INTRODUCTION

This Study Guide continues 'The Cause of the Gospel' and explores why the gospel is preached. There is often confusion about the gospel's purpose and how it should be shared.

The Everlasting Gospel

As previously established, the gospel is unchanging. It is known as the 'everlasting gospel' in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 14:6 says:

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

The Greek word for 'everlasting' is aionios, meaning 'continuous' in the past, present, and future. This reflects Jesus Christ's nature as unchanging across time.

Hebrews 13:8 (LITV) says:

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever.

Consistency of the Gospel

The gospel's message has been consistent from the beginning. It has always centred on Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, Jesus was anticipated as the 'coming Saviour'. In the New Testament and Gospel Day, He is the 'present Saviour'. He will always be the Saviour until the end of time.

The same gospel that Noah preached was the one Abraham believed in, which was credited or imputed to him as 'righteousness'.

Galatians 3:6-8 says:

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

The Unchanging Nature of the Gospel

The gospel has never changed from the dawn of time. Established by God since creation's dawn, it remains unchanged. It is this enduring gospel that possesses the power to free and save humanity from sin, enabling a life in Christ marked by righteousness and true holiness.

Dual Nature of the Gospel

Though the gospel has a singular purpose, it is dual in its nature:

To judge men in the flesh, and to enable them to live according to God in the Spirit.

By understanding these two aspects, we can better appreciate why the gospel is preached and its significant role in our lives.

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THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF THE GOSPEL

God's Unchangeable Plan

The eternal purpose of the gospel is closely linked to God's unchanging plan for humanity.

1 Timothy 2:4 says:

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

To achieve His goal of saving all, God cannot simply use supernatural means to declare humanity saved. While God has provided a way for people to be saved, the choice of salvation is an act of free will. Thus, it is a decision each person must make.

Peter discusses this in his second letter.

2 Peter 3:9 says:

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God is not negligent; He will not delay in keeping His promise of salvation. However, there is a requirement: all must come to repentance. The literal translation emphasises the necessity of repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 (LITV) says:

The Lord of the promise is not slow, as some deem slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not having purposed any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

This is because, as Paul states in Romans, 'for all have sinned'. Some modern teachings do not emphasise repentance, but rather focus on receiving Jesus and loving Him. This is a false gospel, as it neglects repentance in order to avoid judgement. You cannot have repentance without judgement.

Today's modern 'feel good' religion resists judgement, but Jesus said in the gospel of Luke:

Luke 13:3 says:

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

What is Repentance?

God desires not only that everyone be saved but also that all come to repentance. Salvation and repentance are intertwined, each essential to the other. Thus, repentance is both necessary and foundational for receiving God's promise of salvation. The critical first step in salvation through biblical repentance is illuminated in Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 33:19 says:

But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.

This verse indicates that repentance involves a dual action:

• Turning away from evil
• Turning towards what is good

'Doing right' signifies a turn towards God. When under godly conviction, one may feel guilt, but simultaneously, God's love and mercy offer the strength to turn to Him and renounce a life of sin and worldliness.

Repentance is akin to a complete reversal, a 180-degree turn in the opposite direction — a concept Paul addresses in his letter to the Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 7:10 says:

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

True Repentance

True repentance emerges not from mere regret or feeling sorry, but from deep remorse for sinning against a just God. It is a turn from evil without regret, fully embracing Jesus Christ and His kingdom, making Him the focal point of one's life. Godly sorrow, stemming from the heart, leads to a hatred of sin and a commitment to abandon it.

This sorrow:

• Cultivates cautiousness
• Prompts a cleansing of conduct, a pursuit of holiness, and making restitution
• Instils a godly fear of deviating from faith and falling away

In repentance, one embraces newfound freedom from guilt, coupled with a fervent desire to follow the right way henceforth. This aligns with Paul's message to the Corinthians regarding transformation through Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says:

Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

True repentance means acknowledging, both in words and actions, that the old life is gone, buried forever. It also involves wholeheartedly embracing a new life in Christ Jesus, free from sin and regrets.

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THE CAUSE OF THE GOSPEL

One of the key purposes of the gospel, as introduced earlier, is to offer salvation to humanity through Jesus Christ. This opportunity for salvation has a dual nature, as Peter articulates.

1 Peter 4:6 says:

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Peter explains that the intent of the gospel is to:

• First, judge men in the flesh
• Second, enable them to live according to God in the Spirit

Understanding Peter's Words

Before delving into these two objectives, it is important to understand the context of Peter's words. Peter uses the example of the people from Noah's time. In this context, 'the dead' refers to the antediluvians who were spiritually, not physically, dead.

