The Four Gospels – a dispensatio

The Four Gospels – a dispensational study

Introduction

The word gospel can easily be defined as “glad tidings” or “good news.” See the verses below where the Old Testament words “glad tidings” are translated “gospel” in the New Testament:

Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

The word gospel can likewise be traced back to mean literally: “God’s word.”

Some insist the word “gospel” “was coined in Old English as godspel, a compound of god ‘good’ and spel ‘discourse, tiding, news’. . . “ [Ayto, John Dictionary of Word Origins, New York: Arcade Publishing, 1990 260.] But Riplinger in The Language of the King James Bible documents The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language stating that “the ‘o’ in the Anglo-Saxon language actually meant ‘God’s mouth’ or ‘God’s word.’” [Riplinger, Gail, The Language, Ararat: AV Publications, 1998, 49.]

Below are the scriptures that equate the word “gospel” with “God – spell” – literally the “word of God:”

Rom 10:16-17

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2 Cor 4:2-3

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2 Tim 2:8-9

8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

So, when we talk about the “gospel” we are dealing with glad tidings AND the literal words of God. Taking into consideration that we are to rightly divide the word of God, and that some portions of the Bible are not applicable to us in the present church age, brings us to the consideration that there are different gospels within the Biblical account.

This will be more evident a bit later when we actually get into verses under different gospels that seem to flat out contradict. The answer then becomes obvious that there must be different gospels, because the Bible does not contradict – period.

We come to this conclusion by the presupposition that the scriptures are indeed the infallible words of the living God: that there are absolutely NO MISTAKES in the holy writings. Our premise is based on verses like Psalm 12:6,7; Prov. 30:5,6; 2 Timothy 3:16 et al.

Here they are

Below you will find the four gospels listed with a brief synopsis.

DISCLAIMER – “Another Gospel”

The “another gospel” mentioned in Galatians chapter one is not included with the four in that it is not really “another gospel.” It is a deviation from the true gospel that is preached in this age. In other words, when someone is not preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for your sins, as the only means of salvation, they are preaching another gospel which is false and damnable. There is a curse placed upon a preacher of this other gospel.

Gal 1:6-9

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 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.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

The Gospel of the Grace of God

Defined – That Jesus Christ (the rejected King) has died on the cross for the sins of the world, that He was raised from the dead for our justification, and that by Him ALL that believe are justified and saved from the penalty of sin – hell.

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The gospel of the grace of God is what we preach today. Salvation is a free gift of God (Rom. 6:23) and there are NO WORKS involved whatsoever. Church membership is not a factor; Baptism is not a factor, Living right is not a factor, Praying certain prayers is not a factor. The only requirement is to “BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ” - Acts. 16:31.

Some today teach this truth with a mixture of error. They teach that a man must work after they are saved in order to keep their salvation. No, no, no!!! You couldn’t keep your salvation in this age if you tried! What is required of a person in this age is SINLESSNESS!!! Only Jesus Christ has that, and you must trust Him in order to have His righteousness imputed (or attributed) to you!

A person can live a “good” life and die and go to hell because they did not follow the gospel message of this day and age. The message is simply this: There is nothing that you can do to save yourself. Your works are no good, your deeds are worthless, your outward righteousness comes short. You are doomed, damned and destined for hell in your sinful condition. You need to repent (turn) from whatever you are trusting to get you to heaven (ie. Baptism, works, church membership, being a good ole boy) and receive Jesus Christ as your substitute for your sins. If you don’t take the free gift and payment you will have to pay forever in HELL!!!!!!

There is only one way to get to heaven - - you must come through the Lord Jesus Christ ALONE!!!!

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

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

The Glorious Gospel

This gospel is really kind of like an addendum to the Gospel of the grace of God. It is referred to as “Paul’s gospel” (Rom. 2:16; 16:25; 2 Tim. 2:8) because Paul the apostle received special revelation concerning it.

1 Tim 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

PARTICULARS – The additional information of salvation by substitution without works (which was what Phillip preached in Acts 8 when he saw Isaiah 53 was Christ) was declared by Peter at the council in Acts 15:

Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

A. Body of Christ

But what is particular to this gospel, and that it is declared by Paul with ownership concerns the revelation that he received concerning the body of Jesus Christ.

