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  • The Gospel of Jesus Christ

    Heard of "The Gospel"? Want to know more?

    There is salvation in no other, for there is not another name under heaven having been given among men, by which it behooves us to be saved."

What is "the" gospel?

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AVBunyan

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OK folks - here is your chance.

Please define what is "the" gospel that we are to preach today?

i.e. What is the message you deliver when you witness?

What do you tell people in order for them to be saved?

What are they to "do" or believe?

What is your message folks?

Will be waiting. :wave

Thanks

God bless
 
You seem to be implying that "the gospel" is about "how we get saved". Well, how we get saved is indeed important. But is certainly not what Paul meant when he used the phrase "the gospel". For Paul, the term "gospel" denoted the news that Jesus Christ has been installed as the lord over all the world (supplanting Ceasar) by virtue of being raised from the dead, and that Jesus is the Davidic Messiah.

We should, of course, be telling this story along with the good news that people can be saved by faith in this Jesus.

In short, while we should indeed be talling a story about salvation, we should also be telling the story of a sitting king who is transforming and redeeming creation.
 
There have been many different definitions to the word 'gospel' depending on how one uses it. Some of the various meanings are: the teachings of the Messiah, the books of the Apostles describing the life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah, and the revelation of favor from the Almighty to fallen man through a mediator which is Messiah. The greek word 'euaggelion' means good news. The word 'gospel' is from an Anglo-Saxon word which meant "the story concerning Elohim". The most familiar definition may be the Christian proclamation of the gift from the Almighty of forgiveness of sins and sonship with Him through the Messiah. These are all wonderful meanings. They all have something in common ... Messiah and His role as Savior.

My personal definition is 'the Son' and 'the word about the Son'. I apply this to Matthew, Mark , Luke, and John because this describes His first coming. I also apply the word gospel to the book of Revelation because this describes His second coming.
 
I won't drag this out for it appears few will respond and I thank those 2 who did.

The gospel as defined by Paul is:

1 Cor 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1 Cor 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Cor 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

It is amazing how this OSAS gets so confusing for "lose-its" and it appears that many or most "lose-its" don' even know the gospel message for this age!!! Sad - pitiful - but par for the course.

You folks tell me how I can lose it and but can't even tell folks how to get it!

I give up here - not worth the time and effort.
 
I'm retired, but still minister however I can. I don't find many folks interested in discussing how the Jews dealt with sin in ancient times, but most people will respond to simple statements. Here's what happened when I went for breakfast at the regular place down the highway last week. I'll try to recall accurately. I was sitting at a booth for four, alone, waiting for my order.

A silver haired businessman walked up asking "Mind if I sit here? The place is packed!"
I said "Sure, have a seat." He ordered, then brought up politics right off the bat.

"I'm worried abut Obamacare, are you? I guess I should ask, you a Democrat?" He didn't let me answer. "My dad died of cancer, my mother, my sister did, and just about that age maybe I won't get the help they...." I could smell tobacco on his breath across the table. I knew he thought he was hiding the habit, but everyone knows. So I didn't embarrass him wit ha direct statement.

I don't like talking politics in person. I changed the subject. "I used to worry about stuff like that, what price I might pay for 25 yeas of smoking since high school days, and sin, and what God thinks about me. No more. I have peace."

That got his attention. "No more sin? Everybody has that. And I smoke, but only a few a day. It's not a sin?"

I explained "Yes, I sin, but not on purpose. I've learned more and more to say NO to wrong because I know more what is wrong, but more importantly am learning more what is right. I decided to follow Jesus and just accept the fact God isn't holding sin against me, It's over. Done. We're friends forever. I will not let that subject bother me again, or politics. I'll support a candidate, vote, like I finally decided to be a disciple of Jesus, to get involved. No more play-acting. I study the Bible, let those words direct my day. The Lord died for me one time. Bled for me one time. Went to hell for me one time. Rose from the grave one time for me, motioning to me "You too, come, follow Me". So i did. I left sin in my grave and got up and am following Jesus. I will not keep going back through that grave thing, trying to die to sin. How about you?"

He wanted in, even though I think he already was "in". It's that simple. The man believed in the historical Jesus, believed Jesus was divine, had gone to church as a boy, had some good Bible knowledge, but like most of us had neglected giving adult thought to Jesus.

