SUMMARY OF THE GOSPEL

as understood by

CHRISTADELPHIANS

PREFACE

Christadelphians are a fundamentalist Christian denomination, who believe in the full inspiration of the revealed Word of God contained in the Holy Bible.

As Christadelphians, we are often asked: "what do you Christadelphians believe?" We should answer the question, in compliance with the instructions found in I Peter 3:15:

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear".

In order to comply with I Peter 3:15, and answer the question completely, but as briefly as possible, this SUMMARY OF THE GOSPEL, has been compiled. Remember, this is a summary, or an outline, and in keeping with the definition of an outline, it is not an exhaustive compilation of "The Gospel". It includes a few scriptural references for the statements made. More scriptural references can be furnished upon request.

This outline of the Gospel is complete, and includes elements of the gospel, fit together with other elements, to form the entire gospel. A mistake commonly made is to consider one or two elements of the gospel to be the entire gospel.

The Gospel, as believed by Christadelphians, is listed herein in an orderly, systematic manner, with none of the beliefs contradicting any other belief. We believe this is as it should be, as we believe the scripture that tells us "God is not the author of confusion".

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (I Cor 14:33)

SUMMARY OF THE GOSPEL

1. God's WORD, found in the Holy Bible, is the only source of information about our salvation. Heb 11:6, II Tim 3:15-17, John 5:39, Rom 1:16

2. God, our Heavenly Father, is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Acts 17:27,28, Gen 1:1, Isa 42:5, Mat 5:16, Mat 6:9

3. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Savior, our High Priest, our future Judge, and King. Mat 3:17, John 3:16, Heb 4:14,15, Acts 10:42, II Tim 4:8, Luke 1:30-35, John 18:37

4. The Holy Spirit is God's Power. Psa 104:30, Gen 1:2, Luke 1:35

5. The earth, and all life on it was created by God.

A. From the beginning, God had a Plan and a Purpose for the earth. His Plan involved how He would accomplish His Purpose, which is for the earth to be filled with His Glory, and for obedient men and women to bear His nature, that of Immortality. Isa 45:18, Num 14:21, Isa 11:1-9, Hab 2:14

B. God’s Plan was set in motion by the creation of the earth, which was accomplished by His angels, powered with the Holy Spirit. This creation took six days. At the end of the six days of creation, all creation was declared to be “very good”. God rested on the seventh day. Gen 1:1-31 Gen 2:1-3

6. God revealed His Plan to the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, along with instructions they were to follow. They were forbidden to eat of the "tree of knowledge of good and evil". They were told that if they ate of it, they would DIE. Gen 1:27-30, Gen 2:15

7. Adam and Eve disobeyed God, believing the Serpent's Lie, "THOU SHALT NOT SURELY DIE". Gen 2:16,17, Gen 3:1-3

8. Their disobedience was discovered, and they were informed of the consequences of their actions. Gen 3:8-13

A. The Serpent was cursed to be of the physical form he is today, and enmity, natural and spiritual, was established between man and the serpent. A future victory of the Seed of the Woman over the Seed of the Serpent was promised. Gen 3:14, 15

B. Women were to experience sorrow in childbearing, and be in subjection to her husband. Gen 3:16

C. The earth was cursed. Thorns and thistles were to mar the former beauty of the earth. Gen 3:17,18

D. Man was to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. Adam was told "dust thou art, and to dust thou shalt return". Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden to deny them access to the Tree of Life. Gen 3:19, 22-24

9. The sentence, "dust thou art, and to dust thou shalt return" resulted in Adam and Eve being estranged from God, and their condition being changed from “very good” to mortal. This mortal nature, along with the tendency to want to disobey God, has been inherited by all the descendants of Adam and Eve ever since. Job 14:1-4, Psa 51:5

10. Thus, the entire human race is condemned along with Adam and Eve. This condition is know as "Adamic Condemnation", and unless removed, will cause a person to eventually die, and remain in the grave forever. Rom 5:12, 16-19, Ecc 3:18-22, Rom 8:1,2

11. God, in His mercy, provided Adam and Eve with an immediate remedy, a promise of permanent salvation, and instructions on proper worship.

A. An immediate covering for their nakedness (sin) with the skins of animals. Gen 3:21

B. Included in the serpent’s curse, was the statement: “... I (God) will put enmity between thee (the serpent) and the woman, and between thy (the serpent’s) seed and her (the woman’s) seed; it (the woman’s seed) shall bruise thy (the serpent’s) head, and thou (the serpent) shalt bruise his (the woman’s seed’s) heel.” This promise is known as the “Edenic Covenant”, the first portion of the “Everlasting Covenant”. Gen 3:14,15

C. Instructions on the principle of "remission of sins" through "the shedding of blood" as being the method of obtaining forgiveness from sins they commit.

