Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable?

[Dave Slayer]

Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable for unbelievers? Is that Biblical?

 

[Elf]

Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable for unbelievers? Is that Biblical?

No, its not biblical at all. The gospel is applied to a sinners heart by the Holy Spirit. It's His word, He knows what to do with it. Not everyone will like it, but it's not about liking or disliking its about salvation and speaking the "truth" in love.
Besides, it is written out for us, we just have to share and teach it. Only the person who thinks they can do a better job with it then God waters it down. I notice many sugarcoat it, their motive is building a huge congregation. People are deceived from people like this.

The plain simple fact is, some, perhaps many people will not like it, the truth is hard to swallow for many, as others will accept, believe and love the word. And along with salvation, this is exactly what the gospel is meant to do.

 

[mutzrein]

Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable for unbelievers? Is that Biblical?

Hey Dave - how would you say the gospel is being watered down? It either IS the gospel or it's not - so perhaps the quesion should be asked, 'what is the gospel'?

 

[Joe67]

Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable for unbelievers? Is that Biblical?

Dave,

The gospel, the power of the resurrection, is the washing of water by the Word, the washing of regeneration through the ashes of a red heifer, the Word made flesh and burnt outside the camp.

Our Lord Jesus' death reconciles us to God. His resurrection saves us in the lively hope of the resurrection of the body, the adoption of the creature into the family of God.

Rom 4:25-5:1
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: KJV

Rom 5:2
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. KJV

1 Peter 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
KJV

1 Peter 3:21-22
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. KJV

We need the washing of water by the Word. But we need the blood first, for justification. Then we are saved through the washing of the water of regeneration.

Titus 3:4-7
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. KJV

Joe

 

[Dave Slayer]

Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable for unbelievers? Is that Biblical?

Hey Dave - how would you say the gospel is being watered down? It either IS the gospel or it's not - so perhaps the quesion should be asked, 'what is the gospel'?

I never said the Gospel was watered down. I was asking if the Gospel should be watered down to make it more acceptable to unbelievers. I don't think it should be watered down but many do water down the Gospel by not talking about hell, sin, repentance, etc.

Next time, please read everything I have to say before rushing to conclusions. ;)

 

[Elf]

Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable for unbelievers? Is that Biblical?

Hey Dave - how would you say the gospel is being watered down? It either IS the gospel or it's not - so perhaps the quesion should be asked, 'what is the gospel'?

Did you ever hear of a false gospel?

 

[bodhitharta]

Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable for unbelievers? Is that Biblical?

Hey Dave - how would you say the gospel is being watered down? It either IS the gospel or it's not - so perhaps the quesion should be asked, 'what is the gospel'?

Did you ever hear of a false gospel?

Are you sure what a false gospel is? And which gospel are you referring to? The Gospel of The Kingdom of God which is what Jesus preached or The Gospel of Jesus Christ which is what Paul preached are both of these true gospels?

 

[Cornelius]

Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable for unbelievers? Is that Biblical?

Hey Dave - how would you say the gospel is being watered down? It either IS the gospel or it's not - so perhaps the quesion should be asked, 'what is the gospel'?

Did you ever hear of a false gospel?

I hear the false gospel every day on most forums and churches. They say things like "I am just a sinner saved by grace" (oxymoron ) That is not the gospel. I hear things like God does not heal everybody who has faith for healing. ( false gospel) I hear we cannot overcome sin in this life (false gospel) I hear we cannot live holy lives now (false gospel) I hear that you cannot loose your salvation (false gospel )

The false gospel is in fact the gospel that is preached today as THE gospel.

 

[Elf]

Are you sure what a false gospel is?

Yes, quite sure. Any gospel and teaching which is not in the Holy Bible.

And which gospel are you referring to?

I think you get the picture.

The Gospel of The Kingdom of God which is what Jesus preached or The Gospel of Jesus Christ which is what Paul preached are both of these true gospels?

What do you think and why?

