Luke 4:18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, Luke 7:22Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. Luke 9:6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. Luke 20:1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
This Gospel was for Jews ONLY, not for Gentiles. Matthew 10:5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
If only they had believed Jesus was their Messiah instead of rejecting and crucifying Him.
The word GOSPEL is NEVER mentioned in John. The Gospels in Acts
After the Death, burial, Resurrection and Ascension back into Heaven of the Lord Jesus, The Jews were given another chance to accept the Gospel.
Acts 8:25And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. Acts 14:7 And there they preached the gospel. Acts 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. The door to Salvation was now opened to the Gentiles: Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Acts 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
The apostle to the Gentiles writes to the Romans rehearsing the Gospel to them: Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Romans 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Romans 1:15-16 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Romans 10:15-16 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? Romans 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes. Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:19-20 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: Romans 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
To the Believers in Corinth Paul reminds them of the Gospel, He taught them: 1 Corinthians 1:17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 1 Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:16-18 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; And he continued in his second letter to them: 2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; 2 Corinthians 9:13Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 2 Corinthians 10:14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 2 Corinthians 10:16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand. 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 2 Corinthians 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely And the apostle made clear what gospel he brought to them: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
To the Believers in Galatia, Paul reminds them of the Gospel, He taught them, warning them there is only ONE Gospel for Believers: Galatians 1:6-9I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 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. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. Galatians 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; Galatians 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? Galatians 3:8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Galatians 4:13Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. Yes, there was a gospel to Israel (the circumcision) but they were rejecting it (as a nation), so Christ (God) opened the door of salvation to the gentiles (gospel of the uncircumcision) to be preached by Paul.
He refers to the Gospel 4 times to the Ephesians: Ephesians 1:13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, To the Philippians the thanks them for their help with spreading the Gospel: Philippians 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Philippians 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. Philippians 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; Philippians 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Philippians 2:22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Philippians 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
He reminds the Believers in Colossi of the Truth and Hope of the Gospel: Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; The power of the Gospel comes from the Holy Ghost. 1 Thessalonians 1:5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 1 Thessalonians 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: Reminds them of the Gospel and what’s still coming. 2 Thessalonians 1:8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thessalonians 2:14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul reminds Timothy and Philemon of the Hope and power of the Gospel. 1 Timothy 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Philemon 1:13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
The Apostle Paul reminds the Hebrews that the Gospel was to them first. Hebrews 4:2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Sometimes when things go badly for an authoritarian they don’t admit it but just turn their backs and sulk! That is exactly what Pharaoh did, he hardened his heart, turned his back, and went home to sulk! The magicians, on the other hand, weren’t quite so impressive, so all they had going for them was their magic tricks. When they felt defeated, they lost their brains and tried to prove their power by turning the rest of the pure water into blood. Those Egyptians magicians, so eager to outdo Moses and Aaron they intensified the plague on their own country.
The really good thing that come out of all this is that this time it is not recorded that Moses got angry. So we don’t think he did. Evidently, because the Lord had told him this would happen, he just accepted the Pharaoh’s rejection. It seems that is when the Egyptians had to learn to dig wells. They dug all around the Nile for drinking water because the Nile was no longer friendly to them. Seven days later the Lord sent Moses back to Pharaoh to tell him, The Lord said, “Let my people go that they may worship me.”
And this time Pharaoh was told, if you refuse your whole country will be plagued with frogs. The Nile shall swarm with frogs, and they shall come up and enter your palace, your bed chamber, and your bed, the houses of your courtiers, and your people and your ovens and your kneading bowls. And can you even guess what god this plague was attacking? Why, it was the frog headed lady god named Hekt! And then to stretch your imagination, Hekt was thought to assist in childbirth. That points to the possibility that this plague may be a second instance of retribution for the killing of the Hebrew male newborns.
We may not be quite so enamored with frogs, but the Egyptians were. Each September, after the summer flooding by the Nile River, frogs would become very numerous in the small bodies of water left from the flooding. The Egyptians loved to hear the croaking of all of these frogs. It meant that the gods had done their duty and given the Egyptians enough water for a very fruitful next year.
The Egyptians believed the frog was the symbol of the life-giving power-goddess, Hekt. She was the goddess who oversaw the women, the mid-wives, who helped women have babies. She was thought to blow the breath of life into the nostrils of the new babies. Her husband, Khnum, was the god who made the bodies of babies on the potter’s wheel from the dust of the ground. Hekt was represented in paintings as a woman with the head of a frog. She was so important that she is pictured in one place as helping the god Anubis rebuild the body of Osiris after the god Seth had killed him.
So when the One True God gave Moses and Aaron the power to bring forth frogs by the millions, He was showing His power over Hekt. Scripture tells us: They served their own gods but did not fear the Most High God and were carried away into destruction. Why don’t people learn the lessons of the past? Why would they give their allegiance to a god made up in their own minds, and reject the One True God. Yet, the world likes to tell us what we know about God is too far-fetched. So in answer to their rejection they make up their own gods.