The gospel is not preached to those who are physically deceased. This would be ineffectual, as they cannot hear or leave their eternal place. According to the Bible, those who die without Christ go to hell, their eternal abode, whereas those who die in Christ are eternally with God. Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes describes this finality:

Ecclesiastes 12:5 says:

Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

The literal version describes this as going to one's 'eternal home'. Jesus, using the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke, illustrates that our eternal destination is determined immediately upon physical death. Lazarus went to heaven, and the rich man went to hell — both representing their eternal place or abode.

Luke 16:26 says:

And besides all these things, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those desiring to pass from here to you are not able, nor can they pass from there to us.

Jesus emphasises that once determined, our eternal place is unchangeable. Therefore, preaching the gospel to souls in hell is pointless, as its purpose is to offer salvation. Additionally, speaking to the physically dead is considered necromancy, an abomination to God, as described in Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says:

There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

The Gospel Is to the Spiritually Dead

The gospel is preached to those who are spiritually dead, offering them a chance to repent, turn to, and believe in Christ. It reaches those in a spiritual grave, offering the possibility of being born again upon hearing Christ's voice.

John 5:25 says:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

The gospel preached by Noah not only judged the antediluvians in their earthly lives but also held the potential for them to live spiritually according to God. You may think that this was not possible, but of Noah, God says:

Genesis 6:8 says:

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

This grace, though different from the grace of the Gospel Day, signifies a form of 'imputed salvation' in the Old Testament, contrasting with the 'imparted salvation' of the New Testament. This is a topic for another lesson, but here is a brief explanation using righteousness as an example:

• Imputation refers to the act of ascribing or crediting righteousness in such a way that the recipient is considered or reckoned as righteous. In simpler terms, through faith, one is counted as righteous.
• Impartation, on the other hand, involves the giving or infusing of righteousness. The recipient is infused with Christ's righteousness internally and truly becomes righteous. Put another way, through faith, one is righteous.

Regarding Abraham's faith and righteousness, in both the books of Romans and Galatians, Paul explains that Abraham was not made righteous by faith but was considered, counted, or reckoned righteous. His faith led to righteousness being 'credited' to his account.

Romans 4:3 says:

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

This imputed righteousness was applicable to all who believed in God by faith before Calvary. However, after Calvary, and starting from the day of Pentecost, those who believe by faith receive imparted righteousness through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 1:30 says:

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Being born again through the indwelling Spirit of Christ enables one to partake in the nature of God.

2 Peter 1:4 says:

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

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The Timeline from Adam to Noah

Adam, Noah's tenth-generation grandfather, died about 120 years before Noah was born. Both Methuselah, Noah's grandfather, and Lamech, his father, lived close to the time of the flood. This continuity meant that the message of Adam's fall, and the consequent sacrifice by God foreshadowing Christ and the gospel, was not lost across the generations.

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TO JUDGE MEN IN THE FLESH

The first aspect of the gospel's purpose is to bring judgment, revealing to mankind their true condition.

Today, the topic of judgment is often unwelcome in religious circles, replaced by a false gospel that emphasises love and inclusiveness. This deceptive theology suggests that one can sin and still love God — a concept not supported by biblical teaching. Jesus Himself stated the importance of obedience as an expression of love.

John 14:15 says:

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

This command is not just a suggestion but a reality for those who are truly born again.

Resistance to the True Gospel

False religion and the contemporary world often resist the message that the church of God is an exclusive body of believers who live according to God's will in the Spirit. The challenge for gospel preachers is that many are unwilling to listen to the true gospel, preferring a diluted message of simply believing in and loving Jesus. This mindset rejects the true gospel, which initially brings judgment to reveal to individuals that they are 'born in the flesh' and living according to it.

The message of simply believing in and loving Jesus has significantly influenced modern Christianity, leading many to reject the true gospel. This shift is due to a prevalent false gospel that discourages judgment and promotes love and inclusiveness.

The True Gospel Starts with Judgment

The true gospel, however, starts with judgment. Its purpose is to reveal to mankind their natural state of being 'born in the flesh'. Living according to the flesh is characteristic of the unsaved, as such a state cannot please God. The Bible makes it clear that regardless of one's good deeds or moral efforts, they cannot satisfy God's standards if they are living in the flesh.

Romans 8:5-8 says:

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Understanding Sarx and Soma

In the Greek language, there is a clear distinction between the terms sarx and soma.

