The dynamics of discipleship (part 16)

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” – MARK 16:15

The gospel of assimilation, meaning, to absorb into a cultural tradition has been spread to most of the known world, an obscure message that leads people to think because they showed up and went to church that somehow salvation entered them.

This is what the apostle Paul said to the church at Galatia, “Who bewitched you?”

I was watching a documentary about several ancient churches in Africa carved out of solid stone believed to be built by angels. Thousands of people came from all over, some walking for weeks to worship at this sight and at Christmas even more would come, staying up all night singing and praising God. Sounds like pure devotion – but as many were interviewed and asked why they walked so far to come to this church they answered and said, “So that God would take notice and be pleased with them.”

They were deceived by a false gospel, sounded good because everyone wants God pleased with us, but that is a lie and a gospel of works. The gospel is good news, that our sins were washed clean by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and it was not by works or being good, but by faith and repentance that we are saved.

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.” – MARK 16:16