What Is The True Gospel Really?

What Is The True “Gospel” —Really?

It Is Imperative That We Get This Right!

Chapter 18, Part 1 Preview: Is the gospel message strictly the announcement that Father is going to set up His earthly kingdom? Yeshua commissioned His followers to preach the gospel, so it is imperative that we understand exactly what it is! Also, if the “Church*” must reach the whole world before the “end”, then why did Yeshua say that “you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 10:23). Is this a contradiction? Has “the Church” missed it’s mission? Could “the gospel of Christ [include] SALVATION for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16) This chapter primarily debunks some highly exclusivist misconceptions, still being promoted by scores of splinter groups spun off of the Worldwide Church of God.

Mark 16:15-16 He told them, “Go into all the world, and bring the Good News to the entire creation. 16 Anyone who believes, and is immersed, will be Rescued; but anyone who does not believe, is condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe, ‘In My name, they will cast out demons; and they will speak in new languages. 18 If they happen to pick up a serpent; or if they drink a deadly poison, it will not harm them. They will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be healed’. —The Testimony of Yeshua, Gabriel Version (GV)

“I have often said it is much more difficult to unlearn an erroneous supposed truth than it is to learn a new truth.” —Herbert W. Armstrong, Mystery of the Ages page xii.

I am very grateful that I learned truths about obtaining eternal life from Herbert W. Armstrong. The connection between keeping the Ten Commandments and eternal life was rare in the United States when I learned of it, as a teenager, in the 1960’s. Also the extreme importance of keeping the Sabbath and the seven annual Biblical Festivals, among Believing Americans, was almost the exclusive understanding of the Worldwide Church of God. I learned several other diverse things from him that were known among other religious groups but only “here a little, there a little”. Had I not encountered these truths when I did, I may have become distracted by some other religious philosophy and missed my opportunity to become a true disciple.

Nevertheless, there is much new truth to be discovered and many more extraordinary truths, presently understood by only a few, which are yet to be acknowledged by the majority. There is also a great deal of “erroneous supposed truth” “to unlearn”. A primary example of this was his teaching regarding the very definition of the term “gospel” and even whose job it is to take the message to the world! In this particular example, understanding took a giant step backward. Tho HWA died 1986 and many of the people who actually believed the truths that he taught have abandoned his now apostate incorporated “church”, I feel that it is important to encourage the thousands of commandment keepers who were once encouraged by him to continue to grow in grace and knowledge.

Does the “gospel” have NOTHING to do with SALVATION or EVERYTHING to do with it? Is the “gospel” ALL of the Good News or only a part of the Good News? Many thousands of Father’s people—those who “obey the commandments of Elohim and have the Testimony of Yeshua” still do not understand that the “gospel” of Yeshua the Messiah principally regards BOTH how to obtain salvation thru Yeshua AND the truth about the earthly Kingdom of (God) (that is the “destination” of salvation)! Before going on, I want to make it clear that HWA understood how to obtain salvation and what the Kingdom of Elohim really is, but he did not consider both of these concepts as part of the gospel. To him, the “gospel” was exclusively the message that Yeshua brought—but excluded everything about the life and sacrifice of “the Messenger” Himself. To him that was a totally separate matter. That is quite an oversight for someone who claimed to be the only person to come along in “nineteen hundred years” and preach the “true gospel” !

This clarification of what the “gospel” really is, is a comprehensive exposition. It is painstakingly detailed because of the seriousness of the topic and because it was the primary message of the WCG. It was to be the most dramatic claim that HWA ever made—his purportedly unique understanding of the “true gospel” that was supposedly lost “for over nineteen hundred years.” Every effort should be made to clarify this basic teaching.

To begin with, I would like to quote an instance in which an accurate definition of “the gospel” was eloquently stated by one of the Plain Truth Magazine contributors. I dont know how this slipped thru or even if the writer was fully aware of the magnitude and uniqueness of his statement; given the magazine it appeared in:

Yeshua claimed to be “GOD’S Son.” We, too, may be called GOD’S Sons (1 John 3:1). The Supreme, Divine, All-ruling Family is the GOD Family! It is the Family or Kingdom OF GOD! Yeshua’s “gospel” —His entire Message—was about the Kingdom or Family OF GOD and how you may be born into it!”... “Jesus whole message—which He spoke “in the name of the Lord” or “by His Authority” —was to explain that the name “God” —the Hebrew ELOHI—is a family NAME! His “gospel”, or Good News, is the message that we may be called the Sons of God and be ‘born again”.—The Plain Truth, Herman L. Hoeh, October 1965 (Caps ours)

The essence of the above “definition”, which explains “His ‘gospel’” and its relationship to being “born again”, is the direct connection of Salvation to hearing the full “gospel” message. Just knowing that Father is going to set up an Earthly Kingdom will not remotely help you to enter that Kingdom!