Sarx is used to denote physical or earthly aspects. Soma is consistently translated as 'body', encompassing both physical and spiritual elements. In the context of Scripture in Romans, the words 'flesh', 'carnally', and 'carnal' are translations of the Greek word sarx — as also seen in other translations such as Young's Literal Translation and the Literal Translation, where 'flesh' is used instead of 'carnal'.

Soma, always translated as 'body', refers to the complete being. Examples include the 'soma of Christ', meaning the entire body of Christ, and the 'soma of water', referring to a whole body of water. When applied to humanity, soma encompasses both the physical and spiritual components of a person's being.

In Romans chapter 8, Paul highlights a significant biblical concept regarding the nature of the human mind and its orientation. He distinguishes between being 'carnal, earthy, and temporal' minded and being 'spiritual, heavenly, and eternal' minded.

The Greek word sarx, referring to the flesh, is associated with the physical or earthy elements of human nature. This term describes a mindset focused on satisfying self-centred desires and worldly concerns — a life lived according to the physical and temporal, often at the expense of the spiritual and eternal.

The gospel's purpose is to judge individuals in their fleshly state, as they live by fleshly desires. Consider Paul's words again in Romans 8.

Romans 8:5 says:

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Sarx, or the flesh, presents itself as a selfish 'will'. Everyone born of flesh engages in fleshly activities — this is true for both children and adults, as their life choices are based on worldly, temporal matters. To be carnally minded means pursuing personal gain without God's guidance. It involves assessing every situation through a fleshly lens, basing decisions solely on human, natural, and short-lived factors.

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Carnal Thinking vs. Spiritual Thinking

A carnal mindset ignores any spiritual aspects related to God's will, decision-making, and life judgements. Carnal thinking represents the flesh's viewpoint, naturally opposing God. This hostility arises because it lacks the capacity for true, genuine obedience to God's laws.

Romans 8:7 says:

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

The term 'enmity', from the Greek echthra, signifies hostility or hatred. Paul explains that a flesh-driven mind cannot align with God's laws. Those with a carnal mindset generally live contrary to God's desires and not in accordance with God's will and purpose for their lives. This is because God's law is spiritual. Only those born again can obey God's Word in spirit and truth. Paul asserts that living in the flesh and with a fleshly mindset cannot please God.

Romans 8:8 says:

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Being enslaved to sin, driven by fleshly desires, and self-serving human perspectives leads to separation from God. This results not in physical, but spiritual death.

Romans 8:6 says:

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

The Second Birth

Breaking this cycle for an adult, or someone accountable for their actions, requires being born again through God's Spirit. This is the second birth, which spiritually awakens and enables one to live according to God — that is, His purpose — in the Spirit. The carnally minded are awakened to their sin through gospel preaching, gaining the power to choose life.

Mark 16:15-16 says:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

The gospel carries God's words and power to bring those living in the flesh towards and into salvation.

Romans 1:16 says:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For many believers, being born again is remembered less for the exact words heard than for the unmistakable choice it presented between life and death. It is God's calling through the gospel, reaching the heart, that leads to salvation — as James wrote, 'draw near to God and he will draw near to you.' Sinners draw close by opening their hearts to the gospel.

The gospel is preached to judge men in the flesh so that they see their true condition and forsake their wicked way and return to God. The gospel's purpose is to help individuals recognise their flawed human nature and to encourage them to abandon their sinful ways and return to God.

Isaiah 55:7 says:

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Every child born is initially spiritually alive. God's laws become apparent to them once they reach a certain age of understanding, which will be explored more in the next lesson. For the wicked to 'return' to God implies they were once spiritually aligned with God.

This introduces the second aspect of the gospel's purpose: to awaken people to 'live unto God in the Spirit'.

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TO LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD IN THE SPIRIT

The gospel is preached not only to reveal our sinful nature but, more importantly, to lead us to repentance and new birth in Christ.

Ezekiel 36:26 says:

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

This scripture from Proverbs tells us that life's issues stem from the heart, underscoring the need for a new heart to experience new life.

Proverbs 4:23 says:

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Transformation of the Heart

Peter's message on the day of Pentecost exemplifies this, as those hearing were deeply moved in their hearts, realising their core issue was a heart problem. Jesus, the great Physician, precisely understands our need for restoration and life in God — He knows what is in man, and through His word He heals and delivers from self-destructive paths.

The Necessity of Being Born Again

Jesus said the only solution for people born and living in the flesh is to be born again. He explained that to enter the kingdom of God, one needs two births: a physical birth, 'in the flesh', and a spiritual birth, 'in the Spirit'.

