What is the Gospel

[Pancho Frijoles]

God is a person, God is the Savior. So its God who does the saving.

Salvation comes by and through faith and faith comes by hearing the word of Christ. Romans 10:8-17. Its faith in the Lord who saves in that passage.

No fairytales or myths but the truth of the gospel

So we go from calling a name to exercising faith. That’s a true proposition. I agree.

 

[civic]

So we go from calling a name to exercising faith. That’s a true proposition. I agree.

I was quoting Romans 10 to begin with where it says whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Faith was implied on my part and didn't think I needed to say it but evidently i did. But sometimes on this medium we need to spell things out in detail without making any assumptions on my part. So from now on I will try and be more specific.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

I was quoting Romans 10 to begin with where it says whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Faith was implied on my part and didn't think I needed to say it but evidently i did. But sometimes on this medium we need to spell things out in detail without making any assumptions on my part. So from now on I will try and be more specific.

Same thing happens from my part. I need to ask for context before jumping to conclusions. My apologies my friend.

In general, the point I’m trying to make is that faith is a gift from God that is exercised by man through acts.
Faith in Jesus can only be conceived through daily actIons, and therefore salvation is something that happens daily.
That’s why “demons” can believe, but do not have salvific faith.
It is not that their theology is wrong. It is their life which is wrong.

 

[Creed]

For I am not ashamed of the gospel.
Romans 1:16

Paul did not have a gospel that was used for a certain culture. He did not preach one variation to the Jews and another to the Gentiles. He was a sharp guy and was aware of cultural differences and used the unique inroads reach each culture.

Paul's gospel was not adapted to fit the culture or to be less offensive to it. In fact, the offensiveness of the gospel to both Jew and Gentile was the very thing that put his life in constant danger.

It is doubtful that the apostle Paul would understand contemporary evangelicalism’s overwhelming preoccupation with minutely understanding a specific culture and adapting its message and methodologies to it. Paul understood that, ultimately, all men of every culture suffer from the same problem, and only one message has the power to save them.

Paul’s preached the same gospel at his death that he did at the start of his apostolic ministry several decades earlier.

Without doubt, he would be surprised at the contemporary Christian conviction that each passing decade brings a new generation of people who require a new presentation or adaptation of the gospel.

 

[Ladodgers6]

Gospel literally means " good news ". What is the good news ?

the Greek word is where we get our English word from evangelism

euaggelion: good news
Original Word: εὐαγγέλιον, ου, τό
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: euaggelion
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on)
Definition: good news
Usage: the good news of the coming of the Messiah, the gospel; the gen. after it expresses sometimes the giver (God), sometimes the subject (the Messiah, etc.), sometimes the human transmitter (an apostle).

There is One God
There is One Lord
There is One Sovereign
There is One Master
There is One Faith
There is One Baptism
There is One Jesus
There is only One way to God
There is One Savior

And there is One Gospel

Galatians 1:6
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

So since there is only One God, One Savior, One way to God through Christ, One faith, One baptism and One Gospel- there is only one way to be saved.

Paul defines that Gospel by which we are saved below:

1 Corinthians 15:1-19
Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.

Only One way to be saved, by One Person, One Gospel and One Faith. In Him alone. Scripture is really very exclusive here but inclusive to all that come to Him freely!

And Paul received this gospel directly from Christ by personal revelation

Galatians 1:11-12
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

This gospel is Eternal !

Revelation 14:6
Then I saw another angel flying overhead, with the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation and tribe and tongue and people

Acts 4:12
And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Jesus passed on the gospel to His Disciples. Its the same Gospel but Christ had not suffered, died, risen yet. The disciples didn't understand the Passion until after His Resurrection, they were in denial.

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand…. I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.” — John 13:7,19

After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. — John 2:22

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. — Matthew 16:21

Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!” — Matthew 20:17-19

After His Resurrection

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. — Luke 24:25-27

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. — Luke 24:44-45

Are you teaching others the one true Gospel ?

Ones salvation depends upon the one true gospel !

The gospel is Christological or Christ centered. The message is about Jesus. So, the question becomes one of identity. Who is Jesus? Let’s see what Scripture declares about the identity of Jesus and the salvation message. We see in the opening of Matthews’s gospel that Jesus is identified as Immanuel which means literally that God is with us. In Luke’s gospel we see that Jesus was born the Savior of the world. In John’s gospel we read that the Word was with God and the Word became flesh. We beheld His Glory. We also read in the same gospel (meaning good news) that God sent His Son to be the Savior. Where did He send Him from? Jesus gives us the answer to the question in John 17:5. He was together with the Father before creation and shared His Glory which is Gods alone. Jesus also tells His followers why do you ask to see the Father? To see Me is to see the Father. The Father and I are One. Basically, He is telling them He is God, you are looking at Him. This is why the Pharisees tried to stone Him on many occasions for claiming to be God (see John 8:56-60)

Also, we see the His Apostles identify Jesus as God. Thomas in John 20:28. Paul in Romans 9:5, Titus 2:13. Peter in 2 Peter 1:1,11. Hebrews 1-2, Jude and John in 1 John 1 and 5:20. Also the entire book of Revelation.