Here are some quotations from Herbert W. Armstrong’s booklet entitled: What Is the True Gospel? Copyrighted in 1955 and 1972. After this we will examine numerous other scriptures, from Matthew to Revelation, which shed light on the “gospel” message.

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.” And it is made a double curse! For the next verse says: “... So say I now again, if any man preach any other ‘gospel’ unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed! [Page 3]

This is an astounding, incredible situation! It ought to shake you out of passive indifference. YOUR eternity is at stake! This is not a nonconsequential, unimportant matter! [4]

Jesus Christ said it is necessary to BELIEVE THE GOSPEL to be saved! Yet the many—the hundreds of millions— today, do not know what that gospel is! Again, His parting commission to His apostles, being sent out as His ministers to build His church, was this: ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the ‘gospel’.’ They were to preach THE ‘GOSPEL’. [4]

Jesus then said: “He that BELIEVETH and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15). Notice! Jesus said, “He that BELIEVETH.” Believeth what? Why, BELIEVETH that which they PREACHED, of course—THE GOSPEL! Not a gospel. Not any gospel. THE gospel! On the authority of Jesus Christ, it is necessary to believe THAT PRECISE IDENTICAL GOSPEL in order to be saved! And to BELIEVE the true gospel, we must first come to KNOW what it is! [4]

“The Message Sent from Heaven”

God the Father had promised to send a Messenger into this world from heaven, bearing a message from HIM—God the FATHER! God had promised that in Malachi 3:1: ‘Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me [and that messenger, as explained in Mark 1:2, was John the Immerser, preparing the way before Yeshua the Messiah]; and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, EVEN THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT, whom ye delight in.’ [4]

But, one may ask, dont we need to believe on Jesus? Of course. Other Scriptures teach that. But at this particular time Jesus said we must believe Him—believe what He said—believe the gospel of the Kingdom of God! [6]

Other Scriptures teach that! Here we unmistakably see HWA’s differentiation between believing on Yeshua, to obtain salvation, and the ‘gospel’. While I disagree with this limited rationalization of what the ‘gospel’ is, I do believe that he understood each of the scriptural components that constitute it. I do not fear for those who also share his viewpoint, as if they believed some “other ‘gospel’” yet we have no excuse not to search out everything that the Bible has to say about such an important topic.

Another quote:

The ‘gospel’ of Jesus Christ IS NOT man’s ‘gospel’ ABOUT THE PERSON of Christ. It is CHRIST’S ‘gospel’—the ‘gospel’ Jesus PREACHED—the ‘gospel’ GOD SENT by Him, and therefore it is also called, in Scripture, the gospel of God. The ‘gospel’ of God is God’s GOSPEL—His Message—His Good News, which He sent by Jesus. [6]

HWA said that the “gospel” is what Yeshua preached, while it excluded the things that He did. Yet had He not died for us, the “message” would have been of no value!

I can understand the frustration that HWA had with millions of “ministers” who preach incessantly about a “sweet Jesus”, and who teach their followers that there are absolutely no absolutes particularly concerning Father’s Torah and who teach about no purpose for the redeemed other than for them to be plucking on harps for eternity. All that these “Christian leaders” say that Father wants us to do is say some magic words about “accepting Jesus” and that supposedly fulfills every desire that the Elohim family wants for Their offspring. How ludicrous that premise really is!

Another quote:

We hear a great deal today of the ‘gospel’ of MEN about the PERSON of Jesus Christ—confining the message solely to the things ABOUT JESUS. As a result, millions believe on Christ, who do not BELIEVE CHRIST! But Jesus’ gospel IS HIS MESSAGE! [7]

Could totally omitting all mention of the person of Yeshua from the ‘gospel’ message be the other ditch? Here is the paradoxical part of HWA’s teaching: He understood perfectly well the way to obtain eternal life AND he was one of the tiny minority of teachers who understood, to a large degree, what the Kingdom of ‘Aloha’ (as Yeshua would have said it) is, yet it takes the whole truth that was preserved by His Apostles, and even the Prophets, to constitute the true ‘gospel’ message. He seemingly rejected the all important account of Yeshua’s life, death, and resurrection as being a part of the ‘gospel’ message!

Another quote:

Yes, the Father SENT Jesus bearing a Message, which is the Good News of THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Jesus is God’s spokesman—the WORD that was made flesh and lived, and taught, on this earth! In John 14: 24 Jesus said, ‘The word which ye hear is NOT MINE, but the Father’s which sent me. [7]

God’s Spell?

