Recently, while I was praying concerning a sermon that I was preparing for, the Holy Spirit led me to read the Apostle Peter’s writings, specifically in 2 Peter 2:1-10. Admittedly, when I read it initially from the King James Version (KJV) I felt a bit confused. I even began doubting the authenticity of the Holy Spirit actually telling me to read that passage of scripture, thinking it was probably just all in my head. However, after I prayed some more, I decided to read it from the Amplified Version (AMP) and it truly made a serious impact. This is what it says in the Amplified:

But [in those days] false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will subtly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. ² Many will follow their shameful ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned. ³ And in their greed they will exploit you with false arguments and twisted doctrine. Their sentence [of condemnation which God has decreed] from a time long ago is not idle [but is still in force], and their destruction and deepening misery is not asleep [but is on its way]. ⁴For if God did not [even] spare angels that sinned, but threw them into hell and sent them to pits of gloom to be kept [there] for judgment; ⁵ and if He did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought [the judgment of] a flood upon the world of the ungodly; ⁶ and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; ⁷ and if He rescued righteous Lot, who was tormented by the immoral conduct of unprincipled and ungodly men ⁸ (for that just man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by what he saw and heard of their lawless acts), ⁹ then [in light of the fact that all this is true, be sure that] the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and how to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, ¹⁰ and especially those who indulge in the corrupt passions of the sin nature, and despise authority.

2 Peter 2:1-10 (AMP)

Peter was drawing to our attention the kind of society we live in; one that is filled with chaos and confusion. With such chaos and confusion it makes it even more difficult to hear exactly what Truth is. Everyone claims to have their own version of truth, even within the Church. They would claim themselves to be prophets, apostles, and other high profile positions. Yet, many of these same individuals would also declare a message (a ‘gospel’) that is actually of their own making. They would use certain elements of the Gospel while tainting its true meaning.

Peter is warning us about doing this. He brings to our attention a general example of men who create and preach heresies, showing what their end result will be. Interestingly and scarily, their end result will be the same as Lucifer and the rebellious angels! Peter also gives an interesting warning in verse 2. He says that “many will follow their shameful ways”, while also showing that the same destruction that the wicked men will face is the same destruction that is waiting for those who are led astray by such men.

In our efforts to please people, to look good in society’s eyes, and to be accepted, we can become prone to “sugar-coating” and even tarnishing the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. That is why, as a Pastor and as a Believer, I have to say this with all my heart; “Don’t forsake the Gospel!” That statement is the most important warning you will ever hear in your life.

Let’s look at three points that will help us in never forsaking the true Gospel of Jesus Christ (I call them the “3 P’s“).

#1. The Gospel Must Be Pure

“Destructive”, “Shameful”, “Maligned” and “Twisted”; these are some of the words that Peter uses to describe the message of false prophets and teachers. Their message hides from many what is known as the purity of the Gospel message. It’s easy to run after people who encourage us to use holy water, give a certain amount for our salvation, use a holy cloth, or do some ritual. But to simply confess and believe? It sounds so simple that it has to be foolishness, right?

Paul explains, in Romans 10, that there is immense richness in such seeming simplicity.

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:9-13

The Gospel focuses on Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ only! When we put our little twist to it, add our little something to it, add some ritual to it, and turn attention from Christ to our own self, we are presenting and living not the pure Gospel but something that is shameful, twisted and destructive. Sometimes, especially as leaders, we love attention to be on us, to show how amazing we can preach, pray, prophesy, speak in tongues, teach, etc.

This is why Paul, in Philippians 1:27, warns and encourages us by saying:

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

Philippians 1:27

#2. The Gospel Must Be Personalized

The Great Commission is known as the ultimate task given to us to fulfill by Jesus Christ Himself before His ascension. That’s why each Gospel writer (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) highlights it in their writings. Matthew, Mark and Luke all show Jesus telling us to “Go and preach the Gospel” or “Go and make disciples”. However, John seemingly had a very close relationship with Jesus and he shows the Great Commission in a different way.

