The Gospel

The book of Romans provides a general outline of the gospel.

The gospel 

1.  Belongs to the One True God.  “the Gospel of God”.  Romans 1:1 – the gospel is first of all, "God's gospel" - the message of the one true creator God, who is a Trinity. Romans 1:1.   This necessitates teaching on the character and attributes of God and what the Bible teaches about God’s nature.  (The doctrine of the Trinity is suggested by Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14 and is fully taught by sound hermeneutics and proper theology of all the relevant passages of Scripture that relate to the issues of the doctrine of the Trinity.)

2.  Secondly, it was promised in the OT Scriptures (Romans 1:2).  The gospel affirms the OT as God-breathed Scripture.  (2 Timothy 3:15)  I would argue that it also means that the NT is God-breathed – the “all” of verse 16 of 2 Timothy 3, expands it to the NT from the OT in verse 15. 2 Timothy 3:15 is about the OT, and 2 Timothy 3:16 is about the NT also; even though a few books were yet to be written at the time that Paul wrote 2 Timothy.  ( 1 Timothy 5:18 shows Paul put the NT on same par as Scripture as the OT; and 2 Peter 3:16 show that Peter affirms all Paul's letters as God-breathed Scripture.)

3.  Thirdly, it includes the teaching of the two natures of Christ. Romans 1:3-4.  That Christ is 100% God and 100% man.  That includes the doctrine of the Virgin Birth.  (Luke 1:26-35; Matthew 1:18-25; Isaiah 7:14; Hebrews 2:17)

4. The gospel is meant to be preached to all the nations, by the goals of discipleship and church planting.  (Romans 1:5)  The “obedience of faith” includes more than just “professions of faith”, but relational discipleship with the goal of seeing churches planted in their culture, with elders from their particular culture.  (see also Luke 24:46-47; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 14:21-23; Titus 1:5)

   The "for" of Romans 1:18 causes us to see the connection to 1:16-17 and connects the rest of chapter 1 through chapter 5 to the gospel and begins a long explanation of sin, condemnation, God's wrath, the propitiation of the cross (Romans 3:25-26), justification by faith alone (Romans 4), and the substitutionary nature of the atonement.  (Romans 5)

5. The gospel focuses on the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross, His burial and His resurrection ( 1 Cor. 15:1-9; Romans 5).  This includes an explanation of what we are “being saved from” (1 Cor. 15:2) and what sin is.  “Christ died for our sins” (I Corinthians 15:3) necessitates explanations of the nature of sin. (Mark 7:18-23, Genesis 6:5, Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 5:21-30)

6. Since it is "good news", it presupposes understanding the bad news first, that we are all sinners, guilty, condemned, lost, under the just wrath of God, already on our way to hell (Mark 9:48; Matthew 5:21-30) without Christ, and without hope without Him. (John 3:18; Romans 1:18; Ephesians 2:1-3; John 3:36)  This necessitates teaching on repentance from sin.
(Matthew 3:8; Luke 3:8, Acts 3:19; Acts 26:20; Luke 13:1-5; 2 Cor. 7:7-10) 

7.  The gospel also includes the teachings of salvation by grace alone and justification by faith alone, explicated for us in Romans chapters 1-5, among other passages. (Galatians 2:16; Romans 1:16-17; 3:28; 4:1-16; 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9; John 20:30-31; 3:15-18; Acts 16:31; Acts 13:38-39)

Romans 4:16 shows us that salvation by grace alone necessitates justification by faith alone. 

8.  Preaching the gospel in the context of discipleship, and gathering believers into a local church necessitates teaching on sanctification and the role of the law and the ministry of the Holy Spirit and God's sovereign plan. (Romans chapters 6-8)  This then feeds into questions about God's Sovereignty and the Jewish people (Romans chapters 9-11); and then discipleship continues in teaching about church life and behavior (Romans chapters 12-16.)

