Issuu

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF SOTW

THE SPOTLIGHT Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105

This Issue

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST What is the gospel? Ernest Ayensu

Sharing the gospel effectively and urgently

INTRODUCTION

Everybody loves to hear good news especially that which concerns us. We all love to hear news of landing a scholarship, finding a lucrative job, marriage, childbirth, etc. It is my singular honor to introduce to you the most interesting paradox in this life, ‘where through death, we find the greatest love, through war, we see victory, in the ugliest scenes we see beauty.’

Kasukose Annan Michael

What is the fate of those who do not hear the gospel? Nana Yaw Aidoo

Did a man named Jesus Christ really live? Richmond Kwasi Ansah

Spotlight On The Verse Acts 8:5

Featured From the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (euaggelion), the word gospel means “good news.” This Greek word appears 46 times as the Gospel, 11 times as the Gospel of Christ, 1 and 3 times as the Gospel of the Kingdom. Here is a text that summarizes what the Gospel is: “…For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:1-4). This article aims to demystify the gospel, “how a holy God created the world, how the world fell into sin and brokenness, how God offers salvation to people, and how everyone who repents and believes the gospel can be saved”.2 Hence, when Christians talk about the gospel, they are talking about the good news of how Christ’s death and resurrection reconcile sinners to God.”

Is there a distinction between the Gospel and the Doctrine of Christ? Jonathan Mensah-Bonsu

An interview with the Preacher Bible Criss-cross Puzzle Bible Word Search

PUBLICATION INFORMATION THE SPOTLIGHT is a monthly publication of Spotlight On The Word (SOTW).

EDITOR Nana Yaw Aidoo

www.spotlightontheword.com

January 2024 . Volume 1. Number 1

THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

THE FALL

What the gospel means is brought to bear when we first understand how things were in the beginning and what Bible students call the fall. God created a beautiful and orderly world. After each day of creation, He commented that what he had made was good (Gen 1:3,10, 12, 18, 21, 24). However, with the creation of the first humans, God would eventually declare all He had made “very good” (Gen. 1:26-31). Humans were indeed the crowning glory of God’s creation. God made humans free moral agents, that is to say, God gave us the greatest gift - the power of choice for which reason He has the right to demand accountability from us. In keeping with the exercising of this ability to choose, sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, the world's first humans. The Bible says in Romans 5:12: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all sinned.” In the Garden of Eden, God provided humans with all that was needed and gave a simple command of what to do and not to do (Gen. 2:16-17). Satan tempted the humans and they fell (Gen. 3:1ff). God being just and unable to overlook sin, gave to the humans the just punishment for their error (cf. Hab. 1:13). Good deeds must be rewarded just as bad deeds have to be punished. Sin separated humans from God hence the allimportant message of reconciliation. Sin is from the Greek word ἁμαρτία (hamartia) which means “missing the mark.” It is defined as follows by God’s word:

Lawlessness (1 John 3:4). Knowing the good to do and not doing (Jam. 4:17). All unrighteousness (1 John 5:17). Anything that is not done out of faith (Rom. 14:23). Now, I want you to forget about the sin of Adam and Eve for a moment and look at yourself. Have you committed any act of lawlessness? Have you done all the good you know to do? Are all your acts righteous? Do you do all things out of faith? You will therefore agree with Paul in Rom 3:23 that, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God’s verdict concerning our sins is that we are all deserving of death (Rom. 6:23). What sad news! But thankfully, it gets better. NOW THE GOSPEL

The good news is that God has done something about this terrible situation. Though the world rebelled against its Creator God, he loved the world so much that he refused to leave it as it was. In perhaps the most well-known passage in the Bible, we see hope for a sin-cursed humanity . . . For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).” 3 To satisfy God’s holiness and justice, Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, suffered on behalf of humans, the penalty of sin, which is death so that we might be before God, just as if we never sinned. Paul would write as a result:

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THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

CONCLUSION

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:6-8).4 With mankind, the problem of sin is unsurmountable. Without the gospel message, mankind is HOPELESS, HELPLESS, and HAPLESS. MAN’S RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL

“The gospel message is simple: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrifice. He died on the cross for sins, but on the third day, he rose again and conquered death. Jesus demonstrated the love of God in that while we were sinners, he died for us (Romans 5:8).” Hence, the greatest and most important question ever to be asked is what shall I do to be saved? (Acts 2: 37; 16:30). The Bible’s answer is simple. To be saved, one must:

for it is indeed the power of God to salvation (Rom 1:16). This must be preached in season and out of season. Be proud to be a Herald of this great Gospel of Christ. To my lovely reader, God knows why you’ve gone through this article. May you allow yourself to be touched by this great news ever told. Save yourself from this perverse generation. Irrespective of what you have done, God loves you and has made the greatest sacrifice to reconcile you to Himself. Allow yourself to be born again. God loves you. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18).

Answers in Genesis, “The Gospel,” accessed December 24, 2023, Gospel | Answers in Genesis.

2Ibid. 3Ibid. 4

Ibid.

HEAR the gospel – Rom. 10:17 BELIEVE the gospel - Acts 16:31 REPENT of sins - Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30-31 CONFESS faith in Christ- Rom. 10:9-10 Be BAPTIZED for the remission of sins – Acts 2:38 Our encouragement to you today is to obey the gospel while there is still breath in you (2 Cor. 6:1-2). To the gallant soldiers of the word, never be ashamed of this sweet Gospel,

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THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

“That the sharing [communicating - KJV] of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus” (Philemon. 1:6) Discussing the above topic with Philemon 1:6 as a reference is not a mere play on words such as sharing and effective. It was indeed Paul’s prayer that regarding “the case that has occurred, an opportunity has been provided to Philemon to show the world how much he was governed by the faith of the gospel. And that through good deeds towards others (including Onesimus), his faith in the gospel may become effective (operative, active), that others may recognize every good thing which is in him 1 in Christ Jesus.” The truth which is taught herein is that the faith (gospel) which we have accepted in our hearts, is meant to be shared. But how can we share the gospel effectively and urgently? Effectively – This is important to consider because many have sought to build on the foundation with wood, hay, and straw, not taking heed of how they build on it. These works will be tested by fire and if they burn up, they will suffer loss (1 Cor. 3:5-15). In simple terms, I mean not every approach to evangelism may produce lasting fruits. Urgently – This is also important because many of us do not have an understanding and even an appreciation of the times we are in.

