What is the gospel?

[Cnkw3]

Jesus said…
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

This is pretty serious. You will be punished in flaming fire from the presence of the lord IF you don't obey the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ.
SO…..
1. What is the gospel?
2. How does one obey it?
These are 2 mandatory requirements to go to heaven.

 

[jaybo]

Jesus said…
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

This is pretty serious. You will be punished in flaming fire from the presence of the lord IF you don't obey the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ.
SO…..
1. What is the gospel?
2. How does one obey it?
These are 2 mandatory requirements to go to heaven.

"Gospel" means "good news". Who would pay attention to your blanket condemnation?

John 3:16-17, " For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him."

 

[Cnkw3]

"Gospel" means "good news". Who would pay attention to your blanket condemnation?

John 3:16-17, " For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him."

What do you mean….”my blanket condemnation”? You know that’s a quote from Paul, right? Are you just spitting in the face of Paul saying he dont know what he’s talking about? That is a very curious statement you made. It is not one I would expect from someone professing to know God.

 

[Cnkw3]

Yes “gospel“ does mean good news. My short definition of the gospel is ….The good news of human redemption through Jesus Christ. Now lets let the Bible start defining what the gospel is.

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
I underlined ”first of all” because this is Paul highlighting the foundational principle of the gospel. That Jesus died, that he was buried and that he rose agin. There is no good news of human redemption without these basic facts of the gospel. The entire gospel stands or falls on this above.….that Jesus died, was buried and rose again. Without it all men are lost.

 

[Runmyramble]

Jesus said…
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

This is pretty serious. You will be punished in flaming fire from the presence of the lord IF you don't obey the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ.
SO…..
1. What is the gospel?
2. How does one obey it?
These are 2 mandatory requirements to go to heaven.

Gospel is the kingdom is available to any one who puts their trust in Jesus.

Primarily, one obeys when they believe who Jesus is with the intent to follow.

 

[Runner]

What do you mean….”my blanket condemnation”? You know that’s a quote from Paul, right? Are you just spitting in the face of Paul saying he dont know what he’s talking about? That is a very curious statement you made. It is not one I would expect from someone professing to know God.

Paul also said: “Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Perhaps we should all worry about whether we are obeying the Gospel as we understand it and let others do the same? (There is considerable doubt as to whether Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians, but we'll le it go. The authorship of Philippians isn't disputed.)

I agree that the Resurrection is the foundation, the sine qua non, of the Gospel - of all Christianity, for that matter. But it obviously isn't the entire Gospel. The "meat" of the Gospel is the good news of forgiveness and salvation through the saving work of Christ. I happen to be one of those who, like the Eastern Orthodox, believe that salvation requires continuing in the faith until death, so to me this is what "obeying" the Gospel means. It would include doing our part to fulfill the Great Commission and walking the path that Jesus described.

I'm not going to engage in the endless Once Saved Always Saved debate, but certainly 2 Thessalonians 1:9-7 would cut against any notion that salvation occurs at a specific moment in time. Hence, I believe (for many more reasons than just 1 Thessalonians) that whether one has "obeyed" the Gospel is something that can only be determined by God at death.

 

[Runmyramble]

Paul also said: “Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Perhaps we should all worry about whether we are obeying the Gospel as we understand it and let others do the same? (There is considerable doubt as to whether Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians, but we'll le it go. The authorship of Philippians isn't disputed.)

I agree that the Resurrection is the foundation, the sine qua non, of the Gospel - of all Christianity, for that matter. But it obviously isn't the entire Gospel. The "meat" of the Gospel is the good news of forgiveness and salvation through the saving work of Christ. I happen to be one of those who, like the Eastern Orthodox, believe that salvation requires continuing in the faith until death, so to me this is what "obeying" the Gospel means. It would include doing our part to fulfill the Great Commission and walking the path that Jesus described.

I'm not going to engage in the endless Once Saved Always Saved debate, but certainly 2 Thessalonians 1:9-7 would cut against any notion that salvation occurs at a specific moment in time. Hence, I believe (for many more reasons than just 1 Thessalonians) that whether one has "obeyed" the Gospel is something that can only be determined by God at death.

