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Featured "The Gospel" - What Is It?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by KenH, Feb 22, 2023.

  1. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    "The Gospel" - What Is It?

    For centuries the term "the gospel" has been thrown around. What does the word gospel even mean? This one article will not suffice but should rather start one on the path of thinking about the gospel.

    The word gospel means "good news". Whatever the gospel message is it is one of good news. Most messages preached in the average church are not messages of good news at all. The most popular gospel is a false one and the word of God warns us in many places to beware of it and those who preach it.

    The true gospel is the good news of the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, it is concerning who Christ is and what He did to save sinners. The gospel includes the how and why, which can only be seen by faith.

    It is a message that declares how the eternal Son of God came down, took on a body of sinless flesh (John 1:14) as He was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23). He was both God and man in one Person.

    He was born under the Law to keep and fulfill it (Matthew 5:18, Galatians 4:4). He did that, not for Himself, but for all those He represented because they could not keep it themselves. The word of God calls these people the elect or His sheep, among several other names.

    His obedient life also included the part of dying. He took on the sin of His people as both a Substitute and Representative of those people. The Bible said He was "made to be sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21) and the way that was done is by God imputing (legally reckoned or charged to the account of) sin to Christ. That means all the sin of all those people God chose was "laid on Him" (Isaiah 53:6). This sin was legally transferred to His account and He then owned it in such a way to be guilty of it all.

    God the Father poured out His wrath and hatred toward sin on His Son and had pleasure (Isaiah 53:10) in doing so, in that, He was completely satisfied in Christ as a Sacrifice that met all the demands of His strict Law and inflexible justice. Christ finished the work of paying the penalty of the Law and then said " It is finished" (John 19:30). He secured salvation for all God's chosen people that would even be born. His resurrection is evidence of the acceptance of His sacrifice to the Father.

    The combined work of His obedience to the Law and His obedience unto death on the cross was considered establishing righteousness. This is what one of the Old Testament prophets prophesied as "bringing in an everlasting righteousness" (Daniel 9:24) as Christ died effectually and exclusively for those chosen of God before the world began (Ephesians 1:4).

    This righteousness is what God imputes to His people in the context of giving the life to believe in Christ. This puts them in a state called "Justification" and as a result they are eternally secure, in Christ. This is the gospel (Romans 1:16-17).

    All this takes place in such a way to show God as both a God of justice and a Savior. This is how grace reigns through righteousness (Romans 5:21).

    - Scott Price, Pastor of Gospel of Grace Ministries
     
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  2. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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    Yes.

    It gives His children joyous heart burn....

    27 And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
    32 And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures? Lu 24

    ...and it's far, far more than just a few lines of a 'formula' for immortality, it's the whole story about Jesus.

    It's Sheep food.
     
    #2 kyredneck, Feb 22, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2023
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  3. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    "The most popular gospel (preached in churches) is a false one." Does the article support this claim? Nope

    Jesus fulfilled the Law "for all those He represented." Does the article define who Jesus "represented?" Nope

    The article says those saved are called "the elect" and "His sheep" among several other names, but does not tell us what they might be. For example, believers, saints, Bride of Christ, General Assembly, all Israel, siblings of Christ and children or sons of God.

    The article claims the Lamb of God, without blemish became sin, very blemished! This is based on a flawed understanding of how the inspired text uses a word usually translated "sin" but sometimes only refers to the consequence or punishment resulting from that sinful behavior. Thus He bore the punishment, and not the guilt for our sin. Otherwise He would not have been sinless, meaning not guilty of sin, rather than without blemish.

    Christ laid down His life as a ransom for all, those to be saved and those never to be saved, 2 Peter 2:1.

    Bottom line, the OP gospel misses the mark time and again. Both because of ambiguity and in mistaken understanding.
     
    #3 Van, Feb 22, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2023
  4. RipponRedeaux

    RipponRedeaux Well-Known Member

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    Is it reasonable that a ransom should be paid to redeem slaves, but that those slaves were not set free? In Matthew. 20:28 it tells us that the Son of Man came to give his life for many. Is. 53:11 informs us that the righteous servant will justify many and bear their iniquities. Romans 4:25 states that he was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
    In Romans 8: it relays that the fact that the predestined, called, justified are the glorified. These people are the elect, the chosen, the ones for whom Christ died and made intercession for.
     
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  5. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    It is not reasonable that Christ did not purchase those heading for swift destruction by paying the ransom for all. God can still choose which then to save based on fulfilling His purpose.
     
  6. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    The gospel of Jesus Christ is that the Kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1).

