FAP Indoctrination Series #4: What is the True Gospel?

 

Lesson Objective

To define the biblical gospel as the good news of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in the finished work of Christ alone, apart from law-keeping, religious performance, or denominational loyalty.

Opening Prayer (5 minutes)

Ask the Lord to open hearts to His saving truth and for clarity about the sufficiency of Christ’s work.

I. What Does “Gospel” Mean? (5 min)

Definition:

The word gospel means “good news.” It’s the message that sinners can be reconciled to God not by what they do, but by what Christ has done.

Key Verse:

"Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (CSB)

II. The Gospel in Contrast to SDA Teaching (10 min)

Biblical Gospel:

• Salvation is entirely by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 (CSB)

• Justification is by faith alone (Romans 3:28)

"For we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law." Romans 3:28 (CSB)

• Christ’s death fully atones for sin (Hebrews 10:10-14)

"By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time. Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins. But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. He is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified." Hebrews 10:10-14 (CSB)

• Assurance is found in Christ’s finished work (John 5:24)

“Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life." John 5:24 (CSB)

SDA Gospel:

• Faith + law-keeping = salvation
• The Investigative Judgment decides final salvation
• No assurance until end-time vindication
• Sabbath observance is central to the final test

Illustration:

Two ladders: one reaching heaven by Christ alone, the other by endless climbing through works. Which will reach the top?

III. The Elements of the True Gospel (10 min)

• God’s Holiness and Man’s Sin (Romans 3:23)

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 (CSB)

• Christ’s Perfect Life and Sacrificial Death (2 Corinthians 5:21)

"He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21 (CSB)

• His Resurrection as Victory over Sin and Death (Romans 4:25)

"He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." Romans 4:25 (CSB)

• Salvation Offered as a Free Gift (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9)

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (CSB)

"For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 (CSB)

• Received by Faith Alone, Not by Works (Romans 4:5)

"But to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness." Romans 4:5 (CSB)

IV. Decision Time: Which Gospel Will You Trust? (5 min)

Ask participants:

• Have you believed the biblical gospel?
• Or are you still trusting in faith plus works and religious performance?

Closing Prayer (5 minutes)

Thank God for the simple, powerful, and sufficient gospel that saves all who believe.

For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944