Gal 1:11-12

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Eph 3:3-8

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

B. Rapture

Paul also received additional information about the future of the body of Christ, and the time placement for those events. He tells us about it in 1 Cor 15:51-57 and 1 Thess. 4:13-18.

The Gospel of the Kingdom

Defined – The purpose of God to set upon the earth (in Jerusalem) a literal, physical, political, and universal kingdom that will last the duration of the 1,000 years in fulfillment of the Davidic covenant:

2 Sam 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

Note – portions of this kingdom are established into eternity (hence – for ever).

Dan 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Luke 1:32-33

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Misinterpreted – Often the message of the gospel of the kingdom is forced into church age doctrine by those who fail to “rightly divide” (2 Tim. 2:15) the scriptures. What they do is equate the phrase found in Matthew (“kingdom of heaven”) with “kingdom of God” (found in Mark, Luke and John). It seems justifiable at first, because of the parallels (ie. same story etc), but when you look up the verses that define “the kingdom of God” it becomes impossible to make them synonymous.

NOTE – Our job as Christians is to believe God’s book as He wrote it. If some portions seem to contradict, the problem is not with the book, but rather with us! The system we use to view the scriptures (outlines, interpretations etc) must be secondary. If we suppose something and it makes the scriptures inconsistent – our system is WRONG!!

The following verses define the phrase “Kingdom of God:”

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

DISTINCTIONS – Below are some things that set off the gospel of the kingdom from the other gospels.

A. Jewish - It is distinctly Jewish in nature. When Christ sent out the 12 to preach this gospel, He told them to only preach it to Jews! We do not segregate the gospel of the Grace of God! But Jesus did with the gospel of the kingdom:

Matt 10:5-7

5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matt 15:21-24

21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

NOTE – Being Jewish, there were certain SIGNS that followed in with this gospel. [Don’t forget that “signs” started with Moses and the nation of Israel – Exodus 3, and are always related in some way to the unbelief of the Jewish people! - 1 Cor. 1:22 – For the Jews require a sign . . .] For the apostolic sign gifts see: Matt. 4:23; 10:8; Mark 16:17,18; Acts 4:30; 5:12; 8:13 etc.

B. Political – The Jewish people were under Roman dominion. The gospel of the kingdom promised a KING that would take over control from their enemies. The men from the east, and Herod understood this when Jesus was born.

Matt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

SALVATION – Salvation was not as it is today, for Christ had not died on the cross and risen for the justification of sinners. People during the time when the gospel of the kingdom was being preached still went to the synagogue, and still sacrificed animals for their sins. They did not follow Romans 10:9,10 for salvation, neither did they trust in the finished work of Christ for their justification! In fact, the Lord Himself gave the “plan of salvation” to a man during this gospel of the kingdom era:

Matt 19:16-17

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

TIME FRAME – The time era of the gospel of the kingdom message was the earthly ministry of Christ AND the time AFTER the rapture of the church. You must keep in mind that the message of the kingdom was never fulfilled in its entirety because the King was never put on the throne. The gospel of the kingdom will be preached during the time Jesus called “the great tribulation” (Matt. 24:21), because the kingdom will again be “at hand.” For the “works element” of salvation during the gospel of the kingdom see Rev. 12:17; 14:12; and 22:14.

The Everlasting Gospel

DEFINED - That which is preached to the Gentiles during (or at the close of) the Great Tribulation period before the Judgment of the nations.

MESSAGE – Fearing God and giving glory to Him.

Rev 14:6-7

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Matt 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

Notice that here we have come “full circle.” When we first began our study we looked at Galatians 1 where Paul said that any man or ANGEL was cursed if he preached any other gospel than what Paul preached. Well, here is an angel sent by God that does just that! He preaches NOT the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, but a vague “fear God” message. Either we rightly divide the scriptures and the gospels are different in message and time era, or we have a cursed angel and a contradicting Bible!

Conclusion

You must be a student of the scriptures. One must takes the Bible seriously, and understand that not every verse is aimed at them, nor does every verse or “gospel” have church age application. We are currently living in the age of the church; when God is dealing with people through the gospel of the Grace of God! Thank God we are in this dispensation! Thank God, we cannot lose our salvation: it is not ours to lose! But, as faithful stewards of the truth, we must not pervert the word and teach a truth misplaced.