    Jesus' instructions for seeing this kingdom is to repent and believe (Mark 1).

    Jesus' description of what occurs is a rebirth (John 3).

    Jesus' description of this kingdom is expressed often, probably the fullest being Matthew 5-8.
     
  7. MrW

    MrW Well-Known Member

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  8. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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    Not.

    Jn 3:3

    Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, except anyone be born from above, he is not able to see the kingdom of God."

    Jesus replied, "I tell you for certain that you must be born from above before you can see God's kingdom!"

    Jesus replied to Nicodemus, "I can guarantee this truth: No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."

    Jesus replied to him, "Truly, I tell you emphatically, unless a person is born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God."

    Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone may not be born from above, he is not able to see the Kingdom of God”;

    Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

    Jesus replied, "I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

    Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.

    Jesus answered and said to him, 'Verily, verily, I say to thee, If any one may
    not be born from above, he is not able to see the reign of God;'
     
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  9. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    "Born from above" is a rebirth. We are not initially born from above but born "of Adam".

    I never got the "born from above" vs "reborn" debate.
    There are places (like in Luke) where ἄνωθεν means anew. But there are places where ἄνωθεν mean top. And places where ἄνωθεν means from above.


    Nicodemus obviously understood Jesus' words to indicate a rebirth (or he wouldn't have asked how one could reenter his mother's womb). Also, being born from above is being reborn (born of the Spirit rather than flesh). And since ἄνωθεν also means anew or again, I'm not sure there are any grounds upon which to argue except personal preference.

    So, not arguing against using "born from above". It just seems a very useless debate (if I had a hill upon which to die, it wouldn't be that one).
     
  10. RipponRedeaux

    RipponRedeaux Well-Known Member

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    To ransom means to set free. Christ purchased the Church (the Body of believers, His beloved, the Elect and so forth) with his own blood. Christ loved the Church, and gave himself up for her. He did not die for the Church and everyone else. Christ purchased their pardon. Again, he justifies and intercedes for them only. It is a particular redemption --not a vague, indiscriminate one.
     
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  11. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    We can't rely over the English word over the Greek.

    λύτρον means a price paid, redeemed, ransom, or a purchase.

    It does not necessarily mean "set free".
     
  12. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    Romans 6:18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

    Romans 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

    (emphasis mine)
     
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  13. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    Matthew 20:28 even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

    (emphasis mine)

    Strong's - to liberate many from the misery and penalty of their sins.
     
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  14. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    The footnote for Matthew 20:28 in the New English Translation(NET) has:

    "The Greek word for ransom (λύτρον, lutron) is found here and in Mark 10:45 and refers to the payment of a price in order to purchase the freedom of a slave. The idea of Jesus as the “ransom” is that he paid the price with his own life by standing in our place as a substitute, enduring the judgment that we deserved for sin."

    (emphasis mine)
     
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  15. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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    So you say.

    So you say.

    From a prior post of mine (I've nothing new)

    "Born ‘again’, or ‘anew', breaks the continuity of how John consistently uses the word anothen in other places, even in that very chapter a mere 24 verses later, AND, it caters to and appeases the synergists in that it allows them wiggle room to claim having a part in it. 'Born from above' strongly denotes the truth that man is totally passive in the heavenly birth and it melds perfectly with all of John’s other ’born from above’ statements:

    who -- not of blood nor of a will of flesh, nor of a will of man but -- of God were begotten. Jn 1:13 YLT
    if ye know that he is righteous, know ye that every one doing the righteousness, of him hath been begotten. 1 Jn 2:29 YLT
    9 every one who hath been begotten of God, sin he doth not, because his seed in him doth remain, and he is not able to sin, because of God he hath been begotten. 1 Jn 3:9 YLT
    7 Beloved, may we love one another, because the love is of God, and every one who is loving, of God he hath been begotten, and doth know God 1 Jn 4:7 YLT
    1 Every one who is believing that Jesus is the Christ, of God he hath been begotten, and every one who is loving Him who did beget, doth love also him who is begotten of Him
    4 because every one who is begotten of God doth overcome the world, and this is the victory that did overcome the world -- our faith
    18 We have known that every one who hath been begotten of God doth not sin, but he who was begotten of God doth keep himself, and the evil one doth not touch him 1 Jn 5 YLT

    But Christ addressed Nicodemus’s confusion:

    6 that which hath been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which hath been born of the Spirit is spirit.
    7 `Thou mayest not wonder that I said to thee, It behoveth you to be born from above;
    8 the Spirit where he willeth doth blow, and his voice thou dost hear, but thou hast not known whence he cometh, and whither he goeth; thus is every one who hath been born of the Spirit.` Jn 3 YLT

