The Preacher’s Notebook

The Paper and Electronic Pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Mineral Springs, NC
(Deliv ered b y E-mail and Us Pos tag e Th ro u g h Su b s crip tion as an Exten s io n o f the Pu lp it M in is try o f this Ch u rch)
Dr. Terry W. Preslar – PO Box 388 – Mineral Springs, NC 28108
(704)843-3858 – E-Mail: preslar12@windstream.net
Co p y rig h t (C) 2009. Terry W . Pres lar A ll rig h ts res erv ed.

Vol. III March, 2009 – The Second Essay in a Series Issue 3

The “Old Path”

Gospel Message?
(“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask
for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein,
and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not
walk therein.” Jer. 6:16)
Introduction
The Message of Evangelism is Vital!! What will we tell the
hearers that we approach with our message content? This issue is
avoided by many and has become a conundrum to the misguided
pulpit of our day. The enigma-like nature of this issue was never
intended to be so mysterious. This “Old Path” was defined by the
Saviour himself and continued through the voice of the early
church fathers but somewhere along the way most of the church
entered error and defined a “New Path” of human means and an admixture that has caused deep decay.
With one breath we hear of the Salvation that is by “Grace” and then we hear what we must do to get it.
The modern pulpit with no clear message has given us a dangerous situation in our pews (Un-converted church
members). The unsaved membership of many churches is due, not to the state of dark sin (Depravity has not
gotten worse and remains the same), but this is due to the “un-certain sound” of the modern pulpit’s message.
(“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound...?” 1 Cor. 14:8). A clear message is a vital imperative. The
Gospel pulpit needs to focus upon the message and leave the psycho-analysis to another profession. The
psycho-babble of the modern message is enough to impede the effectiveness of the message. We sit here, in
this state of the matter, as I write this line of text while we witness a low interest on true evangelism. Yet our
God is not only a God that “can” save or “would” save...He is a God that “does” save and God is calling a
new rank of preachers to preach the message of His Grace. That message is the “Old-Path” Gospel. Our
prayer should be: “Let us make no un-certain sound of the Gospel trumpet.”
The Gospel Is a Certain Sound...
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the glad tidings that Jesus Christ died for man’s sins, that He was buried,
and that He rose again from the dead to be the Savior of those who receive Him (1 Cor. 15:1-11). It is the
message of free righteousness for those who trust Christ (Rom. 1:15-17).
I- The Gospel is the good news that we have forgiveness of sins though Jesus. Specifically, the gospel
is defined by Paul in 1 Cor. 15:1-4: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached
unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in
memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all

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 that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was
buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
II- Originally, the word “Gospel” referred to a reward paid the one who brought good news. Later, it
came to mean the good news itself. In the New Testament, it is the message of salvation through Christ.
Gospels is the term used for the four histories of the life of Christ in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John. The name is from Middle English “godspel,” meaning “good tale.”
III- The Gospel is an element of the ministry of Christ that is primary in the function of the church.
(Rom. 10:13-15) This is Mark’s word used in the Book of Mark in many ways that illustrate its meaning.
A) “The Gospel of Jesus Christ” (Mark 1:1).
B) “Believe the Gospel” (Mark 1:15)
C) Something to lose one’s life for. (Mark 8:35)
D) Something to lose ones house for. (Mark 10:29)
E) Something that must be published. (Mark 13:10)
F) Something that must be preached. (Mark 16:15)
IV- The word “Gospel” is used in many ways in the other “Gospel Records”:
A) “Jesus went preaching” the Gospel (Matt. 4:23).
B) The poor have the Gospel preached unto them (Matt. 11:15; Luke 7:22).
C) The imperative - This Gospel shall be preached (Matt. 24:14; 26:13 Mark 16:15).
D) This was Christ’s regular practice (Luke 2:1)
E) The Gospel was Christ’s mission while on Earth (Luke 4:18).
F) This was the office of those sent out by Christ – They “PREACHED” the Gospel (Luke 9:6).
V- The word “Gospel” is used in the rest of the New Testament, 83 times, for a total of over 100 times.
This English word is, totally, a New Testament concept and, in exactly, this manner is not mentioned in
the Old Testament. Because the book of Mark’s Gospel appears to be the oldest, in age, among the Gospel
Records - The rule of first mention applies to Mark 1:1. The Gospel IS “the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST.”
YOU CAN FIND:
A) A False Gospel – Full of flesh and empty of spiritual power. (“Having a form of godliness, but
denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Tim. 3:5).
1)Many False “christs” (Matt. 24:5).
2)A system of False doctrines (Col. 2:8).
3) A multitude of False prophets (Matt.7:15).
4) An outspoken False religion (Matt.7:21).
5)A vocal False witness (Prov. 12:17).
6) An open False worship (Isa. 42:8).
B) A Hidden Gospel (John 12:12 with Verse 36). A Gospel not seen by many. The old path preacher
knew that the Gospel was preached to all but few responded. (“For many are called, but few are
chosen.” Matt. 22:14).
C) Another Gospel (Gal.1:6-7). A Gospel that is only a pale counterfeit – But where is the Gospel of
Mark 1:1...? (“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world
hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who
is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the
Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Cor. 4:3).
The “Old Path Gospel” Is the Clarion Cry...
Let there be no mistake about the Gospel!! We may not be sure about the state of our Social Life...We may
have doubts about the standing of our finanial limits...or we may in sad disenchantment about the status of our
politics...But, of our Spiritual future there need be no misunderstanding. The Gospel provides a clear
directive:
I- The elements of the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-6).

