By: General James Green – 7/18/25
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you GOOD TIDINGS of great joy which will be to ALL PEOPLE.” – Luke 2:10, NKJV. The NIV has “GOOD NEWS” as well as does the RSV, Amp. Bible, NEB et al.
What does the word “good” mean? As far as the gospels go, “good news” or “good tidings” has the Greek word euaggellzō (only found once in the gospels), meaning “to announce good news (evangelize), declare, bring (good tidings), preach (the gospel). The Gk. word for “good” is eu; neut. of a prim. eus (good); “well done”.
Newness of Life
Newness of life is found in Paul’s epistle to the Romans:
“Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in NEWNESS of LIFE.” – Rom. 6:4, NKJV.
Newness: Kainotēs (καινότης), akin to kainos, is used in the phrases a) “newness of life” (Rom. 6:4) i.e., life of a new quality; the believer, being a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), is to behave him/herself consistently with this in contrast to his/her former manner of life; b) newness of the spirit (A.V., Rom. 7:6), said of the new Christian’s manner of serving the Lord Jesus. [note: while the phrase stands for the “new life” of the quickened spirit of the Christian believer, it is impossible to dissociate this (in an objective sense) from the operation of the Holy Spirit, by whose power the service is rendered). (see Eph. chapter 2).
The Mission & Message of Jesus
To understand Jesus’ M/M we have to turn to the gospels. One could break this down to:
1) incidents in His life;
2) His sayings;
3) the revelation of God.
Jesus’ M/M has caused a great debate all thru the centuries: the Gospels must be entirely TRUE or else fallacious fabrications. I believe the Bible is an “inspired” book, full of both truths & falsehoods. By this I mean it records both truth & falsehoods. (2 Tim. 3:16,17).
Disgruntled readers of the Bible, of our modern critical commentaries do not understand that these commentaries are purely CRITICAL & that their authors would regard it as alien to the scope of their work to be either practical or devotional. “Yet,” one Bible theologian said, “it is this practical/devotional element, combined with a shrewd, searching, but not meticulous or skeptical, criticism, which modern readers require.”
I’m not a Bible theologian/scholar or historian, but I do study different versions of the Bible & many Lexicons/Comms. I do not believe that all will be in unison concerning the Gospels/Epistles (N.T.), nor the O.T. writings.
When Polycarp of Smyrna, in the year A.D. 156, was asked by the Roman proconsul who was about to condemn him to death: “Who is this god of the Christians?” Polycarp replied: “If thou art worthy thou shall know.” (Polycarp, b. 69 A.D., died 156 A.D. He was friend of Ignatius, & a disciple of the apostle John. He was arrested in his very old age & was BURNED to death in A.D. 156).
According to Mark
The ministry of Jesus began after the arrest of the Baptist, & it began in Galilee. An aspect of Jesus’ Ministry was the “terror” He executed when He cleansed the Temple! Boy, if He were here today in person, I dare say He would have one HELL of a job cleansing today’s churches.
So, What was His Message?
Mark 1:15 says: “The time is fulfilled, & the Kindom of God is at hand (lit., “drawn near”), REPENT, & BELIEVE in the gospel.” – NKJV. Just before we read this, vs.14 tells us that “after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kindom of God.” – Evangelion – “good news” or “good tidings”. The Eng. word “gospel”, i.e., “good message”, is the equivalent of “evangelian” (Eng., “evangel”).
The N.T. denotes the “good tidings” of the KOG & of salvation thru Christ, to be received by faith, on the basis of His expiatory death, burial, resurrection, & ascension in glory, e.g., Acts 15:7; 20:24; 1 Pet. 4:17. Apart from those refs. & those in the Gospels of Mt. & Mk., & Rev. 14:6, the noun in confined to Paul’s Epistles. The Apostle uses it of 2 associated yet distinct things, 1) of the basic facts of Christ, e.g., 1 Cor. 15:1-3; 2) of the interpretation of these facts, e.g., Rom. 2:16; Gal. 1:7,11; 2:2; in (a) the Gospel is viewed historically, in (b) doctrinally, with ref. to the interpretation of the facts, as is sometimes indicated by the context.