Acts it declares there is no other name given by which men must be saved! Not the name of the Father, not the name of the H.S. but the name of Jesus who represents the Godhead.

So, the gospel is Christ centered and one must know in whom they are placing their faith in to be saved.

Can I place my faith in Paul and be saved?
Can I place my faith in Peter and be saved?
Can I place my faith in Mary and be saved?
Can I place my faith in the pope and be saved?
Can I place my faith in the Holy Spirit and be saved?
Can I place my faith in the Father and be saved?
Can I place my faith in a god and be saved?

The answer to the above is a resounding no according to Scripture. There is no other name by which men must be saved period, end of story.

So, one must know and understand who the gospel is about and what He did for us. He came from heaven as God( the Word was God John 1:1, the Word became flesh John 1:14) to earth as a man to die for the sins of the world. This is the gospel by which men must be saved. He rose from the dead by the power of the Godhead (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) together raised Jesus the man from the dead.

hope this helps,

I will add that it is God reconciling the world to himself through His Son.

2 Cor. 5:18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

God makes an Oath, a Promise, a Covenant saying, Jer. 30:22 “And you will be My people, and I will be your God.” (Reconciliation).

2 Cor. 6:18And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (Reconciliation).

By the Blood Oath of Almighty God! A Promise fulfilled in the Son of Man; fully man & fully God; the Aseity of the Son.

 

[civic]

I will add that it is God reconciling the world to himself through His Son.

2 Cor. 5:18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

God makes an Oath, a Promise, a Covenant saying, Jer. 30:22 “And you will be My people, and I will be your God.” (Reconciliation).

2 Cor. 6:18And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (Reconciliation).

By the Blood Oath of Almighty God! A Promise fulfilled in the Son of Man; fully man & fully God; the Aseity of the Son.

Amen reconciliation is part of the gospel.

 

[Ladodgers6]

Amen reconciliation is part of the gospel.

Yes, definitely AMEN! I think we do not place enough emphasis on this point because as even the Son's name Emmanuel means God is with us. In the OT, Tabernacle also means God is with us.

 

[brightfame52]

Amen reconciliation is part of the gospel.

Okay so what about non imputation of sin as here 2 Cor 5:19

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

How does this fit in with the Gospel

How is that the word of reconciliation ?

 

[Ladodgers6]

Okay so what about non imputation of sin as here 2 Cor 5:19

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

How does this fit in with the Gospel

How is that the word of reconciliation ?

Amen to that!!! Not only not imputing their trespasses unto them, but also imputing Christ's righteousness unto them. The marvelous exchange! Amen to that. All of this so that God can reconcile the world to himself.

 

[brightfame52]

Not only not imputing their trespasses unto them, but also imputing Christ's righteousness unto them

Amen, at what time does this happen ? Going by 2 Cor 5:19

 

[Ladodgers6]

Amen, at what time does this happen ? Going by 2 Cor 5:19

When the ungodly trust in him who justifies the ungodly not by their works but by the righteousness of Christ that is received through Faith Alone (Romans 4:5). Now if you read Romans 4, please notice that God justifies the ungodly, not self-proclaimed righteous men (Pharisees & Scribes). Like the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Paul also hammers this home in Romans 5:12-21. This theme is throughout scripture.

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness​

 

[brightfame52]

When the ungodly trust in him who justifies the ungodly not by their works but by the righteousness of Christ that is received through Faith Alone (Romans 4:5)

I thought you would say that, and I disagree, I believe it was b4 they trusted in Him, because He died and put away their sins b4 they trusted in Him. It seems to me you give your trust the credit more so than the transaction of Christ alone.

. Now if you read Romans 4, please notice that God justifies the ungodly,

Yes they were being Justified while being ungodly, not trusting, big difference. The ungodly has the definite article and justifieth is in the present tense, that seems to me they were being Justified while in ungodliness, just like they were reconciled to God by His death while enemies Paul would right in the following chapter Rom 5:10

 

[DavidTree]

We know that the disciples did not understand the gospel as it was hidden from them until after Pentecost. Jesus even said that He hid it from them.