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 A) Christ died for our sins (Vs. 3).
B) That He was buried (Vs. 4a).
C) That He arose again (Vs. 4b).
D) Seen of many (Vs. 5-6).
II- The Cost of the Gospel
A) GOD’S only SON
B) The shame of our sin endured by Him (2 Cor. 5:21).
C) His Blood (Col. 1:14).
III- The Power of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16).
A) It is alive (Heb. 4:12).
B) It is Spiritual power (1 Cor. 1:17-18).
C) It is our only weapon (Eph. 6:17).
The purest philosophy uttered by the voice of man is the “Old Path Gospel”: The gospel comes from God
(Gal. 1:10-12), is the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16), is a mystery (Eph. 6:19), and even though it
is mysterious it is mankind’s surest source of hope (Col. 1:23), faith (Acts 15:7), life (1 Cor. 4:15), and peace
(Eph. 6:15). The Gospel preached is a herald to the sinner, a help to the servant and a hope to the saved. –
Preach it Loud – Preach it Long – Preach it Lovingly to a waiting world.
Enemies of the Gospel
The Modern Day “Gospel” Contrasted with the “Old Path” Gospel Message
Most would think that the Gospel would be so innoxious that it would have no enemies – but this is far
from the truth. The Gospel is the most volatile issue of all contemporary matters. Broadly speaking, we may
identify five great enemies of the Gospel in our society today. The thought of them makes us groan within.
I- Secular Humanism. Making man the measure of all things, it has no time for God or for anything
coming from or pointing to God. It is expressed in a yearning after culture and freedom of thought and
“the cultivation of the polite branches of knowledge” developing “a system of thinking in which man,
his interest and development are made central and dominant.” Its tendency is to exalt the cultural and
practical rather than the scientific and speculative, and to encourage a spirit of revolt against existing
opinions. Yet its advocates’ avowed concern for man’s well-being when their principles are applied
to life has been and continues to be disastrous to Gospel efforts. It is conflicted by the “Old Path”
Gospel Message.
II- Islam. Aggressively critical of western social anarchy and increasingly vocal on behalf of Islamic law,
it meets with little resistance from so-called church leaders and will stop at nothing to assert its
claims. It is contrary to the “Old Path” Gospel Message.
III- Popery. Despite its large-scale losses among both priests and people, and repeated child-abuse
scandals, Popery nevertheless continues to infiltrate as many political, educational, commercial and
media spheres as possible, longing for a new European ‘Holy Roman Empire’ on which it can stamp
its image. It is contrasted with the “Old Path” Gospel Message.
IV- Theological Liberalism. Undermining confidence in the Word of God and its teaching on Law, Sin,
Christ, Salvation and Hell, it controls so many theological colleges that sound churches can hardly find
the Biblical training their ministerial candidates need. Even professing Evangelicals are little better
than anti-confessional Liberals. With them, doctrine no longer divides. That is to say, truth no longer
matters. It is countermanded by the “Old Path” Gospel Message.
V- “Dead Religious” Intellectualism. Its disciples speak and write of theology as an intellectual exercise
in notions, to the great neglect of Christian experience and practice. Unlike our far more learned Old
Path Pastors, they appear too busy “keeping up with the philosophical Joneses in the secularized
university circles where so much of their work is done” to fulfil their role as spiritual guides of God’s
flock. It is confused by the “Old Path” Gospel Message.

