THE FREENESS OF THE GOSPEL: "Introduction"
Every true, God-called preacher and minister has the responsibility to preach the Gospel under the authority of a sound, Scriptural, New Testament church. Every sinner, descendant of rebellious and wayward Adam, has the responsibility to hear the Gospel and believe it with the whole heart in order to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 1:15). These are not options, but rather authoritative, divine commands!
The "Gospel" is an oft-repeated Biblical term meaning good news....good news concerning the divine provision of a free salvation for sinners that justly deserve the righteous condemnation of God. The Gospel of Christ should be the central theme of every preacher's ministry (Romans 1:15-17). God has ordered that the Gospel be preached in every nation, to every people, to every tribe, to every creature, and in the uttermost parts of the earth (Mark 16:15).
In regards to its origin, the Gospel is of God and of His Christ (Romans 1:1; 2Corinthians 10:14). It is not man-made or of some religious identity (Galatians 1:11). The Gospel is not of Rome. The Gospel is not of the United States. The Gospel is non-denominational. The Gospel had its beginning in the heart of God from all eternity past. God determined it, planned it, secured it, and effectually uses it according to His own eternal purposes and for His own matchless glory.
In regards to its purpose, the Gospel is to glorify God as evidenced by the eternal song of the redeemed: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing...Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever" (Revelation 5:12-14)! The Gospel truly understood and received humbles proud, man-centered human beings, so that Christ is the constant focus and continual recipient of all gratitude and praise. The Gospel removes all boasting and bragging. Spirit-regenerate recipients of the Gospel do not speak of their acts, their works, their decision, their choice, their acceptance, their reception, their obedience, their fulfillment, their baptism, their raising of a hand, or their coming to Christ; but in direct contrast, they, in humility and grateful praise to their Redeemer, voice how that Christ has found them, has died for them, has convinced them, has illumined them, has drawn them, has granted them repentance and faith, has secured them, and has saved them!!!! The common, ordinary phrase of American churches, worldly Christians, and modern evangelicalism: "I got saved!," is an abomination and a "glory-of-God-robbing" expression that shows forth that man has gotten or obtained his own salvation, rather than graciously received it from a merciful God. The Gospel of grace removes all arrogant boasting and causes God to be glorified with Christ-centered boasting, thanksgiving, and praise.
In regards to its revelation, the Gospel clearly reveals God´s glorious grace (Acts 20:24), His perfect righteousness (Romans 1:17), His unconditional love (John 3:16), His unlimited and irresistible power (Romans 1:16), and His infinite wisdom (1Corinthians 1:18-24). The Gospel is the glorious expression of the impeccable and immutable attributes of God.
In regard to its uniqueness, the Gospel is holy, pure, powerful, and distinct from every other religious message of the world. Every other so-called gospel that is not according to the Word of God is perverted (Galatians 1:7), is cursed (Galatians 1:8), and is abominable (Galatians 1:9). This includes, but is not limited to, the gospel of sabbath keeping, the gospel of good works, the gospel of sacraments, the gospel of baptismal regeneration, the gospel of law keeping, the gospel of free willism, the gospel of sincere intentions, the gospel of the Pope, the gospel of Buddha, the gospel of Mohammad, the gospel of Joseph Smith, the gospel of Charles Taze Russell, the gospel of Mary Baker Eddy, the gospel of Alexander Campbell, or whatever other gospel that is declared to compete with and ultimately to supplant the one true Gospel of God. The Gospel, according to the Word of God, is everlasting, meaning that God has only ever had, and only ever will have, one way of salvation (Revelation 14:6). That salvation through the Gospel is the same for Jews and Gentiles alike; it is the same in both the Old and New Testaments; it is the same before Christ came, as well as after His coming; it is the same throughout all time and for all peoples and nations.
In regards to its efficacy and effectiveness, the Gospel calls all of God's eternally chosen people unto Himself (2Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1Thessalonians 1:4-6). The Gospel not only calls sinners unto God, but it also keeps them for the fulfilling of His eternal purpose (Romans 8:28-34). Sinners will not and cannot be saved apart from the manifestation of the Gospel through the Word of God (1Peter 1:23-25; 1Corinthians 1:17-24).
In regards to its man-ward benefits, the Gospel received and believed by the sinner brings salvation (Romans 1:16), peace with God (Romans 10:15), eternal life (Matthew 10:29-30), eternal riches (2Corinthians 8:9), spiritual wholeness (Luke 4:18), true liberty from sin, evil habits and their consequences (Luke 4:18), spiritual enlightenment and understanding (Luke 4:18), spiritual security and firmness (Romans 16:25), God-glorifying humility (2Corinthians 9:13), justification before God (Galatians 3:8), the sealing and active ministry of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13), partakership in all the promises of God in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:6), hearty communion and fellowship with other disciples of Christ (Philippians 1:5), unshakable hope (Colossians 1:23), holiness of life (1Thessalonians 1:5), sanctification and conformity to the image of Christ (2Thessalonians 2:14), immortality (2Timothy 1:10), and every other spiritual blessing that only comes through Christ and His Gospel (Ephesians 1:3).