We forget that we “must work the works of him who sent us while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). Many souls are perishing and are still going to perish since we have the opportunity and yet we do not take the gospel to them. The importance of sharing the gospel of Christ with those who are lost cannot be over-emphasized. “Jesus wants everyone to hear the good news of salvation (Mark 16:15-16), and has provided the gospel as God's power to save all who believe it (Rom. 1:16-17).”2 In today's fast-paced, secular world, the challenge of sharing the gospel effectively and urgently is more pressing than ever. Hence, this article presents a practical approach inspired by Scripture and proven methods to meet this challenge head-on. HOW CAN WE SHARE THE GOSPEL EFFECTIVELY AND URGENTLY?

The answer to this question is not all size fits all. Peter preached the gospel on the day of Pentecost and on Solomon’s porch. Philip preached it in the city of Samaria and in the Gaza desert. Peter at Cornelius’s house. Paul in the synagogue at Antioch, at the Areopagus in Athens, and under house 3 arrest in Rome. Thus, we will consider various suggestions and do our best to synthesize from them scripturally practical lessons we can work with.

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SHARING THE GOSPEL EFFECTIVELY AND URGENTLY

THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

MODES OF SHARING THE GOSPEL

By mode, we mean either by living an exemplary Christ-like life (going about doing good) or actively carrying out the great commission by preaching.

themselves among those who believe (1 Thes. 2:9-12). So, both approaches work hand in hand and by so doing we can be efficient in sharing the gospel of Christ.

Sharing the Gospel Through the Preaching of the Word I usually say that, until we change others through our godly living, we always have that opportunity to tell them that Christ died for their sins. This mode - sharing the gospel through preaching - becomes even more critical to our evangelistic efforts when we take a look at the words of the apostle Paul: “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach unless they are The mere fact the world may observe our sent?” (Rom. 10:14-15). lives as Christian sermons does not mean that we should make only this mode our Jesus Christ also said, “Go into all the world specialty. Do not forget that Jesus began both and preach the gospel to every creature to do and to teach (Acts 1:1). Moreover, when (Mark 16:15-16). Furthermore, “All authority Paul and his associates preached the gospel has been given to me in heaven and on to the Thessalonians, they had to show how earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of devout and just and blamelessly behaved the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20). Preaching the Gospel Through Christ-Like Living It has been said that “A Christian life welllived is a better sermon than what is only 4 said.” The idea is that as we put into practice our faith and Christian virtues, we are letting our light shine before men so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16). Other verses also suggest that by observing the lives of the children of God, others may be influenced by their lives (cf. Php. 4:4-5; 1 Pet. 3:1-2; 1 Thes. 1:7; 1 Tim. 4:12; 2 Cor. 3:2).

Thus, we see that as far as sharing the gospel effectively and urgently is concerned, we can do so both verbally - preaching and/ or teaching the gospel - and bearing the fruits of it in our daily living. Let us now consider the means (specific avenues) through which we can share the gospel effectively and urgently.

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SHARING THE GOSPEL EFFECTIVELY AND URGENTLY

THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

MEANS OF SHARING THE GOSPEL

TWO-PRONGED APPROACH: MASS OUTREACH AND INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS

Foremost, let us consider one survey insight. A survey by the Institute for American Church Growth highlighted that a significant 79% of individuals came to Christ and the church because a friend or relative invited them. This underscores the powerful impact of personal connections 5 in evangelism. In this method, which some 6 term "relationship evangelism" we uncover a very practical step to share the gospel effectively and urgently.

Individual Efforts (Personal Evangelism)

Another means that we can never do away with is what we refer to as congregational or mass evangelism. Gospel campaigns of this nature are usually organized publicly, in the street, market squares, stadia, open places, etc to reach out to the lost public. The very first of this is what we read about in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost. The apostle Paul also spoke of “how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house” (Acts 20:20).

One of the fundamental things needed to utilize the contacts made through individual members of the congregation is to develop a “concern for the lost” (Matt. 9:36-38; Rom. 9:1-3; 10:1). Demonstrating genuine concern for the lost is crucial to push one to:

This goes further to emphasize that we do not have just a single method of sharing the gospel. Either of these methods have got their own challenges. However, the fact that an approach may be less effective does not mean it should not be used at all. A typical case is the use of public preaching which many congregations are running away from simply because they see it to be less effective.

Individual members often engage in oneon-one conversations with friends, family, neighbors, or colleagues to share the gospel. These personal interactions may involve discussing personal challenges and experiences, biblical principles, and the importance of a personal relationship with Christ. Through this method, personal contacts are established.

i. Be eager to share your faith. ii. Make a list of souls you would like to see taught the gospel.8 iii. Demonstrate your love for them. iv. Invite those on your list to attend services. v. See that they have an opportunity to hear the gospel.9

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SHARING THE GOSPEL EFFECTIVELY AND URGENTLY

THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

MEANS OF SHARING THE GOSPEL

Mass Outreach He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 and he said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece…so they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere (Luke 9: 2-3, 6)

Create a loving congregation. A loving and supportive spiritual environment is essential for effective evangelism. That will demonstrate to the world who we are – Christ’s disciples. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one After these things the Lord appointed seventy another” (John 13:34-35 cf. John 17:20-21). others also, and sent them two by two before his face into every city and place where he “Exposure to the gospel.” 11 We must do all himself was about to go. Then he said to it takes to expose a lot more people in our them, “the harvest truly is great, but the communities to the gospel in its purest form. labourers are few; therefore, pray the lord of We need to flood the communities with the the harvest to send out labourers into his gospel just as it was said of the apostles: harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out “And look, you have filled Jerusalem with as lambs among wolves (Luke 10:1-3; cf. your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s Mark 6:7-13). blood on us!” (Acts 5:28). We need to tailor our approaches based on In these verses, we see that aside from our the prospect's beliefs, utilizing materials Lord going to the surrounding villages to such as visualized Bible study series, preach personally (Mark 6:7), he also correspondence courses, and one-lesson commissioned his disciples, and later his booklets. apostles to preach the gospel of the kingdom. Invitation. In the final stage, invitational Mass outreach or congregational evangelism worship services may encourage members should be an effort by each local church to to invite friends and acquaintances to involve brethren in the sharing of the worship services, Bible studies, or special gospel. There are a few things we need to do: events where the gospel message is Place a strong emphasis on the Bible as presented. Creating a welcoming the sole authority in matters of faith and atmosphere for visitors is key to making practice. Our evangelism will only be them feel comfortable and open to spiritual effective if we are diligent to show ourselves discussions. The power of a passionate approved unto God, workmen who need not invitation cannot be understated as Philip be ashamed, handling the word of God shows us: “And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can aright. anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip 10 said to him, ‘Come and see’” (John 1:46). We just need to invite people to “come and see.”

