Is the Gospel Message or the Dispensational Message the Most Important?
by Pastor Don Hosfeld
“What is of predominant importance in your teachings, the gospel message or dispensational message? And which message brings salvation?”
This question is often asked of us by those who feel we are causing division through our teaching of doctrine. But we must ask, is causing division the correct test of right or wrong? Bad or good? Did Christ Himself not say, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division” (Luke 12:51 cf. Matt. 10:35)? And cause division He certainly did (cf. John 7:40-43; 9:16; 10:17-21). The fact is, truth divides; it always has and always will, and short of not sharing the truth, nothing can be done to prevent it.
It is the truth of the gospel that divides the non-believer from the believer, and the truth will also create division within the church, and rightfully so. However, the Scripture doesn’t cast the blame on those who speak the truth; instead, the responsibility lies squarely on those who reject it – “Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Rom. 16:17). Here we see that those “which cause divisions” are the ones who are not adhering to correct doctrine.
To be sure, the most vital message that any believer can share is the gospel, for it “is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom. 1:16; 4:5). But members of the Body of Christ are called to do more than share the gospel with the unsaved. We are called to edify the church and share “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). If a saved individual asks about God’s Word or counsel on baptism, tithing, sanctification, the Rapture, or any other vitally important doctrine, a believer should not be more concerned about any resulting division than sharing the truth, nor should we find it necessary to keep our conversations solely about the gospel.
God’s will is for all to be saved “and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). This is why Paul said, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:13), desiring that we be “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” (v. 6), and warned us to “take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them” (v. 16). To do those things we must “preach the Word…reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). We can and should speak the truth in love “that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14-15).
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