Agreed ...with most of that...good thoughts....Yet when Jesus said He had meat to eat ...I believe it was to live by the words of His father.....You may however be using "meat" in another way...right...like as the target......But as it is, Jesus that is the Gospel....I figure He is our meat to eat. He lived what He wanted us to live to also have access to the giver of Life.

What do you think?

 

[Runmyramble]

Agreed ...with most of that...good thoughts....Yet when Jesus said He had meat to eat ...I believe it was to live by the words of His father.....You may however be using "meat" in another way...right...like as the target......But as it is, Jesus that is the Gospel....I figure He is our meat to eat. He lived what He wanted us to live to also have access to the giver of Life.

What do you think?

Paul also said: “Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Perhaps we should all worry about whether we are obeying the Gospel as we understand it and let others do the same? (There is considerable doubt as to whether Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians, but we'll le it go. The authorship of Philippians isn't disputed.)

I agree that the Resurrection is the foundation, the sine qua non, of the Gospel - of all Christianity, for that matter. But it obviously isn't the entire Gospel. The "meat" of the Gospel is the good news of forgiveness and salvation through the saving work of Christ. I happen to be one of those who, like the Eastern Orthodox, believe that salvation requires continuing in the faith until death, so to me this is what "obeying" the Gospel means. It would include doing our part to fulfill the Great Commission and walking the path that Jesus described.

I'm not going to engage in the endless Once Saved Always Saved debate, but certainly 2 Thessalonians 1:9-7 would cut against any notion that salvation occurs at a specific moment in time. Hence, I believe (for many more reasons than just 1 Thessalonians) that whether one has "obeyed" the Gospel is something that can only be determined by God at death.

Some may limit salvation to when they think they've received the Holy Spirit....And in Ephesians that is definitely a deliverence from being dead in sin to being made alive together with Christ.

Reconciliation is definitely deliverence, right? But one is also to be Justified (saved by His life) putting away the deeds of the flesh by His Spirit.

That makes salvation a way of life-what we do with Christ now on earth. For what we do with Christ is How we relate to God.

 

[Runner]

Agreed ...with most of that...good thoughts....Yet when Jesus said He had meat to eat ...I believe it was to live by the words of His father.....You may however be using "meat" in another way...right...like as the target......But as it is, Jesus that is the Gospel....I figure He is our meat to eat. He lived what He wanted us to live to also have access to the giver of Life.

What do you think?

By "meat" I just meant that the Resurrection certainly provides the framework for all of Christianity, but the rest of the Gospel message puts the "flesh" on that framework (the "meat on the bones," as it were). What you are saying about Jesus as the "meat" certainly fits what he said at the Last Supper. Doing our best to allow the Spirit to work through us on a daily basis would also fit what you're saying.

I think the key point is that "obey" means something highly important and can't be ignored as though how we live our lives after conversion were irrelevant to salvation. The counterargument is that "obeying" is relevant only to the rewards we receive in Heaven, not to salvation itself, but this certainly isn't what 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 suggests.

As I did my own independent research, I was struck by how many verses, including the words of Jesus himself, emphasize the importance to salvation of how we live our Christian lives. Although I came to Christianity through an "easy salvation" ministry, I no longer feel that perspective is correct. The debate is a can of worms, however, and hopefully those who accept "easy salvation" will lead Spirit-filled lives so the difference in perspective will make no practical difference in terms of obeying the Gospel.

 

[Runmyramble]

By "meat" I just meant that the Resurrection certainly provides the framework for all of Christianity, but the rest of the Gospel message puts the "flesh" on that framework (the "meat on the bones," as it were). What you are saying about Jesus as the "meat" certainly fits what he said at the Last Supper. Doing our best to allow the Spirit to work through us on a daily basis would also fit what you're saying.

I think the key point is that "obey" means something highly important and can't be ignored as though how we live our lives after conversion were irrelevant to salvation. The counterargument is that "obeying" is relevant only to the rewards we receive in Heaven, not to salvation itself, but this certainly isn't what 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 suggests.