I use Hebrews 7 as scriptural guidance. From there a person can get a little idea of how the Jews dealt with the sin issue, on a regular basis having to appease God. But in Christ the issue is dealt with once and for all time, in His blood. Jesus isn't slitting His wrist to shed a new drop of blood for each sin. He shed all of it in that terrible day of His trial and crucifixion. That blood was presented to the Father in Heaven, at the Heavenly altar, in the Heavenly Temple basin. He did that after being resurrected and telling Mary not to touch Him, as He was going to the Father as our eternal High Priest of the highest priesthood order, of which came Melchizedek, not that of Aaron. Afterwards all were allowed to touch Him, as are each of us believers. I have direct access to God and His holy temple, and He listens to me, and He answers my prayers. That is good news. There are no hard feelings from or to God, no sin barrier. I do Jesus' commandments because I love Him, because He loved me. I am free. I am not a slave to sin. My desire is to obey Him, though I admit I don't do that perfectly. My ambition is to promote Jesus wherever I go, enjoying the abundant life He promised. I've decidedly learned not to "practice" sin, as that encourages sinners to "gang together", to feel comfortable in some shared transgression or two. But I've also learned not to carry a big Bible around thumping it. You might as well be a lawyer hauling out a copy of the Constitution when sitting down to have lunch with neighbors. Carry the gospel in your "heart". Meditate on it all the time, be ready to give a simple short explanation. It's like a mother doesn't try to feed her children all they'll need for the week in one meal. She makes sure they get some bites here and there. every opportunity.

Anyway, it never happens the same way. The gospel of Jesus comes out a little differently each time. It should be told within the context of what's happening to people. Once you have the whole of it down well it's not hard to relate Christ to modern lives through simple casual conversations.
 
The word "gospel" in the New Testament means "good news."
"Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ." (Acts 5:42)

"But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." (Acts 8:12)

What is the Good News of Jesus Christ?
That He died for our sins according to the Scriptures (see Isaiah 53). In other words, He took our sins upon Himself and died in our place, on our behalf. The fact that He was buried is proof that He actually died.


That He was raised to life on the third day according to the Scriptures (see Psalms 16:10 and Psalms 22). This is proof that He has conquered sin and death. After His resurrection He appeared to hundreds of eyewitnesses, which was proof that He rose from the dead.
 
Paul clearly defines the Gospel. Here it is...

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

If someone can't get past that, they don't believe the Gospel.
 
I like to keep it simple..."For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."


Then there's the Romans Road... :pray and pray the Lord will open their heart to Jesus.

Romans 3:10......As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.

Romans 3:23 ..... For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Romans 5:8 ......But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:12....... Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

Romans 6:23......For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.


Romans 10:9-11.....That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 10:13......For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
 
Bunyan has defined the gospel: I Cor.15:1-4. True!! In a nutshell, thats IT. Now, how do I obey the gospel?

God bless,
duval
 
Agreed. 1 Cor.15 describes the Gospel and "the Romans Road" shows us the proper response to that Good News and the "effects" of that response. :yes
 
The Gospel is the "Good News"

The good news being that Jesus did it all at the cross. He removed the curse by taking it upon Himself by becoming it for us Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: He redeemed us from the curse so that we can go free. He set us free from sickness, sin, bondage , lack and need. We are now able to enter into His works through faith in the fact. He said Joh 19:30 .... It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.

It is finished, means "he hath done it" Nothing more to be done. His people can now go free. Its good news indeed. Not only can they enter into His Kingdom eternally, they can do so now. Psa 22:31 They shall come and shall declare his righteousness Unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done it.


Amen, let those who believe the gospel, walk in its freedom.
 
AVBunyan said:
OK folks - here is your chance.

Please define what is "the" gospel that we are to preach today?

i.e. What is the message you deliver when you witness?

What do you tell people in order for them to be saved?

What are they to "do" or believe?

What is your message folks?