Here is the definition of the “Gospel” in English:

* One definition for “spell” according to the Living Webster dictionary, (not the listing having to do with letters), is as follows: spell, spel, n. [O.E. spell a saying, tale, or a charm; Icel. spjalla, O.G. spel, Goth. spill, a tale. Hence the later part of GOSPEL.] A charm consisting of some words of occult power; an incantation; any magic charm. [Emphasis mine]

“God’s spell” is sufficient reason for me to prefer an alternative rendering of “evangelion” such as “Good News” since the Greek “evangelion” has absolutely nothing to do with God or perhaps magic spells [as it is phrased in The Testimony of Yeshua. Could it be that the same twisted being who clandestinely appropriated the very name of God: (See The Name Lucifer) and who laughs every time that someone is immersed into the Trinity, (See also Constantine wrote Mattlew 28:19 into your Bible!), also laughs every time the “Church” (a counterfeit name derived from the name of a pagan goddess) could be taking God’s name in vain when teaching that “God’s [occult?] spell” will be “cast” “into all the world”! Is this only coincidental?

Here is another true “definition” of the “gospel”: “I am not ashamed of the Good News; because it is the power of Yehovah that leads to eternalLife, for everyone who believes in Him ...” (Romans 1:16 GV)

Conditions of Entering: Continuing “What is the True Gospel” quotations:

Now, HOW do we enter into that glorious KINGDOM? Jesus came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, “REPENT”, and “BELIEVE THE GOSPEL”. [10]

Just TWO things we do—REPENT, and BELIEVE. We must BELIEVE the gospel, and that means also believing on JESUS CHRIST, the KING of the Kingdom of God, and coming KING of kings over all the families of the earth. It means believing in Him as personal SAVIOR, as High Priest now, and as coming KING. [10]

Here he mentioned, “REPENT” and “BELIEVE” as being two entirely different concepts. Then he again boldly emphasized that the ‘gospel’ message is confined to the words that Yeshua said. Notice:

It’s about time that SOMEONE speaks out, in this world, and tells the world that the very GOSPEL of Jesus Christ was the advance ANNOUNCEMENT of this very world GOVERNMENT—a government, NOT by selfishly motivated man but by the living all-powerful God ... Jesus Christ’s message—His “gospel” —was the Kingdom of God —the GOVERNMENT of the living God! [12]

The “gospel” is far more than “the advance ANNOUNCEMENT”. The “gospel” includes every truth that is revealed in the Greek Scriptures, popularly known as “the New Testament”. Its central message is meaningless if it does not include the very things that were accomplished by the life of the “Messenger”.

Here is the “gospel” message that Paul preached:

1 Corinthians 15:1-14 Friends, I want you to know that the Good News that I heralded to you, and you acknowledged, and that has established you, 2 will result in your being Rescued—if you hold firmly to the message I heralded to you—unless your belief was worthless. 3 I delivered to you the primary teachings that I was given; that the Messiah died for our sins, according to the Scriptures; 4 and that He was buried, and that He was resurrected on the third day, according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas; and afterward, by the twelve. ... 11 So, whether it was I or someone else, this is what we announced and what you believed. 12 Now if we announce that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, why do some of you claim that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then the Messiah has not been resurrected. 14 If the Messiah has not been resurrected, then our heralding is worthless and your faith is worthless. GV

TheBible actually incorporates the preaching of the “gospel” INTO every other aspect of what Yeshua Himself first did, and then later what the Apostles did. The Good News is not a message isolated from the rest of the purpose of Yeshua or His Assembly (Church)!

Matthew 9:35-38 Yeshua traveled over all the cities and the villages, and He taught in their synagogues, and proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom, and healed all diseases and all pains. 36 When Yeshua looked at the crowds, He pitied them; because they were wearied and dispersed, like sheep who have no shepherd. 37 He told His Disciples, “The harvest is great, and the laborers few”. 38 So ask Yehovah the harvester to send laborers into His harvest. GV

The ‘gospel’ is also associated with Yeshua’s burial.

Matthew 26:12-13 She has done this act of pouring the ointment on My body, as if it were to prepare for My burial. 13 I can tell you for certain, that wherever My Good News is proclaimed anywhere in the world, what she has done will be told as a memorial to her”. GV (Also Mark 14:9)

Why should an unusual act of kindness shown to the “Messenger” be so integrally tied to the “gospel” if only the “message” was pertinent?

In this passage, Yeshua associated Himself AND His “words” with the “gospel” —twice!