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SHARING THE GOSPEL EFFECTIVELY AND URGENTLY

THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

1. Continuous use of traditional media, mainly television stations and FM stations, to propagate the gospel will generate immense results. 2. Digital outreach. Utilizing online platforms, social media, and church websites to share sermons, articles, and resources can extend the reach of the gospel message 3. Encourage the persistent distribution of gospel tracts to people as well as placing these tracts at vantage places where people may pick them up and read. 4. Distribution of recorded gospel preaching on pen drives or CDs to crowds at market and lorry stations.

5. “Involve non-Christian friends in social, recreational, and work activities with Christians.” 12 6. Discipleship or mentorship programs where young and new Christians are encouraged to understudy a mature Christian, elder, preacher, or leader. SPOTLIGHT ON THE WORD AND SOCIAL MEDIA EVANGELISM

In the world of digital connectivity, social media evangelism has arisen as a powerful method for spreading the timeless message of the gospel.13 It embodies Christ’s profound method of engagement, meeting people right where they are—online. This transformative approach is especially crucial as it reaches three distinct online personas: the skeptics who haven't found their way to God, the Christians seeking connection outside traditional church structures, and the actively engaged Christians. To navigate this diverse landscape effectively, understanding the nuances of various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube is paramount. Tailoring content to address the unique needs of each group is the heartbeat of social media evangelism, urging creators to craft compelling, relevant, and engaging narratives. The key lies in identifying problems, researching the audience, providing thoughtful solutions, and consistently measuring impact. By embracing the digital pulpit, social media evangelism becomes a beacon of hope, facilitating the sharing of ideas, contents,

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SHARING THE GOSPEL EFFECTIVELY AND URGENTLY

thoughts, and relationships, all while embodying Christ’s timeless call to invite others to follow the path of grace. In a nutshell, that forms the major part of the work we do on SOTW. Explore our platforms for insights, practical tips, and valuable references to embark on your Christian journey.

THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

In conclusion, we have provided cohesive ideas for sharing the gospel urgently and effectively. We believe there may be other ideas that may not have been mentioned here. Thus, we encourage seeking out additional ways consistent with the scriptures to spread the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

In our bid to share the gospel effectively and urgently, Philemon 1:6 reminds us that the acknowledgment of every good thing in us, through Christ, enhances the impact of our faith. Two essential modes — living a Christlike life and actively preaching — work hand in hand. Urgency is vital, considering the fleeting nature of time and the eternal consequences.

1Albert Barnes, “Philemon 1,” Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible,

Effective means encompass personal connections and congregational efforts, aligning with Acts 2. A two-pronged approach, individual efforts, and mass outreach through diverse activities are key.

accessed December 24, 2023, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/philemon/1.htm.

2Mark A. Copeland, Evangelism Made Personal, (Executable Outlines, 2001), 34.

3Mark A. Copeland, “Gospel Preaching in the First Century,” in Gospel Sermons and Others (Executable Outlines, 2011), 1-18.

4Wayne Jackson, “The Christian as a Sermon,” Christian Courier, accessed December 25, 2023, https://christiancourier.com/articles/thechristian-as-a-sermon.

Mark A Copeland, Relationship Evangelism, (Executable Outlines, 2007), 9. Ibid., 25.

7Ibid., 19. 8Mark A. Copeland, A Closer Walk With God, (Executable Outlines, 2006), 46.

9Copeland, Evangelism Made Personal, 9. 10Jeffrey W Hamilton, "The Teaching of God ’s Word," La Vista

Finally, social media evangelism emerges as a transformative tool, meeting diverse online personas and spreading the timeless message of grace. Dive into our platforms for insights and embark on your Christian journey.

Church of Christ, January 25, 2015, accessed December 25, 2023, The Teaching of God’s Word – La Vista Church of Christ.

11Copeland, Relationship Evangelism, 20. 12 Ibid., 20. 13Nelson Musonda, “8 Digital evangelism methods every ministry should use in 2022,” DelMethod, December 5, 2020, accessed December 26, 2023, https://www.delmethod.com/blog/digitalevangelism-methods.

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THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

BIBLE CRISS-CROSS PUZZLE

WANT TO ATTEND A BIBLE SCHOOL? READ THIS...

Bear Valley Bible Institute International - Ghana Do you want to deepen your knowledge of the Bible? Do you want to become a more effective preacher? Do you want to study in a school that offers quality education and flexible schedules? Do you want to study at the feet of ministers with years of experience in the ministry of the word? Do you want to do all this without paying any fees? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should enroll in Bear Valley Bible Institute International, an institution for biblical studies in Ghana. This school of Preaching offers diploma, degree, and master's programs in biblical studies, covering topics such as personal evangelism, hermeneutics, homiletics, church history, and more.

CLUES

ACROSS 2. διδαχή (didaché)-body of teaching (Acts 2:42) 3. βάπτισμα-Immersion (Rom. 6:4) 4. Region where Jesus interacted with the Samaritans. (John 4:4-42) 5. ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia) - called out, an assembly, a group of people gathered together (Matt 16:18; Acts 9:31) 7. Garden where Jesus prayed before his arrest. (Matt 26:36-46) 8. God's dwelling place (Psalm 33:13-14); Eternal abode ( 2 Corinthians 5:1)

DOWN 1. Everlasting; Promise of Never-ending Life (John 3:16) 2. The practice of following and learning from Jesus. (Matt 28:19-20) 3. Birthplace of Jesus according to the New Testament. (Micah 5:2, Matt 2:1) 6. Jesus told His disciples to tarry in this city (Luke 24:49)

You can choose to study in our full-time program, which runs for two years and requires you to attend classes from Monday to Friday at our main campus at Dobro, Accra. Or you can opt for our weekend program, which allows you to study at your own pace and convenience at any of our centers in Accra-East; Nsawam; Kasoa-Ashtown; KasoaPapaase; Cape Coast; Sunyani; Kumasi; Tamale, and Koforidua. The best part is, you don't have to pay anything to join the Bear Valley Bible Institute International. All our programs are free of charge, thanks to the generous support of our donors and partners. All you need is a passion for God's word and a willingness to learn and grow. Don't miss this opportunity to better fulfill your ministry and serve God better. Apply now and join the Bear Valley Bible Institute International, where you will find academic excellence, spiritual growth, and practical ministry. For more information and application forms, contact the administrator on 0558414966 (voice call) or 0276882528 (WhatsApp). We look forward to hearing from you soon. “Before I came to Bear Valley, I could read the Bible but couldn’t understand certain things or even how to interpret the Bible. However, things are becoming much clearer to me and I am very grateful to the school for where I am now in my growth.” – Daniel Obeng (BVBI student, Nsawam extension).