"Genius" by Ray Comfort

It seems every year since John Lennon was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980; there is either a new release of his songs or a new release of Beatles records, or a new documentary or film, in time for the commercial business of the Christmas season.  I have often thought that it seems like many non-Christians/secularists/atheists replace Christ at the Christmas season with the Beatles.

It is also a good opportunity to start with a pop culture phenomenon like John Lennon,  or the Beatles to get people's attention in conversation about deeper issues.

Here is a gospel presentation using John Lennon as a springboard/attention getter to talk about sin, the law, the human heart, people making false confessions of faith - false converts; true repentance and true faith in Christ  - very well done.  One of the best points that Ray Comfort makes is that if you come to Christ for "happiness" / solving your personal problems rather than understanding and seeing your sin as against God and that you are in need of a Savior from sin, and there is no hope of salvation from sin/guilt and hell apart from Jesus Christ Himself, then, that is the wrong reason for "accepting Christ" and probably indicates a false conversion.

But, I do think that many times, the Lord uses the emptiness and felt needs at the beginning to then get to our real need.  Jesus did that with the woman at the well in John 4, by starting with where she was in her life and the need for water and Jesus even appeals to her as having something He needs - "please give me water" - let me drink from your cup".  It is indeed tragic that John Lennon didn't see his real need for Christ and his own sins as condemning him; and that Yoko turned him away from investigating Christianity.

According to Steve Turner, in The Gospel According to the Beatles, John Lennon wrote letters to Oral Roberts and Rex Humbard (and called Pat Robertson’s 700 club) and watched them on TV a lot during those 5 years where he went into a "self-imposed in house exile" and was watching TV, cooking, and spending time with his son, Sean. (and doing Primal Scream therapy) He didn't want to make the same mistake he made with his first son Julian, (in not spending much time with him).

It seems his "Christian phrase" was just that; a phase he went through that Yoko eventually talked him out of. Obviously not a real seeking and not repentance or true faith.
Yoko did get upset and has TRIED to kept that phase of John Lennon's out of the public knowledge. 
According to Steve Turner, John wrote to and asked Oral Roberts and Rex Humbard, "will it work for me?" Can Jesus love me?" etc. 

But according to others, Yoko got so upset she turned him against that "search" and eventually Lennon did turn away, and Lennon actually made fun of Bob Dylan's "You Gotta Serve Somebody", with "serve yourself". 

The details have been coming out over the years, especially in the book, 

The Gospel According to the Beatles by Steve Turner.

Alistar Begg, a few years ago, did an interesting 4 part radio/web show with Dick Staub on the Beatles and made some application for how the church should have responded to their “cries for Help” and “search for something more”.  George Harrison admitted he was searching for something more than money and fame, and, sadly went to a form of Hinduism and Hare Krishna.  (But Harrison's other behavior seemed contradictory to a lot of those philosophies.)  

Alistar Begg's interview show with Dick Staub on the Kindling’s Muse.  Part 1, look around for parts 2-4.

He was looking for “happiness” and some way to solve his personal problems and addictions to drugs.  But Lennon also seemed to admit that he knew he was angry and that he could be real mean to people sometimes.   This “phase” was not repentance or truly seeking Christ for Himself.

John Lennon was abandoned by his father, and his mother was killed by an off-duty policeman around the time he was starting the Beatles; so John was probably the most angry at God of the four Beatles, and the one most messed up with drugs (His song, Cold Turkey, written and performed while coming off a heroine high, contains some graphic lyrics about his experience and some really scary screaming and should be enough to scare anyone from ever even trying using heroine.); but in some ways more honest and open than Paul. Paul is now really into vegetarianism and seems to think animals have souls.

I don't think John Lennon was a "genius" - he was just really gifted with a cool voice, creativity, and naturally gifted at witty lyrics and turning a phrase, and then that gift got expanded upon by his experimentation with LSD.  And teaming up with Paul McCartney also helped.  

When the Lord stops him, that'll be it !! Too late . . .

