Proclaiming the Unchanging Gospel with Divine Authority

 

Summary

In the early chapters of the Book of Acts, we witness the profound authority and divine mandate given to the apostles, which serves as a foundation for understanding the true nature and message of the Christian Church. The apostles, despite being unlearned and ordinary men, were entrusted with a message from God, not a product of human discovery or philosophical quest. This divine message, as emphasized in Acts 5:20 and 29, is the cornerstone of the Church's authority and mission. The apostles were commanded to "go, stand, and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life," highlighting the divine origin and unchanging nature of the Gospel.

The modern world often challenges the relevance and authority of the Church, questioning why it should continue to proclaim an ancient message. However, the Gospel's authority is rooted in its divine origin, making it unchanging and eternally relevant. The Church's message is not a product of human thought or a quest for truth but a revelation from God, as seen in the lives of the apostles and the early Church. This message has remained consistent throughout history, saving souls and transforming lives across centuries.

The Gospel is not a vague or uncertain message; it is a clearly defined and comprehensive truth that addresses the entirety of human existence, from creation to final restoration. It is not subject to human approval or alteration, and every part of it is essential to God's plan of redemption. The Church's task is to preach all the words of this life, without subtracting or adding to it, ensuring that the full counsel of God is proclaimed.

In a world where human thought and scientific advancements often overshadow spiritual truths, the Church must stand firm in its divine mandate, proclaiming the unchanging Gospel with authority and clarity. This message, centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, remains the only hope for humanity, addressing the deepest needs of the human heart and offering eternal life.

Key Takeaways:

- Divine Authority of the Gospel: The Gospel is not a human invention but a divine revelation, entrusted to the apostles and the Church. This authority is what empowers the Church to proclaim the message with confidence, knowing it is God's truth, not man's speculation. [11:19]

- Unchanging Nature of the Gospel: Despite the changing times and cultural shifts, the Gospel remains the same because it is rooted in the eternal nature of God. This unchanging message continues to address the fundamental needs of humanity, offering salvation and hope. [23:36]

- Comprehensive Message: The Gospel encompasses the entirety of God's plan, from creation to final restoration. It is not limited to select teachings or parables but includes the full counsel of God, addressing every aspect of human existence and need. [37:24]

- Necessity of Preaching the Whole Gospel: The Church is called to preach all the words of this life, without omitting or altering any part. Every element of the Gospel is essential to understanding and experiencing the fullness of God's redemption. [49:17]

- Centrality of Christ: The Gospel is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, who embodies the fullness of God's wisdom, power, and salvation. In Christ, we find the complete revelation of God's plan and the ultimate hope for humanity. [57:36]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Acts 5
- [00:30] - The Angel's Command
- [01:08] - The Supernatural Realm
- [03:17] - The Church's Message
- [05:04] - Relevance of the Gospel Today
- [06:27] - Misunderstanding the Gospel
- [08:35] - Authority of the Church
- [11:34] - Success of the Early Church
- [12:59] - The Gospel of God
- [16:34] - Revelation vs. Human Discovery
- [23:36] - Unchanging Message
- [29:32] - A Particular Message
- [37:24] - All the Words of This Life
- [49:17] - Preaching the Whole Gospel
- [57:18] - The Completeness in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 5:20, 29

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Observation Questions:

1. What command did the angel of the Lord give to the apostles in Acts 5:20, and why is it significant? [00:30]

2. How did Peter and the other apostles respond to the authorities' command not to teach in Jesus' name, according to Acts 5:29? [00:49]

3. What was the reaction of the high priest and the Sadducees to the apostles' actions, and what does this reveal about their attitude towards the Gospel? [01:57]

4. How does the sermon describe the authority with which the apostles preached, and what was the source of this authority? [09:04]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why is the divine origin of the Gospel crucial for the Church's authority and mission, as discussed in the sermon? [11:19]

