis 2:17). Adam and Eve died immediately in their conscience and were thus spiritually separated from Yahweh and then within one day of Yahweh's time, 1000 years (II Peter 3:8), Adam died physically as well.
Yahweh had established the whole purpose of the creation (spiritual creation first and physical creation second whIch was the 1st Age), even before everything was created, to demonstrate that He is salvation. The true name of the Savior, Yahshua ("Yahweh is salvation"), testifies to this purpose (this is another aspect of "how" - to understand "by what name"). Let's read Revelation 13:8, "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [the Beast], whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb [Yahshua] slain from the foundation of the world." Since Yahshua - the Lamb - was slain from the foundation of the world, as a sacrifice, men did not have a choice but to be in need of this sacrifice (the Savior). Therefore, it was purposed by Yahweh that Adam would sin in the Garden: Adam did not have free will to make a "right" choice. Yahweh's will does not depend on man's choices: He has determined the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).
With What Meaning?
The Gospel, or good news, is that Yahshua died for our sins if we would believe it so then we can receive His Holy Spirit along with His forgiveness and be covered by His righteousness. His death also meant we would be free from sin. This freedom from sin believers in Yahshua experienced and testified about (e.g., Romans 6: 17,18,22; 1 John 3:9).
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. (1 John 3:5,6).
By teaching that a believer can still sin, which most Christian churches do, Christianity denies the Scriptures and undermines the True Gospel. This Christian belief actually calls Yahshua a liar and dooms such believers because they are thus not accepting the gift of being freed from sin or Satan.
In what manner or way?
Yahshua was crucified, but why did He die that way? The answer is given in the Tabernacle pattern. This pattern is fully explained in the Old Testament twice. The reason is made clear by Hebrews 8:5 which tells us that the Tabernacle pattern (as well as the Temple which was the same pattern) is a pattern of heavenly things. This pattern is threefold: a Most Holy Place, a Holy Place, and a Court Round About and everything in creation is made by this pattern down to and including the atom. It is a pattern of how Yahweh structures and causes everything to function. This is the major key to unlocking the "line upon line…precept upon precept" in the Bible when reviewing both the institution (the Old Testament) and the fulfillment (New Testament). In this particular instance Yahshua had to die with four points of blood upon him (a nail in each hand, one nail through both feet, and blood upon His head from a crown of thorns) because the sacrifice in the Tabernacle was burnt up on an alter that had four points of blood on it (blood on each of the four horns on the corners of the rim of the alter of sin sacrifice). Moreover, following this pattern the children of Israel killed a lamb at Passover so they would not die, and they were required to put four points of it's blood on the inside of their doors (Exodus 12:40). This four points of blood carries throughout the stories in the Bible that lead up to Yahshua's death to precisely point out Who He was along with other reasons including the fact that He said He is the door (John 10:9). The door to what? The door to the Holy Place (there is a door into the Holy Place in the Tabernacle which is the 4th step in the function of the Tabernacle) where we are supposed to stand (Matthew 24:15) and thereby receive His knowledge or light (John 8:12) and His nourishment or bread (John 6:51, 63). The four points of blood are part of HOW He died for our sins, or in what manner.
What are the Scriptures that testify to the death, burial and resurrection of the Savior?
When Paul wrote that the Messiah died, was buried and resurrected according to the Scriptures, he was not referring to the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John for the simple reason that these books had not yet been written. The Scriptures Paul is referring to are the books of the Old Testament, also known as the Law and Prophets. The Law is the first five books of Moses, and the Prophets are the rest of the books from Joshua to Malachi.
What are the examples of the death, burial and resurrection of Yahshua in the Old Testament
From the very beginning of the Bible and throughout it we can see that everything reflects the principles of death, burial and resurrection. Here are just a few examples:
1. Days of creation (Genesis 1:1-12).
Day 1: the earth was without form, and void - principle of chaos or death.
Day 2: the earth is covered with water - burial.
Day 3: dry land appears from water; seeds bring forth life - resurrection on the 3rd day.
2. In the time of Noah the death sentence was given to mankind because of its wickedness - death. Earth was covered in water - burial. The ark with Noah and his family was raised above the waters - resurrection.
3. Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:1-13). Yahweh told Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac - death. For 3 days Isaac is buried in Abraham's mind (Genesis 22:4). Angel stops Abraham and the ram is sacrificed instead of Isaac - resurrection on the 3rd day. Apostle Paul confirms this, "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that Yahweh was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure." (Hebrews 11:17-19).