In regards to its reception, the Gospel must be received and believed by the sinner through the demonstration and manifestation of the power of God (1Thessalonians 1:5; 1Corinthians 2:4), whereby God makes a sinful, rebellious man willing and longing to come to Christ (Psalm 110:3). The sinner does not come to Christ based on his own free will, but on the gracious work of God who produces the desire and the enabling to come (John 1:13; Philippians 2:13). The regenerating power of God in the Gospel produces the heart conviction of repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21-24). It is through sincere, whole heart, Spirit-wrought, obedience-evidenced faith in Christ and His Gospel that one is truly considered to be a believer and a valid candidate for Scriptural baptism.
In regards to its rejection, the Gospel that blesses the believer, destroys the unbeliever (2Thessalonians 1:7-9). The same holy wrath and divine fury that fell on Christ on the cross of Calvary as He bore the punishment of the all the sins of all God's people, will fall individually on every unbeliever and rejector of the Gospel of God. God will take vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in the day that His Son is gloriously revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. The end of that divine vengeance will be everlasting destruction in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone and eternal separation from the glorious presence of God.
In regards to its nature, the Gospel is completely, totally, and wholly free. My Macintosh dictionary defines free as: "not under the control or in the power of another; able to act or be done as one wishes; not physically restrained, obstructed or fixed; not subject to or constrained by engagements or obligations; given or available without charge." Biblically, the Gospel is the free and voluntary expression of God and His goodwill toward men in order to secure their eternal salvation without any merit in them. God was not and is not obligated by anyone or anything outside of Himself to save sinners. If He chooses to mercifully extend His powerful hand to save that is His prerogative. If He chooses not to extend His just and righteous hand in salvation to hell-deserving sinners that also is His prerogative. God is completely and wholly free. He saves according to the good pleasure of His will, according to the riches of His grace, and according to His good pleasure that He has purposed in Himself from eternity past for the praise of the glory of His grace (Ephesians 1:3-12).
If the Lord would enable me, I would like to address the freeness of the Gospel in the next few days and in my next several posts. Please pray for me that God would enlighten my heart according to His Word, that He might be praised and that unbelievers might be brought into His eternal kingdom through the Spirit-wrought belief of the truth.
May all the honor, glory, and praise be for Christ alone! AMEN!!!
The "Gospel" is an oft-repeated Biblical term meaning good news....good news concerning the divine provision of a free salvation for sinners that justly deserve the righteous condemnation of God. The Gospel of Christ should be the central theme of every preacher's ministry (Romans 1:15-17). God has ordered that the Gospel be preached in every nation, to every people, to every tribe, to every creature, and in the uttermost parts of the earth (Mark 16:15).
In regards to its origin, the Gospel is of God and of His Christ (Romans 1:1; 2Corinthians 10:14). It is not man-made or of some religious identity (Galatians 1:11). The Gospel is not of Rome. The Gospel is not of the United States. The Gospel is non-denominational. The Gospel had its beginning in the heart of God from all eternity past. God determined it, planned it, secured it, and effectually uses it according to His own eternal purposes and for His own matchless glory.
In regards to its purpose, the Gospel is to glorify God as evidenced by the eternal song of the redeemed: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing...Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever" (Revelation 5:12-14)! The Gospel truly understood and received humbles proud, man-centered human beings, so that Christ is the constant focus and continual recipient of all gratitude and praise. The Gospel removes all boasting and bragging. Spirit-regenerate recipients of the Gospel do not speak of their acts, their works, their decision, their choice, their acceptance, their reception, their obedience, their fulfillment, their baptism, their raising of a hand, or their coming to Christ; but in direct contrast, they, in humility and grateful praise to their Redeemer, voice how that Christ has found them, has died for them, has convinced them, has illumined them, has drawn them, has granted them repentance and faith, has secured them, and has saved them!!!! The common, ordinary phrase of American churches, worldly Christians, and modern evangelicalism: "I got saved!," is an abomination and a "glory-of-God-robbing" expression that shows forth that man has gotten or obtained his own salvation, rather than graciously received it from a merciful God. The Gospel of grace removes all arrogant boasting and causes God to be glorified with Christ-centered boasting, thanksgiving, and praise.
In regards to its revelation, the Gospel clearly reveals God´s glorious grace (Acts 20:24), His perfect righteousness (Romans 1:17), His unconditional love (John 3:16), His unlimited and irresistible power (Romans 1:16), and His infinite wisdom (1Corinthians 1:18-24). The Gospel is the glorious expression of the impeccable and immutable attributes of God.
