Amazing grace is the message of Paul’s letters in the New Testament.

In the great revivals at the turn of the twentieth century, the phrase “full gospel” evolved to become almost synonymous with the Pentecostal movement. Although the distinct definition of the phrase largely depended upon the individual or group of saints who used it to identify their particular theology, the general application of full gospel usually related to a belief in the Pentecostal experience. The message that was preached did not stop at the conversion experience, but included the need to go on to the full blessings of amazing grace that God had provided for mankind.

Although modern Pentecostal preachers usually restrict the term full gospel primarily to emphasize the need for the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the thought behind the phrase full gospel is a tremendously important truth for modern-day Christianity. In fact, the writers of the New Testament seem to imply that the reason for most of the problems of the church in the first century, as in this century, was and is a failure to preach the fullness of amazing grace in the gospel message.

The gospel is so powerful that there is nothing which can stop it except the perversion of its message. The gospel is “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). Is there any wonder, then, why in every book of the New Testament there is a constant admonition to heed the truth and recognize error? The full gospel of amazing grace and nothing but the full gospel is and always has been the need of the hour for the Church.

The power of salvation is contained within the amazing gospel itself. Because the amazing grace of God is supernatural enablement to be Christian, the believer just needs to hear the full-gospel message and allow it to work the miracle of deliverance. Again, the only way the gospel can be defeated is to pervert its message. Although it will be somewhat lengthy, it will be beneficial to scan the letters of the New Testament written by Paul to illustrate the challenge of knowing the fullness of the amazing grace of the gospel.

Amazing grace in Romans

After the usual greetings, thanksgiving, prayer, and some opening remarks, Paul begins his letter to the Romans with the statement that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The Gentiles were guilty because they missed the truth spoken to them by their conscience (1:18-32). The Jews were guilty because they missed the truth spoken to them by special revelation (2:1-3:18). Without exception all men are sinners and stand in the need of salvation. After Paul gives an exposition of the gospel message of salvation (5:1-8:39), he records some practical exhortations based upon that gospel (12:1-15:13), and closes with, among other things, a warning against false teachers: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (16:17-18).

Amazing grace in the Corinthian letters

Paul strongly suggests that the reason for the divisions in the Corinthian church revolve around the faulty preaching and understanding of the gospel (1:10-4:21). In addition, his use of such phrases as “to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect,” “I came to you . . . not with excellency of speech or of wisdom,” and “my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom” (1 Cor. 1:17, 2:1, 4) indicates that not only the content of the gospel but the means by which the gospel is preached also should be free of any error.

In what we know as his second letter, Paul again addresses the subject of preaching. He states, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward” (2 Cor. 1:12). Then, Paul spends most of chapters 2, 3, and 4 expressing why the presentation of the gospel must be pure. He writes, “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth . . .” (4:1,2). His intention is simply to state that “. . . if our gospel be hid . . . to them that are lost,” (4:3) it is hid because “. . . the god of this world hath blinded [their] minds . . .” (4:4) and not because Paul had “veiled” the gospel with some fleshly error or method (2 Cor. 3:6-4:18).

Amazing grace in Galatians

The entire letter to the Galatians revolves around the fact that the Galatians were being deceived by a perverted gospel, a gospel evidently taught to them by teachers within the very ranks of Christianity. Paul writes to the Galatians, “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth” (5:7)? His question is, “0 foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you . . .” (3:1)? Paul responds to the danger of their seduction with, “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” (1:6,7). His prayer is, “I would they were even cut off which trouble you” (5:12).

Amazing grace in Ephesians

After Paul opens the letter with a powerful prayer that the Ephesians would have wisdom to comprehend the greatness of the revelation of Jesus Christ, he records powerful truths concerning the greatness of Christ and the greatness of the Church. In the practical section of his letter, Paul gives an exhortation to spiritual growth through speaking the truth in love in contrast to the craftiness of deceivers. He writes, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (4:14).

Amazing grace in Philippians

In this letter, Paul essentially gives an entire section to warnings against false teachers. He writes, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision” (3:2). Warning them, he cries out: “. . . For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ” (3:18). Paul uses his own life as an example when he states, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (3:13,14). He desired the same goal for the Philippians: “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent . . .” (1:9-11).

Amazing grace in Colossians

This letter also is primarily written to warn against false teaching. In the thanksgiving, Paul expresses that the gospel at Colosse was the result of the faithful ministry of Epaphras (1:3-8). In his prayer, Paul prays, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (1:9). After giving some powerful positive statements concerning the doctrine of Christ, Paul deals with the errors of speculative philosophy, ritual observances, worship of angels, and rigid asceticism (1:13-2:23). His warning is, “Beware lest any man spoil you . . .” (2:8).

Amazing grace in the Thessalonians letters

In both of these letters, Paul is basically writing to give instructions concerning misconceptions about the “second” coming of Christ. Thus, again, the letters emphasize the importance of knowing the truth so deception will not occur. Also, Paul states that his preaching did not contain the characteristics of those who deceive. He writes, “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time use we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness” (1 Thess. 2:3-5). His concern is expressed, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means” (2 Thess. 2:1-3).

Amazing grace in the Pastoral Epistles

In these letters to Timothy and Titus, Paul again takes a goodly portion of the letters to warn about false teachers. Paul warns Timothy, “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do” (1 Tim. 1:3,4). His advice to Timothy is, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself’ (1 Tim. 6:3-5). The second letter to Timothy and the letter to Titus also contain the same warnings against false teachers.

Amazing grace in Hebrews

The entire letter of Hebrews was probably written because the first readers had an inadequate understanding of Christianity. The writer of the letter states concerning the better way of Christianity and Christ, “Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (5:11,12). The author of the letter closes with this admonition: “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein” (13:9).

Established in amazing grace

The warning by Paul throughout his writings was for the believer to, “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines . . . [but] be established with grace . . .” (Heb. 13:9). The full gospel message of amazing grace contains the power within its revelation to accomplish the work and will of God. The amazing gospel is the power of God unto salvation because the amazing grace of God is the provision by which man is delivered.

If the believer can hear the fullness of the gospel message of the Bible, he has a manual of amazing grace that is as sure as the righteousness of God to do what He says He will do. God stands by His word and gives amazing grace for the fulfillment of His will. The fullness of the gospel message of the Bible is the manual of amazing grace for the believer.