Note that Yahshua the Messiah was telling people that Moses wrote about him "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me." John 5:46. In the story of Abraham and Isaac, Isaac is a figure of Yahshua.
a. He was called the only beloved son;
b. He was a willing sacrifice obeying the will of the Father;
c. He carried the wood for sacrifice on his back, the same way as Yahshua had to carry his wooden cross;
d. Isaac died (as a type of Yahshua) in Abraham's mind or skull. In fulfillment, Yahshua had to die in Golgotha, which means place of the skull. He had to die in Golgotha to also fulfill Adam who died in his conscience, or mind, or skull, in the moment he sinned and then physically in a day of Yahweh's time (II Peter 3:8).
4. Exodus of Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 12-15). The last plague in Egypt was a death of the firstborn, and Yahweh called Israel his firstborn son (Exodus 4:22). Therefore, there was a death decree. Israelites had a 3 day journey to Red sea where they were baptized or buried (1 Corinthians 10:1-3). They were saved from Egyptians by entering the wilderness of Sinai - resurrection on the 3rd day.
5. The Tabernacle was a type and shadow of heavenly things (Hebrews 8:5). It served for the physical salvation of children of Israel who continuously sinned; therefore, the Tabernacle was a type of the true savior or Messiah. In the court round about there were 3 vessels. The altar signified death because innocent animals were sacrificed on it. The laver of water signified cleansing, a baptism or burial. The holy anointing oil signified spirit or resurrection, because after anointing the high priest could enter into the Holy Place to officiate there.
6. Jonah was thrown overboard in the raging sea - death; he was swallowed by the great fish - burial; he was spat out on the shore after 3 days - resurrection on the 3rd day.
How has the True Gospel been preached?
The True Gospel has always been preached according to the Law and Prophets, as was prophesied by Yahweh through Isaiah," To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isaiah 8:20)
Yahshua the Messiah did not tell his disciples just to believe him blindly, but He was preaching about his death, burial and resurrection according to the witnesses in the Law and Prophets (Luke 24:25-27,44) which testify of Him. The Apostle Paul did the same, "And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the Kingdom of Yahweh, persuading them concerning Yahshua, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening." (Acts 28:23).
Why is it important to preach death, burial and resurrection of Yahshua according to the Old Testament Scriptures rather than according to the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?
There are two main reasons why the Gospel must be preached according to the scriptures: 1. to prove that Yahshua is the Messiah, and 2. to show the numerous examples in the Old Testament Scriptures (overturn, overturn, overturn mentioned in Isaiah 28:10 which go far beyond any man or men over time to make happen) to bring us to the Spiritual reality of the Gospel by recognizing a Divine hand at work.
The Scriptures of the Old Testament are the biography of the Messiah before He was born. Only by knowing the description of the Messiah in these scriptures can we be sure that Yahshua is the Messiah, as He is the only one who fits the description. That's why His mission was to fulfill these Scriptures (Matthew 5:17, Luke 24:25, 45). That's how the Messiah Himself describes it in John 5:31-36, 39:
If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. [ 39] Ye search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
One can see that the words of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the testimonies of men, and therefore they are not sufficient that one might be saved, according to the Messiah himself. He came to do the work of the Father, or to fulfill the Scriptures (Luke 24:25,27,44; Matt 3:15, 5:17) which testify of Him, so that we might have true faith based on the evidence and the "cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 11:1, 12:1) laid down in the examples in the Law and Prophets.
The spiritual reality or why the Gospel is good news for us:
It is important to realize that the Old Testament shadows of Yahshua's death, burial and resurrection are not only validating what happened with a man of flesh, in which Yahweh was incorporated as Yahshua 2000 years ago, but are also physical manifestations of a spiritual reality. The physical reveals the spiritual (Romans 1:19,20). Therefore, physical examples of death, burial and resurrection in the Old Testament stories, rather than accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, should bring us to a spiritual understanding. The reality is "Messiah in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27), or understanding and experiencing the effect of Yahshua's death, burial and resurrection in our soul. Through the preaching of the Gospel, Yahshua is bringing our souls from death to life. Apostle Paul wrote, "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of the Messiah: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of Yahweh, who hath raised him from the dead." (Colossians 2:11,12).
This is how the True Gospel, through understanding of what Yahshua has done for us, is working in us: we are spiritually circumcised or die to our fleshly ideas unveiling the spiritual reality of our head, Yahshua; we are buried in spiritual baptism or washed by His words (John 15:3); and we resurrect from being dead or carnally (naturally) minded to being alive or spiritually minded. "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Romans 8:6). Resurrection of the souls has been happening since the day of Pentecost, and at the universal revelation of Yahshua our resurrected souls will receive immortal glorified bodies (1st John 3:2). That's why the Gospel is good news once one believes the report: Yahshua the Messiah died for our sins and resurrected a life-giving spirit (I Corinthians 15:45), so that the souls of those who believe in Him can be freed from sin and resurrected from death unto eternal life. This True Gospel is "the power of Yahweh unto salvation to every one who believeth" (Romans 1:16).
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