What is your definition?

[Eugene]

I do not know of a nation yet being taught and baptized in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit at this present time.

 

[turnorburn]

There are a number of places where we are told what we must do..

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

and again in..

Ezekiel 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

And for those folks we meet on the street if we haven't said anything, remember this as they are walking away..

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

tob

 

[Edward]

I kind of thought of it as facilitating God's work in other peoples' lives. Some become missionaries, pastors, elders, teachers, etc. Most of our lives fall somewhere on the continuum of "normal," so facilitating God's work in other peoples' lives may simply mean showing Christ-like compassion to people, forgiving our enemies and those who despitefully use us, being the Christian in the workplace, etc. Nothing too dramatic.

I do think some are called and some aren't, so I don't feel like I should be cornering people and making their salvation my #1 goal. At the same time, "faith without works is dead," so I don't think you can just pray from afar and not say something, at least to some people in need of The Good News.

I realized the same thing. We are supposed to be a witness for Christ and speak the good news of his resurrection and so forth, but salvation is indeed not the #1 goal. It would be a bad strategy to work like that because most times, when evangelizing the time is short and there is so much to learn or teach...Hurrying it and saying too much too fast can confuse people and pressure them. Some may even be turned off to the Lord because of a poor delivery/presentation. We don't want that...

The Holy Spirit is a big boy and works better than we do. Our goal therefore should be one of planting a good seed and nothing more. God gives the increase, not us. So be patient and don't worry about their salvation. Just try to plant a good seed that sends them away thinking hard...and you've done your job..

The reference escapes me at the moment, but I've read that one should give personal testimony of what God has done in your own life, how He has helped YOU. Keep track of this stuff so that you can pass it on to people.

 

[Jesse]

The gospel is not only about salvation, but the coming Kingdom of God as the means which is the main focus. "Go ye" is a proclamation and testimony that this rule will one day happen, i.e. to replace the crooked governments of the world. The result is: Those who are called now heed the call, so that they become the church destined to rule and reign with Christ over the world. The rest are called to salvation later. The church is just the start of it all, not the sum total of those who will be saved, i.e. given eternal life, and entry into the Kingdom.

To put the OP colloquially, going into all the world to preach the gospel is a testimony so that nobody is surprised when this Kingdom does come, as they were adequately told, so that God can ultimately say "we told ya so!". Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

AMEN!!!

The gospel is NOT about salvation, although this is off topic, it's about the Kingdom, it's just that we're messed up and turned it around to be about us.

We're supposed to be telling people about the Kingdom coming!!!

 

[Willie T]

An interesting study is the word, Soteria (salvation). It encompasses all the things the justice of the kingdom coming, stands for.

 

[Karl]

I thought my eyes must be playing tricks on me, so I had my wife read this (Without me saying a word...)

She only got through a few paragraphs when she said, "What's wrong with this guy? He is saying the same thing saves us, that he starts out saying, doesn't save us."

Let me be more explicit, the different Good News Gospel (s) I have heard preached from pulpits, on TV and in revivals.

Jesus loves you, pray and ask Him into your heart.
You need Jesus, just ask Him into you life.
You're sick, have financial troubles, wife left, just come to Jesus and He'll fix the problems in your life.
Jesus died for you on the Cross, won't you accept Him as your Savior?
I was lost, you are lost, I've found Jesus, why don't you, lets pray?
Jesus is the Savior of the world, do you want to be saved?

I could go on with more, but hopefully you get the point, ...here is the modern prosperity Gospel permeating the church today in various forms, ...taken from Scripture,

...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

What's missing?

Jesus Chris died for our sins (according to the Scriptures)
He died and was buried (taking on Himself all of humanities sins)
He resurrected on the third day, just like He said He would (according to Scripture)

That's what missing in the Good News Gospel (s) above!

As we talk to someone we explain to them, from the Word, the meaning and signification of each of the three points and how it relates to them.


Willie, if you weren't saved by that Gospel, 1 Cor 15:3, 4, then I don't know what to say, I know hundreds, thousands of people alive today that were saved by the Gospel of Paul, not to mention the saints that have passed on before us.

Paul said that was the Gospel he preached and then said if anyone teaches anything different then let them be damned to Hell, .......and he said it two times Gal 1:8, 9.