I don’t care what anyone says, this is a great song! (From 1976-1977)  I don’t exactly know where Phil Keaggy is spiritually today, but he seems like a mild Charismatic Christian.  I like his music and sometimes he has some great music with really good Biblical words and concepts. His pro-life song, "Who will speak up for the little ones?" is also really great and beautiful.   Last time I posted a song of his, some one commented that they thought he had converted to Roman Catholicism.  I cannot find substantial evidence of that; although he seems to lean to a more “ecumenical” type of thinking when the issue comes up. 

I am not Charismatic nor third wave nor a Reformed "continualist" on miraculous sign gifts (Wayne Grudem, Samuel Storms; John Piper to a lesser emphasis, it seems to me), but I do like good classic Rock n Roll music (stuff like this would be great for a Friday night outreach to youth with Biblical preaching of the gospel; but no, I don't want this on Sunday morning); and I wish there was more of it, in quality that is; of it with Christian words.  Keith Green was another really good classic rock Christian song writer and singer.   I don't want heavy Rock for worship; but I like good hymns that have been updated with acoustic guitars and flutes; and I also like the good hymns of worship with just piano.  Lots of variety with quality performance and making a joyful noise is good.  If we don't update a little, we loose young people.  (Just my opinion, as I see worship leaders now using 70s and 80s praise choruses that were considered anathema by them at that time, that are using them today.  (30 years too late!)  

Anyway . . .

This is a great rock n roll song that communicates the truth of Hebrews 9:27 – “and in as much as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes the judgment.”

Time is running out for all of us; one day each one of us will die, and we will have to face God, the Holy One, in the judgment.   One day, time will stop; “When the Lord stops him, that’ll be it!” – God is sovereign and controls time, and one day He will bring it to an end. 

Repent and believe in Jesus Christ, before it is too late.  (Mark 1:15; Matthew 3:8; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; Isaiah 55:6; Acts 17:30-31; Psalm 90)

Time

By Phil Keaggy

Well He hasn't always been around
And He won't always be.
But He's on the move at this moment
Measuring life for you and me.

I fear we all submit to him
Existing anxiously,
And no one is able to turn him off
Except the Lord who holds the key.

When the Lord stops him, that'll be it,
Too late for apologies.
Too late to forgive your brother,
Too late to get on your knees.
When the Lord stops him, that'll be it,
Too late to help the needy
And worst of all it's too late to turn
You must face eternity.

His name is time and he's coming to an end.
His name is time where will you be my friend?
His name is time and he's coming to an end.
His name is time where will you be my friend?

Most people think he'll never stop
He'll go on perpetually,
But old man time is running out
And he'll cease eventually.

When the Lord stops him, that'll be it,
Too late for apologies.
Too late to forgive your brother,
Too late to get on your knees.

When the Lord stops him, that'll be it,
Too late to help the needy
And worst of all it's too late to turn
You must face eternity.

His name is time and he's coming to an end.
His name is time where will you be my friend?
His name is time and he's coming to an end.
His name is time where will you be my friend?

Addendum:
I fully agree with James and Steve Camp's assessment of the Contemporary Christian Music Industry - artists need to be in submission and membership of a good evangelical Biblical Church and have accountability. 

Excellent preaching and teaching at Together for the Gospel

There are 8 videos here by the "Together For the Gospel" preachers. (Mark Dever, R.C. Sproul, Al Mohler, Thabiti Anyabwile, John MacArthur, John Piper, Matt Chandler, Ligon Duncan.)

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/04/16/t4g-2010-main-sessions/

Ligon Duncan (main session # 7, the last video at the end) gives an excellent summary of how to approach Patristics and the early church fathers, keeping them accountable to the final sole infallible rule of faith - the Scriptures.

Eastern Orthodoxy's gospel

Let's recap a brief conversation with DavidW, unofficial representative of Eastern Orthodox and official biblical errantist.