Subject or Nature of the Message:
It is the gospel of God (Mk. 1:14; Rom. 1:1; 15:16; 2 Cor. 11:7; 1 Thes. 2:2,9; 1 Pet. 4:17; God, concerning His Son, Rom. 1:1-3; His Son, Rom. 1:9; Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Mk. 1:1; our Lord Jesus, 2 Thes. 1:8; Christ, Rom. 15:19 etc.; the glory of Christ, 2 Cor. 4:4; the grace of God, Acts 20:24; the glory of the blessed God, 1 Tim. 1:11; your salvation, Eph. 1:13; peace, Eph. 6:15, et al.
The True Gospel
In Gal. 2:14 we read, “the truth of the gospel”; it denotes, not the true gospel, but the true teaching of it, in contrast to perversions of it. Many of today’s churches (esp. the Woke ones), teach we are saved IN our SINS, not from our sins, meaning, one can continue in their LGBTQ+ sins & remain saved! This is perversion upon perversion!
The following expressions are used in connection with the Gospel:
(a) with regard to its testimony;
kērussō, to preach it as a herald, e.g., Mt. 4:23; Gal. 2:2;
caleō, to speak, e.g., 1 Thes. 2:2;
diamarturomai, to testify, e.g., Acts 20:24;
euangelizō, to preach, e.g., 1 Cor. 15:1; 2 Cor. 11:7; Gal. 1:11;
katangellō, to proclaim, e.g., 1 Cor. 9:14;
douleuō eis, to serve unto (i.e., in furtherance of), Phil. 2:2;
sunathleō en, to labor with in, e.g., Phil. 4:3;
hierourgeō, to minister, e.g., Rom. 15:16;
plēroō, to preach fully, e.g., Rom. 15:19;
sunkopatheō, to suffer hardship with, e.g., 2 Tim. 1:8.
All these are with regard to the Gospel’s Testimony.
With its regard to its reception or otherwise we find the Gk. words:
dechomai, to receive, e.g., 2 Cor. 11:4;
hupakouō, to hearken to, or obey, e.g., Rom. 10:16; 2 Thes. 1:8;
pisteuō en, to believe in, e.g., Mk. 1:15;
metastrephō, to pervert the Gospel, e.g., Gal. 1:7.
All those are found under Noun.
Verbs
Evangelizō, to bring or announce “glad tidings” (Eng., evangelize), is used (a) is the Active Voice, e.g., Rev. 10:7 (“declared”) & 14:6 (“to proclaim” (R.V.), (KJV), “to preach”);
(b) in the Passive Voice, of matters to be proclaimed as “glad tidings”, e.g., Lk. 16:16; Gal. 1:11 & 1 Pet. 1:25; of persons to whom the proclamation is made, e.g., Mt. 11:5; Lk. 7:22; Heb. 4:2,6; 1 Pet. 4:6; (c) in the Middle Voice (esp. of the message of salvation), with a personal object, either of the Person preached, e.g., Acts 5:42; 11:20; Gal. 1:16, or, with a preposition, of the persons evangelized, e.g., Acts 13:22, “declare glad tidings”; Rom. 1:15; Gal. 1:8; with an impersonal object, e.g., “the Word”, Acts 8:4; “good tidings”, Acts 8:12; “the Word of the Lord”, 15:35; “the gospel”, 1 Cor. 15:1; 2 Cor. 11:7; “the faith”, Gal. 1:23; “peace”, Eph. 2:17; “the unsearchable riches of Christ”, 3:8;
Proevangelizomai:
To announce “glad tidings” beforehand, is used in Gal. 3:8.
The above outline may be of some use for new believers.