Mark 8:34-38 Yeshua called the crowd together with His Disciples, and told them, “Whoever follows Me must deny himself, and take up their cross, and follow Me. 35 Whoever wants to rescue their life, will lose it; and whoever would lose their life because of Me, and because of My Good News, will preserve it. ... 38 Whoever is ashamed of Me, and of My teachings, in this sinful and adulterous nation—the Son of Man will also be ashamed of them, when He comes in the splendor of His Father, with His spirit Messengers. GV

Again, the person of Yeshua and what He said are both emphasized!

Mark 10:29-30 Yeshua said, “It is certain that no one who leaves houses, or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children, for My sake, and for the sake of My Good News, 30 will fail to receive a hundred times more, here in the present time, including houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and lands—with persecution; and in the world to come, eternal Life. GV

Miraculous signs must accompany the “gospel” message. This should quell any boasting!

Mark 16:15-18 He told them, “Go into all the world, and bring the Good News to the entire creation. 16 Anyone who believes, and is immersed, will be Rescued; but anyone who does not believe, is condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe, ‘In My name, they will cast out demons; and they will speak in new languages. 18 If they happen to pick up a serpent; or if they drink a deadly poison, it will not harm them. They will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be healed’. GV

This is Yeshua’s “mission statement”. Preaching the “gospel” was only a part of His mission.

Luke 4:18 “The spirit of Yehovah is on Me. He has anointed Me to proclaim the Good News to the poor; and has sent Me to heal the downtrodden, and to herald release from bondage to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind; and to assure the penitent by liberating them from their sins, GV

The result of the “gospel” being preached was that “many disciples” were made. This was far more than the public being given a warning witness. Many people accepted “the whole package” and were converted! In this instance, the Kingdom of Aloha is associated with the “gospel”, as a bonus:

Acts 14:21-22 As they were bringing the Good News to the inhabitants of that city, they made many Disciples. Then they returned to the city Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, 22 establishing the spiritual lives of the Disciples, and encouraging them to persevere in the faith. They told them, “It is thru much tribulation that we enter the Kingdom of Yehovah”. GV

When Peter taught the “good news” people believed it and received the Dedicated Spirit. If they had only “believed” the fact that the Kingdom of Aloha is going to be set up, why did they receive the Spirit? The truth is that the “gentiles” were not just given a part of the good news; they were given all of it!

Acts 15:7-8 After much discussion, Simon got up and said, “Men and Friends, you know that from the earliest days, Yehovah chose me to bring the true Good News to the other nations so that they could believe it. 8 Yehovah, who knows every mind, bore witness of this when He gave them the sacred spirit, just as He did for us. GV

Acts 16:6-10 They traveled thru the regions of Phrygia and Galatia; but the sacred spirit prevented them from proclaiming the truth of Yehovah in Asia Minor. 7 When they came into the region of Mysia, they were about to enter Bithynia, but the spirit of Yeshua didnt allow it. 8 After they passed Mysia, they came down to the region of Troas. 9 In a vision, a man from Macedonia appeared to Paul; he stood and was looking for him, saying, “Come to Macedonia and help us”. 10 When Paul had seen this vision, we wanted to leave for Macedonia immediately; because we deduced that our Master had called us aside to announce the Good News TO THEM. GV

Father knows who will benefit from hearing the “good news” and directly discriminated against the Apostles wasting any time on unfertile ground! What happened when the “good news” was preached in Macedonia?—“And when she and her household were immersed ....” Father is NOT going to preach the “good news” to the whole world, or any portion of it, for the purpose of being able to say “I told you so” just before He starts “wiping people out”. The “good news” is preached for the sole purpose of enticing “a few good men” and women to repent. This account is a wonderful example of Father’s selectivity in bringing the “good news” to just where it is of benefit. Massive expenditures of money that was dedicated to Father in an attempt to warn “the whole world” only brings in lots of tares with the wheat that would be harvested anyway! A modest public presence is sufficient.

