Understanding The Gospel
Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross. Thank you, Jesus, that I can come to you now be cause you are alive. I admit that I have lived my life without you, and that I have broken your laws. I commit myself to you and ask for your forgiveness. I receive you into my life by your Holy Spirit. Help me to submit my life to your teaching and to your direction from this moment on. AMEN.
The word Gospel means “good news” and comes from the Greek word Evangelion, from which we get the word evangelical. Evangelicals are those who believe the Gospel is the “power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16) and place a priority on proclaiming it publicly. In Mark 1:14 we read that Jesus went about “proclaiming the good news (evangelion) of God.” First, the Gospel is a declaration of God’s historic work to save his people, through the sacrificial death of Jesus, as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The Gospel isn’t simply a New Testament message. The Gospel is an age old message, foretold by the Old Testament Law and Prophets. Paul alludes to the historic work of God when he writes that “…now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify” (Romans 3:21). In fact, the Apostle Peter writes that Jesus was chosen for sacrifice from before the creation of the world. (1 Peter 1:20). And Jesus used the Old Testament to explain his ministry.
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. John 24:27 (NIV)
Second, the Gospel is also an affirmation that Jesus is both Savior and Lord, and the only way to the Father. Peter stood on the streets of Jerusalem and closed his message with this declaration, “Let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Jesus said, “I’m the way, and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The message of the Gospel is never presented as simply one option among many religions. The Gospel is presented in Scripture as the only one leading to life. The gospel is that “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Finally, the Gospel is an invitation to confess and repent of one’s sin (Romans 6:23), and to receive God’s forgiveness and avoid his wrath (Romans 1:18). Essential to the Gospel is the doctrine of God’s certain judgment and coming wrath because of mankind’s sinfulness (Hebrews 4:13).
Without a thorough understanding of what we are being “saved” from, it is impossible to receive salvation itself. If the Gospel is simply a message of self-help or self-improvement, then Jesus didn’t
need to die. He only needed to teach and counsel and console, but he spilled his blood. He absorbed God’s wrath against mankind, the punishment that was due each of us. Below is one of the most succinct explanations of the Gospel offered in Scripture.
But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26 (NASB)
The Gospel’s Exclusivity and Inclusivity
The exclusivity of the Gospel is seen in the repeated claim that salvation is found only through faith in Jesus Christ.
The exclusivity of the Gospel was taught by Jesus.
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV)
The exclusivity of the Gospel was taught by the early church.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 (NIV)
While the Gospel excludes all means of salvation, outside faith in Jesus, it does not put the burden of salvation upon anyone. Salvation is a gift given to all who believe in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). In other words, no one who believes is excluded, In this respect the Gospel is far more inclusive than any other faith in the world, accepting everyone who believes regardless of race, Gender or mural purity. While the means of salvation are exclusive, the savor himself includes anyone who comes to him in faith. The inclusively of the Gospel is a unique element of the Gospel’s Message.
The inclusivity of the Gospel was announced by Jesus.
“Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS For My yoke is easy and MY burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB)
The inclusivity of the Gospel was taught by the early church.
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)
Being “Born Again”
Jill attended our church for several years when she shared with me, “I don’t like the ‘born again’ label.” She went on to explain that she could not figure out why our church was so insistent on using it. Below is an excerpt from an e-mail she sent me after our meeting.
The words "born again" have always had such a negative connotation for me. It was usually referred to in the same discussion as "Bible banger.” Mom would often refer to "those born-again" as we would pass the big church on the corner where the people would actually go to church for longer than an hour. But it wasn't until you showed me the passage in the Bible, where Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born again, that I really did some soul searching and realized that “born again” actually applied to me. It scared me for a while to identify with that statement but I really am a different person now. I don't remember a "moment" that it occurred as everyone seemed to feel that most "born agains" do, but I know that I have been "born again". I can feel and often hear the Holy Spirit in my life.
Some resist the born-again label because, like Jill, they misunderstand what Christians are claiming. New birth is not a claim to perfection. It is a claim to imperfection and the need for God’s forgiveness and work of repair. God’s ultimate goal is that we would be holy, just as he is holy, and receiving God’s grace is the first step in this process…and the second and the third and the fourth, etc. (1 Peter 1:16).
“Born again” is the phrase that best describes the beginning of the process of salvation. Jesus said “you must be born again” (John 3:7). To be born again is to be made spiritually alive from the dead state into which we were all born as infants (Ephesians 2:1-4).
Being born again is a requirement for entering heaven.
Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3 (ESV)
Being born again is to be reborn by God’s Spirit.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6 (ESV)
Being born again is granted to any who believe in Jesus' name.
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 (ESV)
Being born again is brought by the will of God, not man.
Who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:13 (ESV)
Being born again gives us the power to stop practicing sin.
No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9 (ESV)
Being born again provides protection from the evil one. We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18 (ESV)
Joining God's Family
We believe membership in a local church is an important step for a person to take, but the most important step is to join God's family. The prerequisite to joining God's family and belonging to the Body of Christ is not membership in a local church, but a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Being a Christian is about receiving forgiveness for our sins based on the death of Jesus. If you haven’t joined God’s faith, then you can right now.
The Problem
Sin
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
James 4:17(NIV) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23(NIV)
Breakdown in communication and relationship
The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. Genesis 6:5-6(NIV)
Punishment for sin is death
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23(NIV) He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9(NIV)
The Solution
God's mercy
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16(NIV) But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8(NIV)
Our relationship with God is restored through faith in Jesus Christ
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12(NIV) Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24(NIV)
How to Receive Christ
Admit your sinfulness and your need of a Savior. Trust that Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. Receive his forgiveness by inviting Christ to be your Savior and Lord.
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross. Thank you, Jesus, that I can come to you now be cause you are alive. I admit that I have lived my life without you, and that I have broken your laws. I commit myself to you and ask for your forgiveness. I receive you into my life by your Holy Spirit. Help me to submit my life to your teaching and to your direction from this moment on. AMEN.
Assurance
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12 (NIV) whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him. John 3:36 (NIV)