I'm sorry you don't know/understand/are familiar with the process of how someone is born again, ...which is the rest of my post.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

Sorry friends, the Gospel is not preaching the Good News of the death and resurrection Christ, ...that won't get anyone saved!

Karl it is everything that Jesus taught from begining to end... When one says the Gospel of Christ or the Good news it is Talking about everything Jesus came here to do and said.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

I thought my eyes must be playing tricks on me, so I had my wife read this (Without me saying a word...)

She only got through a few paragraphs when she said, "What's wrong with this guy? He is saying the same thing saves us, that he starts out saying, doesn't save us."

Willie T, Tell your wife thank you for this so very much !!

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

Let me be more explicit, the different Good News Gospel (s) I have heard preached from pulpits, on TV and in revivals.

Karl,
The "different Good News Gospels you have heard on tv and revivals...
Brother.......There is "ONE GOD" and "ONE SALVATION PLAN" One way to the Father and one way to Be born again.
Jesus Taught ONE way to the Father and to be Born again.....There is NO OTHER and there will not ever be again.

 

[Cturtle]

Thank you for this. It clarifies a lot. Do you think from this text then that it is our calling to preach to everyone we meet? As Cturtle mentioned Ephesians, it seems that we are not all called to be preachers necessarily but we are called to be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 1 Peter 3:15-16 NKJV

Wip I fully agree with you. Not all are called to be preachers, however just as you said it is our responsibility to give a reason for the hope that lies within us. And it can be as simple as someone asking you how are you doing and you respond i'm blessed or whatever. Then that person i can guarantee you, will be watching you, to see how you handle different situations, or just life in general. Then they will probably ask where your hope lies. It's also praying for the people in your neighborhood or work place and being ready and listening to God, just in case He wants you to say something specific. Basically it's like when God told Nehemiah to have everyone build the wall in front of their house.
The Body of Christ should be working together to further the Good News of our Lord. Then the pastors and all the other people are called to strengthen the Body as a whole, and also to do their part of spreading the Good News. Just if one is a pastor or teacher or prophet, the roles are more defined.
Blessings to you my friend!

 

[Cturtle]

To the nations - A time yet to come
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. .

Eugene,
Is there a possibility in your thoughts, that, this is going on now with all of the missionaries?
I really appreciate your imput and your experience! :amen

 

[Karl]

I can't believe you three don't see what Paul said was the Gospel he preached, it's right there in Scripture,

Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, by which also ye are saved; I make known, I say, in what words I preached it unto you, if ye hold it fast, except ye believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; 1Co 15:1-4

That just completely blows me away, I'm through here, you are attacking the poster instead of refuting with Scripture, ...and I love my sis reba too much to cause her pain and more work.

 

[Jesse]

Karl,
The "different Good News Gospels you have heard on tv and revivals...
Brother.......There is "ONE GOD" and "ONE SALVATION PLAN" One way to the Father and one way to Be born again.
Jesus Taught ONE way to the Father and to be Born again.....There is NO OTHER and there will not ever be again.

But some of those "feel good pastors" aren't really preaching the truth of the gospel. Their whole spiel is to entertain the masses, get people in so they can make more money, and then there is no growth. Some of these make "promises" that if you send in money, then God will give them money 10 fold.
This is not the true gospel.

 

[Cturtle]

I kind of thought of it as facillitating God's work in other peoples' lives. Some become missionaries, pastors, elders, teachers, etc. Most of our lives fall somewhere on the continuum of "normal," so facilitating God's work in other peoples' lives may simply mean showing Christ-like compassion to people, forgiving our enemies and those who despitefully use us, being the Christian in the workplace, etc. Nothing too dramatic.

I do think some are called and some aren't, so I don't feel like I should be cornering people and making their salvation my #1 goal. At the same time, "faith without works is dead," so I don't think you can just pray from afar and not say something, at least to some people in need of The Good News.

You are right. For those who are not called to be preachers or what have you, God uses our lives as an example to others. I have heard it said that you might be the only example of Jesus that someone ever sees. As we let our life shine for Jesus, you may notice, that God will place one person, (or more than that) in your path that only you can reach because you have walked in their shoes. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 is a good example of this. As you come alongside with them and encourage them with the same love that God has given you, you are in a sense loving them into the kingdom, and then they will be more willing to attend church, and accept Jesus as their Savior.
There are many people in the world who will never step foot in a church, and we are their only link to Jesus.