 

[GodspromisesRyes]

[quote="Cornelius]I hear the false gospel every day on most forums and churches. They say things like "I am just a sinner saved by grace" (oxymoron ) That is not the gospel. I hear things like God does not heal everybody who has faith for healing. ( false gospel) I hear we cannot overcome sin in this life (false gospel) I hear we cannot live holy lives now (false gospel) I hear that you cannot loose your salvation (false gospel )

The false gospel is in fact the gospel that is preached today as THE gospel.[/quote]

agreed what else makes the over all preaching of the gospel watered down these days(when initially preached to a person who has no idea) is that they bring the gospel and usually have no power to back up what they are saying paul said he did not come to a church as if he knew anything and he did not speak to them with words to entice them he came as if he knew nothing but Christ and him crucified and he showed it by POWER. People are preaching a powerless gospel these days that is so watered down that they cannot even deliver it with the power of the kingdom of God that accompanies the true preaching of the word.

 

[Elf]

I hear the false gospel every day on most forums and churches.

I can agree with that.

They say things like "I am just a sinner saved by grace" (oxymoron ) That is not the gospel.

Can you explain how it is an oxymoron?

I hear things like God does not heal everybody who has faith for healing. ( false gospel)

Do you believe our faith controls Gods plans and actions?

I hear we cannot overcome sin in this life (false gospel)

You believe a Christian can completely defeat sin in this life?

I hear we cannot live holy lives now (false gospel) I hear that you cannot loose your salvation (false gospel )

The false gospel is in fact the gospel that is preached today as THE gospel.

I don't want to influence the direction of this thread so I wont ask anymore questions here. Your opinions are quite interesting though.

 

[mutzrein]

[quote="Dave Slayer":2mmdg2gy]Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable for unbelievers? Is that Biblical?

Hey Dave - how would you say the gospel is being watered down? It either IS the gospel or it's not - so perhaps the quesion should be asked, 'what is the gospel'?

I never said the Gospel was watered down. I was asking if the Gospel should be watered down to make it more acceptable to unbelievers. I don't think it should be watered down but many do water down the Gospel by not talking about hell, sin, repentance, etc.

Next time, please read everything I have to say before rushing to conclusions. ;)[/quote:2mmdg2gy]

Eh? Are you upset that I knew what you were talking about? :gah Your question indicated to me that you believed that the gospel was being watered down. And this is born out in what you have said, " . . . but many do water down the Gospel by not talking about hell, sin, repentance, etc." This is exactly what I was driving at and so my question stands, 'what is the gospel'?

 

[NIGHTMARE]

Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable for unbelievers? Is that Biblical?

It has already been watered it down,,,,,,the things 90% of christians believe is probably watered down to some exstent...

 

[Elf]

Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable for unbelievers? Is that Biblical?

It has already been watered it down,,,,,,the things 90% of christians believe is probably watered down to some exstent...

Whats watered down is the teachings, and therefore their beliefs. It isn't scripture, its the teachings, and the slumber amongst Christianity.

 

[NIGHTMARE]

Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable for unbelievers? Is that Biblical?

It has already been watered it down,,,,,,the things 90% of christians believe is probably watered down to some exstent...

Whats watered down is the teachings, and therefore their beliefs. It isn't scripture, its the teachings, and the slumber amongst Christianity.

Yea I agree with that,,,,,I tend to be one of the stricter gospel....

 

[Cornelius]

Can you explain how it is an oxymoron?

Which one is correct?
Rom 15:25 but now, I say, I go unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints.
Rom 15:25 but now, I say, I go unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the sinners.

Do you believe our faith controls Gods plans and actions?

No faith does not control God but faith brings God's will into manifestation in our lives.His will is clear in His Word.

You believe a Christian can completely defeat sin in this life?

No, but I believe that God can do that if we have faith in Him.

Joh 16:33 ......... I have overcome the world.

Which one is correct?

Joh 1:29 On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!
Joh 1:29 On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that forgives the sin of the world!

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

 

[researcher]

Should we water down the Gospel to make it more likable for unbelievers? Is that Biblical?

Hey Dave - how would you say the gospel is being watered down? It either IS the gospel or it's not - so perhaps the quesion should be asked, 'what is the gospel'?

There's the question. What is the gospel. The word means "good message" or "good news."

So what specifically is the good news?

 

[Cornelius]

So what specifically is the good news?

Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed (past tense) us from the curse of the law,.............

So what is the curse of the law ?

 

[researcher]

So what specifically is the good news?

Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed (past tense) us from the curse of the law,.............

So what is the curse of the law ?

Deaaaaaaaaaath. ;) :D

 

[Cornelius]

Deaaaaaaaaaath. ;) :D

That is one , but there are more