One Gospel

1. The Gospel in the Old Testament

The writer of Hebrews explicitly states that the Israelites under Moses also had the "good news" proclaimed to them:

 

Hebrews 4:2:

"For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed."

This shows that the "good news" was not a new concept revealed only in the New Testament. It was presented to the Israelites in the wilderness, but they failed to receive it because of unbelief and disobedience.

 

The "good news" they received can be understood as God’s promise to bring them into the Promised Land (a physical rest that foreshadowed the spiritual rest in Christ).

Exodus 6:6-8: God promised to deliver them from slavery, redeem them, and bring them to the land He swore to their ancestors. This was "good news" rooted in God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

However, the Israelites failed to enter that rest because of their lack of faith and obedience, as emphasized in Numbers 14:22-23, when they rebelled at Kadesh Barnea after hearing the spies' report.

 

2. The Gospel in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the "good news" is centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Yeshua (Jesus), which fulfills the promises made in the Old Testament.

 

Hebrews 4:2 ties the gospel proclaimed to the Israelites with the gospel preached to believers in the New Testament.

 

Both groups received a promise of "rest":

 

The Israelites’ rest was tied to the land of Canaan (a shadow of greater spiritual rest).

Believers’ rest is in Yeshua, who provides eternal salvation and spiritual peace (Matthew 11:28-30).

Hebrews 4:9-10: "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His."

The "rest" offered through Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the "good news" proclaimed from the beginning.

 

3. The Same Gospel: Faith in God’s Promise

The key principle of the gospel, both in the Old and New Testaments, is faith in God’s promise:

 

The Israelites were called to believe in God’s promise to lead them to rest in the Promised Land.

Believers today are called to have faith in Yeshua for spiritual rest and salvation.

Evidence of Continuity:

Hebrews 11: The faith chapter shows that Old Testament saints (like Abraham, Moses, and David) were justified by faith in God’s promises, pointing forward to Christ (Hebrews 11:13, 26, 39-40).

Romans 4:3: "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

Failure of Unbelief:

Hebrews 3:19: "So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief."

Just as unbelief kept the Israelites from entering the Promised Land, it is unbelief that keeps people today from entering God’s eternal rest in Christ.

4. God's Rest Since Creation

The promise of entering God’s rest is tied to the Sabbath rest established at creation:

 

Hebrews 4:4: "For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: ‘On the seventh day God rested from all his works.’"

 

God’s rest at creation was a model of the rest He offers His people.

The Sabbath rest was not just about physical rest but also about trusting in God’s provision and work (Exodus 20:8-11).

The ultimate rest is found in Christ:

 

Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Through faith, believers rest in the completed work of Yeshua, just as God rested after creation.

5. Historical Connection

The continuity of the gospel throughout Scripture shows God's unchanging plan for redemption:

 

Genesis 3:15: The first proclamation of the gospel after the fall of man, promising a "seed" who would crush the serpent’s head (fulfilled in Yeshua).

 

Galatians 3:8: "Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’"

 

The gospel was proclaimed to Abraham, showing that salvation through faith was always God’s plan.

The "good news" of entering God’s rest spans all of history, from the Israelites’ journey to Canaan to the eternal rest offered through Yeshua.

 

6. Application

Why This Matters:

The gospel is not a New Testament invention; it has always been about faith in God’s promises.

The Israelites’ failure to enter God’s rest is a warning for believers today:

Hebrews 4:11: "Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience."

Faith and obedience are inseparable in walking with God.

Conclusion

The gospel is the same from the Old Testament to the New Testament. It is centered on God’s promises, fulfilled in Yeshua, and received by faith.

 

Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

The Israelites were given "good news" but failed to receive it because of unbelief. Believers today must heed this lesson and trust fully in the completed work of Yeshua to enter God’s eternal rest.