Articles
Fake ‘Good News’
It is estimated by experts that an original painting by Vincent van Gogh [Irises] would cost you over $100 million; you can get a decent copy for around $50 from some online stores. An original Shelby 427 Cobra is worth about $1.5 million; you can buy a 427 Cobra replica [or build your own] from a US-based company for less than $30,000. A $100 bill is worth, well, $100; a copy isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. In every case, the original is worth far more than a copy — even the best copies. Copies are not originals, and most everyone would have to admit that as fact, as well as the difference in value. Mankind acknowledges originals are more valuable because they are genuine; copies are not genuine. In fact, when it comes to currency, it is called counterfeit.
But what about the value of the original gospel message versus imitations or — more properly stated — counterfeits? Well, the original gospel [the “good news” of salvation] is the message revealing God’s plan for our salvation; the value of such a message is, in all reality, priceless; there is no price we could pay for that good news, and nothing we could give in exchange for our souls (cf. Matt. 16:26). Man would still be looking for an answer to sin if God had not conceived, executed, and revealed that plan to mankind.
However, a counterfeit gospel — no matter how close to the original it may be — is worthless. Don’t believe me? Listen to the apostle Paul: “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:6-9).
According to the Divinely-inspired writer, not only is a counterfeit gospel not the true gospel [note he said it was “a different gospel, which is not another” and “perverted”], but it is spiritually dangerous, too, for it will cause one who brings it to be accursed. What, do you suppose, would be the status of the one who accepted it and followed it? Friends and brethren, if it is not the original gospel, it is a fake “good news” and can do nothing toward bringing forgiveness and salvation!
The art world has often been deceived by some very good counterfeits; many people and businesses have been deceived into accepting and passing counterfeit bills. With so many different “gospels” out there, how can we ensure we are not deceived into believing and accepting a counterfeit? How can we know the real from the fake?
Well, the art world has its experts who can identify the marks and brush strokes of genuine paintings, with others able to test the paints used as a means of ascertaining its age and, together, may determine the authenticity of the painting in question. With certain currency, a simple mark from a felt-tip pen can identify a real bill, and holding up some to a light will expose fakes. In each case, a thorough knowledge of what constitutes an original is necessary. And so it is when striving to identify the original gospel and distinguish it from the numerous counterfeits, we must have a thorough knowledge of the original. Do we? And what is the original gospel message? Can we even know?
Well, yes, we can know and we must know. But, contrary to what some religious leaders say, one does not have to get a degree in theology to know and understand that gospel message. One of the best ways to know what the original gospel is would be to go back to the very first time it was preached, as found in Acts 2. Let’s take a look, shall we, at that message, and compare it to some “fake good news” we are hearing today?
This Was Prophesied. (Acts 2:14-21) When the apostles spoke in languages all could hear and understand, many were confused as to what was happening and why. Seeing this, Peter stood up and began speaking to the crowds and told them those events were prophesied by Joel many years prior to that day — a day when many signs and miracles would take place, signifying the time had come when “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” What they [and we] needed to see was that God’s word was true! If the “good news” you hear ridicules the idea of prophecy and the foretelling of such events as these, then you are hearing a false gospel.
Salvation Was For All. (Acts 2:21, 39) That prophecy of Joel was now coming true through the message Peter was then delivering — the fact that salvation was not just a blessing reserved for the Jews; now, salvation was for all. If the “good news” you are hearing denies salvation to anyone simply because they are of the wrong race, then you are not hearing the true gospel!
Jesus Was Proven By Miracles. (Acts 2:22) Peter noted to the listeners that they had been eyewitnesses to the “miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him,” so they couldn’t deny it. These miracles proved Jesus to be whom He claimed to be: the Christ and Son of God. If the “good news” you have heard discredits miracles as “superstitious” or based on myths and fables, then you aren’t hearing the true gospel!
Jesus Was Crucified and Raised Again. (Acts 2:23-31) Peter also took the time to remind them of the very public crucifixion of Jesus, but also noted that God raised Him from the dead, as was foretold by David, fulfilling still more prophecies regarding the Christ. If the “good news” you have heard denies the death and/or resurrection of Jesus, then you haven’t heard the true gospel!
Jesus Was Reigning THEN. (Acts 2:32-36) Peter referred back to a prophecy that stated God would raise up the descendant of David [specifically, the Christ], and He was to be raised to sit on his throne, and then stated very clearly, “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, [He] received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit”; the prophecy had been fulfilled! If the “good news” you are hearing speaks about Jesus not yet on the throne, and coming back to set up some earthly kingdom, then you aren’t hearing the true gospel!
Forgiveness Available. (Acts 2:37, 38) When Peter told them these things, some were convicted and asked what they had to do. It was then Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” Those who sought forgiveness for having taken part in the crucifixion of the Son of God were not ignored or silenced; they were told how to obtain that forgiveness! If the “good news” you have heard denies man must repent or denies he must be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, you have heard a false gospel, and you are not yet forgiven unless you are willing to hear and obey the true gospel!
Which gospel are you following? The true gospel is what was preached by Peter. Have you heard that message? —— Steven Harper