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THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

5) The heathen will receive a righteous judgment (Acts 17:31). 6) If it is the case that the heathen is lost, INTRODUCTION then world evangelism is not an option. In the Bay of Bengal in India is an island 7) Not all judgment is sinful (John 7:24). known as the North Sentinel Island. Considered “one of the world’s last Now to the query. Would those who never uncontacted people,” the inhabitants of this hear the gospel be lost or would they spend island, some years ago, murdered a young eternity with God in heaven? Whereas I would-be American missionary by the name believe only one statement from God will of John Allen Chau who wanted to take the settle this issue for all who love the truth, I Bible to the island. What this means is that want to give three reasons why I believe the the Sentinelese have neither heard the heathen is lost for all eternity. gospel preached, nor, even as much as heard whether there is a gospel. This leads us to REASON ONE: The spiritual condition of question what the eternal condition of these the heathen people would be if they died in this state. Would these and those who never hear the The spiritual condition of the heathen gospel be lost or would they spend eternity according to the Scriptures is this: with God in heaven? “...without Christ, being aliens...and strangers from the covenants of promise, While some believe God will give some sort having no hope, and without God in the of allowance to the heathen or the untaught, world” (Eph. 2:12). A few chapters later, the I do not believe that position represents apostle affirms that the heathen is biblical truth and I propose to give the “...alienated from the life of God through the reasons for my stance in this brief article ignorance that is in them...” (Eph. 4:18). but not before I note some things. Considering this is the spiritual condition of the heathen, please forgive me for rejecting SOME THINGS TO NOTE the position that the just God will grant the 1) I am very sympathetic to the Sentinelese's heathen eternal bliss. plight or the heathen. 2) In answering this question, the only REASON TWO: The design of the gospel proper answer is a scriptural one; thus, human speculations and personal opinions The Bible teaches that all (including the will not do. heathen) have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and that 3) God’s ways and thoughts are unlike that the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Since of men (Isa. 55:8-9). this is the case, the gospel was revealed for 4) God is both infinitely good and infinitely the express purpose of saving sinful man severe (Rom. 11:22). (Rom. 1:16-17).

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WHAT IS THE FATE OF THOSE WHO DO NOT HEAR THE GOSPEL?

The role of the gospel in the scheme of redemption is that of a lifesaving boat and the role of Christians is that of a rescue team. We need to understand that humanity is drowning in the sea of sin and the gospel is our only hope of life. Now let us suppose the rescue team rushes out a life-saving boat (via the great commission) to save an already drowning man. If this man refuses to be rescued and drowns, what do you think caused his death? If your response is, “Because he refused to get on the boat,” you are wrong. The life-saving boat had absolutely nothing to do with his drowning. He drowned because he was in the water and would have drowned just the same had there been no life-saving boat. My friends, the heathen is lost and will be for all eternity, not because he never heard the gospel but because all (including the heathen) have sinned or are drowning in the sea of sin. To suggest that the heathen would receive an allowance is to suggest that we potentially (in the case where he refuses to obey) do him great harm when we send him the gospel, which then makes the gospel not good news but bad news.

THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

REASON THREE: The express statements of Scripture Here are some passages of Scripture to consider concerning this issue: a) The Bible teaches that ignorance is no defense. The Jews murdered Christ in ignorance (Acts 3:17) but were charged to repent of the sin nonetheless (Acts 3:19). Consider Acts 17:30-31 also. b) The Bible teaches that it is Christ or damnation since “no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV). c) It is written that those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel will be lost (2 Thess. 1:7-9). Friends, in view of the foregoing, what sayeth thou about the heathen? CONCLUSION

While some may disagree, I believe with all my certainty that the position I take in this article cannot be successfully refuted. This conclusion places much responsibility on us as churches of Christ because if the gospel is not taken to every person, every person would be lost but God will not hold us guiltless (Eze. 3:18). The truth is narrow (Matt. 7:13-14) and it is this; the heathen really is lost for all eternity without the gospel.

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THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

authors. Some have also mentioned that the contents of the Bible are made up and fairy The Scriptures declare that there is one God tales. and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (I Tim. 2:5). The Whatever the conspiracy theory against the Scriptures affirm that the man Christ Jesus Bible is, the empirical evidence of the gave Himself as a ransom for all humans, material existence of the Bible necessitates which is a testimony given at the proper the acceptance of the fact that there were time. The testimony is at the proper time human authors who penned down the because while we were yet sinners, Christ contents. Critics do not agree that the Bible died for us as a demonstration of God’s love miraculously appeared or that the Bible itself is a myth. Because of that, less towards us. argument can be made against the physical The Scriptures affirm that the man Jesus existence of the authors such as Paul, Luke, Christ walked on this earth with power and Peter, and John. went about doing good with eyewitnesses testifying of his physical presence on the earth and the things He did (Acts 10:38,39). The apostle John affirms that they heard Jesus Christ, they saw Jesus Christ, they looked at Christ Jesus, and they touched Christ Jesus (1 John 1:1-4). The apostle, Paul, also affirmed that he saw Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 9:1) and heard Him (Acts 9:4-6). The disciple, Luke, also wrote to Theophilus and gave an account of all that Jesus did and taught when he lived on earth until he was taken up to Heaven (Acts 1:1,2). Luke further announced that other eyewitnesses wrote narratives about the life of Jesus Christ on earth (Luke 1:1, 2). The critics of the Bible try to discredit the authenticity of the Bible using some unscrutinized and shady reasons.

As these men existed in history and had relationships with other humans who lived during their time, they could write eyewitness accounts of the things they saw. To deny the divine source of the Bible does not condemn the eyewitness accounts written therein. The authors of the Bible such as Luke could also recount the narrative of Jesus Christ even though they were not eyewitnesses, for they were closely related to eyewitnesses and lived within the same contemporary era when the empirical existence of Jesus Christ occurred. None of these authors has been documented as writers of fiction or fairy tales. They are identified as historians (in the philosophical sense) and as inspired (in the divine sense).

Some critics have argued that the Bible books are expressions of the opinions of the

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DID A MAN NAMED JESUS CHRIST REALLY LIVE?