2. How does the sermon explain the unchanging nature of the Gospel, and why is this important for addressing the needs of humanity? [23:36]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Gospel is a comprehensive message, and how does this impact the Church's preaching? [37:24]

4. What does the sermon say about the necessity of preaching the whole Gospel, and how does this relate to the Church's responsibility today? [49:17]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt challenged to stand firm in your faith. How can the apostles' example in Acts 5:29 inspire you to obey God rather than human authority in your own life? [00:49]

2. The sermon emphasizes the unchanging nature of the Gospel. How can you ensure that your understanding and sharing of the Gospel remain true to its original message, despite cultural shifts? [23:36]

3. Consider the comprehensive nature of the Gospel as described in the sermon. How can you incorporate the full counsel of God into your daily life and conversations with others? [37:24]

4. The sermon highlights the necessity of preaching the whole Gospel. Are there aspects of the Gospel that you find challenging to share? How can you overcome these challenges to present a complete message? [49:17]

5. The centrality of Christ is a key takeaway from the sermon. How can you make Christ the center of your life and decisions this week? [57:36]

6. In a world that often questions the relevance of the Church, how can you personally contribute to demonstrating the eternal relevance of the Gospel in your community? [05:04]

7. The sermon discusses the authority of the Church's message. How can you support your church in maintaining and proclaiming this authority in today's society? [08:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Revelation as the Church's Foundation
The Gospel is not a human invention but a divine revelation, entrusted to the apostles and the Church. This authority is what empowers the Church to proclaim the message with confidence, knowing it is God's truth, not man's speculation. The early chapters of the Book of Acts highlight the profound authority and divine mandate given to the apostles, which serves as a foundation for understanding the true nature and message of the Christian Church. Despite being unlearned and ordinary men, the apostles were entrusted with a message from God, not a product of human discovery or philosophical quest. This divine message, as emphasized in Acts 5:20 and 29, is the cornerstone of the Church's authority and mission. The apostles were commanded to "go, stand, and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life," highlighting the divine origin and unchanging nature of the Gospel. [11:19]

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual."

Reflection: Consider a time when you relied on human wisdom rather than seeking divine guidance. How can you begin to trust more in God's revelation in your daily decisions?


Day 2: The Eternal Relevance of the Gospel
Despite the changing times and cultural shifts, the Gospel remains the same because it is rooted in the eternal nature of God. This unchanging message continues to address the fundamental needs of humanity, offering salvation and hope. In a world where human thought and scientific advancements often overshadow spiritual truths, the Church must stand firm in its divine mandate, proclaiming the unchanging Gospel with authority and clarity. The Gospel's authority is rooted in its divine origin, making it unchanging and eternally relevant. The Church's message is not a product of human thought or a quest for truth but a revelation from God, as seen in the lives of the apostles and the early Church. [23:36]

Hebrews 13:8-9 (ESV): "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them."

Reflection: In what ways have you seen cultural shifts challenge your faith? How can you hold onto the unchanging truth of the Gospel in these situations?


Day 3: The Fullness of God's Plan
The Gospel encompasses the entirety of God's plan, from creation to final restoration. It is not limited to select teachings or parables but includes the full counsel of God, addressing every aspect of human existence and need. The Gospel is not a vague or uncertain message; it is a clearly defined and comprehensive truth that addresses the entirety of human existence, from creation to final restoration. It is not subject to human approval or alteration, and every part of it is essential to God's plan of redemption. [37:24]

Ephesians 1:9-10 (ESV): "Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel disconnected from God's plan. How can you seek to understand and align with the fullness of God's purpose for you?


Day 4: Proclaiming the Whole Gospel
The Church is called to preach all the words of this life, without omitting or altering any part. Every element of the Gospel is essential to understanding and experiencing the fullness of God's redemption. The apostles were commanded to "go, stand, and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life," highlighting the divine origin and unchanging nature of the Gospel. The Church's task is to preach all the words of this life, without subtracting or adding to it, ensuring that the full counsel of God is proclaimed. [49:17]

Acts 20:27-28 (ESV): "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood."

