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Gospel (8)

In turning from the plain truth of Jesus Christ as crucified for sin, though having begun by believing the Gospel message, Christians can be found soon resorting to “Law keeping” as the means of continued growth in Christ.  At this sort of thing, St. Paul was so absolutely astounded that he was nearly at a total loss as to what to say!  “You fools, who has beguiled you?”

 

The apostolic inquiry:

On what basis does God give you spiritual strength, working mightily among you?

a) Works: performance (an obedience of Christians to the Law)

b) Faith: believing and relying upon the Gospel (the obedience of Christ to the Law)

(see Gal.3:1-5)

 

Gospel (7)

The Gospel itself—the preaching of Jesus Christ, the ancient secret now revealed—is God’s eternal command that brings about the obedience of faith! (see Rom 16:25-26)

 

This Gospel is an effectual, creative word, bringing life (obedience even) to all who are made to believe it to be such.

Gospel (6)

Central to this Gospel is the righteousness of God having been manifested apart from the Law—though the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—that is, the righteousness of God as both displayed and earned by Jesus himself.  A righteousness is revealed which is imputed to all who rely solely upon Christ’s finished work of earning glory. (Rom 3:21-22)

Gospel (5)

Unfortunately, a greater part of Protestantism tends to limit the preaching of the Gospel to unbelievers.  However, Rom. 1:11-12 presents us with the reality of the Gospel being preached to believers, for by it spiritual strengthening is given (a further cultivation of a faith the Gospel initializes). 

 

Moreover, the Gospel proclaims and possesses:

1. The power of God for all salvation
2. The righteousness of God for complete imputation
3. The wrath of God for final execution

    (See Rom.1:15-18)

Gospel (4)

The Gospel...CENTERS UPON THE SON, who is the:

a) Incarnate One

        according to the flesh descending from David; and

b) Crucified & Resurrected One

        according to the Spirit declared the Son of God, by the resurrection from the dead.

(Rom 1:1-4)

 

The Gospel does not 'center upon' but is 'applied to' the Church. 

 

So much for our spiritual resumes which pose as Gospel witness.

 

Gospel (3)

Central to the Gospel ---> the righteousness of God having been manifested apart from the Law—though the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—that is, the righteousness of God as both displayed and earned by Jesus himself.  A righteousness that is imputed to all who rely solely upon Christ’s finished work of earning glory (Rom 3:21-22).

Gospel (2)

The Gospel is “of first importance” because by it, men both:
a) obtain the kingdom and righteousness of God; and
b) sustain growth within the kingdom (“are being saved”).
(see 1COR.15:1-5)

Gosepl (1)

We live in a time when there is a great deal of confusion regarding what the Gospel is and how it works. We know this was the case in apostolic times as well. In fact, throughout the New Testament, the apostles had to continually remind the people of God of the most basic truths, to include defining again and again the Gospel itself. This is due to the fact that the Gospel is not intuitive to the natural state of man, and therefore one cannot suppose even those who are regenerate will always be mindful of what the Gospel is and how it works. The apostles did not “assume” people intuitively knew these essential elements of the faith, nor can we “assume” that about the Church today.