Some may wonder what I mean by the term “the old Jerusalem Gospel.” Well. Simply put. I mean The Gospel of Jesus Christ. I guess I picked up the term reading from Gospel preachers from long ago who have now gone on to their reward. While I do not remember any preacher explain the phrase, I will explain what I mean by it and am reasonably sure that those in the Lord’s church who previously and possibly currently have referred to “the old Jerusalem Gospel” mean the same as well.

“The”. That is the definite article. When referring to the Gospel, it means it’s not just any preaching that makes the mere claim of being the Gospel (meaning good news). Paul indicated that there is only “the Gospel” in Galatians 1:6-7, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” There may be perversions of the Gospel, but there is only one Gospel, i.e. the Gospel.

“Old”. By being “old” it is not meant that it is outdated and in need of replacement or update. It is “old” in the sense of having existed for a long time, for almost 2,000 years to be more specific. It is the message found in the New Testament, prophesied by Jeremiah (31:31ff) and fulfilled in the first century (Hebrews 8:8-12). Friends, it may be old, but it is as up to date and relevant as today’s newspaper (even more so). There are those who preach a message that is old. It originated between 600 and 1,400 years ago, but it is not the message that was preached the days of the apostles and New Testament prophets in the first century.

“Jerusalem”. That is the place of origin. If it does not go back to Jerusalem, in the first century, it is not “the Gospel.” There are those who preach a message that originated in Rome, or Germany, or Switzerland, or even in America. But that is the wrong location because the Gospel began at Jerusalem and spread far and wide. (See the Book of Acts).

“Gospel”. As we mentioned previously, Gospel means “good news”. This good news is the one and only which originated in Jerusalem in the first century. Any “gospel” that is one of many “gospels”, that is “new and improved”, and originated in any other place than Jerusalem, is not “the old Jerusalem Gospel”.

The old Jerusalem Gospel is what is to be preached today. There will always be those who prefer to hear preachers for what they teach, that being what the people want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). There are those today who do not want to hear the condemnation of sin. They just want their spiritual leaders to speak “smooth things”. They do not even care if they were lied to, as long as they feel good about themselves. (Isaiah 30:10)

Every generation needs to hear the old Jerusalem Gospel, which tells one to believe, repent, confess and be baptized for the remission of sin. After baptism, one is a New Testament Christian, “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” Titus 2:12.

If preaching the old Jerusalem Gospel does not make one popular, that is fine. My desire to teach and preach the Bible was never grounded in winning a popularity contest. We should remember, the old Jerusalem Gospel is not popular with the devil either. We must seek to please God and not man. Galatians 1:10, “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.” (ASV) 

• Jerry D. Sturgill

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). Paul pointed out the selflessness that is to characterize followers of Christ. Christ is the ultimate example of humble, sacrificial service to others (Philippians 2:11). Paul’s one aim was to follow Christ. For him to live was Christ and to die was gain (Philippians 1:21); he was willing to be poured out as a drink offering, as a sacrifice to serve others such as his brothers in Christ at Philippi (Philippians 2:17). Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians from prison and was willing to die if need be in service for Christ. Ultimately, death is a gain to the Christian.

            In this context, Paul commended some of his brothers who were fellow laborers to the Philippians. Timothy would naturally care for their state, unlike most who are self-seeking (Philippians 2:19-21). Epaphroditus served Paul’s needs during the imprisonment. Epaphroditus lived in service to others to the point that he was sick and came close to death for the work of Christ (Philippians 2:30). In imitation of Christ, he did not regard his own life in order to serve others. When Epaphroditus was sick near to death, he was distressed not with selfish thoughts but out of concern for the Philippians because they had heard he was sick (Philippians 2:26-27). What an example!

            Sickness is not the result of a lack of faith, (as health and wealth preachers advocate); instead, many faithful folks have had serious illnesses. Jesus did not say the sick need more faith; the Lord said the sick need a doctor (Luke 5:31). Paul, as an apostle endowed with the miraculous power of God, could heal the sick (Acts 14:8-10; 28:7-9), yet not all of his fellow soldiers in the good fight of faith were without illness (1 Tim. 5:23; 2 Tim. 4:20). Even Paul himself had to suffer with a thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7-10). God did not see fit to safeguard Epaphroditus from sickness, but He did have mercy to save him from death. This man is commended for serving others without regard to his own life.

            We should not be foolish about our health, but wise in how we conduct our lives; being good stewards of our health is part of redeeming the short time we have on this earth (Ephesians 5:15-16). Physical health is crucial to our ability to serve others, but it is not the ultimate end in itself. Bodily exercise does profit in this life, but only a little when contrasted with the benefits of godliness for here and hereafter (1 Timothy 4:8). Paul puts Epaphroditus—his brother, fellow laborer, and fellow soldier—forth as a great example because his service to others in the work of Christ took priority over his own health interests. We pray regularly for the health of our brothers and sisters, and so we should, but we must also remember to pray as John did for Gaius. In 3 John 2, he wrote: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” If your physical health was on par with your soul’s health, would you be better off, like Gaius, or worse? Let us keep the mind of Christ and the great examples of Philippians 2 in mind as we attempt to maintain the perspective God desires us to have in regard to health.

-Mark Day