What is the gospel

What is the Gospel?

Salvation 1. soteria (σωτηρία, 4991) denotes “deliverance, preservation, salvation.”

1. . Salvation” is used in the NT (a) of material and temporal deliverance from danger and apprehension, (1) national, Luke 1:69, 71; Acts 7:25

1:A God “Saved” the Israelite's from Bondage.

1-B: Daniel and the Lions den. (Daniel 6)

B. of the spiritual and eternal deliverance granted immediately by God to those who accept His conditions of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus, in whom alone it is to be obtained, Acts 4:12

Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W. (1996). Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words (2:545). Nashville: T. Nelson.

“a man will be justified by faith when, excluded from the righteousness of works, he by faith lays hold of the righteousness of Christ, and clothed in it appears in the sight of God not as a sinner, but as righteous. Thus we simply interpret justification, as the acceptance with which God receives us into his favor as if we were righteous; and we say that this justification consists in the forgiveness of sins and the imputation of the righteousness of Christ,” (see sec. 21 and 23.) John Calvin Justification by Faith

“For to include faith in Repentance, is repugnant to what Paul says in Acts 20:21- that he testified “both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” Where he mentions faith and repentance, as two things totally distinct. What is Calvin saying? To make a christians Repentance a condition of Salvation is wrong. Metonia just means a change of mind, a change of attitude. So In Acts 2 and 3 where we saw “Repent” statements to the unsaved the request was that they change their minds about Christ being the Messiah. However Repentance in one's life with regards to sin has to do with the “Working out of Ones Salvation.”

So we must ask Salvation (Deliverance) from What?

#. Salvation from the Penalty of Sin

1. Salvation from the Power of Sin
2. Salvation from the Presence of Sin

John 6:47. John 20:30-31,

Question 1? : “What do we need saving from?”

Answer 1: “The wages of sin are death.” Romans 6:23

Problem 1: All men are sinners.

We are born into sin. Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.

American Standard Version. 1995 (Ps 51:5). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Romans 5:12Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:-

American Standard Version. 1995 (Ro 5:12). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

American Standard Version. 1995 (Ro 3:23). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Man was born a sinner, but also, all men sin. (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, Psalm 51:5)

Quesiton 2: If the wages of Sin are Spiritual death how then can we escape and be saved?

1 John 5:12 He that has the Son has life: he that has not the Son of God has not life. 13 These things have I written to you that ye may know that ye have eternal life who believe on the name of the Son of God.

Darby, J. N. (1996). The Holy Scriptures : A new translation from the original languages (1 Jn 5:12). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.

Acts 16:30 Sirs, what must I do that I may be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.

Darby, J. N. (1996). The Holy Scriptures : A new translation from the original languages (Ac 16:30). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.

Answer to Question 1: What do I need to be saved from?

The answer is clear. For the unsaved you need to be saved from the Penalty of sin. (The wages of sin are death) For the saved you need to be saved from the power of Sin, and eventually you WILL be saved from the presence of sin in Heaven.

Which brings up a doctrine we went over once already. The doctrine of Sanctification.

Sanctification in scripture has three facets. Sanctification phase 1. From set apart from sin. New destination is heaven. Sanctificaiton phase 2 deals with the power of sin in our life. And before we were children of darkness, but like Paul says we no longer have to walk like corpses, we have the choice to walk like Children of life. Under the mentor ship of God the Holy Spirit. Romans 6:21:deals with Sanctification phase 1 and 2.

(Blue text is Romans 6:20)

What fruit therefore did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? (when death reigned Romans 5:14, when you were unsaved) for the end of them is Spiritual death. 22 But now, having got your freedom from sin,(the penalty of sin, and the power of sin, ruling ones life because of Christs work Sin doesn't automatically control you, you have a choice. “Dont walk like children of darkness but as children of light. Eph 5;7-10 ) and having become bondmen to God, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end benefit is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the act of favour of God, eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Darby, J. N. (1996). The Holy Scriptures : A new translation from the original languages (Ro 6:20). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.

The origins of Justification by Works

Justification defined: To justify is to declare one righteous. It is a judicial term indicating that a verdict of acquittal has been announced, and so excluding all possibility of condemnation. Indeed, in Scripture, justification is invariably set over against condemnation (Deu 25:1; Ro 5:16; 8:33–34). Justification is always accomplished on a just basis, namely, that the claims of God’s law against the sinner have been fully satisfied. Justification is not because of any overlooking, suspending, or altering of God’s righteous demands, but because in Christ all of His demands have been fulfilled. Christ’s perfect life of obedience to the law and His atoning death which paid its penalty are the bases for our justification (Ro 5:9). Justification could never be based on our good works, for God requires perfect obedience and this is impossible for man.

The means of justification is faith (

Ryrie, C. C. (1995, c1972). A survey of Bible doctrine. Chicago: Moody Press.

One of the most successful tools of the Devil in polluting the Gospel of Christ is Justification by Works. When we view this false doctrine as being authored by Satan it paints a clearer picture of the never ending attack against the truth of the Gospel. Many Christians who hold to one or more tenants of Justification by works don't even recognize or will even put their particular brand of theology in that category.

