What Is the Gospel?

You’ve probably heard of “the gospel.” But what is the gospel? Do you really know what the gospel is?

Does it matter? Yes, it really does matter, in the most profound way!

Why? Because Jesus Christ commanded us to believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). Jesus Christ said those who believe the gospel, which also implies obedience, would be saved, but those who reject it are subject to punishment (Mark 16:15-16; cf. Romans 1:16; 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 2:13-14; 1 Peter 4:17-18).

But to believe the gospel you must know what it is. And there is a great deal of confusion about what the gospel actually is. Continue reading

Historical Survey of the Passover

Jesus Christ kept the Passover, and instructed his disciples to keep it also. How are Christians expected to keep God’s Passover, and what is it’s meaning?

Sermon by Rod Reynolds

“Historical Survey of the Passover” by Messenger Church of God released under a cc-by-nc-nd Creative Commons License:This image released under a CC cc-by-nc-nd license. Click here for details.

The Two Covenants (Part 1)

Why does the Bible speak of the two covenants, or “testaments”?

Did God try one system and find that it didn’t work — so substituted another totally different system? Or did God give us an “Old Covenant” to show that man could not Live by His Law — then later substitute a new covenant of “grace” that required no obedience to law?

Is the “New Covenant” the very antithesis of all that the old Covenant stood for — as many assume?

Why did God give Israel the “Old Covenant”? Why did He later institute a “New Covenant”?

The true answers to these questions have been understood by very few — yet they are simple and plain.

Nothing is more essential to an understanding of true Christianity than a knowledge of the relationships between the two covenants. Millions have fallen prey to subtle satanic deceptions because they LACKED THIS UNDERSTANDING. Even some who have had a knowledge of true Christianity and have received the Holy Spirit have stumbled and FALLEN over a lack of understanding regarding this issue!

It may prove essential to your salvation that you gain a true knowledge and perspective of the relationship between the Old and New Covenants!

Because of the importance and complexity of this subject, this article presents the first in a series exploring the “two covenants,” that is, the Old and New Covenants, and the relationship between the two.

Continue reading

Passover or Easter?

What do bunny rabbits, Easter eggs, and hot cross buns have to do with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Actually, NOTHING! As is widely acknowledged, “Easter is a pagan festival” (Heather McDougall, The Guardian, April 3, 2010). So should Christians observe Passover or Easter? Continue reading