Devotional and Reflection Questions: A Fuller Gospel (the Fourfold Gospel)

A Fuller Gospel

     2 Corinthians 4:6-7 states, “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

   Dr. A.B. Simpson’s Fourfold Gospel is foundational to our understanding of a fuller gospel that displays the role of Christ in the life of the believer.  Simpson refers specifically to Christ in the life of the believer, but we know that you cannot separate God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit as they act in their distinct and equal roles in the Trinity yet as one God.  It is through accepting Christ’s atoning sacrifice that the Holy Spirit indwells us, and the relationship is restored with the Father.

     The first of the four parts of the Fourfold Gospel begins with Jesus, our Savior.  Acts 4:12 states, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”  This statement emphasizes what Jesus himself clearly said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  These statements are both inclusionary of all mankind as well as exclusionary to those who will not accept Christ.  There is exclusively one way and only one way to salvation, and that is through Christ.  2 Peter 3:9 states, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  God is extending his mercy and grace to all of mankind, allowing all people to have time to make a decision for Christ.  In His omniscience, He knows who will accept and who will reject him, yet He remains hopeful and loving toward all people just as He did with his betrayer Judah Iscariot.

     The second part of the Fourfold Gospel is Jesus, our Sanctifier.  1 Corinthians 1:30 states, “ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.”  Jesus positionally sanctifies us at salvation.  He justifies us with the Father and propitiates the wrath due us as the penalty for sin.  At this time, we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit continues to work in our lives as we continuously submit to God’s will.  Romans 12:2 states, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  It is God’s will that we should be changed to a new way of thinking and acting that reflects our faith in Jesus Christ.  Christ’s life and the Word of God serve as the model and guide for that transformation.  It is up to us to submit our will and to act according to scripture.  In doing so, the Holy Spirit promises the power to overcome sin and pursue holiness.

     The third part of the Fourfold Gospel is Jesus our Healer.  James 5:15 states, “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”  Physical healing is the privilege of the Christian believer.  It is available both physically and spiritually.  When we accept Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to bring us a new heart and a renewed  mind.  2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  Our old sinful nature is still part of us, yet we now have the power to overcome it and live as sons and daughters of Christ.  As we persist in faith, God continues to heal our hearts.  We also gain the ability to heal physically.  Although our bodies are slowly deteriorating and are affected by sickness destined to die eventually, power exists for healing in two ways.  First, we are fully healed as we graduate to the heavenly realms upon our death.  We are assured of eternal life with Christ.  We are also promised an uncorrupted body in heaven.  Second, scripture states that we have the power to heal ourselves and others in this life through prayer and anointing with oil.  Righteousness and repentance run hand-in-hand to ensure effective prayers.  Sin is the opposite of righteousness, as death is the opposite of life.  The power does not come from us; rather, it is from the Holy Spirit within us.  As a church, we can offer healing through anointing and prayer of the elders.  Individually and corporately, we can offer healing to all those in need.

     Finally, the fourth of the Fourfold Gospel is Christ, our Coming King.  Acts 1:11 states, ““Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”  Scripture promises Christ’s triumphant return to restore all things and establish a millennial reign.  The crown symbol used represents that Christ is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords.  Philippians 2:9 states, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,”  John 1:1 assures us that Christ was in the beginning just as Acts 1:11 assures us he will be at the end of all things.  Christ is the eternal King, Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Restorer of all things.  The Christian and Missionary Alliance states this even more specifically as Christ relates to believers as the Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King of their lives.

 

Reflection Questions

1)      How does Christ provide salvation for the human race?

2)      Which member of the Holy Trinity has been sent by Christ to act in and through us to empower us for holy and righteous living?

3)      What are two ways that believers can be healed by the power of the Holy Spirit?

4)      Name the four parts of the Fourfold Gospel as they relate to the life of the believer.