What Is Gospel Preaching
by H. E. Phillips

Every denominational preacher, so far as I know, claims to be a preacher of the gospel. Since what they preach causes a divided state among professed Christians, one of two things must be true: either the gospel itself produces these divisions, or these preachers are not really preaching the gospel. It does not take a scholar to know that the New Testament condemns division among brethren in Christ. Hence, gospel preaching does not create divisions among Christians. We turn, therefore, to the question: What is gospel preaching?

The New Testament gives us the answer to all questions about preaching the gospel; this involves the who, when, where, what, how and why. “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42). “And he commanded us to preach unto the people...” (Acts 10:42). “...the word of faith, which we preach...” (Rom. 10:8). “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). “And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord...” (Acts 8:25). “But we preach Christ crucified...” (1 Cor. 1:23). “...woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (l Cor. 9:16).

“ But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ...” (Acts 8:12). “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord...” (2 Cor. 4:5). “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Cot. 1:28). “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom...” (1 Cor. 2:4). “...that therein may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph. 6:20). “...we use great plainness of speech” (2 Cor. 3:12). “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority...” (Titus 2:15).

We could go on citing verses that describe the characteristics of gospel preaching. One thing, however, is outstanding in all these verses: the word of Christ, and only the word of Christ, as revealed by the apostles in the New Testament is to be preached. This is to be done with boldness and plainness of speech that cannot be condemned. It is to be done to please God and not men. That is the power to save those who believe and obey it.

- Preacher of the Word, March 10, 1996

Beware Of False Prophets
By H. E. Phillips

The Bible warns against false prophets. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matt. 7:15). “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matt. 24:11,12). “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

These passages tell us that there will be many false prophets, and that they will come under disguise so as to deceive many. It is also stated that iniquity—lawlessness, working without law or authority—will abound and many would lose their zeal and love. Because of all this we are to try the spirits to determine whether or not they are of God.

I John 4:6 tells us how to know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. “We” (apostles) “are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” To try the spirits (messengers, teachers) we must have the revelation by the apostles. If one does not receive what the apostles taught, he is not of God and is the spirit of error. Jibe does receive what the apostles taught he is of God and is the spirit of truth. Verse1 tells us that many false prophets are gone into the world and we should try every spirit to determine which is of God.

These false prophets are not said to deny that Christ came in the flesh, although this might be a part of the teaching of some of them. False teachers will appear among disciples with damnable heresies. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways: by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of’ (2 Pet 2:1,2).

These false teachers were said to “privily”—secretly-bring in damnable heresies. These false and destructive doctrines would go so far as to deny the Lord that brought them. However, the heresies they would teach would lead many after their evil ways with the result that the “way of truth” would be evil spoken of. This is deception.

False brethren are unawares brought in that they might take disciples back into bondage. “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Gal. 2:4,5).

False brethren, like false teachers, are deceivers and their intent is to lead away from the Lord those who are serving the Lord. And in each case the “way of truth” or the “truth of the gospel” is that which is the real objective of these false brethren. Since Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), teachers and brethren who speak against the truth are speaking against Christ, thus antichrist. We must watch and pray.

- Preacher of the Word, March 10, 1996