John 3:3-5 says:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Two births are necessary:

John 3:6-7 says:

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Being born again shows that the physical and spiritual births are distinct and both necessary. The kingdom of God requires a physical birth in the flesh and a spiritual birth in the Spirit.

The term 'born again' means 'another or different birth', as in being 'generated from above'. The first birth is from your natural parents; the second is by the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:13 says:

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

In John 3, Jesus describes being born of a mother as being born in the flesh — that is the Greek word sarx. This birth involves not only the physical body but also being under the control of the flesh; in other words, imprisoned by it.

Being Led by the Spirit

To be led by the Spirit of God, you must be born of the Spirit.

• In your first birth, you had no choice of parents or birthplace.
• In your second birth, you choose God as your Father, the church as your Mother, and the kingdom as your home.

This second birth, 'from above', allows you to live spiritually, guided by God, not restricted by earthly considerations. Being born again frees you from the limitations of the flesh. Your decisions are no longer based on earthly desires but are guided by heavenly wisdom.

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Living According to God's Will

This transformation brings Christ into your life, along with the strength to follow His way — that is, to live your life according to God's will and purpose in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 says:

But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Being born again brings the 'strength of God' through Christ's Spirit, enabling you to live righteously, above sin — in other words, in the 'right way'.

Romans 6:1 says:

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Death to Sin and New Life in Christ

Remember, sin is violating God's law. Paul describes sin as living in the flesh, being 'carnally minded'. He questions whether we should continue to indulge in fleshly desires and thereby continue to sin so that grace may increase, and he firmly responds no.

Romans 6:2 says:

God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

How does this 'death' to sin occur?

Romans 6:3 says:

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

This leads to the question of how we are baptised 'into Christ'.

1 Corinthians 12:13 says:

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Baptism into New Life

This body is Christ's body, the church of God. Through spiritual baptism, we are born again into a new life.

Romans 6:4 says:

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Paul further explains in Romans 8 that the second birth comes from above.

Romans 8:9 says:

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

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JESUS — THE LAMB FOREORDAINED BEFORE TIME

Misconceptions About Adam and Physical Death

Some believe incorrectly that God intended for Adam to live physically forever — that God never planned for Adam to die physically, and that physical death came only through sin. However, it is the soul that sins which dies, indicating that sin brings spiritual death and separation from God, not physical death.

In the next lesson, where we study Adam and Eve, it is important to note that they did not die physically when they disobeyed God. Instead, they experienced spiritual death. By accurately interpreting the Word of God, we understand that God's plan always required two births to enter His kingdom — the first a natural or physical birth in the flesh, and the second a spiritual birth in the Spirit.

The Divine Plan Before Creation

This divine plan was established even before the physical creation described in Genesis chapter 1, with Jesus being predestined before the existence of the cosmos.

1 Peter 1:18-20 says:

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Typology and God's Redemption Plan

Before the literal world and people, Jesus was foreshadowed as the Redeemer and the 'Lamb slain'. This is typology, where the reality — the antitype — must exist for a type to exist. The New Testament was hidden within the Old Testament, and the New Covenant and God's redemption plan existed before the Old Covenant.

Paul describes the Old Covenant as a 'schoolmaster' intended to guide humanity to Christ, who represents the truth and reality.

Galatians 3:24-25 says:

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

The phrase 'faith is come' clearly signifies the arrival of Jesus. In the Old Testament era, there was the promise of Jesus' coming. The New Testament era, however, represents the fulfilment of this promise, marking the reality of Jesus' presence.

Jesus and the Scriptures

Jesus Himself spoke about the Old Testament Scriptures in this context.

John 5:39 says:

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

The Scriptures from Genesis to Malachi are a shadow pointing to the reality of Christ, who is life.

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WHY DID ADAM NOT OVERCOME THE FIRST TEMPTATION?

God's Purpose Concerning Mankind

To understand this important question, we must begin with the purpose of God concerning mankind. In the book of Revelation, we read:

Revelation 4:11 says:

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Without properly studying this verse, you can get the wrong understanding of God's 'pleasure'. The Greek word is thelema, which comes from thelo, meaning 'preferred will'. The more accurate translation is in the literal version, which says:

Revelation 4:11 (LITV) says:

Lord, You are worthy to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because You created all things, and through Your will they exist and were created.

God's Intended Will

When considering the 'will of God', a good example concerning salvation is found in the second letter of Peter.

2 Peter 3:9 says:

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The question is, do all come to repentance? The answer is obviously no. We understand from this verse that it is God's 'intended will', His highest and greatest will for mankind, to come to repentance and be born again. In fact, that is the very purpose of the physical creation.