 

[Cturtle]

I can't believe you three don't see what Paul said was the Gospel he preached, it's right there in Scripture,

Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, by which also ye are saved; I make known, I say, in what words I preached it unto you, if ye hold it fast, except ye believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; 1Co 15:1-4

That just completely blows me away, I'm through here, you are attacking the poster instead of refuting with Scripture, ...and I love my sis reba too much to cause her pain and more work.

Karl, please don't leave. What i see is that what you said, was the same. Paul's (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4) "gospel" is the same as Jesus' that Jesus preached. The verses you gave are the same as were posted in other books of the Bible.
Peace be unto you!

 

[Cturtle]

I do not know of a nation yet being taught and baptized in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit at this present time.

Actually you do. In the united states, we do and many little parts of the country, even if it i s not whole nations. Your a very smart man!
Blessings!

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

But some of those "feel good pastors" aren't really preaching the truth of the gospel. Their whole spiel is to entertain the masses, get people in so they can make more money, and then there is no growth. Some of these make "promises" that if you send in money, then God will give them money 10 fold.
This is not the true gospel.

This may be true in some sense but has nothing to do with the topic of the post. Stay focused on this topic and then we can talk the other some place else........pritty please.....

 

[Cturtle]

But some of those "feel good pastors" aren't really preaching the truth of the gospel. Their whole spiel is to entertain the masses, get people in so they can make more money, and then there is no growth. Some of these make "promises" that if you send in money, then God will give them money 10 fold.
This is not the true gospel.

You are right that there are some pastors and that are in a sense taking advantage of their flock (which is wrong i agree), but that is why we need to be testing the spirits to make sure what they preach is in line with the Word of God.
To be honest we should be doing that with every preacher (including our own), anyway because we are human and can make mistakes.
I have been to some of the so called seeker churches, and they have their place. They preach the Good News in different ways, by interpretive dance and drama, and so on. But they are mostly in my opinion for the new believer. It's Paul's version of giving the babies milk till they can handle solid meat.

 

[Jesse]

This may be true in some sense but has nothing to do with the topic of the post. Stay focused on this topic and then we can talk the other some place else........pritty please.....

But you were talking to Karl about a different gospel.....
So it's ok if you go off topic but not anyone else???

It seems nobody here can even agree on what that gospel is......

 

[Cturtle]

Let me be more explicit, the different Good News Gospel (s) I have heard preached from pulpits, on TV and in revivals.

Jesus loves you, pray and ask Him into your heart.
You need Jesus, just ask Him into you life.
You're sick, have financial troubles, wife left, just come to Jesus and He'll fix the problems in your life.
Jesus died for you on the Cross, won't you accept Him as your Savior?
I was lost, you are lost, I've found Jesus, why don't you, lets pray?
Jesus is the Savior of the world, do you want to be saved?

I could go on with more, but hopefully you get the point, ...here is the modern prosperity Gospel permeating the church today in various forms, ...taken from Scripture,

...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

What's missing?

Jesus Chris died for our sins (according to the Scriptures)
He died and was buried (taking on Himself all of humanities sins)
He resurrected on the third day, just like He said He would (according to Scripture)

That's what missing in the Good News Gospel (s) above!

As we talk to someone we explain to them, from the Word, the meaning and signification of each of the three points and how it relates to them.


Willie, if you weren't saved by that Gospel, 1 Cor 15:3, 4, then I don't know what to say, I know hundreds, thousands of people alive today that were saved by the Gospel of Paul, not to mention the saints that have passed on before us.

Paul said that was the Gospel he preached and then said if anyone teaches anything different then let them be damned to Hell, .......and he said it two times Gal 1:8, 9.

I'm sorry you don't know/understand/are familiar with the process of how someone is born again, ...which is the rest of my post.

Karl, i believe that all of those things above are in line with the gospel, and the words that you typed are usually explained before or even after one accepts Christ as Lord. The first list is usually what one says in trying to ask the person it they want to accept Jesus, that is just the beginning. Or do you disagree?