This is a very significant verse:

Acts 20:24-27 Yet I consider my life as nothing, so that I can finish my course, and the service [diakonia] that I have received from our Master Yeshua, witnessing about the Good News of Yehovah’s compassion. 25 I also know that none of you, who I have traveled with, and heralded the Kingdom of Yehovah with, will ever see me again. 26 So I testify to you this very day, for the record, that I am innocent of the shed blood of anyone. 27 I have never failed to acquaint you with the entire will of Yehovah. GV

As Paul was about to finish his life’s work he emphasized that the ‘gospel’ concerned “the grace of Aloha.” Certainly it includes the little known truth concerning the earthly Kingdom of Aloha to come, as he mentioned, but notice carefully: Why was Paul saying that he was “innocent of the blood of all men”? Surely he was responsible for the deaths of some, as he himself said: “I persecuted this Way to the death” (Acts 22:4) and “Saul, whose every breath was a threat of slaughter against the Master’s disciples ...” WE (Acts 9:1) By the grace of Aloha he had had been forgiven of literal murder. Everyone knew of his vicious past. But the point that Paul made at this somber point in his life was that because he had not failed to declare “the whole council of Aloha” he was therefore “innocent of the blood of all men”. The converse of this would be that had he only preached part of the “council of Aloha” [such as only the Kingdom of Aloha] he would have been a murderer!

Romans 1:1-4 PAUL, a servant of Yeshua the Messiah, invited, sent; and set apart for the Good News of Yehovah, 2 that He had promised before, thru His Prophets, in the dedicated Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, Yeshua who was born a physical descendant of the family of David. 4 He was decisively proved, by His Resurrection, to be Yehovah’s Son, by power, and by the sacred spirit, when He arose from the dead—Yeshua the Messiah, our Master. GV

The “the Good News of Yehovah” CONCERNS “His Son, Yeshua”, His birth, His power, His death and His resurrection!

Here is a “gospel” reference that includes an interesting phrase. Was the Roman church—a church of scattered individuals who assembled in houses on Sabbaths, (Romans 16:5)—really a topic of conversation “heard of thruout the world”?

Romans 1:8-9 In the first place, I give thanks to Aloha thru Yeshua the Messiah, because of you all; because your faith is heard of thruout the world. 9 Yehovah, who I serve with my spirit in the Good News of His Son, is my witness, how unceasingly I mention you in my prayers.” GV

Was Paul lying or exaggerating, or was he simply referencing the “thruout the world” of those who Father was calling in that age? Keep this figure of speech in mind the next time you read Mark 16:15 about going into “all the world” and preaching “the ‘gospel’ to every creature.”

Notice that the “gospel” was preached to the Roman brethren. Certainly this “gospel” was not a “warning witness”, it was about faith and eternal life.

Romans 1:15-16 I am also eager to bring the Good News to those of you in Rome. 16 I am not ashamed of the Good News; because it is the power of Yehovah that leads to eternal Life, for everyone who believes in Him; first to the Jews, and now for every ethnicity, ... GV

The following verse associates the “Good News” with JUDGMENT DAY!

Romans 2:16 ... on Judgment Day, when Yehovah judges the secrets of humanity, as My Good News declares, thru Yeshua the Messiah ... GV

Here ministering the “gospel” is associated with salvation of the nations.

Romans 15:16 ... to be a temple priest of Yeshua the Messiah to the nations, offering the Good News as a priest of Yehovah, so that the offering presented—the nations themselves, will be acceptable, deemed sacred by the sacred spirit. GV

To have “fully preached the ‘gospel’ of Christ” must actually include “mighty signs and wonders”!

Romans 15:19 ... thru powerful signs and wonders, and by the power of the sacred spirit; so that from Jerusalem I have traveled all around, as far as Illyricum, and have fully announced the Good News of the Messiah; GV

The Good News was not for a witness—it was taught so that people “shall understand”!

Romans 15:20-21 while I was careful not to bring the Good News where the name of the Messiah was already known, so as not to build on another man’s foundation. 21 As the Scriptures say, “Those who had not heard mention of Him will see Him; and those who had not heard will be persuaded and obey”. GV

Notice two things in these verses: “Preaching the gospel” is about “the preaching of Yeshua the Messiah”! Secondly, those who understand this “good news” will understand “the revelation of the mystery”. At this time Father is only seriously interested in having the ‘good news’ heard by those whom He is calling!

Notice that Paul called the “Good News” “my Good News”:

Romans 16:25-27 Now to Yehovah, who is able to establish you according to my Good News, that is heralded concerning Yeshua the Messiah [Or was he just supposed to say “preaching the Kingdom of Aloha?”]; thru the revelation of the mystery that was hidden for past ages, 26 but is now revealed by means of the Prophetic Scriptures, and by the command of the eternal Yehovah, has been made known to all the other nations, leading to the obedience of faith. 27 Praise belongs to the only One who is wise, thru Yeshua the Messiah, forever and ever: Aw-mane’. GV

Was Paul trying to “steal” the “gospel” that allegedly was Father’s message; or was Father’s “gospel” the same as Yeshua’s “gospel”, that is the same Paul’s “gospel”, which is the same as ours? Also notice that the “prophetic scriptures” themselves “made known to all nations” the “gospel” truth. That “mystery” was only made understandible, in hindsight, by looking at the entire life of Yeshua.

