Textual Sermon (Acts 8:12-13): The Gospel which was Preached

Scripture Reading: Acts 8:4-13

"The Gospel which was Preached"

(Preaching Christ)

Intro.
1. The gospel preached in NT came from God, not man, Gal. 1:11-12.

2. Jerusalem church was being persecution…scattered (Acts 8:1). They went everywhere preaching: The word (8:4), Christ (8:5).

3. Philip preached three things, Acts 8:12. Unless we are preaching the same things today, we are not preaching Christ, cf. 1 Cor. 2:1-2.

4. Unless we receive this truth we are not receiving the word of God (Christ) like the Samaritans did, Acts 8:14.

I. WHEN HE PREACHED CHRIST, PHILIP PREACHED ABOUT:

A. The Kingdom of God, 8:12 (Matt. 6:33).

1. That the kingdom has come into existence.

a. Prophesied, 2 Sam. 7:12-13; Psa. 2:6-7; Dan. 2:44; 7:13-14; Zech. 9:9-10.

b. Anticipated, Mk. 1:14-15; Lk. 17:20-21; 19:11; Acts 1:3, 6-7.

c. Arrived, Acts 13:32-33 (Psa. 2:6-7); 2:33-36; Col. 1:13.

2. The kingdom of God is the church of Christ, Matt. 16:18-19; Heb. 12:22-23, 28 (Jno. 3:3-5).

3. Entrance into eternal (heavenly) kingdom, 2 Pet. 1:11; Matt. 7:21-23; Acts 14:22.

4. To be saved, the lost must hear of the King & His kingdom.

B. The Name of Jesus Christ, Acts 8:12.

1. The gospel is the power/authority of Christ (1 Ths. 1:5):

a. As King, Acts 2:36.

b. His exclusive power, Matt. 28:18.

c. He is actively exercising His power today, Eph. 1:20-23.

d. Salvation is obtained through His power, Acts 4:12.

2. All must respect His authority as supreme, Acts 5:29; 4:19-20.

3. Whatever we do must have His approval, Col. 3:17; 2 Jno. 9.

4. The gospel of Christ is exclusive (none other, Acts 4:12).

C. Water Baptism, Acts 8:12-13; 8:35-36.

1. Preaching water baptism is preaching Christ, Matt. 28:19.

a. Preaching that doesn’t include baptism not gospel preaching.

b. Water baptism was essential to the eunuch once Jesus was preached to him, 8:36.

2. The purpose of baptism, Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21; Rom. 6:3-4.

3. The necessity of baptism, Mk.16:15-16; Acts 10:48.

4. The entrance into the kingdom, Acts 2:41, 47 (Jno. 3:5).

II. MANY ARE NOT CONTENT WITH PREACHING CHRIST TODAY; WE MUST BE, Gal. 1:8-10; 1 Cor. 4:6. Which gospel do we want today: Christ’s gospel, or…

A. The “No Kingdom Gospel” does not Preach Christ (premill.), Mk. 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4.

B. The “Faith Only Gospel” does not Preach Christ, Heb. 5:9 (Lk. 6:46; 17:10; Jno. 14:15).

C. The “Social Gospel” does not Preach Christ.

1. Emphasis of gospel is spiritual, not social/physical, Rom. 14:17.

2. Individual oversees social action; local church’s work is spiritual, 1 Cor. 11:22, 34.

D. The “Unity-in-Diversity Gospel” does not Preach Christ, 2 Jno. 9-11.

1. Father & Son are one in truth, Jno. 17:17, 20-23 (14:6).

2. Fellowship with error is darkness; no fellowship…Eph. 5:8-11.

Conclusion

1. The gospel preached by Philip (Acts 8:12) is the one we must preach, receive, obey & defend today.

2. It is the power of God to save, Rom. 1:16-17; 1 Cor. 1:21.

3. We are lost until we believe & obey that gospel (“call on the name of the Lord”), Rom. 10:13-17.