As I did my own independent research, I was struck by how many verses, including the words of Jesus himself, emphasize the importance to salvation of how we live our Christian lives. Although I came to Christianity through an "easy salvation" ministry, I no longer feel that perspective is correct. The debate is a can of worms, however, and hopefully those who accept "easy salvation" will lead Spirit-filled lives so the difference in perspective will make no practical difference in terms of obeying the Gospel.

Your testimony is like my own.... Salvation...is a life and how we relate to God. Will we continue to live a life by the flesh or choose the Spirit. Reminds me of that passages that says blessings and cursing are set before you ...choose life

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Gospel is the kingdom is available to any one who puts their trust in Jesus.

Primarily, one obeys when they believe who Jesus is with the intent to follow.

Actually the gospel preached in the first century was repent first and believe. It wasn’t the vague “put your trust in Jesus (for what exactly)” and for sure and certain knowing something, even who Jesus is, does not mean obedience. Obedience is the bowing down of a resistant will, not a matter of increased knowledge. It isn’t those who understand who Jesus is who obey but it is so that those who obey will, in time, come to understand who He is.

 

[Cnkw3]

Gospel is the kingdom is available to any one who puts their trust in Jesus.

How does one “put their trust in Jesus?

Primarily, one obeys when they believe who Jesus is with the intent to follow.

What about repentance? What about confession?

 

[Cnkw3]

Paul also said: “Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Perhaps we should all worry about whether we are obeying the Gospel as we understand it and let others do the same? (There is considerable doubt as to whether Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians, but we'll le it go. The authorship of Philippians isn't disputed.)

I agree with what Paul said there. I do not agree that we all get our own understanding of what the gospel is. That would mean there are many ways to Christ and I disagree. If you dont like 2 thes there are plenty of other passages that talk of the importance of obedience.

I agree that the Resurrection is the foundation, the sine qua non, of the Gospel - of all Christianity, for that matter. But it obviously isn't the entire Gospel.

I would agree with that

The "meat" of the Gospel is the good news of forgiveness and salvation through the saving work of Christ. I happen to be one of those who, like the Eastern Orthodox, believe that salvation requires continuing in the faith until death, so to me this is what "obeying" the Gospel means. It would include doing our part to fulfill the Great Commission and walking the path that Jesus described.

Amen.

I'm not going to engage in the endless Once Saved Always Saved debate,

Good. Its false doctrine.

but certainly 2 Thessalonians 1:9-7 would cut against any notion that salvation occurs at a specific moment in time. Hence, I believe (for many more reasons than just 1 Thessalonians) that whether one has "obeyed" the Gospel is something that can only be determined by God at death.

I get what you are saying and agree somewhat in that you can witness someone’s life and on the surface it seems to be a life of obedience but there could be a hidden life that we cant see and that God can. So in that view it will be God passing judgment. But I disagree in that there are many things that can be witnessed that shows if one is being obedient to Christ or not. He 5:9.
Look at this passage.
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Galatians 2:14
Paul could see the actions of Peter and judge that he was not living according to the gospel. This to me proves that the “gospel” is much more than just the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and it is something that we can see in peoples lives.

We are also told..
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2 John 1:9
Obeying the gospel is not just believing a one time act it is a lifelong pursuit of “abiding in the doctrine of Christ”. We can look at people and see if what they do is in accordance with the gospel. Look at Pauls letters. In many instances he was correcting these churches for not conducting themselves accordingly.
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Galatians 3:1
You shall know them by their fruit. And we are commanded to be fruit inspectors.

 

[for_his_glory]

People speak about being Spiritually born again in order to see the kingdom of God, but so many have a hard time understanding what being born again means.

First we believe:
John 3:16 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.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

The good news of the Gospel of Christ is that God gave us His only begotten Son by His grace that through His birth, death and resurrection all will be saved if they only first believe He truly is the Son of God. None of us truly knew who Christ was when we repented and ask Him to be our Lord and Savior. It is only by the Holy Spirit that matures us in the doctrines of Christ that we learn who, what and why He came to earth to begin with.

Second we confess by a mustard seed of faith:
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 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.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Third we learn how to be obedient to His commands in order to know the will of God:
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

The Gospel is all about God's mercy and grace through His only begotten Son Christ Jesus and what our relationship to Him is all about.