Here is another plain association between the ‘Good News’ and Yeshua Himself.

1 Corinthians 1:17 The Messiah didnt send me to immerse, but to proclaim the Good News; not with eloquence, because the cross of the Messiah could be deprived of force. GV

Shouldnt Paul have mentioned Father, since Yeshua was “just the Messenger”

1 Corinthians 4:15 Tho you have thousands of guardians in the Messiah, you dont have many fathers; because in Yeshua the Messiah, I have fathered you by announcing the Good News. GV

How could one be a “partaker” of an announcement?

1 Corinthians 9:23 I am doing this for the sake of the Good News so that I can participate with you in it’s fulfillment. GV

There is no mention of the Kingdom of Aloha in these and most other “gospel” contexts.

2 Corinthians 2:12 & 15 Furthermore, when I came to Troas, proclaiming the Good News of the Messiah, and a door was opened to me by the Master, ... 15 Those of us who live, and in those of us who die, are a sweet fragrance to Yehovah, because of the Messiah. GV

I wonder where he explained this one?

2 Corinthians 4:3-6 So if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing; 4 those whose minds the aloha of this world has blinded so that they dont believe, otherwise the brightness of the Good News of the Messiah (who is the likeness of Yehovah) would dawn on them. 5 We are not heralding about ourselves, but the Messiah, Yeshua our Master; and as for ourselves, we are your servants for Yeshua’s sake. 6 Yehovah, who told the light to shine from darkness, has Himself shone in our minds, so that we would be illuminated with the knowledge of the splendor of Yehovah in the presence of Yeshua the Messiah. GV

We are admonished not to accept an apocryphal [bogus] “Yeshua”, or “spirit” or “good news”.

2 Corinthians 11:4 Suppose that the person who came to you had heralded to you another Yeshua—one we havent heralded; or suppose you had received a spirit that differed from the one you have accepted; or a different Good News than what you have accepted; you just might have endured it. GV

The true “gospel of Christ” includes preaching “HIM among the ‘gentiles’!”

Galatians 1:6-16 I am amazed by how quickly you have turned from the Messiah, who invited you by His compassion, to a different “Good News”; 7 one that doesnt even exist, except that there are some who would confuse you, and cause you to turn your backs on the Good News of the Messiah. 8 But if we, or a “Messenger” from Heaven were to bring you a different “Good News” than we have, they will be rotten meat. 9 As I just said, I’ll say again, if anyone proclaims to you some other “Good News”—differing from what you have already accepted, consider him rotten meat. ... 15 But when it pleased the One who set me apart from my mother’s womb, and called me by name by His compassion, to reveal His Son by me, so that I could proclaim Him among the nations, I didnt immediately consult with flesh and blood, GV

The ‘good news’ concerns justification of the all of the world’s nations—just ask Abraham!

Galatians 3:8 Yehovah knew beforehand that the nations would be made righteous by faith. He previously announced it to Abraham; as the dedicated Scriptures say, “All nations will be blessed thru you”. GV

The “Good News of your eternalLife” concerns believing in “HIM”.

Ephesians 1:7-14 He paid our ransom, and forgave our sins by His blood, due to the benefit of His compassion, ... 13 You have also heard the true doctrine about Him, and that is the Good News of your eternalLife, and you have believed in Him; and have been sealed with the sacred spirit, that was promised, 14 and that spirit is the downpayment of our inheritance [in the Kingdom of Aloha], until the redemption of those who are given eternalLife, to the praise of His majesty. GV

Yeshua is the “promise” of the “good news” !

Ephesians 3:6 To be specific, all nations should be fellow heirs in His inheritance, fellow members of the body, sharing the promise that He revealed, thru the Good News. GV

The “good news” certainly seems to be a part of the “full armor of Yehovah” package! You may stop reading this when you see that the point is made with overwhelming evidence. However, if you have been deceived, then I would recommend that you continue reading as an exercise in ‘I must have been asleep for years’. Call it the Rumplestiltskin principle.

Ephesians 6:13-18 So put on the full armor of Yehovah, so that you will be fully prepared to meet the Wicked one; and remain unharmed. 14 So take a stand! Fasten the truth around you like a belt, and put on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 and shield your feet with the Good News of peace. 16 In addition, take the shield of faith, so that you’ll be able to quench all of the fiery darts of the Wicked one. 17 Also take eternal Life as your helmet; and take the sword of the spirit, that being the Words of Aloha [the Tanakh]. 18 Pray with unceasing prayer and requests in the spirit; and in your prayers be continually alert, and pray for all the Saints. GV

The “gospel” message is the basis for “fellowship”, and will remain so until the Day of Yeshua the Messiah!

