Hebrews 2:3-4 (NKJV) how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
Suzanne had a hard time discerning false prophets from true ones. She observed that some of the false prophets had become very smart by embracing ‘holiness’ doctrines. But she had a personal encounter with one of such holiness preachers and realized he was as greedy and filthy as the rest. She also realized that most of the false prophets were not interested in winning souls for the Lord, they were only interested in the money.
We can see from today’s Bible verses that salvation was first preached by the Lord Jesus Himself, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him (His disciples who echoed His gospel). In Matthew 9:35 and Luke 8:1, we see that the Lord Jesus went to different towns and villages teaching and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. We also see that His disciples did the same. Many wonder what gospel message Jesus and the Apostles preached since Jesus was not yet crucified? Well, Jesus preached the message of salvation. What makes a person receive eternal salvation is believing that Jesus is Lord (the Christ of God, the Messiah). Even before Jesus died on the cross, people were being saved through believing in Him. We see in Luke 19:9 that Jesus said salvation had come to the house of Zacchaeus [because he believed in Him].
Before and after His death and resurrection, believing that Jesus is Lord was the key to salvation. The resurrection was God’s token proof that Jesus is Lord. The Jews crucified Him because He said He was the Christ (the Son of God, the King of the Jews). But God raised Him up on the third day as proof that He is indeed the Christ (Lord, Anointed One, the Messiah). The gospel we preach today now includes this vital truth—that God raised Jesus from the dead (see Romans 10:9).
In John 4, we are given a rare peek into the content of the gospel message that Jesus preached while He walked the streets of Israel. We see Jesus preaching to the Samaritan woman, and their conversation headed up to Him revealing to her that He is the Messiah (see John 4:25-26). The woman believed in Him and even invited others to come and see the Christ (see John 4:29).
Whether then, or when the Apostles preached, or today, the gospel message has been about bringing people to receive the Lordship of Christ Jesus. People who receive the gospel live under the Lordship of Christ. That’s why they repent of their old ways that do not align with life under Christ’s government.
Go into today remembering that God confirms His gospel with signs and wonders, miracles and gifts of the Spirit. The next time you want to discern whether a prophet is false or not, look at the fruits of his ministry (Matthew 7:16). Is he raising people whose allegiance is to Christ (this shows by their lives of submission to the Lordship of Christ) or is he raising people whose true allegiance is to him and to mammon?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me be a true minister of Your salvation. Stretch out Your hand to confirm Your word in my life with signs and wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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