Jesus to the Jews
God sent the Son to the people of Israel/Judah first (Jn. 1:11). He & John the Baptist preached repentance to them, e.g., Mt. 3:2 & 4:17. As a whole the Jews rejected both John & Jesus.
[note: concerning the words Jew/Jews, see the AdjectivesIoudaios (Jew etc.) & Ioudaikos, Jewish; Noun: Ioudaismos (Jews’ religion); Verb: Ioudaizō (Judaize); Adverb: Ioudaikōs (Jewish fashion).
Time Fulfilled!
It is clear what is meant by “the time is fulfilled” (Mk. 1:15). Jesus is proclaiming the dawn of a new age, aka New World Order! The Apocalyptists, who succeeded the prophets, had stressed even more emphatically this conception of a Divine plan for man – destined inevitably to be accomplished with precision in each successive stage of human history. Jesus was both a Revolutionary & a Determinist of the personal, moral, & spiritual type who believes that the whole course of things is determined by the will of His Father of infinite power, wisdom, & goodness – with both judgment & punishment thrown in.
The new age was the “Messianic Age”, the consummation of the ages (Heb. 9:26 speaks of “the end of the ages”).
The apocalyptic conception of the KOG was strongly nationalist, Jewish. The “message” for the Jewish “Mess-Age” (and for our day as well) was, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, for where thy treasure is there will thy heart be also” (Mt. 6:21; Lk. 12:34). And what do we find today (as well as back then?) Believers working to get rich, have the “good life” now (as baby boy Joel Osteen et al. teach!)
“Have you BEST life NOW!” Yep! This is the altar call in too many churches.
Jesus’ way was not by external organization or mass-movements or force of numbers. No Sir! It was to “crucify the flesh, the carnal nature (e.g., Gal. 2:20; 5:24; 6:14). Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:31, “I DIE daily”; Lk. 9:23 also. But what do believers actually do? They protect “self” & “crucify Christ afresh”.
Apocalyptists Taught…
Jewish Zealots – a body of ordent Jewish patriots – believed that the Kingdom MUST come by heroic endeavour & the exertion of military might.
They, on the other hand, taught that the Kingdom was G-d’s, & at the time appointed He would bring it in, not by the scimitars of heroic Zealots, but by the flaming swords of myraids of angels & archangels. This was also the view of the Pharisees.
Jesus, however, taught that the Kingdom comes not by military might nor by angelic agency, but by the individual born-again believer doing the Father’s will. This, we here at ACMTC believe.
Jesus, as we also, believed that the Kingdom was coming – it arrived in His day & yet is yet future in its fullness; it was/is from above but operates in earth, on earth. Thus the complete/fulness coming of the “K” on earth is dependent upon the full co-operation of born-again Christians with the Tri-Unity.
Are you ready to join God’s covenant people? If you are already a Christian believer, are you ready to fight the good fight of faith… to finish your course?
F.Y.I.
Course: There are 4 Greek words that describe/define the word “course”:
Nouns: Aiōn = an age or dispensation;
Dromas = a race;
Ephēmeria = daily service;
Trochos = a wheel.
Verb: chōreō= to go forward;
Notes: (1) connected with dromos, it is euthudromeō, i.e., to make (or run) a straight course (euthus, straight), e.g., Acts 16:11 & 21:1; (2) In 2 Thes. 3:1, trechō, to run (in the R.V.), is trans. “have free course” (A.V.); (3) In 1 Cor. 14:27, ana meros, “by turn”, “in turn” (R.V.), is rendered “by course” (A.V.); (4) For ploos, sailing or voyage, “course”, e.g., Acts 21:7, A.V., in the R.V. it is “voyage”. [Dromos = “running”, a race (course of occupation of life) see Acts 13:25; 20:24; 2 Tim. 4:7.
WOS – THE NEWS THAT NEVER GROWS OLD!
I speak unto you this day and I say while people have grown so accustomed to hearing the “world’s news” within minutes or hours after the same has happened they will shun news as old when the same is current. However there is News which never grows old, and that is the Good News that JESUS SAVES!
