Related texts: 2 Tim 1:10; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Cor 1:30-31; Isaiah 53:5; Acts 1:11
The song “Fourfold Gospel” was written out of inspiration from the summary of the core values of The Christian & Missionary Alliance denomination penned by the denomination founder A.B. Simpson. The list is descriptive in nature that Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came to Earth born of a virgin and lived a perfect life to be a sacrifice for the sins of humanity died on a cross and three days later rose from the dead, is identified by the four identities as the Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. The denominations statement about the Fourfold Gospel can be found on the denomination’s website by clicking here.
Those same identifiers are present in the song “Fourfold Gospel”. In the chorus, all four names are declared in response to every verse. The second half of the chorus “Death has died, ‘cause You’re alive, and by Your name there is victory” is birthed out of 2 Timothy 1:10 stating that “…our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel”. What a blessing to share in the victory and life and light through the Gospel of God’s grace!
The first verse of the song expounds on Christ’s identity as the Savior: “Jesus Christ, there is no other name that gives life, no one else can save- You are the cornerstone, You are God alone” is written out of Acts 4:11-12, but the verses were flipped around in the writing of the song: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved,” which then reads into verse 11, “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.” Verse 11 then appears in both verse 2 and verse 3 (AKA the tag) as well to help guide continuity between the four descriptive titles of Christ. The first half of verse two reads “Redeemer You became what we need and called us first, to You goes all the glory.” This is found in 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 “ you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” This is the definition of His title as Sanctifier, though redeemer was the word used in the actual lyrics of the song. Without Christ as redeemer, we couldn’t be sanctified; without Him as sanctifier, our redemption has no legs!
The bridge was incredibly difficult to put together, I revised it a handful of times. Most iterations to describe Christ as the Healer felt very “me-centric” and not Christ-centric. Finally, I read Isaiah 53:5 and it felt like a passage that gave honor to Jesus and Jesus alone as the Great Physician: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” This verse became “You take away our sin to make us new again, You paid the punishment, by Your blood we are healed!” This felt like a strong marriage between the depravity and desperate need that we have and the mercy that God gave us by being the propitiation for our sins, the sacrificial lamb.
Finally, I wanted to end the song in a way that thinks ahead and honors Jesus as the Coming King. This might have been the easiest line, and one of the most exciting ones, for me to write. “This Jesus, received by a cloud and taken up one day will come back down.” Was inspired out of Acts 1:11: “(The men in white robes) said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” It only felt natural to tie Acts 4:11 back in declaring Jesus as the cornerstone to cap off the song. How good it is to declare the wonderful name of Jesus: the Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King as our Cornerstone and our Victory!
“Fourfold Gospel” is available for listening on all streaming platforms and for purchase on all digital music providers. You can stream the song for free on YouTube by clicking here. This document is also available in a PDF in the resources tab.
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Kevin McClure has been leading worship in the local church for over 10 years in different capacities of student and adult ministries. As a songwriter, musical artist, and worship leader he has had the honor of touring the United States both as a performer and worship leader over the better part of the last decade. With a heart to see believers learn how to take the act of worship beyond the setting of a group gathering, Kevin is incredibly intentional with his time on and offstage to help teach the practice of worship as a lifestyle. Kevin lives in Omaha, Nebraska with his bride Hailey and his two daughters, Everleigh (8) and Eliska (2). His favorite food is coffee (lifesource), loves bonfires, and is convinced that Jesus is a Chicago Cubs fan.
Kevin McClure 