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Saturday, September 19, 2015

How do you "obey the gospel"?

In the Bible the phrase "obey the gospel" and other similar phrases are used. Cults like the Campbellite Restoration Movement (the false "church of christ") like to use this phrase rather than "believe the gospel" because they believe that "obey" indicates works or a set of acts that must be performed. I have listened to many 'sermons' preached by false priests in the "church of christ" that constantly use the phrase "obey the gospel" and hardly even mention believing the gospel. This is based on a misunderstanding of the term "obey the gospel" and ignorance of Scripture. The "church of christ" elders like to find catchy cliches out of the Bible that sound similar to what they believe and then base entire doctrines on these. Such as "fall away", "baptism", "wash", "obey", and many others. For example, when the word "wash" is used in 1 Cor. 6:11 and Titus 3:5 the "church of christ" elders say that these are referring to water baptism, even though neither passage has water or baptism in the context. In fact, both passages explicitly state that the "washing" is done by the Holy Spirit. However, the "church of christ" like the phrase "wash" because it reminds them of water.  The COC is guilty of this in many places in Scripture.

Now, what does it mean to "obey the gospel"? How does the Bible define the phrase?

Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

1 Peter 2:6-7 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

To "obey" the gospel is to "believe" the gospel, according to the Bible (never according to the Campbellites). "Obeying" the gospel is simply doing what the gospel commands you to do (believe), it is not doing works.

Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans 3:
[20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
[21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
[22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
[24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
[25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
[26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
[27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith
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--Eli Caldwell
 

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