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 The End of These Matters
O, when shall we see a return to the God of the “Old Path” Gospel Message? There can be many reasons
for this deplorable fact but at the root of this apostasy is the condition of “Bad Theology” that has allowed
the demise of the “Old Path” Gospel Message. This has been seen in resent times as the erosion of all the
major truths of “Old Path” Theology
This current and pervasive theological error is gaining a foothold within Gospel churches and producing
doctrine that is highly questionable. Below is an orthodox critique of these doctrines that have risen up in our
midst.
The 5 Solas are the truths that dictate the position of the teachings of those who believe the Bible Alone
(Sola Scriptura) is the standard for doctrine and practice. We believe that every aspect of salvation is by
God’s Sovereign Grace Alone (Sola Gratia) and conditioned upon Christ Alone (Solo Christo). We believe
that Christ’s people freely receive knowledge and rely upon Christ entirely for their salvation by the gift of
Faith Alone (Sola fide (by faith alone), also historically known as the justification of faith, is a doctrine, held
by some, which asserts that it is on the basis of their faith that believers are forgiven their transgressions of
the Law of God, rather than on the basis of good works which they have done). We believe that all that
happens in this world, including the salvation of men, the damnation of the wicked, and even the sinfulness
of men is predestined for the Glory of God Alone (Soli Deo Gloria).
Synergism – This is the erroneous doctrine that there are two efficient agents in regeneration, namely the
human will and the divine Spirit, which, in the strict sense of the term, cooperate. This theory
accordingly holds that the soul has not lost in the fall all inclination toward holiness, nor all power
to seek for it under the influence of ordinary motives. To put it simply, synergism is the belief that faith
is produced by our unregenerated human nature.
Conditional Election (Under the presumption of Foreseen Faith) – The [erroneous] belief that election
to salvation is not a supernatural act of God’s grace alone; rather, God’s choice is based upon the
choice of unspiritual man, as God chose to salvation those whom He foresaw choosing Him of their
autonomous free will. It follows that God’s choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the
foundation of the world was based upon His foreseeing that they would respond to His [outward] call.
He selected only those whom He knew would, of their natural selves, freely believe the gospel.
Election therefore was determined by or conditioned upon what natural man would do. The faith
which God foresaw and upon which He based His choice was not given to the sinner by God (i.e. it
was not created by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit) but resulted solely from man’s will. It
was left entirely up to [autonomous] man as to who would believe and therefore as to who would be
elected unto salvation. God chose those whom He knew would, of their own free will, choose Christ.
Thus the sinner’s choice of Christ, not God’s choice of the sinner, is the ultimate cause of salvation.
Antinomianism (or No-Lordship) – The belief that Christians are liberated from the observance of moral
laws when God’s grace is active.
Legalism – To the extent that we forget that our status before God is due to what Christ has done for us,
we will try to make out own relationship with God depend on winning His approval.
A New Perspective on Paul’s Teaching of Justification – This one-sided, imbalanced view of
soteriology threatens to undo a biblical understanding of the nature of the Gospel, the meaning and
importance of justification, and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness.
Conclusion
The historic Gospel, would serve its noble purpose for the faithful of the 21 Century. The Gospel’s
distinctives taught in the days gone by are in question here and, if these be torn away, there is no distinctive.
(Isa. 8:20). Our God promises to make a distinction or there is no light in our message.
All Divine Principles are in peril of being misunderstood when placed in the light of this “New Gospel” -
Each Divine Decree seems, in the human mind, to depend on logic, human wisdom and reason. Pascal said
“...faith hath reason that reason knows not of...” The message of the natural evangelist is purely fleshly. Divine

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Action is expected to be subject to the whim of the modern pulpit - Fixed limits are placed on the Gospel’s
results. The Gospel may be the only unspoiled message that continues un-tainted by the motives of men.
Identify it clearly, believe it unto redemption and preach it boldly - it is the Gospel...
Worldliness will always soften the impact of preaching. Today we are under the control of the flesh and
pleasure like never before therefore preaching (a spiritual endeavor) is subjugated to the needs and whims
of the flesh. The message of the Grace of a Holy God engenders Holiness as it compliments worship. We must
return to the message that God uses and that is his Sovereignty and His might to save.
This position is borne by many: A.W. Pink, John Gill, Benjamin Keach, C.H. Spurgeon, L.R. Shelton, B.B.
Caldweld, Rolfe Barnard and a host of many, out of the camp of “Grace preachers,” with which I cheerfully
take my place and am gladly akin.
Once again, the delineation of this message is a Spiritual imperative. There are only two messages within
religious methods. The message of works salvation is a reflection of a perceived covenant of works which
does not exist. But there is a covenant of Grace between Holy God and His Only Son, sealed with His Blood,
toward the fallen race of mankind. “Grace preachers” have raised this covenant with zeal and if we return to
it once more, it would make an impact as it has every time it has been articulated (“For though I preach the
gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the
gospel!” 1 Cor. 9:16).
May we see a revival of the “Old Path” Message in the pulpits and mouths of modern preachers and a
renewal of true evangelism after the faith of our fathers, in the Old Paths. (“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye
in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find
rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Jer. 6:16).

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T his Periodical is printed by Gospel Publishing and Colportage , a ministry of the First Baptist Church
of Mineral Springs, NC, and is designed for education, evangelism, and edification. If we may assist you in
knowing more about Christ and the Christian life, please write us without obligation: First Baptist Church of
Mineral Springs PO Box 388, Mineral Springs, NC 28108 (704)843-3858

Psalms 107:2 S É S Romans 12:1-2

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Psalms 107:2 S É S Romans 12:1-2
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