The Simplicity Of The Gospel

In the Spring our ladies studied the book of Galatians. One of Paul's primary reasons for writing that epistle is to make it clear that NOTHING is to be added to the Gospel of Christ. Anyone who adds anything to the Gospel is cursed as Paul so chillingly states in Gal. 1:8-9

I had a few thoughts on the Gospel that I shared with them. I am sharing those thoughts here today-for the simple reason that I do have some unsaved readers that stop by occasionally. I think every Christian blogger should share the Gospel. Some of the people that visit our blogs come via Google searches-and some stay and read.



The Gospel

1 Cor 15:1-9

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.    ESV

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W  We are sinful from the womb: Ps. 58:3, Rom. 3:9-23, Is.64:6, Is. 53:6.  We are dead spiritually and unable to respond to God, Eph. 2:5, Col. 2:13.

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G   God himself has to raise us from the dead and draw us to Christ. John 6:37. We are dead in trespasses and sin and are hopeless and helpless to respond to God unless he causes our dead hearts to respond to him. Eph. 2:5, Col 2:13, 1 Thess. 1:4.

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C   Christ died to satisfy the wrath of God as he atoned for the sins of his people on the cross. Rom. 5:8-9, Heb.9:14, 1 Peter 1:18-19

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G   God determined beforehand to give an elect people to his son-and God will draw these people to him for salvation. John 6:37, John 6:44, John 17:6,24, 1 Peter 1:1-2, Eph. 1:4

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G   God has given eternal life to his elect people through the sacrifice of his Son and they will live forever in his presence.  John 6:37-40 , John 5:24, John 10:28, Jude 1:24

 Let's Go back over 1 Cor. 15 and look at the elements of the Gospel.

·          Christ died for sinners-we are all sinners-Rom.3:23

·          He was buried

·          He was raised on the 3^rd day

 The good news is that Christ died for sinners. If you are a sinner and come to Jesus Christ for forgiveness-he says this:

John 6:37-38  "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. "

False Gospels-and how they always get it wrong:

·         The Deity of Christ-Titus 2:13-only God could make atonement for the sins of man-the blood of every living human since Adam is tainted with sin-therefore only the God-Man could atone for sins through his blood(1Peter 1:18)

·         Something must be added to the atonement-works Eph. 2:8-9

·    Antinomianism(1 Cor. 6:9-11) and Universalism   

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     I think The old hymn says it best "I love to tell the story-for those who know it best-seem hungering and thirsting-to hear it like the rest." I need the good news of the Gospel everyday of my life-how about you?  When sharing the Gospel with a non-believer the kiss rule applies. Share the Gospel clearly and simply-and let God do the rest.