Philippians 1:5-6 I’m thankful for your cooperation in spreading the Good News, from the time it first came to you, until now. 6 And I am confident of this, that the One who has begun the good work in you, will go on to perfect it in preparation for Day of our Master Yeshua the Messiah. GV

Strange isnt it; Paul seemed to think that preaching about the life of Messiah should be associated with the “good news” !

Philippians 1:17-18 Others who herald the Messiah from motives of rivalry and insincerity, believe that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. 18 Yet I have been elated, and continue to be elated [2], because in either case, whether by pretense or truth, the Messiah is heralded. GV

The “gospel of Christ” concerns “faith”, “salvation” and believing “in Him”!

Philippians 1:27-29 You should live your lives as good citizens, in a manner worthy of the Good News of the Messiah; so that whether I come and see you or, being absent, only hear of you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit and with one mind, contending together for the faith of the Good News. 28 Never be afraid of your antagonists. Your fearlessness is certain evidence for them of their impending destruction, but for you, it is a certain indication of your eternal Life. 29 You have had the privilege granted to you, on behalf of Yehovah—not only to believe in the Messiah, but also to suffer on His behalf. GV

“Faith in Messiah Yeshua” is heard “in the word of the True Message—the Good News.”

Colossians 1:3-5 We continually thank Yehovah, the Father of our Master Yeshua the Messiah, and pray on your behalf; 4 ever since we heard of your faith in Yeshua the Messiah, and of your love for all the Saints; 5 because of the expectation of good reserved for you in Heaven, that you first heard of in the True Message—the Good News. GV

“The anticipation of the Good News” concerns reconciliation to Yeshua thru His death!

Colossians 1:21-23 You used to be aliens and even had hostile attitudes as well, because of your evil works, 22 He has now reconciled you, by His human body, and thru His death; so that He could bring you into His fellowship, sacred, faultless, and above reproach; 23 as long as you continue to firmly hold onto your convictions, and you dont waver from the anticipation of the Good News that has been heard thruout the whole creation under Heaven, that I, Paul, became a “deacon” of. GV

“The Good News of our Master Yeshua the Messiah” demands obedience, not just understanding a message.

2 Thessalonians 1:8 He will execute vengeance, with burning fire [1], on those who havent had a cherished knowledge of Yehovah, and still wont submit to the Good News of our Master Yeshua the Messiah. GV

[1] There is a unique (so far as I know) disagreement among translators as to where to put the “burning fire”—either verse 7 or 8. But even more important is the disagreement about WHO IS IN THE FIRE! The 16 Greek versions I looked at had Yeshua and the “angels” in the fire, while the three Aramaic versions I checked had the wicked in the fire, as so many prophecies explain, such as Malachi 4:1-3. The context of this verse explains that the “vengeance” is for those who wont “submit”.

Once again, eternal Life and “belief” and “truth” pertain to the “Good News”.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 Dear Friends of our Master, thanks are always due to Yehovah, from us, on your behalf, because Yehovah has chosen eternal Life for you from the beginning, by our being made sacred by the spirit, and by our conviction of the truth. 14 These are the ones who Yehovah called by name, by our Good News; so that you could share in the splendor of our Master Yeshua the Messiah. GV

The “magnificent Good News” concerns the “sound doctrine” of “the Torah”.

1 Timothy 1:8-11 Now we know that the Torah is precious, if and when someone lives in accordance with the Law, 9 and we know that the Torah is not laid down against those who observe righteous laws, but against the lawless, the rebellious, the wicked, the sinful, the dishonest, the impure, and against those who strike their fathers, and those who strike their mothers, against murderers, 10 male prostitutes, sodomites, against those who kidnap for slavery, liars, those who violate oaths, and against anything that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 and anything else that is NOT in accord with the magnificent Good News of the blessed Yehovah, that I have been entrusted with. GV

Understanding the truth about “immortality” is part of the “good news”.

2 Timothy 1:8-10 So dont you be ashamed of the Testimony of our Master, or of me His bondsman; but rather, endure the hardships associated with the Good News, thru the power of Yehovah; 9 who will Rescue us from perishing, and has called us by name with a sacred invitation; not because of our works, but because of His will, and His compassion that was given to us in Yeshua the Messiah before the time [chronos] of eternity, 10 and has now been plainly revealed by the epiphany [Gr. epiphaneia: appearance] of our Life Giver, Yeshua the Messiah; who will abolish death, and bring real life and immortality to light, as a result of the Good News. GV

The “good news” is that we “can also obtain eternal Life thru Yeshua the Messiah”, via resurrection, as well as our own “salvation”.