The Purpose of Creation

When God had finished the creation in the first chapter of the book of Genesis, He said:

Genesis 1:31 says:

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

From this verse, we should understand that the physical creation God had just completed would serve His intended will — that will was ultimately to provide mankind with a choice: to love and serve God, or to serve self. Keep in mind that God is a spirit and an eternal being; therefore His will is of an eternal nature, and therefore spiritual.

Typology in Creation

The Genesis physical creation served two purposes: a literal reality, and a picture to reveal a 'new creation' and its reality. This is an example of typology, where the 'type' is the physical creation, and the 'antitype' is the spiritual or new creation.

Paul, describing this new creation, wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 5:17 says:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

From this verse, we understand that the 'new creation' exists 'in Christ'. Adam at his creation was not 'in Christ'. Again, Paul explains this in his first letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 15:45 says:

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Living Soul vs. Quickening Spirit

Every human being from conception is a 'living soul', but not a quickening spirit.

To enter the kingdom of God through becoming a new creature, one must be born again — a second birth. Paul explains it again like this:

Ephesians 2:5-6 says:

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

As a 'quickening spirit', Jesus gives life which is spirit and, therefore, eternal. Paul explains that this 'quickening' quickens, or reanimates, and co-joins us to Christ, to be one with and in His body. In effect, a born-again believer becomes a new creation.

Although Adam was created a 'living soul' — as all human beings are when they are conceived and physically born — that is not sufficient to become one in Christ. To enter the kingdom of God, according to Jesus' words in John chapter 3, a human being must be born twice: first a literal birth, followed by a spiritual birth.

John 3:3 says:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:5 says:

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Obviously, the water refers to physical birth, while the Spirit refers to spiritual birth.

Both Adam and Eve had, in type, the first birth, which made them 'living souls' and thereby spiritually alive, but they were not born again, as they were not born twice.

Although this sounds confusing, it is not, when you remember that, according to Peter's words in 1 Peter 1:20, Jesus — the Lamb of God, the sacrifice and quickening Spirit — was foreordained before there was a literal creation. God's intent was always that entering His kingdom would only be possible as a new creation — that is, born twice.

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Man Created in God's Image

Man is a unique being, in that he is created in the image of God.

Genesis 1:26 says:

And God said, Let us make man (Adam) in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

In the original, 'man' is actually the word Adam. As a man created from the dust of the earth, Adam is like any other physical creature. However, God goes a step further and makes man in His image.

God said 'in our image' and 'after our likeness' — two different attributes of God that distinguish Him from physical and earthy beings.

• The 'image' of God is Spirit, in that He is the Father of spirits, according to Hebrews 12:9.
• The 'likeness' of God refers to His eternal nature.

God made man a physical being, with a spirit, to make him an eternal being. It is for that reason that God also provides two eternal habitations: heaven or hell, both eternal. Ultimately, that is the choice the gospel provides as an eternal habitation for the whole of humanity.

Compound Nature of Man

Man, therefore, is a 'compound being', in that he has a dual nature:

• The physical or earthy being that is 'earthy-minded', also known as the mind or will of the flesh.
• The spiritual being that came from God at conception, that is 'spirit-minded', also known as the mind or will of the spirit.

However, these two 'minds' oppose each other — there is a conflict, as Paul reveals in the book of Romans.

Romans 8:7 says:

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

The term 'enmity', from the Greek echthra, signifies hostility or hatred. Paul explains that a flesh-driven mind cannot align with God's laws. Those with a carnal mindset generally live contrary to God's desires and not in accordance with God's will and purpose for their lives. This is because God's law is spiritual.

Adam's Free Choice

You may think that because Adam was spiritually alive, he would conform to the will and purpose of God. However, before Adam was created, God determined that conformity to His will and purpose would be by way of free choice. Living for and loving Him would only be possible by His Spirit indwelling.

When many consider God's law, their minds immediately go to the law of Moses or the Ten Commandments, but these are literal and of an earthly nature. God's law is spiritual and ultimately revealed by Jesus Himself, when He combined all laws into two fundamental principles that are the essence of God. God is love.

Matthew 22:37-40 says:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

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Love and the Law

The law and commandments in the Old Testament were to the flesh — rules, or a force to the earthy nature of man to temper behaviour. They produced judgement, guilt, and the need to seek forgiveness. The people of the Old Covenant were made yearly to seek forgiveness for their sins by the sacrifice of innocent animals.

God forgave through the shedding of innocent blood, but the animal blood could not produce a new creation that could inhabit eternity with Him. It is important to reinforce that there cannot be guilt without judgement, and forgiveness without repentance. Even under the Old Covenant, the people had to acknowledge or confess their sins to receive forgiveness through the blood sacrifice.