Luke 9:43-45
While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, 44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Luke 18:34
But the disciples did not understand any of these things. The meaning was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend what He was saying

Romans 16:25
Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past

1 Corinthians 2:7
No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.

Ephesians 3:1-5
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.


Gospel Summary

1- Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures
2- Jesus was buried , in a guarded tomb
3- Jesus was raised from the dead, resurrected on the 3rd day bodily
4- Jesus was seen by many witnesses over 40 days before His Ascension

Jesus died for the sin of the world as the Lamb of God who taketh them away ( John 1:29 ) and Rose from the dead as the only sign He would give an unbelieving people who rejected Him proving He was the promised Messiah who had the power over sin, death/grave and the devil having been raised from the dead conquering them all. The gospel is a historical fact verified by many witnesses. The biblical principle of letting every fact be confirmed by the testimony of 2 or 3 witnesses. This gospel is for all the world, for all sinners to come freely and receive the forgiveness of their sins by the atonement He made for ALL the WORLD as per 1 John 2:2.

John 1:12
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

John 3:16-18
“For God so loved the world,[i] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 20:30-31
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

hope this helps !!!

Some disciples understood the Gospel before Pentecost.
Some did not fully understand because they were focused on the nation Israel being delivered from under the Romans.

There is more then one baptism BUT there is only One Baptism in/of the Holy Spirit.

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. - Matt 3:11

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” - Acts 1:5

 

[Tothalordbeallglory]

Some disciples understood the Gospel before Pentecost.
Some did not fully understand because they were focused on the nation Israel being delivered from under the Romans.

There is more then one baptism BUT there is only One Baptism in/of the Holy Spirit.

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. - Matt 3:11

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” - Acts 1:5

The gospel itself is under attack now like never before my friend .
WOE to the soul that even dares to imply inclusiv ism universalism .
As for ME , THIS SHEEP gonna point to CHRIST ALONE my friend .
With the dire reminder of the absolute need to have had to believe on HIM for to be saved .
You really should peek at that big site my friend .
I have been hunting for y ou for abit .

 

[Studyman]

Some disciples understood the Gospel before Pentecost.

I would say many understood the Gospel of Christ even before HE was born, or even as a child. Zacharias, Simeon, Anna, the Wise Men, Caleb, David, Shadrack, Danial, even Abraham, these all understood the Gospel of Christ and awaited His Arrival in Faith. And they too, received God's Holy Spirit to guide them though the trials of this life. And God recorded their journey to encourage those who would join themselves to the Lord after His Arrival.

 

[civic]

I would say many understood the Gospel of Christ even before HE was born, or even as a child. Zacharias, Simeon, Anna, the Wise Men, Caleb, David, Shadrack, Danial, even Abraham, these all understood the Gospel of Christ and awaited His Arrival in Faith. And they too, received God's Holy Spirit to guide them though the trials of this life. And God recorded their journey to encourage those who would join themselves to the Lord after His Arrival.

None of them understood the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Messiah. They all were expecting a conquering King, not a suffering servant.

 

[Tothalordbeallglory]

None of them understood the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Messiah. They all were expecting a conquering King, not a suffering servant.

They were expecting .......................a SAVOIR OF ISRAEL . thus their faith was in CHRIST JESUS .

 

[DavidTree]

None of them understood the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Messiah. They all were expecting a conquering King, not a suffering servant.

The ancient rabbis believed that there was to come Two Messiah's
a.) the Suffering Servant = Messiah Ben Yoseph
b.) the Conquering King = Messiah Ben David

They would get into heated debates as to which One and they settled the debate on this:

If Israel was righteous before God, He would send the Messiah King Ben David
If Israel was not worthy before God, He would send the Suffering Messiah Ben Yoseph

We KNOW His-Story

 

[civic]

The ancient rabbis believed that there was to come Two Messiah's
a.) the Suffering Servant = Messiah Ben Yoseph
b.) the Conquering King = Messiah Ben David

They would get into heated debates as to which One and they settled the debate on this:

If Israel was righteous before God, He would send the Messiah King Ben David
If Israel was not worthy before God, He would send the Suffering Messiah Ben Yoseph

We KNOW His-Story

We know looking back but they did not know until after and Jesus revealed it to them.

 

[brightfame52]

None of them understood the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Messiah. They all were expecting a conquering King, not a suffering servant.

No Zacharias the father of John the Baptist understood Christ to provide spiritual salvation Lk 1 69-77

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

75 in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

And he was filled with the Holy Ghost, so the Holy Ghost was active just not as prominent as He would be later after the death of Christ. I believe Zach and his Son John were born again as well. And they understood some Gospel Truth. They had the book of Isaiah and its 52-53 chapters about the suffering servant