The eyewitness accounts given by the writers of the Bible books are solid evidence that prove that a man named Jesus Christ really lived. Some individuals propagate that Jesus Christ never really lived and that He is a myth. As Kyle Butt cited on Apologetics Press, Albert Schweitzer asserted that: The Jesus of Nazareth who came forward publicly as the Messiah, who preached the ethic of the Kingdom of God, who founded the Kingdom of Heaven upon earth, and died to give His work its final consecration, never had any existence. He is a figure designed by rationalism, endowed with life by liberalism, and clothed by modern theology in an historical garb. 1 Atheists such as Dan Barker and Bart Ehrman also make similar assertions, propagating that Jesus Christ never lived on earth. It must be noted that the historical evidence surrounding the physical existence of Christ Jesus in the first century is not only contained in the Scriptures but also contained in some Greco-Roman and Jewish historical writings such as the Talmud. The accounts contained in these sets of evidence corroborate one another so much that the existence of Christ Jesus on earth should not be disputed. Dr. Mikel Del Rosario speaking about this evidence stated that “the idea that Jesus never existed at all

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isn’t taken very seriously by Historians today. It is kind of like saying the holocaust never happened or 9 – 11 never happened, or we never put a man on the 2 moon. These are conspiracy theories.” There is no doubt that narratives of the life of Jesus on earth exist! These narratives can be representations of a real-life past or works of fiction. Therefore, critics and doubters try to disprove the narratives are accounts of real-life events. They assert that the story about Jesus Christ and the things He did are myths. Myths and fairy tales do in fact exist. Such things as Santa Claus, Snow White, Easter Bunnies, and so on are figures of peoples’ imaginations. When the account of Jesus Christ is put into the same category as fairy tales, then critics can have grounds to argue that Jesus Christ never existed. However, it is not the case that anyone can discretely and subjectively classify a narrative as a fairy tale or true-life account. There must be a reasonable basis to make such a classification. One basis used by doubters of the life of Christ Jesus on earth is the post hoc logic. They argue that there were stories of popular figures in other religions who did wonderful things and drew men after them. For instance, the Greek Goddess Zeus turned to man, married a woman, and gave birth on earth.

(Continued on page 17)

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Tertiary Students’ Conference (TSC) is an annual gathering of all campus churches affiliated with the Churches of Christ in Ghana. It lasts for about 4 days. The conference focuses on faith formation, character formation, and spiritual formation. It is period of learning, worship, and fellowship. After a long break due to COVID-19 and a lack of funds, this year’s conference will be hosted by the University of Cape Coast Campus Church. The theme for the conference is: “ Pursuing Spirituality Despite Secularism.” As Christians, we live in a secular world, yet we are to be led by the Spirit. How can we maximize the opportunities secularism affords for the spread of the gospel while warding off its deleterious and corrosive effects? This conference promises to be spiritually enriching, intellectually engaging, and socially enlightening. Do not miss it! To donate or sponsor, contact the numbers below: Frank -0548234133 Gyimah -0553535530 Nkrumah -0542592244

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Find the word in the puzzle. Words can go in any direction. Words can share letters as they cross over each other.

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DID A MAN NAMED JESUS CHRIST REALLY LIVE?

THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

(Continued from page 15)

Yet, these are imaginations and there is no empirical evidence to substantiate them. These stories existed before the narrative of Christ Jesus emerged. Therefore, they argue that the account of Christ Jesus is a myth influenced by those myths. As Luke mentioned, many witnesses wrote accounts of Jesus Christ. Post Jesus’ existence and post-existence of Bible writers, historians also wrote historical records of the life of Jesus Christ. The existence of Jesus Christ on earth is verified from enemy accounts and also multiple attestations. Some Jewish Historians who did not believe in Christ Jesus wrote about him, saying negative things and even presenting Him as an outlaw. Some Roman historians also wrote about Jesus Christ in their historical accounts because of the significant events that occurred in his lifetime. These are historians who wrote about real-life events and had no interest in creating fiction. It is in light of these that until this day we know the intricate relationship that existed between Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Mark Anthony. These are real historical figures that lived before the existence of Christ, and their lives were written down by historians and they have been passed down to us today. We also know Alexander the Great lived as a real person. He lived way before Jesus Christ lived. We know of him through historical writings.

There are very few historical figures whose lives were documented. Consider how painstaking it was to write down events in the first century and BC era. There were no typewriters, photocopiers, A4 sheets, Kindles, and so on. These historical accounts were carefully handwritten. Therefore, to write about an individual, then that individual must have had a real and massive significance. Firstcentury historians did not have the luxury of writing volumes of imagination as history. Therefore, the written historical accounts of Jesus Christ are so powerful that we need not even look further for more evidence. Some conspiracy theorists ask for evidence such as where Jesus’ family lineage is, where His houses were located, evidence of the clothes He wore, where His statue is, where His tomb is, and so on. It is quite interesting because Christianity itself is evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ, and the Bible is also evidence of Jesus Christ, yet these critics do not believe any of them. There is therefore a deliberate attempt to disregard evidence of Jesus Christ’s existence and not because there is no evidence. Some historians, both Jewish and Roman, detested Christianity and its founder, Christ Jesus. They wrote about Jesus in a negative and derogatory manner. As Kyle Butt puts it:

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DID A MAN NAMED JESUS CHRIST REALLY LIVE?

Such penmen certainly were not predisposed to further the cause of Christ or otherwise to add credence to His existence. In fact, quite the opposite is true. They rejected His teachings and often reviled Him as well. Thus, one can appeal to them without the charge of built-in bias.3 Ed Parish Sanders, a New Testament Theologian also mentioned that: Most of the first-century literature that survives was written by members of the very small elite class of the Roman Empire. To them, Jesus (if they heard of him at all) was merely a troublesome rabble-rouser and magician in a small, backward part of the world. 4 Another such attestation is what we see in the section of Flavius Josephus’s books, Antiquities of the Jews. Of all the 20 sections in the book, Jesus Christ is mentioned in two books and only mentioned as ‘passing comments.’ For instance, in section 18, Josephus writes: “And there arose about this time Jesus, [a wise man, if indeed we should call him a man]; for he was a doer of marvelous deeds, a teacher of men [who receive the truth with pleasure].” 5 Furthermore, in Section 20, Josephus wrote of “a man named James, the brother of Jesus who was called the Christ, and 6 certain others.” The other contents of Josephus’ work are uncontested, and the names and events mentioned were real.

