THE FOUR THINGS WE MUST PREACH

On several occasions as a Christian, I have heard someone say they believe in "the Gospel Foursquare." I always have assumed it was a way for Pentecostals to let me know I needed to speak in tongues. And while I believe in the gifts of the Spirit (I am a Charismatic), I am not a Pentecostal, and I really never gave it a lot of thought. In looking it up on the internet, I have discovered that it is a denomination which was founded in 1929 by Aimee Semple McPherson. I would have never guessed that because those using the term never mentioned her or that it was a denomination. Their church is called the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, and it is based upon the four roles of Jesus as Savior, Baptizer (in the Holy Spirit), Healer, and soon coming King. If it were up to me, I would preach the foursquare Gospel, but I would have a different four.

The Church is to proclaim the Gospel beginning at Jerusalem and taking it to the "uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Jesus never mentioned the Gospel consisted of four parts, but in my study, I have discovered four things that make up the Good News: Remission, Resurrection, Repentance, and Response.

Remission - The word means the forgiveness of sins. It is based upon the finished work of Jesus on the cross on behalf of mankind. He is our propitiation for our sins; He reconciled all of humanity and God by removing the obstacle that prevented God from having fellowship with humanity (Rom. 3:25; 1 Jn. 2:2; 4:10; 2 Cor. 5:19; Jn. 1:11-12). He paid the penalty of death for the sin of the whole world; all man has to do is believe that (Rom. 10:8-17; Eph. 2:8-9). Our sins are remitted.

Resurrection - We are told that the Gospel consists of Christ dying, Christ being buried, and Christ rising from the grave on our behalf, according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4). His resurrection was witnessed by hundreds (1 Cor. 15:5-11). If He did not rise from the grave, then we are still separated from God by our sin and there is no hope for humanity (1 Cor. 15:12-22). Christ is risen.

Repentance - Repentance simply means "to turn around." It is as though we are walking away from God, and we hear His voice calling us by name, and we turn and start walking toward Him. Christ has done all the work on our behalf, and we simply need to trust Him and repentance is the natural response (It is acknowledging Him as our Lord, and surrendering to His will - Lk. 24:47; Rom. 10:8-9; Eph. 2:10). We are to repent.

Response - In addition to repentance, there is another response to Christ that needs to be preached. It is the response of worship and gratitude for what He has done for us. Matthew wrote of a woman who, realizing that Jesus was going to die for her, humbled herself and anointed His for His burial. Her act of love and sacrifice (the ointment was very valuable) so pleased the Lord, that He commanded that, in addition to the Gospel, her actions "shall be preached in the whole world" (Matt. 26:7-13). The proper response to the finished work of Christ on our behalf is to turn to God out of gratitude!