Me: 2) DavidW, if we don't hold to the same Gospel, how is it that you've said that I'm not headed for Hell (if my current trajectory holds)? Did you change your mind on that, or is your Gospel not all that central to how one escapes damnation?

DavidW: I trust in the loving mercy of our good God and Father.

Me: God's loving mercy unto relief from damnation (ie, salvation) is granted outside of the Gospel?

DavidW: "With God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26.

Me: You don't think quoting Matt 19:26 in reply to that question is just a tad out of context?

DavidW: I trust in the loving mercy of our God and Father, with whom all things are possible -- and I leave it at that.


Maybe it would be helpful if we could define "Gospel". I assume you'd agree that from its Greek root, it means "good news".

What is the good news offered? Isn't it that Jesus Christ has come to take away sin, forgive sin, and give eternal life? What could be better news than that? "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his soul?"

Why is that good news? Because we're sinners! What's the problem with that? Why does it matter that we're sinners? B/c God is angry with sin AND sinners, no?


Lk 3:7 So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness

Rom 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,

Rom 4:14 For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; 15 for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.

Rom 9:22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?

Col 2: 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Col 3:5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

1 John 5:11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

Rev 6:16they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Rev 14:10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 “And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”


What is the remedy for this? Jesus Christ!
What does Jn 3:36 mean?
--If one believes in Christ --> eternal life.
--If one does not believe in Christ --> not eternal life. Wrath.

And you want to tell me that Matthew 19:26's "all things are possible with God" means "self-contradiction is possible with God"?
I guess since you're an errantist, you're free to do whatever you want in this case. Do you really think that Jesus forgot His discussion with Nicodemus when He said Matthew 19:26, or vice versa? Or maybe your grand inclusivity is wrongheaded and exhibits postmodern politically correct inclusivism? I expect that from someone like Billy Graham, not from a representative of "the ancient Church".
When I was considering conversion to EOC, this is one of the things that bothered me greatly - your theology doesn't make a very big deal out of sin. It's only gotten worse and more obvious in the years since I stopped considering it.

Bad Friday, if this is you

Dozens of Catholic devotees were nailed to crosses, scores more whipped their backs and others chanted the Passion of Jesus Christ as Filipinos mixed faith and gory ritual on Good Friday.

Frowned on by church authorities, the voluntary crucifixions in villages north of the capital Manila are one of the most extreme displays of religious devotion in Asia's largest Roman Catholic state.

Monsignor Pedro Quitorio, spokesman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said the church discourages such rituals because the penitents were expecting rewards for hurting themselves.

"We only encourage the faithfuls to fast, pray and confess their sins," Quitorio told Reuters. "We can't stop the practice. It is not necessary, but the church has no police power. These rituals challenge us to guide our flock on the true teachings of the Catholic church."

In the small village of Cutud in Angeles City in Pampanga, about 80 km (50 miles) north of Manila, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was re-enacted in a colorful street play with dozens of men carrying wooden crosses as heavy as 50 kg (110 pounds) and scores whipping their backs to a bloody pulp...

The atmosphere was festive, with hawkers selling bottled water, beer, ice-cream and souvenir whips. VIPs and some nuns watched from a specially elevated "viewing platform".

(Source)
I don't know about anyone else, but I'm unaware of anyone who is asking you, Monsignor Quitorio, to exercise "police power". How about ecclesiastical power? I'm just certain that you don't think this self-flogging is meritorious, so why not make that impossible-to-miss clear? And then if your people continue to engage in such perversions of even your own conception of the Gospel, excommunicate them.
Else, how is anyone to know whether you really are in favor of this practice? Talk is cheap - how about a little action on Good Friday?
I can guarantee you one thing, my church would show no hesitation in excommunicating such men for rendering false witness of "their" Savior, thus showing they have no Savior at all other than themselves.

For those who have wholly fled from their dead works to the Cross of Christ, I wish you a Good Friday. Christ has died, glorify Him. Christ will rise, glorify Him!