12. God revealed His Plan and Purpose for the earth to Adam and Eve, and they passed the information on to their offspring. One of their sons, Abel, obeyed, offering as God had instructed, but another son, Cain, offered "as he saw fit". Abel's offering was accepted, Cain's was not. We learn from this that one cannot "worship God in their own way" and please God. Gen 4:1-11

13. God revealed His Plan and Purpose for the earth to the “faithful few”, referred to in the scriptures as “the remnant”. One such faithful was Abram, later to be called Abraham. God chose Abraham to be the one person through whom His Plan would be realized. Gen 22:15-18, Psa 89:34-37, Isa 51:1-8, Hosea 13:14

14. In revealing His Plan and Purpose to Abraham, God made promises to him. Abraham also received instructions on beginning the practice of circumcision. Promises made to Abraham included:

A. Abraham would become the Father of many Nations. Gen 12:2, Gen 13:16, Gen 17:4

B. Abraham would be a blessing to all Nations. Gen 12:3, Gal 3:8

C. Abraham and his descendants would inherit the land of promise (comprising the whole earth) for an everlasting possession. This means they would, of necessity, receive Eternal Life. Gen 13:14,15, Gen 17:8

D. Through Abraham's descendant, Jesus Christ, all the earth is to be blessed. Gen 22:18, Acts 3:25, Gal 3:16

15. These Promises made to Abraham are known as the “Abrahamic Promises”, and along with the “Edenic Covenant” make up the "Everlasting Covenant". God repeated some of the promises made to Abraham to:

A. Abraham's son, Isaac. Gen 26:3-5

B. Isaac's Son, Jacob, who was renamed Israel. The descendants of the 12 sons of Jacob (Israel) are the 12 tribes making up the nation of Israel. Gen 35:9,10, Gen 35:22-26

C. David, King of Israel. These promises made to David are known as "The Sure Mercies of David". II Sam 7:12-16

16. Throughout the history of the Nation of Israel, prophets of God spoke and wrote of the Kingdom that was to come in fulfillment of the "Everlasting Covenant". This covenant is also referred to as the “Covenant made with the Fathers”. These prophecies foretold:

A. A Messiah, or Deliverer. A Savior for Abraham's Seed. Dan 9:25,26, Isa 59:20, Rom 11:26

B. A King to rule over the Delivered Seed of Abraham. Isa 51:3, Amos 9:11,15, Luke 1:30-35

C. A Kingdom, with a Capitol City, and territorial boundaries. Dan 2:44, Rev 11:15, Micah 4:1,2

D. Subjects of the Kingdom: Immortal rulers made up of the faithful through the ages, and mortal subjects who submit to the rule of that Kingdom. John 17:3, Rom 2:7, Mark 16:15,16

17. After coming out of bondage in Egypt, the Nation of Israel received The Law of Moses from God. This law covered details of offering animal sacrifices to God, in the prescribed manner. The purpose of the ordinances and sacrifices was to teach the Israelites about the sacrifice of their expected Messiah. Their Messiah was the subject of the “Everlasting Covenant”. Lev chapters 1-10, Heb 9:1-7, Heb 10:1-4

18. When the time came, in God's Plan, God sent forth His Son, Jesus, born of a woman, the Virgin Mary, made under the Law of Moses. Gal 4:4, Luke 1:30,31

19. At the age of eight days, Jesus was circumcised, as the Law of Moses required of all males born in Israel. Also, as the Law of Moses required of all mothers giving birth, his mother, Mary, underwent the rites of purification. Lev 12:1-4, Luke 2:21,22

20. Jesus' public life began at the age of thirty years, when he was baptized by John the Baptist. Jesus' baptism was required in order to "fulfill all righteousness". Mat 3:13-15, Luke 3:23

21. After Jesus' baptism, the Holy Spirit, came upon him, and he was publicly acknowledged as "God's Son", and that God was well pleased with his actions. Mat 3:16,17, Psa 2:7

22. Jesus' ministry lasted for about 3.5 years. He selected his twelve disciples, and preached "The Gospel of the Kingdom" throughout the region of Judea.