This served as a forerunner, or as Paul said, a 'schoolmaster', to bring them to Christ. They served as a type to bring them to the reality and new creation in Christ.

Galatians 3:23-26 says:

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

When you read the Ten Commandments, you discover that the word 'love' is absent, because the love God desires is not one of obedience to the flesh, but love in the spirit.

The love Jesus revealed when He came into the world is the Greek agape, which is the very essence of God that can only be received by receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:5 says:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love (AGAPE) of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Jesus Christ is God's action of love toward mankind, as John expressed in his gospel.

John 3:16 says:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Greek word for 'loved' is agapao, the verb form of agape, the action word.

Receiving Agape Love

Jesus Christ is the agape of God, whom we receive when we are born again, enabling the new creation to love God in return — which is His desire and will, His intended purpose.

God not only wants to extend His love toward mankind but also seeks reciprocation. While it is true that in the Old Testament God expressed His love, there was no reciprocation of His love in the same sense. Although many, like Joseph, David, Moses, and Abraham, 'loved' God, it was a love of affection and feeling — the Hebrew word aheb, meaning a love of affection like a friend.

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Free Will and Temptation

Returning to Adam and God's intent for mankind to have free will, God must also put in place the environment to facilitate choice. He makes man a compound being, both of the earth and spirit — a dual nature that opposes itself, with a bias toward the flesh and carnal mind.

Adam's Frailty

Like a child, Adam is made a 'living soul', and therefore spiritually alive, yet without the strength to withstand temptation. Paul called this a weakness, a frailty.

Romans 8:20 says:

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.

The term 'vanity' is the Greek word mataiotes, which also means frailty. God intentionally instilled weakness in man. The Young's Literal Translation gives more clarity:

Romans 8:20 (YLT) says:

for to vanity was the creation made subject—not of its will, but because of Him who did subject it—in hope,

God purposefully created man with this frailty, or weakness, in the hope that he would turn to Him for strength. The strength of God — His love — is accepting and receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit in a second birth, creating a new creature that freely loves God. God's strength is only received in Christ.

Temptation in the Garden of Eden

Although we do not know how long Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, they, like children, remained spiritually alive until God introduced a rule to facilitate free will. Free will, in its simplest form, is a choice or decision made from two or more narratives.

• God introduces the first law, and forbids Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
• God introduces the tempter, the serpent, to give an opposing narrative.

Before this time, there was no law and therefore no sin.

1 Corinthians 15:56 says:

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

Before this time, Adam and Eve did not know guilt or have a conscience. They were spiritually alive and innocent, without any moral character. However, with choice comes consequence, in that God warned them that if they chose against Him, they would 'surely die' — they would die spiritually, and no longer be spiritually alive. They would no longer be innocent, but guilty, and their conscience awakened.

Genesis 2:17 says:

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Introduction of Choice and Consequence

The moment God instituted the choice and the tempter to 'force' the choice, there was 'right and wrong'. There was now God's way, leading to eternal life, and man's way, leading to eternal death and damnation — in other words, separation from God.

Solomon, in the book of Proverbs, wrote:

Proverbs 14:12 says:

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

We know that Adam and Eve chose the wrong way by succumbing to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.

The Role of Temptation

We are not going to say that God made Adam sin, because He does not tempt anyone. He does, however, present the choice of His way or our own way.

James 1:13-14 says:

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

The choice introduces the possibility of sin, as Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 15:56. This is what we mean when referring to children reaching 'the age of accountability'.

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Provision for Sin

Although God did not make Adam sin, God knew he would sin and succumb to the flesh and his carnal mind. We know this because before Adam and Eve sinned, God had already made provision. When they sinned, God did not declare that all was lost, that His plan was in tatters and that His intended will had failed. Quite the contrary — it is evident that God's plan was proceeding according to His will and purpose.

The Lamb, according to 1 Peter 1:20, was 'foreordained before the foundation or creation of the world'. If God's plan for Adam and Eve was to remain sinless, then the Lamb would have been an afterthought, and not a forethought.

Immediately following Adam and Eve's removal from the Garden, in type, the blood of an innocent animal is shed, pointing to the Lamb of God four thousand years into the future — pointing to Jesus Christ, the manifestation of the gospel, who is the way to eternal life.

1 John 4:9 says:

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

The Necessity of Strength Through the Spirit

It was not possible for Adam and Eve to choose the right way because of the frailty, the weakness of the flesh. They did not have the strength of God, the Holy Spirit indwelling.