While the world’s news is usually gossip, or violence, or stock market crashes, or murders and mass murderers, as well as endless wars there is no life to be found in any of such news. The end of the world’s news is often times depression and even despair as people take in the news and it registers in them as depressing and hopeless. The world’s news often times causes many people to feel as though life and the grind of existence are useless so may as well die. Emptiness, loneliness, sadness all are consequence of current knowledge of what is happening around the world as well as locally.
Is it any wonder that the youth of today feel such futility and emptiness because they spend most of their time with their devices and literally are lost and feel naked without their various tech devices. Some people carry their “cell phones” with them every where yet they have no one to call and no one calls them. Yet, they feel lost without the “security of their cell phones.” Is it any wonder that many people cannot even communicate with each other in these times because people have so given themselves over to playing with their “tech-toys” they just can’t live without them.
This epidemic has affected not just the young people but others, even baby boomers are locked into the world’s news and think somehow it is important. However the only thing which is really important and never grows old is the fact that JESUS SAVES. Any and all who will take the time to listen to the Gospel Message and ponder the same will be drawn to consider is HE the answer to Life and the very reason for being?
Reality is, without Salvation through JESUS CHRIST My Son, people are dead already and once their lives progress, there is nothing which awaits them except sin, sickness, death, and damnation. The span of one’s life without Jesus is literally as meaningless as a flower which blooms for a season, wilts and dies and the remains are blown into the wind.
I want people to come into JESUS AND FIND THE JOY THAT COMES OF SERVING HIM AS SAVIOR, LORD, DELIVERER AND MASTER. The more that people know JESUS, the more they know Me and understand how blessed it is to be FORGIVEN AND GIVEN THE NEW LIFE. If a person really thinks about it how wonderful it is to have the old sins which only bring death and damnation in exchange for New Life, what a Gift! People do not earn their Salvation, the same is given to them as a Gift which is the most precious gift one could ever receive. Then as they are living in the attitude of gratitude for the Gift, they will be glad to live in the Way the Holy Spirit directs them. Understanding will come as to how blessed they are to know Me as their Father and Jesus as their brother and My Spirit as the precious guide they need.
Actually to be Born Again of incorruptible seed and brought into My Divine Love Family is the most exciting journey one could ever embark upon. While many people who want to control Me grow bored with religion and do not consider it worthwhile to live for Me are not living for Me at all. They are imprisoned by the gods of self-love, ego, pride, and fear and cannot experience true fellowship with Me as their Creator.
The Good News is when Jesus came to earth as a man and demonstrated the Power of My Kingdom, He commanded His disciples to deny themselves which means essentially they were to be freed from self-love. If you really consider it, self-love is the major reason people will not abandon themselves to trusting and serving Me. They are always held back in the prison house of self because the old nature is too dominating for them to realize they are prisoners. Those who sow to the flesh will of the same reap corruption and while they imagine they are free they are not for they cannot really trust or love anyone but themselves. Actually they are trapped in deep loneliness and fear and because of such motivating forces of darkness they are miserable.
I do not call you to misery, I call you to rejoicing in Me as the One who bears rule over you. I want you to be uplifted, coming forth, giving thanks and praise each day that you are liberated to Walk in the Jesus Way. Ask each day for the Holy Spirit Mind to be over you, guiding you forth by the pathway I have provided and intend for you. The more that you are attentive and respecting My Spirit’s commands and dictates, the more you will be glad to be alive and able to Love, to Live, to walk in Light. You will come to understand what an absolute death trap it is to live for one’s self when there is nothing but misery in the end and Hell awaiting.
This is why when those who are professing to be Christians yet are loving themselves more than Me and anyone else, are miserable internally and always wanting to put their misery on others. The ones who abandon to Me and follow in the steps of Jesus will flourish in the joy of their Salvation.
