The Cross and the Mystery of God

.... As we’ve discussed in our previous postings, Paul’s definition of the gospel contains four elements, which were included each time the gospel was proclaimed:

1. An understanding of who Jesus is (see Romans 10:9)
2. that He died for our sins, according to the Scriptures;
3. that He was raised again on the third day, according to the Scriptures;
4. and that He was seen, after His resurrection, by many witnesses.

(1 Corinthians 15:1-5)

.... Whenever we see the term "the gospel" used in the epistles, it will always bear the specific meaning of this definition. It is not simply a generic term for all Christian teaching! In fact, each time this term is used, the entire passage will make much more sense if we purposely associate this meaning with the term, and read it into our flow of understanding. For example, in 1 Corinthians 4:15, Paul uses the term ‘the gospel’ to describe the message that allows believers to be born again.

.... Conversely, when we see the Bible addressing any aspect of the death or resurrection of Christ, we may readily associate the term ‘gospel’ with that passage and it will help us understand the intention better. For instance, Paul outlined the gospel in Galatians 1:1-4, then used this position to reprove the Galatians, who had started to follow ‘another gospel’. (Do you catch that flow a little more clearly now?)

.... "The gospel" is interchangeable with another Biblical term, "the cross", which carries the exact same meaning unless it refers to the actual, wooden cross on which Jesus was crucified. For example, when Jesus foretold His death and resurrection, He proclaimed the gospel to the apostles (Matthew 16:21). He then showed them that they must follow Him with the hope of the gospel in their hearts – and in this case, He referred to the gospel as ‘the cross’:

.... ‘Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’

(Matthew 16:21-24; see also Colossians 1:23)

.... Furthermore, when the Bible speaks of ‘the mystery of God’ or ‘the kingdom of God in a mystery’, or something with similar wording, this, too, is a synonymous term for the gospel. In fact, it is used even more frequently than ‘the cross’ (see Romans 16:25). We hope this insight will prove helpful in your future Bible studies.

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Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 11