Actually there are TEN top gods that people today worship.
When we define the term “false god” it is someone or something that is highly revered, followed devoutly, sacrificed for, and looked to for meaning in life and deliverance from problems, there seems to be a list of the top ten.
10– Education. Education is the answer to every woe in society and we spend thousands of dollars we may not have to obtain an education we may never use.
9 – Beauty. Attractive people are sought after. Not-so attractive people are not. We would all be amazed if we learned how much money is spent on cosmetic surgeries, cosmetics and hair products all to look beautiful to be with the “in” crowd.
8 – Comfort. We loooove to take it easy!
7 – Substances. A little or a lot, and the lot is growing. All to take away our cares or be in the “in” crowd.
6 – Family. Yes, families are wonderful. God made them. But do we put them above our pursuit to learn more about and to worship God?
5 – Religion. Believe it or not! Some people trust in God – other’s trust in religion. But it is at least in the middle of the list.
4 – Science. Remember, scientists know more about creation than God does!
3 – Sex. I am old enough to remember when proper people never talked about sex, religion or politics. Now sex is an open topic and you can shout your personal habits from the rooftops without repercussions. Now only religion and politics are forbidden.
2 – Money. That’s a pretty important god. We forget that God said, “Money is the root of evil.”
1 – Self. Why what’s more important than me? People are inherently self-centered and self-focused.
So, maybe we should be less critical when we look at other society’s false gods and look back at ourselves. Is God first in our lives, or not? Remember, the Egyptians did not put themselves first. First they worshipped their false gods! Is it ignorance or arrogance on their part, on our part? Or is the one true God too powerful and too independent for the world to accept and follow?
Moses was eighty years old and Aaron was eighty three when they did as the Lord said and make their demand on Pharaoh. The Lord told them when Pharaoh speaks to you show them your miracle of turning your rod into a serpent. Pharaoh setting out to prove he was superior called his wise men and sorcerers, and they followed suit and did the same thing.
Of course, God knew this would happen. But what we are not told here is Aaron actually performed that act and Pharaoh’s magicians only used illusion. And then, if you remember the story, Aaron’s serpent ate the magicians serpents. Though magicians can impress many people, God is proving that a magicians sleight of hand cannot compete with God’s true miracles. And what happened with that little demonstration? Why Pharaoh stiffened his heart. God said to Moses “Pharaoh is stubborn, he refuses to let the people go.”
We know Pharaoh went to the Nile every morning. We don’t know if he went to bathe or if he went to worship Hapi, the river God. The Egyptians believed it was Hapi who oversaw the annual flooding of the Nile which would deposit fertile soil on its banks. At this point it is interesting to note that the events preceding each of the first nine plagues follow a pattern.
The first nine plagues are divided into groups of three. Before the first, fourth, and seventh plague, which are blood, insects and hail, Moses is instructed to go in the morning and place himself where Pharaoh will be.
Before the second, fifth and eighth plagues, which are frogs, pestilence and locusts, Moses is instructed to go to Pharaoh’s palace. But it is Aaron who performs these plagues.
The third, sixth and tenth plagues strike without any warning. These plagues are lice, boils, and darkness.
All these plagues were not random. Great thought was put into how they were executed. When Moses went to the water, which was the Nile, he was to say, “God sent me to say, Let my people go, because you have paid no heed. God will demonstrate who He is”.
He will strike the water in the Nile with the rod, and it will be turned to blood. It is supposition that the first plague may be retribution for the killing of all newborn Hebrew males who had to be thrown in the Nile. With this one act of turning the Nile into blood all the fish in the Nile were killed, the Nile would stink and could not be consumed. But it wasn’t just the Nile that would turn to blood. The rivers, the canals, the ponds, all the bodies of water, and the water in vessels would all turn to blood.
But in order for this to happen Aaron had to hold his rod over all those waters. Of course that was impossible so there was a small amount of uncontaminated water left for the Egyptian Magicians to turn to blood when they replicated this trick. And how much sense did it make for the Egyptians magicians to destroy the small amount of pure water they had left? There was blood throughout the land of Egypt.
We know there are always skeptics that question whether God really did what we are told he did. So one of the logical explanations for the Nile being fouled was viewing he plague as an extreme intensification of natural phenomena. The explanation given for the first plague is that a period of heavy rainfall caused the river to become so full of purple bacteria and eroded red sediment that it appeared blood-like.
The purple bacteria that washed down into the river disturbed the oxygen balance and killed the fish, which in turn produced a foul stench. But let’s face it. Whatever your explanation, a miracle from God or a miraculous natural event. They are both miracles from God. I choose to believe it was God’s miracle and a sign to both the Hebrews and the Egyptians, and even to us, concerning God’s power.