Reflection: Is there a part of the Gospel message you find challenging to share with others? How can you prepare yourself to proclaim the whole Gospel with confidence and love?


Day 5: Christ as the Center of the Gospel
The Gospel is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, who embodies the fullness of God's wisdom, power, and salvation. In Christ, we find the complete revelation of God's plan and the ultimate hope for humanity. This message, centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, remains the only hope for humanity, addressing the deepest needs of the human heart and offering eternal life. The Gospel is not a human invention but a divine revelation, entrusted to the apostles and the Church. [57:36]

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: How does recognizing Christ as the center of the Gospel change your perspective on your daily life? What steps can you take to keep Christ at the center of your thoughts and actions today?

Quotes



The church succeeded the church did what she did she turned the world upside down she became this great power in the earth and amongst men why well because she realized that she was delivering the message of God now here's the thing that comes out you see the angel comes to them and he says go stand teach all the words of this life. [00:11:36]

The difficulty about listening to the gospel is not so much a difficulty with particular aspects or statements or emphases in it the real problem is with regard to the whole nature of the Gospel the essential truth of the Gospel It Isn't So Much men's particular approach it is their whole approach that rarely constitutes the difficulty at this present time. [00:06:36]

This is not the discovery of men this is not the result of human thought and meditation and discussion and dialogue and delving and reading the authorities and sharpening mind with mind it's not that at all it's it's something quite different and yet you see this is the whole trouble at the present time isn't it the whole emphasis is placed upon the Quest for truth the search for truth. [00:13:03]

This is a message from God this is not something that men arrives at this isn't men's Discovery this isn't men's intuition this isn't men's seeking this is something that is given by God now this is said said so endlessly in the scriptures that it's almost impossible to understand how any man claiming the name Christian can say anything else. [00:16:26]

God God who at sunry times and in diverse manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets ha in these last days spoken unto us by his son whom he hath appointed heir of All Things by whom also he made the worlds Etc but you see what he's saying God speaking and can't you see at once we've crossed the great watershed. [00:17:07]

The church came into being by preaching this she was given the authority in the message and this is the only message it is the only way whereby a man can be saved Peter has already told that to these same people neither is there any other neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under Heaven given amongst men whereby we must be saved. [00:24:38]

This gospel can not only be clearly defined it must be clearly defined and you must differentiate between it and that which is a false teaching and that which represents itself as a gospel wrongly listen to Paul putting that to the Galatians he says I Marvel that you are so soon moved from him that called you into the grace of Christ un to another gospel which is not another. [00:34:05]

Go stand speak unto the people all the words of this life and now I want to emphasize the word all it's a great gospel it's a comprehensive gospel it's a many sighted gospel all the words of this life what do I mean well you know I read another article this last week by a learned philosopher who is an elder in a church in a certain denomination. [00:37:20]

The words of this life includes the Old Testament as well as the new oh I know the moderns don't like that they don't like the Old Testament they don't like the god of the Old Testament they say they're like the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ but he believed the Old Testament you see that's the tragedy wein men no longer have any Authority. [00:44:00]

The test that the early church applied to any book that should be put into the Canon of the New Testament was the test of apostol it the test of canonicity is the test of apostolicity if a thing can't be traced to the apostles it's not true there is no addition there never has been there never will be what saved the first Christians is the same message. [00:56:16]

Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life and how glorious it is seen there in its completeness in the face of Jesus Christ that's why I tremble to leave out anything that's why I always try to give it you all it's all in him in him dwelleth all the fullness of the goded bodily he is God has pleasured up in him all the treasures of his wisdom. [00:57:18]

The gospel in other words is a clearly definable message there's no difficulty about knowing what the gospel is of course I know what I say there today I'm regarded as being really Beyond The Pale in every Poss POS sense the idea that you know but it's the Quest for truth that's the thrilling thing the seeking my dear friend there have never been a church if that were the position. [00:30:12]

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Transcript
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