¹⁹ So when it was evening on that same day, the first day of the week, though the disciples were [meeting] behind barred doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” ²⁰ After He said this, He showed them His hands and His side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with great joy. ²¹ Then Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you [as My representatives].” ²² And when He said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.“

St. John 20:19-22

Now, interestingly, all the disciples were not there; Thomas was missing. After all of this happened, the disciples tell Thomas “We have seen the LORD”. Thomas replies by saying “Unless I see in His hands the marks of the nails, and put my finger into the nail prints, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”

²⁶ Eight days later His disciples were again inside the house, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, though the doors had been barred, and stood among them and said, “Peace to you.” ²⁷ Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place it in My side. Do not be unbelieving, but [stop doubting and] believe.” ²⁸ Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, do you now believe? Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, and favored by God] are they who did not see [Me] and yet believed [in Me].”

St. John 20:26-28

John’s Gospel doesn’t end there with the Great Commission, however. In the last chapter of the book, chapter 21, John presents an interesting conversation between Jesus and Peter.

¹⁵ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. ¹⁶ He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¹⁷ He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. ¹⁹ This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.“

St. John 21:15-19

These Apostles went all over preaching the Gospel. James stayed in Jerusalem leading the Church, Peter stayed in Jerusalem for a time, then went to Rome, John reached as far as Ephesus, Paul went all over the Mediterranean, Matthew journeyed to Egypt and Ethiopia, and Thomas, the doubter, reached as far as India with the Gospel. All these men personalized the Gospel and the Great Commission so much that they went as far as they possibly can, with some even going themselves. They didn’t wait for a Pastor or a crowd, they encountered Christ, had a personal experience of the impact of the Gospel, and went as far as the Holy Spirit carried them.

This should beckon us to ask the question: How many of us today have a personal relationship with Christ and have truly personalized the Gospel message?

#3. The Gospel Must Be Proclaimed

Hearing the Gospel, understanding it, accepting it, and personalizing it are all the start. But it must be proclaimed. The Gospel is proclaimed in (1) our speech, and (2) our living. That’s why Paul, in Romans 10, even highlights the importance of confessing and believing. It’s about not just saying but doing. This can draw us to the occurrence where Jesus was speaking with the woman at the well in St. John 4.

²³ But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. ²⁴ God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

St. John 4:23-24

Here, Jesus is answering a question issued to Him by a Samaritan woman concerning worship. Her question surrounded where should worship truly occur, as many of us question today (Saturday, Sunday, in a building, in the street, etc.). Jesus showed her that what truly mattered was in what state we worship; worship must be done in Spirit (being lead by the Holy Spirit) and in Truth (in accordance with the teachings of Christ – the Word of God). Worship, of course, refers to a lifestyle that is Spirit-led and Word-based. Such a declaration opened up the door further for Jesus to speak to the woman, and as the seed of the true Gospel became planted deeper in her heart, she became transformed. The scripture eventually stated that many came to know Christ because of her testimony.

We must Proclaim the Gospel, as doing so helps us to (1) teach others, (2) reach others, even to their point of need, (3) walk in obedience with God, and (4) actively engage in war against the enemy. Satan would even attempt to use shame, fear, and doubt to prevent us from Proclaiming the Gospel. We must therefore not hold the Gospel to ourselves, wallowing in disobedience while thinking that God will come back for us in our supposedly “spotlessness” and “wrinklelessness“. Don’t keep it to yourself; Proclaim it to every corner, community and country.

Conclusion

Proclaiming the Gospel is not just about knowing scripture verses, following some basic steps, and telling someone to serve Jesus. It must start with understanding and living a Pure Gospel that has been Personalized and will be Proclaimed. Many believers complain to me, saying that we do not witness the great miracles and impactful ministry in our modern Church that the Apostles did. We earnestly desire to see our shadows heal people as we pass them by, speak and demons immediately leave persons alone, and see thousands come to know Christ even when we speak a simple message. However, these men had a personal encounter with Christ and that personal encounter, being guided by the Holy Spirit, drove them to total dedication to the Pure and True Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Kingdom’s cause was their only priority. Today, the Church is suffering from the problem of Christians who actually do not know and/or have not encountered Christ. Thomas was a doubter, Peter was a boisterous man, and Paul was super religious. Yet, when these men encountered Jesus, they were transformed and their lives were never the same. They lived lives of impact, giving glory to God, because they chose not to forsake the Gospel. Let us do the same today; Don’t forsake the Gospel!

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