WOS – YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER
I speak unto you this day and I say that My Son Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Which means He is the One who is and always will remain the Way of Salvation. Therefore do not be listening to strange teachings which are sent by the devil to entice you away from the Jesus Way and take you on the road to no where except damnation. You are not intended to be wise in your own eyes and by pride be easily deceived and led astray. Rather you are to be serving in the attitude of gratitude for you have been Redeemed and shown the JESUS WAY.
If I had not seen the need for the New Covenant, I would never have sent My Son Jesus to earth to live and demonstrate My Kingdom. Nor would I have had Him to give His Life as the ransom for as many as would believe upon Him and follow in His steps. I would have left in the old system and those of you who are of Gentile heritage would have never been given the Salvation mercies you have found through Jesus. Instead, you would simply have followed the pagan ways you knew by inheritance and without My Light in your lives.
Yet, because of My Love for humanity, I sent My Son who came with a New and better Covenant than the Old where by people attempted to adhere to the law and by the same be all right with Me. Inasmuch as they were continually having to give sacrifices for their sins, they were not able to keep the laws they were meant to follow. Of course many times, those who were in the priestly offices were more corrupt than the people and gave only the example of hypocrisy not sincerity towards Me.
By the time I sent Jesus to the lost and dying Jewish people, the priest hood had been taken over for the most part by those who were the children of the devil. They had no respect nor regard for Me, in fact they hated Me and likewise hated My Son Jesus and the message He brought calling for them to Repent and Change their ways. Of course they hated the Truth and they hated Jesus who declared the Truth to them. This was because they were lovers of self and determined to have their own way and everything they did was motivated by self love.
Of course the antidote for such is for those who truly want the Truth to learn and practice the principle of self-denial. Over and over, I have called multitudes to My Kingdom Way however the majority stumble at the thought of “self-denial” and assume the Way to be too hard for them. However what they are failing to realize is whenever you are putting yourself as the first and foremost love in your life you pay the consequences of such selfishness. Those who are refusing to deny self of any of the creature comforts or luxuries which are considered so necessary are blinded by the god of this world. Once the devil and his demons have persuaded anyone to refuse The Call to All given by Jesus to His disciples, then they move in with assorted sinful temptations which end in slavery.
It is not My intention, nor the intentions of My Son and The Spirit for people to end as sin slaves, it is by their choices that they are incarcerated in the cells of darkness which end in Hell. Of course the terrors of damnation are very real and the agonies and torments never cease. How dull and dumb are the ones who because of their desire to please SELF have put themselves in the very dungeons of darkness, where they remain bound. Despite the teachings of some, there is no way that by paid prayers, anyone can escape the vile and despicable darkness for there is no exit.
This is why it is Jesus came declaring the need for Repentance, and why He still remains available to those who will hear the Message of Repentance and turn to Him as their Savior and Lord. Over and over the saga repeats itself and only the ones who are serious in their desires for Me will come forth in the Way I intend and be True Jesus People. They will not flirt with the former lifestyles, nor will they take up new modes of sinful behaviors which cause them troubles by association. Rather those who are true to the calling to follow in the steps of Jesus will divorce themselves from worldly pleasures and treasures.
I do not find pleasure in those who are claiming to be Christian yet they betray the standards of conduct Jesus declared necessary for those who would be His disciples and follow in the steps He walked. Over and over such as imagine they can do the choosing are literally losing because they are persisting and insisting on going in the way of fools.
The Words which Jesus spoke remain the same to every generation. He likewise does not change to accommodate “current worldly trends”. Rather He remains the same, Yesterday, Today, and Forever. Therefore be serving each day in the attitude of gratitude and keep your integrity of relationship with Me, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Realize that the only thing that really matters is how true you remained to your vows and covenants you have made. Be thankful that you can be coming forth ever uplifted, directed, and guided in the Way which is New Life and knowing you are meant to be kept in safety and security by Me. I do not leave My people alone for they are given the internal guidance of My Spirit and they are shown My Light on the path the Spirit directs them to take. Give Thanks.