Obeying the Plain Gospel

This tenth and final class guides us through four places where the New Testament says we need to obey the good news, the gospel. Then using only the Bible, we will see how each soul is invited to obey the gospel as a means of receiving salvation.

A. What is the Gospel?

1. The Gospel is the good news of salvation for everyone through Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:1–5 ESV

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

2. Paul already taught The Corinthians the gospel before, but he wanted to remind them about it, 15:1.

3. There is much to the gospel, but what is of first importance is that Christ died, He was buried and He was raised, 15:3-4.

B. What do we do with the Gospel?

1. Hearing the good news will not result in entering God's rest until we obey it.

Hebrews 4:4–6 ESV

4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” 6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience,

2. If we truly believe the gospel, we will heed its good news.

Romans 10:11–17 ESV

11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

3. Those who don't obey the gospel will pay the penalty of everlasting destruction.

2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 ESV

8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

4. One must obey the gospel in order to be part of the household / family of God.

1 Peter 4:17 ESV

17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

C. How do we obey the Gospel?

1. A person must die to their sins before they can be buried.

Romans 6:1–4 ESV

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

2. Just as Jesus was buried, we too must be buried in baptism, 6:4.

3. Only after baptism is a person raised to walk in newness of life, 6:4.