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This is strong evidence indicating that Christ Jesus existed which is why He is named among real historical figures. The existence of Jesus is also recorded in the Babylonian Jewish Talmud. For example, in Shabbat 104b, there is a conversation on scratching letters on the flesh on the Sabbath, and Rabbi Eliezer had asked the other Rabbis: “Didn’t the infamous ben Stada take magic spells out of Egypt in a scratch on his flesh? They said to him: He was a fool, and you cannot cite proof from a fool.” 7 In the subsequent conversations, they explained why Jesus Christ was called ben 8 Stada and they respited Mary as someone who cheated on her husband. In the same Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 107b, it is stated that “Jesus performed sorcery, incited Jews to engage in idolatry and led 9 Israel astray.” Again in the Sanhedrin 43a, the process leading to the killing of Jesus Christ is cited as proof to counter the Jewish court acquittal process and stated that an announcement was made that, Jesus the Nazarene is going out to be stoned because he practiced sorcery, incited people to idol worship, and led the Jewish people astray” and the Sanhedrin responded that “He [Jesus Christ] was an inciter to idol worship, and the Merciful One states with regard to an inciter to idol worship:

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“Neither shall you spare, neither shall you conceal him” (Deuteronomy 13:9). Rather, Jesus was different, as he had close ties with the government, and the gentile authorities were interested in his acquittal.10

As Eric Lyons puts it, “they even verified that Jesus was a real person who was so famous that He even attracted the attention of the Roman emperor himself!” 12

These sources are from hostile witnesses who had no intention of advancing the existence of Jesus Christ, but they implicitly show that he indeed existed, lived, and did some strange things, just that they did not like Him, and they attributed His works to magic, and they felt he was a sinner who was worthy of the death meted out to Him. This cannot be said of an imaginary figure or a fairy tale. Some Roman Historians also documented the life of Christ in their accounts of the Roman Empire.

Jesus Christ, one like the Son of Man mentioned in Daniel 7 indeed came to this earth and lived.

For Jesus to be named in the chronicles of the Roman officials indicates that not only did He exist, but He had a greater significance and did something outstanding. “Common men” were not documented in Roman History, so it is very absurd to claim Jesus Christ was a myth, while He is documented in the annals of Roman officials. How ridiculous! For instance, Tacitus, a Roman Historian stated in the Annals that emperor Nero “punished with every refinement the notoriously depraved Christians (as they were popularly called) …. their originator, Christ, had been executed in Tiberius’ reign by the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilatus…”11

There are eyewitness accounts of Jesus Christ’s life on earth. There are Jewish historical accounts that confirm Jesus Christ really lived on earth as a human, and there are gentile (Roman) historical accounts that also affirm that Jesus Christ indeed lived. Some of these accounts are from hostile enemies of Jesus Christ and Christianity, and they wrote these accounts to speak negatively of him, but in doing so, they affirm His existence. These historical accounts are from multiple independent sources and times. The writers did not know each other and could not have conspired to make up a myth, confirming that there are multiple attestations of the life of Jesus Christ on earth. A man named Jesus Christ really lived.

Kyle Butt, “The Historical Christ - fact or fiction?” Reason and Revelation 20, no. 1 (2000): 1

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DID A MAN NAMED JESUS CHRIST REALLY LIVE?

2Mikel Del Rosario, “Did Jesus exist? A Doubter’s guide to historical evidence outside the Bible,” Apologetics Guy, June 12, 2018, YouTube video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXePxjPgF9Y.

3Butt, “The Historical Christ,” 1. 4E.P. Sanders, The Historical Figure of Jesus (New York: Penguin Books, 1993), 49.

5Flavius Josephus, The Life and Works of Josephus, trans. William Whiston (Auburn and Buffalo: John E. Beardsley, 1895), J.AJ 18.3.

6Ibid. 7Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 104b:5, Sefaria, https://www.sefaria.org/Shabbat.104b.5?lang=bi.

8Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 104b:5, Sefaria, https://www.sefaria.org/Shabbat.104b.5?lang=bi.

9Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 107a:3, Sefaria, https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.107a.3?lang=bi.

10Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 43a:21, Sefaria, https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.43a.21?lang=bi.

11Cornelius Tacitus, The Annals and the Histories, trans. Alfred John Church and William Jackson Brodribb (Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 1952), 7.

Eric Lyons, “Can We Prove Jesus Was a Real Person?” Valor and Virtue, no. 4 (2001): 5 https://apologeticspress.org/wpcontent/uploads/2021/08/04-Winter-V21501-Web-spreads.pdf.

“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. (Acts 8:5)” The remark goes that when we go out to evangelize, “we must preach Christ and not the church or baptism or some other doctrinal issue” While it is true that when we go out, we must preach Christ and nothing but Christ and Him crucified, preaching Christ, however, doesn’t mean that we should preach only the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

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Those facts need to be preached but those aren’t the only things to be preached in our preaching of Christ. Take, for example, the case of Philip in Samaria. It is written that when Philip went there, he preached Christ to the Samaritans (Acts 8:5). That is the summary of Philip’s preaching according to the Bible. How then did Philip preach Christ? We find the details in Acts 8:12: But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. In preaching Christ, Philip preached the kingdom of God (i.e. the church), the name (or authority cf. Acts 4:7) of Christ, and baptism. Obviously, Philip didn’t subscribe to the modern notion of preaching the death, burial, and resurrection alone, without giving the implications of those events. To preach Christ is to preach the foundational facts of the gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection) and its implications (i.e. how to be saved by Christ’s death and resurrection, the church, etc.). This is how the apostles preached and that is the right way to preach.

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THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF My name is Danso David. I was born in Pampaso-Bekwai to Mr. Michael Kwabena Danso and the late Madam Elizabeth Antwi, both of blessed memory. Growing up, I lived with my father, a dedicated teacher. I completed my primary education at the age of 15 in 1978. Subsequently, I enrolled at Obuasi Secondary Technical in the same year, specializing as a Mechanical Technician, and successfully graduated in 1988. During my National Service, I served at St. Joseph JHS in Obuasi, where I completed my primary education. This experience inspired me to take the Common Entrance Examination at Form 4, which I passed. Consequently, I rejoined Obuasi Secondary Technical. Nine months later, I secured employment at Anglogold Ashanti (formerly Ashanti Goldfields Company). Starting as a trainee, I progressed through the ranks, moving from Junior Staff to a Senior Staff Level 4 position. By 2006, within two years, I advanced to Level 3, where I remained until the temporary closure of the company. Currently, I am enjoying my well-deserved pension at the age of 60. Additionally, we have taken on the responsibility of caring for six other children. My journey has been shaped by faith, family, and a fulfilling career at AngloGold Ashanti. WHEN, WHO AND WHERE WERE YOU BAPTIZED? My baptism took place in 1979 in Obuasi, and it was conducted by Bro Baidoo, who served as the baptizer. I owe a debt of gratitude to Brother P.V. Agyare, my classmate at the time, who played a pivotal role in introducing me to the church. Our connection deepened through thought-provoking discussions that took place during our breaks, especially when we closed from classes to head home. It's important to note that we were day students during that period. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PREACHING THE GOSPEL? I began preaching the gospel shortly after my baptism, and I consider myself fortunate to have been mentored by dedicated members who had a passion for evangelism. Joining them allowed me to learn and develop alongside them. Additionally, we engaged in a World Bible School class every Tuesday evening, skillfully taught by the late Brother Fred Anokye, to whom we owe a great deal of appreciation. Reflecting on these formative experiences, it has been approximately 42 years since I first embraced the responsibility of sharing the gospel. The invaluable teachings and mentorship I received from Brother Fred Anokye significantly contributed to my spiritual growth and commitment to preaching the gospel of Christ. CAN YOU RECALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF YOUR FIRST SERMON? I must admit that recalling the circumstances of my first sermon is a bit challenging. However, I distinctly remember being sent to the church at Suhyenso to join their worship while I was in secondary school (1981-1982). During this time, I took on various responsibilities, handling everything except leading prayers and assisting with the Lord's Supper. This was necessitated by the absence of a brother who had previously filled those roles but had since moved to Obuasi. (Continued on page 26)

