Preaching the Gospel

SUNDAY February 8

Preaching the Gospel

Where do we find the gospel of salvation in the Old Testament? Gen. 22:1-14, Lev. 4:27-31, Isa. 53.

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The plan of salvation was explained to Adam and Eve as soon as they had sinned; it graphically was illustrated in Abraham’s test on Mount Moriah and in the sanctuary service instituted by Moses. The sanctuary rituals were designed for an agricultural people who lived intimately with their animals. The sacrificed animals symbolized Christ’s death on the cross, and the priest’s services illustrated His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary.

Does the preaching of the gospel in the New Testament differ from the proclamation of salvation in the Old Testament? John 1:29, Rom. 3:21–26.

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While the Old Testament people looked forward by faith to the Messiah, the New Testament looks back to the accomplished salvation through Jesus Christ. In both testaments the focus is on what God has done to remedy humanity’s fall into sin.

It’s the same with the writings of Ellen White, where we find more than eight thousand references to the gospel and about six thousand references specifically to Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. The Christ of the cross and the cross of Christ were the focus of her message. She admonished Seventh-day Adventists to uplift Jesus Christ before the world. “Of all professing Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should be foremost in uplifting Christ before the world.”—Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 156. “Christ as manifested to the patriarchs, as symbolized in the sacrificial service, as portrayed in the law, and as revealed by the prophets, is the riches of the Old Testament. Christ in His life, His death, and His resurrection, Christ as He is manifested by the Holy Spirit, is the treasure of the New Testament.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 126. “The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. . . . This is to be the foundation of every discourse given by our ministers.”—Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 315.

How much time do you spend thinking about Jesus, focusing on His life and what He’s done for you? How much stronger would your faith be if you were to dwell more on Christ and His sacrifice in your behalf?