It is frequently asserted that the gospel, strictly speaking cannot be obeyed. Such an assertion was made long ago and it has been repeated times without number down to our day. It has become almost a religious axiom. Let us see whether it is possible to obey the gospel.

      But first, I shall let another speak: "Then, in some way the gospel must be obeyed. No man can obey the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. That is impossible. Paul tells us just how this is done: 'But thanks be to God, that whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered: and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness" (Rom. 6:17). What was impossible man, God made possible. While we cannot obey the death, burial and resurrection of Christ we can obey the form of it. We do this being "buried therefore with him by baptism into death."

      If it is impossible to obey the gospel, and man has to obey a "form of it," then the gospel is not God's power to save. In this case Paul should have said: "For I am not ashamed of a form of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation." Paul said the Lord would take vengeance on those "that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus." He said not a word about the impossibility of obeying the gospel, or of substituting a form for the real gospel. Such an idea is as foreign to the Bible as the related doctrine of transferring the efficacy of the blood to water. What else will be done to mutilate the gospel?

      But we are told that Paul tell us just how to obey the gospel. We are then referred to Rom. 6:17,18. It is assumed that Paul here has special reference to baptism; for the writer concluded: "We do this (obey the gospel) in being 'buried therefore with him by baptism into death.'" Then baptism only is gospel obedience! If this is true several scriptures need revising. It cannot be proved that Rom. 6:17 has any more reference to baptism than to faith. I agree with Lard who said: "The expression tupon didaches is sometimes rendered type of doctrine, and held to denote baptism. But this is to special. The expression includes baptism, but does not stand for it exclusively. The scriptures should never be forced to teach what is not clearly in them." One can believe the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, but we are told one cannot obey the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Hence faith in Christ is not included in the obedience of the gospel. (Suppose I should remotely hint that baptism is not part of obedience to the gospel, what would be the response? I have long noticed that most any position is tolerated just so it appears to exalt baptism, even at the expense of faith or the blood of Christ.)

      The gospel has no substitute. It is God's power to save those who obey it. Neither does obedience to the gospel have a substitute. It is not only possible to obey the gospel, in the strictest sense, but one has to do it or be lost.

      But what is the gospel? The gospel does not consist in the detached facts of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The gospel is not simply facts about Jesus. The good news of salvation is Jesus crucified for our sins, buried, and raised for our justification. The gospel consists in a person in whom to trust, not simply in one command to be obeyed. Commands are not the gospel. The gospel is appropriated by means of obedience to commands, but commands are no more the gospel than eating is food. Food is appropriated by means of eating. But eating is not food. And mind you, it takes food to perpetuate life. A mere form will not do it. Jesus is the Saviour. He has no substitute. Neither does the God ordained way of appropriating him have a substitute. The gospel consists not of forms, but of realities. It is too much to say the gospel consists of facts to be believed, commands to be obeyed, and promises to be enjoyed, and then assert only the commands can be obeyed. Only a third of the gospel can be obeyed! Strictly speaking, the gospel is not facts, commands, or promises. The gospel concerns a person, not mere facts. The gospel is appropriated by obedience to commands and as a result of obedience to the gospel we enjoy the promises of God. Peter preached the gospel (Acts 2): then gave the commands based upon the gospel; the people obeyed and enjoyed the promise of forgiveness of sins. Peter's gospel consisted in Christ crucified, buried and raised for man's salvation. His commands were repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (implying of course faith). His promises were the remission of sins and the reception of the Holy Spirit.

      BUT WHAT IS IT TO OBEY THE GOSPEL? This is a Bible question and has a Bible answer. The expression "obey the gospel" is found three times in the Bible. The places are Rom. 10:16 (King James Version), 2 Thess. 1:8, and 1 Peter 4:17. There is nothing in the context of the last two passages to indicate just what is meant by the expression "obey the gospel." But it can be certainly known what Paul meant by the expression "obeyed the gospel" in Rom. 10:16. Hear him: "For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?"' Their failure to believe was their failure to obey the gospel. Therefore, to believe the gospel is to obey the gospel. To believe the gospel is to believe in, trust in, Christ crucified, buried, and raised for our justification. This is the way to appropriate Christ. The gospel saves the believer (Rom. 1:16). God saves those who obey the gospel. Obeying the gospel is appropriating Christ crucified. The death of Christ for our sins naturally implies the obligation of man to accept him. Hence the expression, "obey the gospel."

      Paul's reference is to Isaiah 53:1. Isaiah's words are: "Who hath believed our report?" To Paul, believing the report was obeying the gospel. John has also referred to Isaiah 53:1. "But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they believed not on him: that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report?"' (John 12:37-38). To believe on Christ with Paul is to obey the gospel.

      Once the jailer inquired: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas answered: "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved." Paul elsewhere said the gospel saves the believer. When the jailer believed "on the Lord Jesus," was he obeying the gospel? The gospel is Christ crucified, buried and raised for our sins. The jailer believed on this Christ. He was commanded to believe. He obeyed. Did he not obey the gospel? Is not believing the gospel obeying the gospel? Paul thought so. As an accompaniment that EMBODIES faith, baptism may be considered a part of obedience to the gospel. Yet it is nowhere called obeying the gospel. Much less is it the only means of obeying the gospel.

      It is not wise to say a thing cannot be done when the Lord says it must be done to be saved. Can one believe? Faith that saves means trust. One cannot trust in facts. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are facts. Hence one cannot believe! This is a sample of the logic that is used in concluding that the gospel cannot be obeyed. Can on repent? If not, how can one be saved since repentance is made a condition of salvation? Can one obey the gospel? If not, how can one be saved since obeying the gospel is made a condition of salvation? Do faith and repentance have substitutes? Why contend that obedience to the gospel must have a substitute?

      I see in the position herein examined a fundamental error which a better understanding of the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith would correct. Brethren, for the sake of our souls, let us never get too big to restudy our position.