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In 1936, the Jesuit priest Josef A. Jungmann popularized the idea of a distinction between the gospel and doctrine when he published his book, The Good News and Our Proclamation of the Faith. Jungmann defended the ‘kerygmatic’ approach to preaching, by drawing a line of distinction between gospel (kerygma) and doctrine (didache). British theologian and Cambridge professor Charles Harold Dodd in 1935 also published a book titled, Apostolic Preaching and Its Development in which he pressed a distinction between the gospel and doctrine as he perceived was contained in the Scriptures.

This position teaches that the gospel is preached to the lost and the doctrine is taught to the saved. This results in the loud cries of “more gospel and less doctrine.” To these men and their kinsmen, the fact(s) of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-4) is the gospel, nothing more! Whatever the rest of the New Testament teaches about church polity, miracles, morality, civil government, instrumental music, premillennialism, Sabbath, etc. are not salvation issues. It takes just listening and reading to know definitively that this position is now deep-seated within the ranks of the churches of Christ.

This view not only infected the denominational world but became popular among the churches of Christ when ecumenism was first preached from her pulpits. C. H. Dodd influenced famous Missouri gospel preacher Williams Carl Ketcherside who later would say: “There is as much difference between the gospel of Christ and the apostolic doctrine as there is between the sperm from which a child is begotten and the food which he eats after he is born.” 1 He also wrote: “The gospel is composed of seven historical facts about Jesus of Nazareth. It was fully proclaimed upon Pentecost. Nothing was ever added to it afterwards.” 2Another gospel preacher by the name Cecil Hook also has written that:

Motivations for this superficial distinction are legion but it is evident that the undercurrent wants simply to sidestep the importance of certain teachings. Championed by Rubel Shelly et al, the unityin-diversity movement in the churches of Christ, by affirming this position has sought to join the Lord’s church with the denominational enterprise.

The gospel was not preached to the church. There is no record of such, no instruction for it, and no need for it. Although the word preach is used over one hundred times in the New Testament writings, it is not used in reference to a believing assembly.3

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IS THERE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE GOSPEL AND THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST?

To men like C.H. Dodd, one should not try to teach the gospel but preach it. The doctrinal instructions should be taught not preached. Hence, the gospel is preached to the world, and doctrine is taught to the church. The sugar-stick passage of these men is Matthew’s inspired account of the great commission: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matt. 28:19-20). Firstly, it would just help to state and emphasize that the word doctrine simply means teaching. Let me state parenthetically that typically, preaching is a monologue and teaching is a dialogue. Both inform, educate, exhort, admonish, implore, and plead; and these are things both the church and the world need. Secondly, Jesus’ instruction to the apostles in Matthew 28 was for them to teach and disciple the world by immersing them (if they believed what had been taught to them), and keeping them disciples by continually teaching them. It makes no room for a fake distinction. In Matthew 28:19, the phrase “make disciples” comes from the word matheusate, which is an aorist active imperative. The imperative tells us what to do. However, there are two participles in the text, baptizing and teaching. These tell us how to make the disciples.

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Thirdly, the supposed distinction between the gospel and the doctrine of Christ is artificial and is without substance or significance. My thesis is to show from God’s holy word that the gospel is the doctrine and the doctrine is the gospel. They are one and the same thing. I intend to show this clearly, forcefully, and scripturally. If I can prove that the church was taught the gospel and the world had doctrine preached to them, the entire enterprise of making a distinction is broken. In Romans 6:17-18, Paul explains how the Roman brethren obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ and became free from sin. “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness”. How did the Romans become Christians? They obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine (NKJV). If the gospel is taught to the world and the doctrine taught to the church, how could men in the world obey from the heart a form of doctrine? Paul served this distinction a death blow when he wrote to Christians: “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also” (Rom. 1:15). Who are those addressed in the text? The Christians in Rome (Rom. 1:7). Were they within or without the church? Within the church! Yet Paul in all readiness wanted to preach the gospel to them. In Romans chapter 1, the “you” (2nd person pronoun) in verse 15, is the same group that is called

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IS THERE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE GOSPEL AND THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST?

of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:6). They are the same people Paul longed to meet (Rom. 1:10-11). Cecil Hook should have read his Bible, for in Romans 1:15, the record says: “…I am ready to preach the gospel to you (Christians – JMB) who are in Rome also’’. Romans 1:15 forever proves that the gospel is/can and must be preached both to the lost and the saved. There is no distinction in the message. The gospel of Christ and the doctrine of Christ are the same message. Whatever Jesus and the apostles taught and commanded for observance is doctrine (teaching) and can be called gospel. You can impress these facts, commandments, and promises to your audience using a monologue or a dialogue. In Acts 17:18-19 Luke informs us: “Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?” When Jesus was preached to these Athenians, they recognized (being ignorant of Him) that it was a new doctrine (teaching).

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for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust”. The testimony of the Bible is conclusive. The teaching of Christ and his apostles is gospel (good news) because obeisance to it saves. The teaching and preaching have nothing to do with what is preached or taught but how it is done. Matthew wrote: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom…” (Matt. 4:23). Luke closed the book of Acts with these words: “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him” (Acts 28:30-31).

The words gospel and doctrine are used interchangeably in the same context in 1 Timothy 1:10-11. Listen: “…for fornicators,

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IS THERE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE GOSPEL AND THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST?

The teaching and preaching have nothing to do with what is preached or taught but how it is done. Matthew wrote: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom…” (Matt. 4:23). Luke closed the book of Acts with these words: “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him” (Acts 28:30-31). Let it be emphasized herein that the things that these brethren do not preach to the lost, which they have categorized under doctrine, were the very things that Paul preached to the Jewish leaders in Rome.

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This verse clearly points out that the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are foundational facts of the gospel or to put it in the language of the Revised Standard Version, “of first importance.” The gospel embraces the whole of the New Testament system of faith. The gospel of Christ and the doctrine of Christ are one and the same thing. Those who erect an unauthorized wall between the gospel of Christ and the doctrine of Christ need to look elsewhere for their authorization for the Bible does no such thing.