Romans 5:5 says:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love (AGAPE) of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

It would seem that God's intended will was for man to experience his weakness, to know his need for Him, in order to successfully navigate this life with the intent of eternal life. This echoes the words of Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 10:23 says:

O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

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Judgement and Awakening by the Gospel

It is God's intended will that all be saved, be born again, and that none perish but come to repentance. There is, however, no repentance without judgment, and there can be no forgiveness without guilt.

God's intended will was always for the gospel to judge the flesh, bring guilt, so that we would call out for forgiveness, and freely choose to live for God in the Spirit.

1 Peter 4:6 says:

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

The purpose of the gospel is to bring judgment upon people in the flesh so that they might live unto God in the Spirit. This judgment occurs when God awakens the conscience and guilt within an individual by revealing His law. This highlights the transforming power of the gospel in guiding individuals from a flesh-focused existence to a spiritually enriched life in harmony with God's will.

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KEY DISTINCTION BETWEEN PAUL AND ADAM

The key distinction between Paul and Adam lies in their physical states at the time of their entry into the world. According to Genesis, God created a mature creation, capable of immediate reproduction.

Adam, as part of this creation, came into existence as a physically mature adult. This is in contrast to Paul, who was born as a baby. However, both Adam and Paul were spiritually alive from the beginning.

Adam's Moral Character

Adam, although physically mature, had a moral character similar to that of a baby. He did not have an understanding or awareness of God's law, as it had not yet been revealed to him. For this reason, there was no sin initially. This is because where there is no consciousness of the law, sin cannot be acknowledged or exist. The absence of sin in this context is directly related to the lack of knowledge or awareness of God's law.

Children and Sin

You might have been taught that children commit sins of ignorance which remain dormant until they reach the age of accountability. However, this is not true.

Paul's testimony and teaching indicate that before the commandment or law was known to him, he remained spiritually alive. This was because he was a child, not yet at the age of accountability. Although living in the flesh, he was spiritually alive due to the absence of sin, as the law had not been revealed.

Where there is no consciousness of God's law or commandment, there is no sin.

1 Corinthians 15:56 says:

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

It was only when the commandment or law came to Paul that 'sin took strength', and Paul experienced spiritual death. Paul reached the age of accountability when God revealed His law to him. This revelation awakened Paul's conscience, bringing guilt. It was at this point that 'sin revived', or more accurately, 'sin sprang to life', gaining strength over him.

As with Adam, Paul was unable to resist temptation because he was 'born in the flesh and therefore of the flesh', making him subject to the flesh's desires and passions.

Despite being made a living soul, alive unto God, both Adam and Paul's actions were governed by fleshly desires. One might wonder how this is possible. The answer lies in understanding what separates a living soul from God. The cause of spiritual death is sin, which is defined as the disobedience of God's commandments. This disobedience leads to a spiritual separation from God.

Isaiah 59:2 says:

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Sin and God's Law

If sin arises from disobeying God's law, as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:56, it follows logically that if sin is defined by the law, then without the law, sin cannot exist. The law serves to awaken and reveal sin.

Paul discusses this concept, reflecting on his own experience before he was born again.

Romans 7:7 says:

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

In this context, Paul is not referring specifically to the Old Testament law of Moses, but rather to God's broader commandments, encompassing both sins of commission (acts done) and omission (acts not done). This broader scope includes the Ten Commandments.

It is evident from Paul's testimony that being awakened to sin by God's law is a blessing. The law itself is not sin; rather, it serves to reveal or expose sin. Consequently, when sin is brought to light by the law, it provides an opportunity for transformation and growth, marking it as a blessing.

Romans 7:8 says:

But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

Paul reiterates the same truth in 1 Corinthians 15:56, that in the absence of law, sin does not exist.

This raises the question: when are we 'without the law'? Paul provides an answer in Romans 7:9.

Romans 7:9 says:

For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Paul is clearly referring to spiritual life, not physical. So when was he 'alive without the law'? Evidently, it was when he was a child, before reaching the age of accountability — similar to Adam's state, being born in the flesh.

The purpose of the gospel is to bring judgment upon people in the flesh, so that they might live unto God in the Spirit. This judgment occurs when God awakens the conscience and guilt within an individual by revealing His law. This highlights the transforming power of the gospel in guiding individuals from a flesh-focused existence to a spiritually enriched life in harmony with God's will.

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THE PROMISE OF ESCAPE IN TEMPTATION

You may be contemplating the verse where Paul mentions that God provides a way of escape in temptation. Does that mean God made a way for Adam to escape? In theory, yes, in the sense that Adam should have obeyed God.

