Just exactly what is the gospel?

[Guest yod]

I was trying to figure out the simplest way to explain the gospel so I thought I would go to the very first time it was given to the gentiles to see what Peter said. More comments below this......

Acts 10

34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,

35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.

36 "The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)--

37 you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed.

38 "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

39 "We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross.

40 "God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible,

41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

42 "And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.

43 "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.

45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,

47 "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?"

48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

The gospel is very simply "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."

The gentiles didn't hear anything about baptism until after they had received the promised Holy Spirit. They didn't hear about the Holy Spirit until it just came over them!

They didn't hear anything about the Torah, the rapture, virgin birth, eschatology, or prophecy. They didn't have to understand the Trinity or how a man could be deity.

All the "stuff" of theological debates is nice...I love to argue a point to death.....but evidently anything important for receiveing life eternal boils down to this one simple passage.

[IslandRose]

AMEN!

....through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins

Praise the Lord!

IR :il:

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Yod,

Awhile back I did a short study on this subject and here was my conclusion.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ IS the power of God unto salvation. To eliminate any part of it cripples the new believer so much so that they may end up as seed sown on rocky ground which for a time begins to grow, but because they have no good soil, soon dies.

I think of Philip in Acts when he was sent to preach the "Gospel" to the Eunuch:

Acts 8:28-38 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Now, I must first agree that BELIEF IN GOD and in His SON, is the very first step toward salvation:

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

&

Romans 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.

But this only opens the door at which Christ stands knocking. He must also come in and sup with the person, and this is the crux of the Gospel:

1) The Birth of Christ - the Incarnation of God Himself

2) The Life of Christ - the fulfilling of prophecy, the miracles, the example He set for us

3) The Death of Christ - without which we would still be dead in our sins

4) The Resurrection of Christ - without which there would be NO resurrection of the dead

5) The Soon Coming of Christ - the HOPE that we have in Him for our trusting in Him for our salvation

If you leave ANY of these out, you cripple one's testimony - remember:

Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Of course there are many other references to the word "testimony", which would be of help in understanding this.

As you correctly point out, the FIRST step is TO BELIEVE, for by that simple act, one will receive the Holy Spirit who will then begin doing HIS work so that we may mature and become fruitful in the Kingdom of God.

BUT, these things are important to understand, especially in this world of doubters and antichrists. So discussing them, even debating what the truth is, is essential for Christians. We are to STUDY TO SHOW OURSELVES APPROVED. If just believing was all that was necessary, then WHY STUDY? Even demons believe.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Guest zebulon]

Look at how Paul presented the Gospel to the Greeks on Mars Hill. Sure doesn't sound like the Gospel one hears preached in any pulpit or by any evangelist today, that's fo sho!

[Guest yod]

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[AFaceInTheCrowd]

THE FIRST STEP IS BELIEVING YES,BUT WHAT ABOUT CONVICTION?WHAT ROLE DOES IT PLAY?

[Guest yod]

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[OneAccord]

I think it's important to remember the simplicity of the gospel message in light of the illiteracy rate in the early centuries of Christianity. Most people could not read, printing presses weren't even invented for a half a millenium or so.

As the gospel went out to the ends of the earth, most of the natives and primitives didn't have a written language and depended on stories and storytellers to pass informaiton down through the generations.

How could a theologically complicated message take hold on simple peoples? The pharisee even marvelled at how simple and coarse were Peter and the disciples. Do you suppose they had endless debates?

I think the message is simple and the rest of theology just keeps us busy until He comes.

[Guest zebulon]

I can't remember who said it, but I always liked it: "Preach the Gospel always. And when necessary, use words."

[Guest yod]

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