That Other Gospel: Understanding the First Sermon of Jesus -- Charles Cooper

<p>For many Christians, the Gospel of Christ and the Gospel of God are assumed to refer to the same thing. It is believed that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins is the direct reference. The failure to recognize the difference between the Gospel of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the single most critical cause of the rise of Arminianism and Lordship Salvation. </p><p><br></p><p>Not understanding the difference between the Gospel of God and the Gospel of Christ creates tension between the relationship of "works" and "obtaining the righteousness of God by faith." Those who emphasize a more significant role of works in salvation will either err in the direction of Arminianism or Lordship Salvation. The loss of the distinction between the Gospel of God and the Gospel of Christ gave rise to Arminianism and Lordship Salvation of MacArthur as each attempts to reconcile the relationship between "works" and "salvation."</p><p><br></p><p>Much like the Church did not universally preach "salvation by faith alone" before Martin Luther's crusade to free the " gospel of Christ, " the Gospel of God has not been preached since the apostles of Jesus Christ. Martin Luther failed to see a difference, and subsequent generations have continued to do the same.</p><p><br></p><p>The gospel of God concerns the Kingdom of God. This is the first sermon Jesus preached. A close examination of the synoptic gospels reveals that this is the primary message