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The Gospelists Handbook

I. Introduction: The Premise

A. The Full Gospel: "A Movement"

The term “Full Gospel” was coined by canadian Albert Benjamin Simpson, founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) in 1887 in a series of sermons called "Fourfold Gospel". According to him, the "Full Gospel" was representative of the "Four-fold" ministry of Jesus Christ:

  1. Christ the Savior
  2. Christ the Sanctifier
  3. Christ the Healer
  4. Christ the Returning King

The influential model of the “four-fold gospel,” influenced many early Pentecostals, including the Foursquare Church. Simpson was also interested in the gift of tongues and other miraculous works for the purpose of overseas evangelism. Simpson was never part of the Assemblies of God church but his "four-foldness" of the "full gospel" led to Pentecostal demoninations.

The Full Gospel movement is associated with Pentecostalism. A “Full Gospel Christian” believes that the Holy Spirit is still doing everything He was doing in the New Testament Gospels: He is still healing, giving the gift of tongues, performing miracles, etc. Since Jesus is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), Full Gospel Christians believe He is still operating in the world with the same methods.

B. The Gospel Fully Preached

There is much edifying history and thought here to process, but I am presenting this here as a matter of distinction. Setting A.B. Simpson (Four-Fold) and/or Aimee Mcphereson (Foursquare) to the side for now, I want to look past them to the Scripture and to the 1st century church. Back to Romans 15.

Romans 15:19 — Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: 21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

  • fully: perfectly, completely
  • fully: "to teach" (versus merely to "tell") Matthew 5:17; Colossians 1:25
  • fully: successfully; not only proclaimed the Word, but made converts!

Sharing the Gospel. Sharing the gospel like:

  • We share a meal in fellowship and in necessity.
  • We share our abundance and our substance.
  • We share love with those held in common and to the stranger.
  • We share knowledge to educate and to empower.
  • We share for no other reason, but a joy shared in doubled! (News too good not to share.)

C. October 20, 2024 "The Gospelists of Maine"

II. To be a Gospelist is to Be a Herald - Mark 5:20

Mark 5:20— And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

"publish", "proclaim", "to be a herald; to officate as a herald; with proclaim with formality and gravity and openness.

61 times: preach (53x); publish (5x); proclaim (2x); preacher (1x)

  • John the Baptist - Matthew 3:1 "came John the Baptist, preaching"
  • Jesus - Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14; "Jesus began to preach ... Repent"
  • Disciples - Matthew 10:7 "ye go, preach"; Mark 3:14 ("ordained");
  • "In the Whole World" - Matthew 24:14 ("gospel of the kingdom")

Scripture List:

scripture description
Mark 5:20 "publish": proclaim, to officate as a herald;
Matthew 28:6,7 "Go quickly and TELL His discples" "He is risen"
1 Timothy 3:16 "preached": (same as Mark 5:20) "to herald"
Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19,20 Go and preach the Gospel, "preach": (same as Mark 5:20) "to herald"
Romans 1:1 separated unto the Gospel (prev., "called to be an apostle"
Psalm 71:15-16 tell, remind
Psalm 66:16 declare
Luke 1:1-4 to write
Psalm 105:1,2; 2 Peter 1:16 make known
Matthew 5:16 let your light shine
John 4:29 invite, "come...see"
Psalm 119:46; 1 Cor: 13:1 speak
Acts 1:8;Isaiah 43:10,11 witnesses

III. Sharing the Gospel is a Challenge

IV. A Living Faith

  • Our greatest witness is the life we live.
  • Our language in general is a mountainous opportunity to live our faith. (James 3)
  • Harm has been done when the Christian speaks out of place.
  • Early Christians in the Roman Empire were the "athiests"

V. Diligently Prepare

  • to answer the basics
  • The basics begin with, "So, You and Jesus ... what's that about?"
  • The basics continue with the questions we SHOULD be asking.
  • These basics touch on the "human condition"; not niche, but what is "common to all".
  • "I don't know" is a an ok answer!

VI. Light in Darkness

  • Many are blinded by false religions
  • These false religions are bondages, hindreances, prison house of the soul and mind.
  • Are there answers for them in the Gospel, that they think they have found in their various religions?
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