Mat 4:17,23, Mark 1:14, Luke 6:13-16, John 2:11, John 6:14, John 21:25

23. Jesus was betrayed by Judas, accused of Blasphemy by the Jewish leaders, and put to death by crucifixion. Mat 26:14-16, Mat 26:45-49, Mat 26:63-65, John 19:15-18

24. Jesus death by crucifixion was the fulfillment of the "Edenic Covenant" portion of the “Everlasting Covenant”, as foretold by the Law of Moses, and fulfilling the principle of remission of sins through shedding of blood. Jesus was the" Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world". Jesus rejection and crucifixion was in accordance with God’s Plan, and not in opposition to it. Mat 5:17, Heb 10:1-10, John 1:29, Rev 13:18, Gal 3:21-25, Gen 3:15, Rom 15:8

25. Jesus was buried, and three days later, rose from the dead. Mark 15:43-47

26. After his resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples, and then ascended to Heaven, to be at God's right hand. Jesus is now in Heaven, functioning as High Priest over the Household of Faith. Acts 1:9, Col 3:1, Heb 4:14,15, I Tim 2:5, Heb 8:1

27. As with the time of the birth of Jesus, when the "appointed time" in God's Plan comes, Jesus will return to the earth. Acts 1:11, Acts 3:19-21, Heb 9:28, Mat 24:30,31

28. Seven days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven, on the Day of Pentecost, the Christian Dispensation began with the outpouring of the gifts and powers of the Holy Spirit on the followers of Jesus.Acts 2:1-47

29. Since the Day of Pentecost, the required methods of worshipping God are different from the methods during the dispensation of the Law of Moses. The sacrifices we are required to offer are not animal sacrifices, but are our "reasonable service" to God. (Rom 12:1). We perform this "reasonable service" after we have complied with God's requirements to begin that service. (Rom 2:11). These requirements are:

A. A person must become aware of their condemned, lost condition, their need for Salvation. Acts 2:37, Eph 2:12

B. A person must DESIRE the offered Salvation. Acts 2:37,41, II Pet 3:9

C. A person must HEAR, BELIEVE, and UNDERSTAND the “Everlasting Covenant”, the Gospel of the Kingdom of GOD, and realize that only through this Covenant and Gospel is salvation offered. Acts 8:12, Rev 1:3, Rom 1:16

D. A person must OBEY the commandments of the Gospel: REPENT and be BAPTIZED. Acts 8:12, Rom 6:3-18, Gal 3:26-29

E. After baptism, run with patience, the race that is set before us. Heb 5:8,9, Acts 2:42, Gal 6:7,8, Heb 12:1, II Pet 3:15, II Tim 4:7,8

30. Baptism represents a spiritual "death, burial, and resurrection", in which we are baptized into Christ's death, burial and resurrection. (Rom 6:3-5, Col 2:12). This baptism is an immersion in water. (Acts 8:35-39). When baptized into Christ, a person is then "in Christ", covenanted under the “Everlasting Covenant”, and heirs to the promises made to Abraham that are to be fulfilled by Christ. Gal 3:16, 26-29

31. When we are baptized into Christ, we are a "new creature", (II Cor 5:17), no longer under “Adamic Condemnation, “, but have received “Justification” from it through Christ. (Rom 8:1,2) As a new creature, we begin our "race" for eternal life. (Heb 12:1). Our behavior during the race for eternal life will determine the success, or failure of the race, and whether or not we obtain eternal life. (Rom 2:5-10). During our race for eternal life, God requires us to:

A. Continue to study in order to:

1. Increase our knowledge, understanding and appreciation of God's Plan and Purpose for the earth. I Tim 2:15, I Tim 3:16,17, I Thes 5:21, John 5:39, Acts 17:11

2. Increase our faith by study of fulfilled prophecy. John 14:29

3. Be aware of the signs of the times from study of prophecy. Mat 16:1-3

4. Grow from “babes who feed on the milk of the word” to “full grown that consume meat of the word”. I Pet 2:2, Heb 5:12-14

B. Attend and take an active part in the regularly scheduled meetings of the local congregation. Heb 10:24,25

C. Partake of the memorial bread and wine in memory of Jesus’ death when we assemble together on the first day of the week (Sunday). John 6:53-58, Mat 26:26-28, I Cor 11:23-29

D. Encourage each other in the congregation to "hold fast the faith once delivered unto the Saints". Jude 3, 20

E. Not conform to the World, abstain from all appearance of evil. Rom 12:2, I Thes 5:22, John 17:15

32. During our race for eternal life, we are to do our best to be obedient to God's will, with the ability that God has given to us. Micah 6:8, Phil 2:1-3, Col 3:16, Rom 12:3