Will be waiting. :wave

Thanks

God bless
I seem always to be coming back to these three Scriptures:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 RSV

[34] But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sad'ducees, they came together.
[35] And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, to test him.
[36] "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"
[37] And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
[38] This is the great and first commandment.
[39] And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
[40] On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." Matt 22:34-40 RSV

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matt 4:17 RSV
 
duval said:
Bunyan has defined the gospel: I Cor.15:1-4. True!! In a nutshell, thats IT. Now, how do I obey the gospel?

God bless,
duval
For Paul, the “gospel†is effectively the announcement that Jesus Christ is the Davidic Messiah whose resurrection constitutes Him as Lord of all the world:

In contrast to this, we have the (admittedly) widely accepted idea that the gospel is the news that people can be saved through faith in Jesus Christ.

However, what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15 about the nature of the gospel is inconsistent with the view that the gospel is simply the good news that people can be saved through faith in Jesus.

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2by which also you are saved,...

Paul says people have received the gospel and that they “stand in itâ€. He then says that the gospel is the means - the “by which†that produces salvation. If the gospel is simply a statement about how one gets saved, then it would not make sense for Paul to use this “means†or “by which†terminology.

Imagine someone who believed that the gospel is news that we are saved (from death) by drug X. If we then import that concept into the structure of the Pauline text, we get:

Now I make known to you, brethren, the news that you are saved from death by drug X which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2by which also you are saved from death,...

This makes no sense at all. The key point here is that the “by which†terminology clearly imposes a “cause-effect†structure on what Paul is saying. We would never say that our deliverance from death by drug X is the cause of our being saved from death – there is a fundamental tautology here, since the effect “being saved from death†is being attributed a cause that includes the very effect in question. We have already been told how we have been saved from death – by drug X. So it makes no sense to then say this is a cause or a “by which†for our being delivered from death.

What makes sense is to have a cause that is entirely distinct from the stated effect. So note how the following statements do make sense:

Now I make known to you, brethren, the news that qualified doctors have developed a drug X which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2by which also you are saved from death,...

Now I make known to you, brethren, the news that doctors have been given authority to give a drug X which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2by which also you are saved from death,...


Returning to the issue of the real gospel, Paul cannot be saying that the gospel is the news that you can saved by faith in Jesus since it would not make sense for him to then say “as a result of this, you are saved†or “this is something by which, you are savedâ€.

Note the parallels to Romans 1:16-17. The gospel there is described as:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,…

I was being charitably incorrect earlier when I said this text is consistent with a reading where the gospel is the message of “salvation by faithâ€. That leads to a similar problem. If we substitute this conventional take on what the gospel is, we get:

For I am not ashamed of the news that one can be saved by faith, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,…

The exact same tautology is present here. In this case, the phrase “it is the power of†introduces the same “cause-effect†structure as per 1 Cor 15. It cannot be that “being saved by faith†is the power to be saved. It has to be something else, something that can be properly placed with this kind of linguistic construct, something like:

For I am not ashamed of the news that Jesus has been raised from the dead and is Lord, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,…

So in both the Romans text and the 1 Corinthians text, the notion that the “gospel†is the news that one can be saved by faith is unworkable. I will go with the definition given in Romans 1:2-4, that Jesus is the Davidic Messiah and Lord of the Universe in virtue of his being raised from the dead. If we insert such a definition in both Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 15, there is no tautology at all and a perfectly coherent cause-effect relationship between the content of the gospel and one of its results, is generated.
 
Rom.10:16: "But they have not all obeyed the gospel."

II Thess.1:8: "---taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:"

I am compelled to ask again, how does one obey the gospel? Paul says its something that can be obeyed!

God bless,
duval
 
duval said:
Rom.10:16: "But they have not all obeyed the gospel."

II Thess.1:8: "---taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:"

I am compelled to ask again, how does one obey the gospel? Paul says its something that can be obeyed!

God bless,
duval

The power of the Gospel is to save...we obey the gospel by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:16 said:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The Gospel is the message of Christ...
Romans 6:17 said:
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
We obey the gospel by believing on Him who was sent.
John 6:29 said:
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
 
duval said:
Is that a generic faith?

A generic faith?

I'm not sure what you mean by that.

There is only one faith as far as I know.

Ephesians 4:4-6 said:
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
 
Does that faith include for example repentance? Repentance is not mentioned in your answer. If repentance is included, its an inclusive faith. To which do you refer?
 
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