    The entire dialog, yea the entire chapter, carries the tenor of heavenly things ‘from above’:

    2 this one came unto him by night, and said to him, `Rabbi, we have known that from God thou hast come -- a teacher, for no one these signs is able to do that thou dost, if God may not be with him.`
    3 Jesus answered and said to him, `Verily, verily, I say to thee, If any one may not be born from above, he is not able to see the reign of God;`
    7 `Thou mayest not wonder that I said to thee, It behoveth you to be born from above;
    21 but he who is doing the truth doth come to the light, that his works may be manifested, that in God they are having been wrought.`
    27 John answered and said, `A man is not able to receive anything, if it may not have been given him from the heaven
    31 he who from above is coming is above all; he who is from the earth, from the earth he is, and from the earth he speaketh; he who from the heaven is coming is above all. Jn 3 YLT

    27 John answered and said, `A man is not able to receive anything, if it may not have been given him from the heaven; Jn 3"
     
    #15 kyredneck, Feb 22, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2023
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  16. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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    Note from above post: "it caters to and appeases the synergists in that it allows them wiggle room to claim having a part in it.", i.e., born from above vs born again/anew.

    Do you claim to have a part in the heavenly birth?
     
    #16 kyredneck, Feb 22, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2023
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  17. percho

    percho Well-Known Member
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    Kind of like:

    and if the Spirit of Him (Above) who did raise up Jesus out of the dead doth dwell in you, (Begotten) He who did raise up the Christ out of the dead shall quicken (Bring forth, Birth) also your dying bodies, through His Spirit (From above) dwelling in you. (Since being begotten) Rom 8:11 YLT

    Or:

    for ye did not receive a spirit of bondage again for fear, but ye did receive a spirit (From above) of adoption in which we cry, 'Abba -- Father.' Rom 8:15 YLT
    And not only so, but also we ourselves, having the first-fruit of the Spirit, (Of Adoption from above) we also ourselves in ourselves do groan, adoption (Sonship) expecting -- the redemption of our body; (Birth from above) Rom 8:23 YLT - adoption expecting -- the redemption of our body; Called hope we do not behold in V's 24,25

    for the earnest looking out of the creation doth expect the revelation of the sons of God; Rom 8:9 YLT When is the revelation of the sons of God? - ? Luke 20:36
    for neither are they able to die any more -- for they are like messengers -- and they are sons of God, being sons of the rising again.

    that also the creation itself shall be set free from the servitude of the corruption to the liberty of the glory of the children of God; Rom 8:21 YLT

    Kind of like?

    concerning His Son, (who is come of the seed of David according to the flesh, who is marked out Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of sanctification, by the rising again from the dead,) Jesus Christ our Lord; Rom 1:3,4 YLT
     
  18. JD731

    JD731 Well-Known Member

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    Mt 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

    Since when is "all" not "many?" You have a doctrine that is not in the scriptures when you can teach this as, he gave his life a ransom for the elect. He could have said that, but he did not. That is nowhere to be found.

    Ro 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

    Ro 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

    Both manys in V 15 means ALL.

    16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
    17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
    18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
    19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
    20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
    21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

    Sin does not have more power to kill than our Lord Jesus has power to save. The difference in sinners is shown in V 17. We learn there that one man is responsible for death for all and one man is responsible for life for all. Verse 18 translates the meaning of v 17. One offence by one man and all men were judged sinners and condemned to death. No offence by one man and the free gift, grace, (the Spirit of God, Life) to justify the guilty. The righteousness and justification and life of the second man must be received as a gift, but it is in abundance and v 19 says death reigned over many at one time, which means all, and by the obedience of one man many, meaning all, who receive the gift will have righteousness reigning because they will have his righteousness.

    This is the gospel.

    Romans 6:23
    The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

    We receive death through the first birth and life through the second birth.

    Ro 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

    Ro 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

    Ga 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

    Ga 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

    Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

    Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

    1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
     
    #18 JD731, Feb 23, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2023
  19. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Save your liberal redefinition of words to justify your bogus view.

    Folks, note that 2 Peter 2:1 was not addressed. Scripture is clear, Christ bought, ransomed, purchased those never to be saved. Full Stop. The purchase provides the means of their salvation according to God's purpose. Step One of the Gospel Two Step.
     
  20. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    Yes. I claim to be born again, that rebirth- born of the Spirit, born from above. :Wink
     
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