p. 7 | The Gospel and the Law

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Mar 4, 1913

The Gospel and the Law

1. What is the Bible definition of the gospel?

“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.” Rom. 1: 16.

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Cor. 1: 17, 18.

2. Since the gospel is specifically for the purpose of saving people, let it be asked, From what are they saved?

“And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1: 21.

3. Since, then, we are to be saved from “sin,” does the Bible define what sin is?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3: 4.

4. What does the apostle Paul say was the only means he had of knowing what sin is?

“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.” Rom. 7: 7.

NOTE.—The apostle in this last quoted text refers to the Ten Commandment law, for he quotes from it. Then, since the gospel is for the purpose of saving us from sin, and since “sin is the transgression of the law,” also, seeing that the inspired apostle had no way of knowing sin but by the Ten Commandment law, is it not clear that the law must be presented if we make a Scriptural presentation of the gospel?