2 Timothy 2:8-10 Never forget that Yeshua the Messiah has risen from the dead. He was the prophesied descendant of David. This is the Good News that I announce, 9 and that I suffer for, even being put in chains, as if I were a criminal; but the Words of Aloha arent imprisoned. 10 So I endure everything for the sake of the Select; so that they can also obtain eternal Life thru Yeshua the Messiah, with eternal splendor. GV

Paul told Timothy that he was in chains for speaking about Yeshua being raised from the dead. He told Philemon that he was in “bonds for the Good News”. Get the connection?

Philemon 1:13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that he could serve me instead of you, in these bonds for the Good News. GV

Ancient Israel heard an incomplete “gospel” about the Kingdom of Aloha, from the prophets, “not being mixed with faith” in Yeshua the Messiah, and it “did not profit them”. We must not make that mistake!

Hebrews 4:2The Good News was given to us, as well as to them; but the voice they heard didnt benefit them, because those who heard it were incompatible with the idea of trust and sacred fervor. GV

1 Peter 1:10-12 the very eternal Life that the prophets inquired about, when they were prophesying about the compassion that was to be given to you. 11 They searched to know the exact time that the spirit of the Messiah, dwelling in them, was revealed, and when the sufferings of the Messiah were predicted to occur, and His honor that followed. 12 And everything that they were searching was revealed to them, because they were not inquiring for themselves, but they were prophesying those things for us, things that are now revealed to you by those who have brought you the Good News [2], by the sacred spirit sent from Heaven; things the spirit Messengers also long to look into. GV

The “Word of Aloha” (or “Elohim”) is “forever”.

1 Peter 1:23-25 being begotten again, not of seed that perishes, but of imperishable, by the living Word of Aloha, who lives and endures forever. 24 Because mortal humanity is like grass, and all our splendor is like the flowers of the field. The leaves dry up, and the flowers fade away; 25 but the Word of Aloha remains forever. This is the Good News message that is announced to you. GV

This is where the living Word of Eloim and the Good News of the Testimony of Yeshua center on the same person.

The “gospel” message is for “Judgment” on Father’s Assembly of Saints, “Yehovah’s own house” as well as for “those who dont obey”.

1 Peter 4:17 ... because the Day of Judgment will come, and will begin in Yehovah’s own house [1]; and if it begins with us, what will be the end state of those who dont obey the Good News of Yehovah? GV

[1] Probably a reference to Ezekiel 9:4-7

This last Biblical reference to the ‘gospel’ is part of another separate topic that will be addressed at another time. The above Scriptures present nearly every statement concerning the word ‘gospel’ that appear in the Testimony of Yeshua.

Revelation 14:6 6 Then I saw another Messenger flying in the sky with the everlasting Good News, to give to everyone living on earth—every nation, tribe, language and people. GV

Having seen the many Biblical references to the “gospel” or Good News, I want to quote some more of HWA’s comments on the topic to underscore the dissimilarities. In The Incredible Human Potential, H.W. Armstrong came as close to getting the definition of “Good News” right as he ever did, yet he still neglected the connection between the “Messenger” Himself playing the indispensable role of “mediator of the New Covenant”. Yeshua was no ordinary messenger:

Acts 4:12 There is no eternal Life by any other; because there is not another name under Heaven, given to humanity, that we can be Rescued by. GV

“What Was Christ’s gospel?” From Chapter 2 of The Incredible Human Potential:

God the Father had promised to send a messenger into the world from heaven, bearing a message from Him for all mankind. This promise is recorded in Malachi 3:1 ‘Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me [and that messenger, as explained in Mark 1:2. was John the Immerser] and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in.’ The “Lord” here, of course, refers to Yeshua the Messiah. [11]

That is the message God wanted proclaimed AS A WITNESS to all nations! But since the first century the world has known NOTHING of the Kingdom of God because that message was not proclaimed to the world after the first century. That message, when explained and fully understood, covers a very wide range of revealed knowledge. It reveals—I repeat—what science has been utterly UNABLE to discover, what religion has never revealed, what this world’s education has never known nor taught. [12]

When HWA said that the “gospel” was to serve “AS A WITNESS”, he actually believed that the truth was to be explained only so that Father could say “I told you so” just before He smashed them on the Day of Yehovah (the Lord). This is a very pessimistic perspective. The fact is that Scripture shows that when the world actually does hear the “Good News”, many will believe it and be spared! This is carefully explained in The Time After Jacob’s Trouble.

Now for Part 2