1W. Carl Ketcherside, The Twisted Scriptures, PDF, 25. 2Ibid., 37.

The problem arises from not paying attention to the text of 1 Corinthians 15:1-3 and the occasion of the passage. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-3, Paul told the Corinthians:

3Cecil Hook, Free in Christ (New Braunfels, Texas: Cecil and Lea Hook, 1984), PDF, 39.

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.

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(Continued from page 21) HOW DO YOU THINK THE EMPHASIS ON PREACHING HAS CHANGED SINCE YOU BEGAN PREACHING? HAS THE CHANGE BEEN FOR BETTER OR WORSE? The focus on preaching has undergone significant changes since I began, and in my observation, misinformation is prevalent in our current context. The emphasis in preaching has shifted towards safeguarding and encouraging members to adhere to the truth. It has become crucial to underscore the importance of remaining steadfast in the truth, given the proliferation of falsehoods. In recent times, some preachers tend to avoid addressing topics specific to the church. There is a misconception that adherence to righteous actions in any denomination guarantees salvation. This approach raises questions about the distinctiveness of the church of Christ compared to other denominations. Consequently, this shift is concerning, as it has the potential to weaken the faith of new converts who may not fully grasp the unique message and teachings of the church. NAME THREE PREACHERS OF THE PAST OR PRESENT AND TELL HOW THEY INFLUENCED YOU MOST IN YOUR PREACHING. The first preacher, Francis Appiah-Kubi, now ministers at Akaporiso Church of Christ. During his teachings, he emphasized the importance of understanding the church as the saving ark. Kingsley Adu, an Elder at Bomso Church of Christ, was my Bible class teacher during my time at Kumasi Polytechnic. Furthermore, I want to acknowledge the impact of Dr. Dan Owusu Asiamah, and if I may include one more name, my son, Derrick Danso. He has been instrumental in strengthening my faith in various ways. I express sincere gratitude for the profound influence these individuals have had on me, and I pray for the continuous blessings of the good Lord upon each of them. IT SEEMS THAT OUR BROTHERHOOD HAS SEEN A DECLINE IN PUBLIC PREACHING (OUTSKIRTS) AND DEBATING OVER THE PAST YEARS. DO YOU AGREE THAT THIS IS TRUE, AND IF SO, TO WHAT WOULD YOU ATTRIBUTE THE DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS? Yes, there has been a decline in both areas. The observed decline in public preaching within the church can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, there is a notable trend where some preachers and congregations have ceased teaching and learning the foundational doctrines taught by the early church. This shift has contributed to a lack of emphasis on essential teachings. Additionally, regrettably, some individuals within the brotherhood have embraced the misguided notion that there is no distinction between the church of Christ and denominations. Consequently, many preachers now deliver a uniform message that fails to differentiate or address the specific concerns pertinent to each group. WHAT SPECIAL WORD OF ADVICE WOULD YOU LIKE TO PASS ON TO YOUNG PREACHERS WHO MAY READ THIS INTERVIEW? A valuable piece of advice from the late Kofi Tawiah, a preacher at Osu Church of Christ, emphasizes the mantra "Do what you can and leave the rest to God." For young preachers, commitment is paramount, as the weight of preaching the unadulterated Word of God now significantly rests on their shoulders.

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THE SPOTLIGHT. JANUARY, 2024

FROM THE EDITOR Nana Yaw Aidoo

With this issue, we are launching a new popular (as opposed to peer-reviewed) journal – THE SPOTLIGHT. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first journal of this or any sort among the churches of Christ in Ghana. The churches of Christ in Ghana are far behind our Western brethren in the writing of Bible study materials. They can do research and quote their own people because they are a writing and a reading people. The same cannot be said about us, unfortunately. Little wonder then that most of our literature is sourced from the West. That is not necessarily a bad thing. However, it goes without saying that the churches of Christ in this part of the world will greatly benefit from having Bible study materials that are written by our local ministers. This paper helps in a small way to fill that gap. The purpose of THE SPOTLIGHT is primarily to save souls through the teaching of God’s word on its pages to both Christians and non-Christians. To achieve this, we will treat general Bible lessons, cultural or ethical issues from a biblical perspective, and from time to time, certain brotherhood issues. Each issue will have a general theme and topics treated under that theme. It is not the aim of this paper to replace the Bible. Rather this paper aims to encourage the reader to search the Scriptures for themselves. As far as writers for this paper are concerned, only those who are committed to the truth of the Gospel, and greatly believe in the concept of restoring New Testament Christianity throughout the world will have their manuscripts published. Though this paper is and will be a thematic one, in each issue, we will have a featured article column. We thus request brethren to send us articles they have written on various topics. Don’t think too much about style or grammar. Do your best and you will be understood. Also, there is a questions and answers section to help answer whatever Bible questions that anyone has. We therefore request that brethren send us their questions so we try to help.

We hope to hear very often from brethren all over the country. This we believe and hope will excite the interest and zeal of the brethren and the churches and help brethren know what is happening elsewhere. It is the policy of THE SPOTLIGHT to deal with issues and not with personalities. Insults and attacks will not be countenanced on the pages of this paper. However, if a writer finds it necessary to point out that a certain person teaches a particular doctrine, it won’t be an attack on that person. While we believe that truth must be taught positively, we also believe that error must be opposed wherever it is found, be it in the church or out of it (Gal. 2:4-5; Jude 3). Anything that is published on the pages of this paper will be done with the design of fostering a spirit of religious investigation. Obviously, the foregoing aims are high, lofty, and consistent with Christian principles. But they will remain mere principles without the support and cooperation of our brethren. Indeed, there are so many ways of preaching the gospel, one of which is to circulate this teaching material among our acquaintances. Many will read our publications if we confidently and respectfully ask them to do so. We are thus soliciting your aid in this regard. You can send us the email of a person whom you desire to also read this paper via info@spotlightontheword.com or you can send them this link www.spotlightontheword.com. You can also request a printed version of this paper to be sent out as a gift. However, with this option, we are selling copies of each issue at GHs 40.00 per copy. This is necessary to offset whatever costs that we incur from putting it into print. Are you interested in THE SPOTLIGHT? If so, then let us hear from you.

Furthermore, we request brethren to report to us evangelistic, baptism, and benevolent works that occur in their local congregations or areas. If there is an upcoming church program in any part of the country, please let us know so that we advertise it in the paper.

www.spotlightontheword.com

M O N T H L Y

P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E W O R D

S P O T L I G H T

January 2024 . Volume 1. Number 1

The Gospel of Christ

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The Spotlight, January Issue