33. We realize that our actions will often fall short of what is required of us. At those times, we can obtain forgiveness for our shortcomings, and weaknesses, through Jesus, our High Priest. To obtain such forgiveness, we must ask in the proper manner, with true repentance. Heb 2:17,18, Heb 4:14-16, Heb 5:8,9, I John 1:9

34. If a person "in Christ" dies, that person is considered to be "asleep in Jesus", awaiting the resurrection at the return of Jesus. I Thes 4:13-18, Rom 6:1-5

35. At the return of Christ, the following events will take place:

A. Those who "sleep in Jesus" will be resurrected. I Thes 4:14-16, John 5:28

B. Those alive, "in Christ", will be gathered from throughout the world. I Thes 4:17, Mat 24:30,31, Mat 24, 40-42

C. Those resurrected, and those gathered, will be assembled before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged according to their deeds. II Cor 5:10, Rom 2:5,6

D. Those judged righteous will be rewarded with Immortality, Eternal Life in Christ's Kingdom. Rom 2:7,10, I Cor 15:50-57, II Tim 4:7,8

E. Those judged unrighteous will be punished with the “second death”, "everlasting punishment of destruction from the presence of the Lord". Rom 2:8,9, II Thes 1:8,9, Psa 37:9,10

F. Christ will establish his Kingdom, with Jerusalem as the Capitol city. II Sam 7:12-17, Zech 1:17

G. The rule of Christ will begin in Israel, and spread to include all the earth. Dan 2:44, Dan 7:27, Rev 11:15

36. Christ will be accepted by the nation of Israel as their long expected Messiah, Savior, and King. Zech 12:10, Zech 8:22

37. Christ will then announce that he is not only the “king of the Jews”, but also “king of all the earth”, and demand the nations submit to his rule. This is the first proclamation of the Gospel of the Kingdom. Rev 14:6,7

38. Christ’s rule will be resisted by many. Some of those resisting will think Christ to be the “Antichrist” they look for. Those nations who resist will be subdued by Christ and his immortalized Saints. The survivors will be taught and ruled by Christ and the Saints. This rule will last for 1000 years. Zech 14:1-21, Isa 66:22-24, Rev 20:4

39. During the 1000 years reign of Christ and his Saints, conditions for mankind, and the earth will gradually improve, effectively reversing the curse placed on the earth as a result of Adam's disobedience. The earth will be restored to the condition of "very good". Isa 9:6,7, Isa 2:2-4, Isa 11:1-9

40. After the 1000 years reign of Christ and his Saints, all enemies of Christ will have been destroyed, the last enemy is DEATH. The earth will then be "filled with the Glory of the LORD", as God intended. Christ will then deliver up the kingdom to God and God will be "All and In All". I Cor 15:24-26, Num 14:21

41. The Bible does not teach, therefore we reject the following commonly held beliefs:

A. The doctrine of the Trinity. The belief that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, that they are all three co-equal, co-eternal. We also reject the belief that all three are one. Deut 6:4, Mark 12:29, I Cor 8:6, Eph 4:6, John 17:3

B. A person has an "immortal soul" that will continue to live on, after the person's body dies, that such “immortal soul” continues to live on as follows: I Cor 15:47, Ecc 3:18-21, Ecc 9:10, Isa 40:6

1. A good person's soul goes to Heaven (God's dwelling place). The scriptures never promise Heaven to anyone, at death, or after judgment. Mat 5:5, Psa 37:9, 11, 22, 29, Psa 115:16

2. A wicked person's soul goes to a "burning hell" for punishment. The scriptures never promise eternal punishing to anyone, at death, or after judgment. Gen 37:35, Job 14:13, Psa 49:14, Ecc 9:10, Isa 66:22-24, II Thes 1:7-9

C. The "Devil" and "Satan", found referred to in the Bible, is a person or fallen angel. I Tim 3:11, Titus 2:3

D. Gifts of Power of the Holy Spirit are available to us today, as they were during the first century when the events recorded in the New Testament were being done. I Cor 12:27-31, I Cor 13:8,13

E. The body of Christ (His Ecclesia) is the “spiritual” kingdom preached by Jesus and the apostles, and foretold by the prophets. II Sam 7:12-16, Luke 1:30-33, Eze 37:15-28 (pay particular attention to vs 25, “wherein your fathers have dwelt”. No such “spiritual kingdom” existed in those days. It refers to a physical kingdom, not a spiritual one)