Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us–for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”– in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Here is a classic text to launch the question that titles this post. The dilemma here is that what Paul seems to be referencing as the preaching of the gospel (“All the nations wilk be blessed in you”) wouldn’t be understood as a full treatment of the gospel.
For instance, he didn’t mention that “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life” or ask “What do you understand it takes for a person to go to heaven?”
All kidding aside, it is the epitome of obvious to state that the Gospel is fundamental to Christianity. However, how many times have you heard it defined? Hopefully you grew up in a better setting than I did but if not then you are used to hearing the Gospel referenced but not defined.
In the hopes of encouraging (or at least documenting) discussion on the nature of the Gospel I’ve added a new category to my blogroll: What Is The Gospel? I intend to permalink (perma being a relative term, lasting as long as I choose) to posts dealing with the nature of the Gospel.
If you have written on the subject, know where someone has, or know of a text-based discussion of the nature of thegospel then please let me know. I started with a centuri0n post from Pyromaniacs but I’d like to see the list expanded.
Here’s your chance – what is the gospel? Blog about it and send me the link.
Jeff,
Jesus said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad (John 8:56).” I am not sure just how clear the picture was to him, but Paul clearly says that God preached the Gospel to Abraham:
“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8)
Abraham had enough to go on–obviously–because he was justified. The revelation had to be progressive, but it was enough. I’m thankful that we have the full revelation given to us, and we should use all God has given when we present.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 contain the basics of the Gospel:
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Granted that the reader understands Who Jesus is… but there is a simplicity about the Gospel.
I do get concerned about those who confuse How the Gospel Works with the Actual Gospel Itself.
If we understand the Gospel and receive it by faith alone–we are saved. Understanding the counsels of God and all that are not the Gospel itself. They are a fuller understanding of the God of the Gospel. But if we wait for a child to decide “Calvinism” or “Arminianism,” we are getting the cart before the horse.
Should be some good bloggin’ your fixin’ up.
JRush
Jeff,
I think One must understand who Christ is before they can put their faith in Him… they can’t belive in the Christ from south park, or even in Jim Caviezel.
This is basically what I share with individuals who come inquiring about salvation; this is what they must do to be saved:
That they’re a sinner, The Trinity, The 2nd Person of the Trinity’s submission to the 1st, and thus Christ’s incarnation, virgin birth, 100% man, 100% God, sinless life, substitutionary death on the cross, resurrection 3 days later… and their repentance and faith in this Christ alone, their Lord and Savior, and His ability alone to save him or her… this is what I tell each of the individuals whenever I’m pointing them to the Christ that they must agree with and respond to.
I believe each of these points hinges on the other… if there’s no virgin birth, then there’s no sinless life; if there’s no submission by the 2nd person of the Trinity to the 1st person of the Trinity, then there’s no incarnation; if there’s no 100% Man, then there’s no substitute for man, etc.
I’ve heard many say that if individuals deny the Trinity, then they’re not to be part of the church… this confuses me due to the Trinity often-times not being included in the Gospel.
We’re talking about 5 minutes of sharing to 15 minutes of sharing… not that much of a difference.
With so many christ’s runnin around… and many being shaped by pop culture, we must make sure that they’re believing in THE CHRIST, Not the south park christ, family guy christ, Mormon christ, or Jehovahs Witness christ.
Should be a good topic bud…
Jeff,
Your blog is a constant encouragement to me! Keep up the great work. I never post, but I always read! God’s grace and gifting are evident in your life. I know we haven’t spent much time together since I became a Christian, but I consider it a privaledge to call you my friend. If you are ever in Louisville to see your studly brother n’law, look me up!
In Christ,
Brad Walker
Brad,
Thanks for the kind words. I don’t know how accurate they are but
they are definately encouraging. I intend to come to Louisville
sometime before the end of the semester. Maybe you could join Chase
and I for lunch or something. Thanks again for the kind feedback.
I think that statements in the OT are often confusing to many because many churches neglect the Old Testament as truly Christian Scripture. We don’t understand how the gospel is understood as the fulfillment of the promises of God. So, the gospel can be understood often generally as the promises of God. God promised Abraham a land and many descendents. Romans said that though what he saw was his own body as good as dead, he believed God. The same is true for us. We hear God’s promises. We look around and all the empirical evidence seem to contradict God’s promise. But, we believe God’s promises despite what we see.