However, as Romans 7 explains, the law is spiritual, whereas Adam was carnal, being born in the flesh. Therefore, he could not obey the law and lacked the strength of God. The 'love of God' — God Himself, the Holy Spirit — did not dwell in his heart.

Escape in Temptation for the New Creation

The promise of escape in temptation is extended to those who are born again and have the Spirit of Christ dwelling within them.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

The understanding that Paul was referring to those who are born again is supported by the following verse.

1 Corinthians 10:14 says:

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

In 1 Corinthians 10:14, the use of the pronoun 'my' and the word 'beloved' — in Greek, agapetos — highlights the special relationship and bond Paul has with those he is addressing. Clearly, they are born again and new creatures in Christ, having the Holy Spirit, that is agape, dwelling within them.

God is agape, whom you receive indwelling when you are born again.

Romans 8:9 says:

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

It is therefore to those who are born again and in Christ that the way of escape is made.

Adam and Old Testament Believers

In contrast, Adam and Old Testament believers did not have the Spirit of God dwelling in them. When God created Adam as a 'living soul', he was not born again, because Christ did not indwell in him. He was born of the flesh and lived in the flesh, and therefore did not have the strength of God to overcome temptation.

The Gospel

The gospel serves a singular purpose but is twofold in its nature: it is designed to judge men in the flesh, leading them to live according to God in the Spirit. This dual aspect of the gospel encompasses both a judgment of our earthly, fleshly lives, and an invitation to embrace a new spiritual life — a life aligned with God's will and purpose for us that will ultimately lead us to our eternal home with Him.

John 14:6 says:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

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SUMMARY

This Study Guide has explained the purpose of preaching the gospel, focusing on its consistency, unchanging nature, and dual purpose.

The Everlasting Gospel

The gospel, referred to as the 'everlasting gospel' in Revelation 14:6, is continuous and unchanging, reflecting Jesus Christ's unchanging nature (Hebrews 13:8). The message has always centred on Jesus Christ, from being the anticipated Saviour in the Old Testament to the present Saviour in the New Testament. This unchanging gospel is powerful enough to free and save humanity from sin.

Dual Nature of the Gospel

The gospel has a dual purpose: to judge men in the flesh, and to enable them to live according to God in the Spirit. Understanding these aspects helps us appreciate why the gospel is preached and its significant role in our lives.

Eternal Purpose of the Gospel

God's unchanging plan for humanity is to save all people and bring them to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). Salvation is an act of free will, requiring repentance, as emphasised in 2 Peter 3:9. True repentance involves turning away from evil and towards good, leading to a new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Cause of the Gospel

The gospel offers salvation through Jesus Christ and has a dual nature, as Peter states in 1 Peter 4:6. It judges men in the flesh and enables them to live according to God in the Spirit. The gospel is preached to those who are spiritually dead, offering them a chance to repent and believe in Christ (John 5:25).

Judging Men in the Flesh

The gospel reveals humanity's true condition, starting with judgment to awaken individuals to their sinful state. This judgment is necessary to lead to repentance and a new birth in Christ (John 3:3-5). The gospel brings people from a flesh-focused existence to a spiritually enriched life in harmony with God's will.

Living According to God in the Spirit

The gospel's purpose is to lead individuals to repentance and a new birth in Christ. This transformation involves receiving a new heart and spirit (Ezekiel 36:26) and living a life according to God's will (Galatians 5:16).

Misconceptions About Adam and Physical Death

This Study Guide clarifies that physical death was not the consequence of Adam's sin, but spiritual death and separation from God. God's plan always required two births to enter His kingdom: a physical birth and a spiritual birth (John 3:3-5).

Key Distinction Between Paul and Adam

Both Adam and Paul were spiritually alive from the beginning. However, Adam, created as a physically mature adult, lacked the understanding of God's law. Children remain spiritually alive until they reach the age of accountability, similar to Adam's state before knowing the law.

Promise of Escape in Temptation

The promise of escape in temptation is extended to those who are born again and have the Spirit of Christ dwelling within them (1 Corinthians 10:13). Unlike Adam and Old Testament believers, who did not have the Spirit of God dwelling in them, born-again believers have the strength of God to overcome temptation.

Conclusion

The gospel serves a dual purpose: to judge men in the flesh, and to lead them to live according to God in the Spirit. This dual aspect encompasses both judgment of earthly lives and an invitation to embrace a new spiritual life, aligned with God's will and purpose.

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SUBMISSION TO COGMA FOR APPRAISAL

Instructions