Today there are many people and churches that claim to believe in God and Christ like the sand on the sea. And they claim to know the gospel of Christ and many of them even work for the gospel, sacrificing themselves following the examples of Christ and disciples. However, when asked what the gospel is, most of them cannot give the right answers.

What is the true gospel? The criterion to distinguish truth and falsehood is in the teaching of Christ because we are supposed to preach the gospel Christ preached 2000 years ago, not our own thoughts or opinion. Then let us find out the words of Christ about the true gospel.

Just before the ascension, Jesus gave specific teachings to the disciples about the gospel that they have to preach to the world.



Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Jesus clearly says that the disciples must teach or preach “everything I (Jesus) have commanded them.” Since this was the command of Jesus their Savior, the disciples preached the gospel Jesus taught them.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you.

Apostle Paul clearly states that he is teaching the gospel Jesus taught them following the examples of the Christ. All the teachings they taught and all the commands they kept were coming from the teachings of Christ Jesus.

In this respect, the true gospel is in the teachings of Christ and the disciples who followed examples of Christ. Therefore, to know if a teaching is true or not, we have to compare it with teachings of Christ and disciples. If it is taught by the Christ, it is the true gospel. But if it is not in the teachings of Christ, we can definitely sure that it is a false gospel. We have to remember Christ unequivocally stated that we have to teach people to obey everything he taught to his disciple. This is the definite teaching of Christ. There is no room for argument in it.

Then what are the teachings Christ gave to his disciples? Christ gave them lessons in two ways. First, he gave them direct teachings or verbal messages so that they would follow them. Second, more often he showed them examples through his own actions so that they could follow his examples.

With this in mind, let us find out what is the true gospel or the teachings of Christ. One of the most popular holidays for the Christians today is Christmas when people celebrate the birth of their Savior Jesus Christ, which is 25th of December. Most Christians celebrate this holiday and invite so-called Gentiles to the festival to introduce their faith in Christ. Then what we should know is if this teaching is coming from Christ or disciples. Even though we read the bible (which is the recordings of the teachings of Christ and disciples) from cover to cover, we cannot find any mention of keeping the Christmas by Christ or disciples of Christ. This means that Christmas is not the teaching of Christ and thus this cannot be included in the category of Christ when he said “Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”. Jesus’ teachings are the criterion in deciding what is right or what is wrong.

Then what about the Sunday worship? Today most Christian congregations gather on Sunday for the worship service, claiming this is the teaching of Christ and disciples. Is it true? This is an outrageous lie which is not based on the words of Christ in the bible. The bible again and again says that Jesus and disciples kept Sabbath Day, that is, Saturday as the day of worship and gathered in synagogues on the Sabbath. (Luke 4:16, Acts 17:2) This is the teaching of Christ and disciples who followed Jesus’ examples. Nevertheless, people try to make many excuses for the Sunday worship. Rather than making excuses, however, they have to look at the bible and find out the exact teachings of Christ and disciples such as Sabbath and Passover.

We all believe in God and the salvation God grants to his people. Then we must show our faith in God through our action by following the commands of God. Now we must let go of our own thoughts and opinions, but we have to follow the commands of God without adding to or subtracting from them. Now we must check ourselves to find out if the gospel we are following or preaching is coming from the teachings of Jesus or not. If not, we have to turn away from those false words.

Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.