Here are some interesting passages about the gospel in the OT that I’ve been pondering. They come from Hebrews. The amazing thing about Hebrews is how much it places Christ within the covenantal context of the Old Testament.
Heb. 3:5 “Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later”
Heb. 3:16-4:2 “For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. FOR GOOD NEWS CAME TO US JUST AS TO THEM, BUT THE MESSAGE THEY HEARD DID NOT BENEFIT THEM, BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT UNITED BY FAITH WITH THOSE WHO LISTENED.”
Heb. 4:6 “Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and THOSE WHO FORMERLY RECEIVED THE GOOD NEWS FAILED TO ENTER BECAUSE OF DISOBEDIENCE”
This next passage illustrates that the good news of rest offered to the Israelites were only types of a greater rest to come, that would have to be received by faith.
Heb. 4:8 “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
This passage is good commentary of Abraham
Heb. 6:13 “For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, ‘Surely I will bless you and multiply you.’ AND THUS ABRAHAM, HAVING PATIENTLY WAITED, OBTAINED THE PROMISE. FOR PEOPLE SWEAR BY SOMETHING GREATER THAN THEMSELVES, AND IN ALL THEIR DISPUTES AN OATH IS FINAL FOR CONFIRMATION. SO WHEN GOD DESIRED TO SHOW MORE CONVINCINGLY TO THE HEIRS OF THE PROMISE THE UNCHANGEABLE CHARACTER OF HIS PURPOSE, HE GUARANTEED IT WITH AN OATH, SO THAT BY TWO UNCHANGEABLE THINGS, IN WHICH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO LIE, WE WHO HAVE FLED FOR REFUGE MIGHT HAVE STRONG ENCOURAGEMENT TO HOLD FAST TO THE HOPE SET BEFORE US. WE HAVE THIS AS A SURE AND STEADFAST ANCHOR OF THE SOUL, A HOPE THAT ENTERS INTO THE INNER PLACE BEHIND THE CURTAIN, WHERE JESUS HAS GONE AS A FORERUNNER ON OUR BEHALF”
Here are a couple interesting ones that show continuity.
Heb. 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. BY THIS HE CONDEMNED THE WORLD AND BECAME AN HEIR OF THE RIGHTOUSNESS THAT COMES BY FAITH.”
Speaking of Sarah and Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Heb. 11:13 “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. IF THEY HAD BEEN THINKING OF THAT LAND FROM WHICH THEY HAD GONE OUT, THEY WOULD HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN. BUT AS IT IS, THEY DESIRE A BETTER COUNTRY, THAT IS, A HEAVENLY ONE. THEREFORE GOD IS NOT ASHAMED TO BE CALLED THEIR GOD, FOR HE HAS PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY.”
Check this NT interpretation of OT:
Heb. 11:23-26 “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. HE CONSIDERED THE REPROACH OF CHRIST GREATER WEALTH THAN THE TREASURES OF EGYPT, FOR HE WAS LOOKING TO THE REWARD.”
Just some interesting quotes I found.
As you no doubt know, the word “gospel” itself means “good news.”
So what is good news?
On again-off-again salvation? Nope.
Balance the good against the bad and hope the good is the heavier? Nope.
Follow enough rules to please a vengeful and wrathful God? Nope.
How about following the philosphy of Jesus and the ten commandments? Nope.
Anything that involves my having to “earn” my salvation is bogus and is bad news, not good news. “Cause I can’t be good enough to earn it.
It is a gift offered by a righteous God to unrighteous man in the person of Jesus, whereby if one confesses His Lordship, and trusts in His finished work at Calvary one will live eternally with God.
All done by Him, nothing done by me. That’s good news!
Jeff,
I just blogged about it in this post . I had been planning on posting about the book I am reading thru (God is the Gospel by John Piper), and when I came across your post, I was spurred on to make that post into a bit of an exploration of the nature of the gospel. Of course the book does a much better job than my blogpost does in dealing with the topic! I hope my thoughts can help point some in the right direction, though.
Thanks for your desire to focus on an important issue.
God bless,
Bob Hayton
Rom. 15:5-7
Jeff,
I ran across another blogpost that would fit the bill as to what you are looking for.
“The Glory of Christ in the Eternal Gospel” by Pastor Michael Beasley of The Armoury.
Thought you might want to check it out.
Thanks,
Bob Hayton
Rom. 15:5-7
Bob,
Thanks for the head’s up. I’ve added it to my list. Thanks again.