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Essentials of The Gospel

The gospel is the Good news of God's redemption narrative.  It sums up scripture and is seen through all history recorded in scripture.  That can be a lot of information! 

What are the Essential Elements of the Gospel Message?

To know what God says is essential in his message we must turn to His Word:

1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Now I would remind you, brothers,1 of the gospel g I preached to you, which you received, h in which you stand, 2 and by which I you are being saved, if you j hold fast to the word I preached to you—k unless you believed in vain. 3 For l I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died m for our sins n in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised o on the third day p in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that q he appeared to Cephas, then r to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to s James, then t to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, u he appeared also to me.
  1. Christ Died for our sins
    1. Man has sins to be paid for
    2. Man can not pay for their own sins
    3. Christ is the only one possible that can pay for sin
    4. Christ is more than a Man to be able to pay for sin
    5. Christ had no sin to pay for himself
  2. According to scripture
    1. His actions validated the truthfulness of scripture.
  3. He was buried
    1. His body was dead.
    2. His body was buried in a tomb
  4. Raised from the Dead on the 3rd day
    1. His body was raised from the dead
    2. Raised on the 3rd day exactly how it was prophesied
    3. He has to be more than a Man to Rise from the dead.
    4. He has power over death.
  5. He appeared to people alive.
    1. He proved that he was alive by making witnesses.
    2. He validated the claims of himself and scripture.
  6. Man has not work or part of Redemption.
    1. Salvation is entirely dependent on Jesus Christ.
    2. Man is only saved when they believe in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.
      1. Faith, not works.
      2. Grace, not effort.
      3. God, not man.
Romans 1:1-5
the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a] was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[c] faith for his name’s sake.
  1. The Gospel has been presented in "The Holy Scriptures"
    1. Only God is Holy therefore the scriptures are His Words
  2. Jesus was Man in the flesh 
    1. A descended of David
    2. Jesus had a human nature
    3. Fulfills a prophecy
  3. Jesus was Holy
    1. Only God is Holy
    2. Jesus was divine in nature
  4. Jesus was the Son of God
    1. Jesus is appointed a position that only He could have.
    2. Jesus is directly related to God making him divine.
    3. Fulfills a prophecy
  5. Jesus was resurrected from the dead
    1. Jesus had to have been killed first
    2. Jesus defeated death
    3. Jesus is more powerful than death
    4. But why did he die?
      1. Died so that Man can be offered Grace
      2. Died so that Man can receive Grace
      3. Died so that Man can have Faith
      4. Died so that Man did not have to pay the price of their sin
      5. Died so that Man could live free from sin.
      6. Died so that Man could be Justified by God through Him.
  6. Jesus is Lord
    1. Only God can be Lord
    2. Jesus is God
  7. Saved by Grace through Faith
    1. Grace is freely given on the condition of faith
    2. Faith in the Person and Work of Jesus, grace is given.
    3. God gives grace to undeserving Man.

The Person and Work of Jesus Christ is Essential to The Gospel Message; secondly the validity and divine truthfulness of scripture is key.  Lastly notice how the message is not dependent on any act of man.  All that man does is they are compelled to make a stand or not on it.  They are compelled to trust it or not. 

The Essential Elements of The True Gospel Message is this:

1.  Jesus is The Holy Lord God (also see our article: Jesus Is God)
2.  Jesus came to earth in the form of Man and lived a sinless life
3.  Jesus died to pay for the sins of Man (also see our article: Why "Good Friday" is so Good)
4.  Jesus was raised from the dead on the 3rd day (also see our article: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ)
5.  Man is saved by God's Grace through Faith in Jesus
6.  Scripture is Holy and true in its foretelling and now revealing God's Good News.

Any thing missing or changed in those six points can drastically corrupt the true gospel of Jesus Christ.  The true person and work of Jesus is the truth and will save or condemn Man.  The true Gospel Message is the power of God for Salvation to all those who believe. 

Not telling people the gospel will not lead them to God.  Skipping parts of the gospel out of fear of offending people will not lead them to God.  Changing parts of the gospel out of worry of hurting a persons feelings will not lead them to God.  The Holy Spirit leads people to God through the truth of the eternal and all powerful message of The Gospel of God.

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