In regard to its uniqueness, the Gospel is holy, pure, powerful, and distinct from every other religious message of the world. Every other so-called gospel that is not according to the Word of God is perverted (Galatians 1:7), is cursed (Galatians 1:8), and is abominable (Galatians 1:9). This includes, but is not limited to, the gospel of sabbath keeping, the gospel of good works, the gospel of sacraments, the gospel of baptismal regeneration, the gospel of law keeping, the gospel of free willism, the gospel of sincere intentions, the gospel of the Pope, the gospel of Buddha, the gospel of Mohammad, the gospel of Joseph Smith, the gospel of Charles Taze Russell, the gospel of Mary Baker Eddy, the gospel of Alexander Campbell, or whatever other gospel that is declared to compete with and ultimately to supplant the one true Gospel of God. The Gospel, according to the Word of God, is everlasting, meaning that God has only ever had, and only ever will have, one way of salvation (Revelation 14:6). That salvation through the Gospel is the same for Jews and Gentiles alike; it is the same in both the Old and New Testaments; it is the same before Christ came, as well as after His coming; it is the same throughout all time and for all peoples and nations.
In regards to its efficacy and effectiveness, the Gospel calls all of God's eternally chosen people unto Himself (2Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1Thessalonians 1:4-6). The Gospel not only calls sinners unto God, but it also keeps them for the fulfilling of His eternal purpose (Romans 8:28-34). Sinners will not and cannot be saved apart from the manifestation of the Gospel through the Word of God (1Peter 1:23-25; 1Corinthians 1:17-24).
In regards to its man-ward benefits, the Gospel received and believed by the sinner brings salvation (Romans 1:16), peace with God (Romans 10:15), eternal life (Matthew 10:29-30), eternal riches (2Corinthians 8:9), spiritual wholeness (Luke 4:18), true liberty from sin, evil habits and their consequences (Luke 4:18), spiritual enlightenment and understanding (Luke 4:18), spiritual security and firmness (Romans 16:25), God-glorifying humility (2Corinthians 9:13), justification before God (Galatians 3:8), the sealing and active ministry of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13), partakership in all the promises of God in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:6), hearty communion and fellowship with other disciples of Christ (Philippians 1:5), unshakable hope (Colossians 1:23), holiness of life (1Thessalonians 1:5), sanctification and conformity to the image of Christ (2Thessalonians 2:14), immortality (2Timothy 1:10), and every other spiritual blessing that only comes through Christ and His Gospel (Ephesians 1:3).
In regards to its reception, the Gospel must be received and believed by the sinner through the demonstration and manifestation of the power of God (1Thessalonians 1:5; 1Corinthians 2:4), whereby God makes a sinful, rebellious man willing and longing to come to Christ (Psalm 110:3). The sinner does not come to Christ based on his own free will, but on the gracious work of God who produces the desire and the enabling to come (John 1:13; Philippians 2:13). The regenerating power of God in the Gospel produces the heart conviction of repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21-24). It is through sincere, whole heart, Spirit-wrought, obedience-evidenced faith in Christ and His Gospel that one is truly considered to be a believer and a valid candidate for Scriptural baptism.
In regards to its rejection, the Gospel that blesses the believer, destroys the unbeliever (2Thessalonians 1:7-9). The same holy wrath and divine fury that fell on Christ on the cross of Calvary as He bore the punishment of the all the sins of all God's people, will fall individually on every unbeliever and rejector of the Gospel of God. God will take vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in the day that His Son is gloriously revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. The end of that divine vengeance will be everlasting destruction in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone and eternal separation from the glorious presence of God.
In regards to its nature, the Gospel is completely, totally, and wholly free. My Macintosh dictionary defines free as: "not under the control or in the power of another; able to act or be done as one wishes; not physically restrained, obstructed or fixed; not subject to or constrained by engagements or obligations; given or available without charge." Biblically, the Gospel is the free and voluntary expression of God and His goodwill toward men in order to secure their eternal salvation without any merit in them. God was not and is not obligated by anyone or anything outside of Himself to save sinners. If He chooses to mercifully extend His powerful hand to save that is His prerogative. If He chooses not to extend His just and righteous hand in salvation to hell-deserving sinners that also is His prerogative. God is completely and wholly free. He saves according to the good pleasure of His will, according to the riches of His grace, and according to His good pleasure that He has purposed in Himself from eternity past for the praise of the glory of His grace (Ephesians 1:3-12).
If the Lord would enable me, I would like to address the freeness of the Gospel in the next few days and in my next several posts. Please pray for me that God would enlighten my heart according to His Word, that He might be praised and that unbelievers might be brought into His eternal kingdom through the Spirit-wrought belief of the truth.
May all the honor, glory, and praise be for Christ alone! AMEN!!!
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