It's just that simple, and lean not unto your own understanding.

 

[jaybo]

People speak about being Spiritually born again in order to see the kingdom of God, but so many have a hard time understanding what being born again means.

First we believe:
John 3:16 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.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

The good news of the Gospel of Christ is that God gave us His only begotten Son by His grace that through His birth, death and resurrection all will be saved if they only first believe He truly is the Son of God. None of us truly knew who Christ was when we repented and ask Him to be our Lord and Savior. It is only by the Holy Spirit that matures us in the doctrines of Christ that we learn who, what and why He came to earth to begin with.

Second we confess by a mustard seed of faith:
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 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.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Third we learn how to be obedient to His commands in order to know the will of God:
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

The Gospel is all about God's mercy and grace through His only begotten Son Christ Jesus and what our relationship to Him is all about.

It's just that simple, and lean not unto your own understanding.

This is all theoretical. Perhaps it's true to you but others, including myself have an entirely different experience. I was a serious atheist when Jesus healed me, and I immediately knew who He was. I was as passionate about Him then as I am today. I have learned a lot about Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, and Christian doctrine since then, but my enthusiasm is the same as it was so many years ago. Everyone's experience is different!

Three examples (only): a) the Samaritan woman at the well, b) John 20:27-28, "Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and examine my hands. Extend your hand and put it[d] into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe.” Thomas replied to him “My Lord and my God!”, and c) Paul's experience with Christ on the road to Damascus.

 

[for_his_glory]

This is all theoretical. Perhaps it's true to you but others, including myself have an entirely different experience. I was a serious atheist when Jesus healed me, and I immediately knew who He was. I was as passionate about Him then as I am today. I have learned a lot about Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, and Christian doctrine since then, but my enthusiasm is the same as it was so many years ago. Everyone's experience is different!

Three examples (only): a) the Samaritan woman at the well, b) John 20:27-28, "Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and examine my hands. Extend your hand and put it[d] into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe.” Thomas replied to him “My Lord and my God!”, and c) Paul's experience with Christ on the road to Damascus.

We all have come to Jesus in our own personal ways as that is why it is called having a personal relationship with Him so what is your point or problem with the three simple facts I gave with scripture in post #14.

 

[Cnkw3]

People speak about being Spiritually born again in order to see the kingdom of God, but so many have a hard time understanding what being born again means.

First we believe:
John 3:16 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.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Is this “born again”?

The good news of the Gospel of Christ is that God gave us His only begotten Son by His grace that through His birth, death and resurrection all will be saved if they only first believe He truly is the Son of God. None of us truly knew who Christ was when we repented and ask Him to be our Lord and Savior. It is only by the Holy Spirit that matures us in the doctrines of Christ that we learn who, what and why He came to earth to begin with.

Do you include any of the great commission as a part of the gospel?

Second we confess by a mustard seed of faith:
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 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.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

No repentance there. Is repentance a part of the gospel?

Third we learn how to be obedient to His commands in order to know the will of God:
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

The Gospel is all about God's mercy and grace through His only begotten Son Christ Jesus and what our relationship to Him is all about.

It's just that simple, and lean not unto your own understanding.

This isnt what Christ taught in the great commission.

 

[jaybo]

We all have come to Jesus in our own personal ways as that is why it is called having a personal relationship with Him so what is your point or problem with the three simple facts I gave with scripture in post #14.

Because it's a formula. People believe and are saved in different ways.

 

[for_his_glory]

Is this “born again”?

Do you include any of the great commission as a part of the gospel?

No repentance there. Is repentance a part of the gospel?

This isnt what Christ taught in the great commission.

You asked two questions in the OP
1. What is the gospel?
2. How does one obey it?

I answered those two questions in my post #14 and made mention of repentance, being born again and how to obey the Gospel. Now you are adding about the great commission in Matthew 28:18-20, which has nothing to do with your two questions.

 

[for_his_glory]

Because it's a formula. People believe and are saved in different ways.

Sorry, but I do not see it as a formula, but those things we need to do for our salvation in Christ. Believe, confess and then start to learn about Jesus.