Often they will start by stating “We are justified by faith alone.” but... and once you start the but game your adding to the pure gospel.

And don't give me the lame answer that beliving in something is a work. A work is something you must actively do.

1. Physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something.

2.

a. A job; employment: looking for work.

b. A trade, profession, or other means of livelihood.

3.

a. Something that one is doing, making, or performing, especially as an occupation or undertaking; a duty or task: begin the day's work.

b. An amount of such activity either done or required: a week's work.

4.

a. The part of a day devoted to an occupation or undertaking: met her after work.

b. One's place of employment: Should I call you at home or at work?

5.

a. Something that has been produced or accomplished through the effort, activity, or agency of a person or thing: This story is the work of an active imagination. Erosion is the work of wind, water, and time.

b. Full action or effect of an agency: The sleeping pills did their work.

c. An act; a deed: "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 1:14).

6.

a. An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, or literary or musical composition; a work of art.

b. works The output of a writer, artist, or musician considered or collected as a whole: the works of Shakespeare.

7.

Placing trust in someone else work requires no effort at all. Therefore it cannot be defined as work. There is no “Mental Effort” at looking at a impossible task and saying “I cant do this!!” Where's the effort? Where's the work? When we look at how perfect God is and how imperfect we are. We would say wow “I cant do this!”

God demands judgment on sin. We can't pay the price. However we have already had the price paid. In full tip included. So how dare we look at the person who paid that price and say: “I trust you but.... I trust you Jesus for the deliverance of my soul to heaven but.... I need to pay penance.

#. The act of self-mortification or devotion performed voluntarily to show sorrow for a sin or

other wrong doing.

1. A sacrament in some Christian churches that includes contrition, confession to a priest, acceptance of punishment, and absolution. Also called This is different than the biblical view of Repentance.Metaniou which means a change of thinking)

I need to dedicate my life to Jesus and make him my Lord, I need to live a good life, I need to get baptized, I need to have “Saving Faith”

Why cant Christians understand that Free is Free? Paul says that by Grace we are saved though faith (Trust) and that not of ourselves. It is a gift of God not of Works. Lest anyone should brag or boast.

Works defined: Physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something.

Does it take physical and mental effort to pay penance? Yes! To dedicate ones life to Jesus? Yes!! To do good deeds? Yes! And no matter how much twisting and turning professional theologians do in order to get you to think otherwise. The Gospel as presented today is full of WORKS. Now James is saying faith without works is dead? Well He's right a faith without good works is a useless Christian life. However it is still a Christian life. Never get the birth and the life of a Christian confused always separate the two.

Lesson Two of “Getting the Gospel Right.”

"The Protestant Reformation was the European Christian reform movement that established Protestantism as a branch of contemporary Christianity. It began in 1517 when Martin Luther published The Ninety-Five Theses, and concluded in 1648 with the Treaty of Westphalia that ended years of European religious wars between Spain and the Dutch Republic. [1] This treaty allowed soverign states to independently decide their religious worship. Protestants and Catholics were redefined as equal before the law, and Calvinism was given legal recognition.

!! [edit] Introduction

The Protestant Reformation began as an attempt to reform the Catholic Church, effected by Western European Catholics who opposed what they perceived as false doctrines and church government malpractice — especially the teaching and the sale of indulgences, (indulgence is a complete or partial pardon for sins committed: In catholic theology there is was two categories of sins. 1. Venial or forgivable sins, and Mortal sins, or unforgivable sins) (The catholic would go to confession and the priest would offer partial or full obmission for sins. Depending if was a Mortal sin or a Venial sin. )

and simony, the selling and buying of clerical offices — that the reformers saw as evidence of the systemic corruption of the church’s hierarchy, which included the Pope.

Martin Luther's spiritual predecessors included John Wycliffe and Jan Hus, who likewise had attempted to reform the Catholic Church. The Protestant Reformation began on 31 October 1517, in Wittenberg, Saxony, where Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences to the door of the All Saints' Church (a university notice board),[1] the theses debated and criticized the Church and the Pope, but concentrated upon the selling of indulgences and doctrinal policies about purgatory, particular judgement, Mariology (devotion to Mary, Jesus’s Mother), the intercession of and devotion to the saints, most of the sacraments, the mandatory clerical celibacy, including monasticism, and the authority of the Pope.

In the event, other religious reformers, such as Ulrich Zwingli, soon followed Martin Luther’s example.

Moreover, the reformers soon disagreed among themselves and divided their movement according to doctrinal differences — first between Luther and Zwingli, later between Luther and John Calvin — consequently resulting in the establishment of different and rival Protestant Churches (denominations), such as the Lutheran, the Reformed, the Puritans, and the Presbyterian. Elsewhere, the religious reformation causes, processes, and effects were different; Anglicanism arose in England with the English Reformation, and most Protestant denominations derive from the Germanic denominations. The reformers also accelerated the development of the Catholic Counter-Reformation of the Catholic Church. The Protestant Reformation is also referred to as the German Reformation, Protestant Revolution or Protestant Revolt.

[edit] History and origins

All mainstream Protestants generally date their doctrinal separation from the Roman Catholic Church to the 16th century,

!!! [edit] Corruption Started...

Unrest due to the Great Schism of Western Christianity (1378–1416) Where Cardinals elected Archbishop of Bari, was elected in 1378. Then regretting their decision elected Pope Clement VII the divide excited wars between princes, uprisings among the peasants, and widespread concern over corruption in the church. The first of a series of disruptive and new perspectives came from John Wycliffe at Oxford University,

John Wycliffe 1324-1384 AD English theologian, lay preacher, Wycliffe was also an early advocate for translation of the Bible into the common tongue. He completed his translation directly from the Vulgate into vernacular English believe in the “invisible” church of the elect, made up of predestined to be saved, rather than in the “visible” church of Rome.[15]

The books and tracts of Wycliffe's last six years include continual attacks upon the papacy and the entire hierarchy of his times. Each year they focus more and more, and at the last, the pope and the Antichrist seem to him practically equivalent concepts. (A similar conclusion would be reached by Protestants 100 years later)

Wycliffes Bible Just as Luther's version had great influence upon the German language, so Wycliffe's, by reason of its clarity, beauty, and strength, influenced the English language as the King James Version was later to do.

Between 1372 and 1384, He was labled a herotic and when he had died of apoplexy the Catholic church had his remains exhumed and then burned.

John Hus was influenced by Wycliffe's teachings and led an open rebellion with the catholic church. Between 1420 and 1431, the Hussite forces defeated five consecutive pope crusades against followers of Hus. Their defense and rebellion against Roman Catholics became known as the Hussite Wars.[2]

The Catholic Church officially concluded this debate at the Council of Constance (1414–1417). The conclave condemned Jan Hus, who was executed by burning in spite of a promise of safe-conduct. Wycliffe was posthumously burned as a heretic.[2]

The Council of Constance confirmed and strengthened the traditional medieval conception of church and empire. It did not address the national tensions, or the theological tensions which had been stirred up during the previous century. The council could not prevent divison the Hussite Wars in Bohemia.[3]

Martin Luther was shocked by the corruption of the clergy on a trip to Rome in 1510. Sixtus IV (1471–1484) was the first Pope to impose a license on whore houses and a special tax on priests who kept a mistress. He also established the practice of selling indulgences to be applied to the dead, thereby establishing a virtually infinite source of revenue.[4] Pope Alexander VI (1492–1503) was one of the most controversial of the Renaissance Popes. He fathered seven children, including , by at least two mistresses.[5] Fourteen years after his death, the corruption of the papacy that Pope Alexander VI exemplified – particularly the sale of indulgences – prompted Luther to nail a summary of his grievances on the door of a church at Wittenberg in Germany and launch the Protestant Reformation.

[edit] 16th century

ExLuther's 95 Theses

Excerpts from Martin Luther's 95 Theses

#. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said Poenitentiam agite, (Latin meaning Repent) willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.

1. This word cannot be understood to mean sacramental penance, i.e., confession and satisfaction, which is administered by the priests.
2. Yet it means not inward repentance only; nay, there is no inward repentance which does not include outwardly works. of the flesh. (Mortification refers in Christian theology to the subjective experience of Sanctification, the objective work of God between justification and glorification. Mortification litteraly means the “putting to death of sins. There is no change of direction in ones life without good works. Which is the true meaning of James 2:20
3. The penalty [of sin], therefore, continues so long as hatred of self continues; (hatred of the flesh) for this is the true inward repentance, and continues until our entrance into the kingdom of heaven. (sin will remain until we get to heaven)
4. The pope does not intend to remit, and cannot remit any penalties other than those which he has imposed either by his own authority or by that of the Canons.

(The pope can only forgive penalites he has issued himself or forgive based on the authority of the bible)

1. The pope cannot remit (pardon) any guilt, except by declaring that it has been remitted by God and by assenting (agreeing) to God's remission; though, to be sure, he may grant (pardons) remission in cases reserved to his judgment. If his right to grant remission in such cases were despised, the guilt would remain entirely unforgiven.

(In medieval times, popes played powerful roles in Western Europe, often struggling with monarchs for control over the wide-ranging affairs of church and state,[5] crowning emperors (Charlemagne was the first emperor crowned by a pope), and regulating disputes among secular rulers.[7] )

1. God pardons guilt to no one whom He does not, at the same time, humble in all things and bring into subjection to His representative, the priest.

(Your guilt for sins dies on the cross. It is covered by the sacrifice which Christ made on the Cross. Telious Complete finished.

#. . Biblical law applies only to the living not to the dead. (99% True statement however. 1. n the bible says he who does not have Christ the wrath of God abides in them. Biblical law says the unsaved will go to hell and they do. John 3:36, The obeying Christ means Repenting or Changing your mind about who Christ is and What he has done.Matt 3:17)

1. However, the Holy Spirit will make exceptions to this when required to do so.

(Once you've lived this life if you are saved you will receive or not receive rewards based on how you lived your life. 1 Cor 3:12;

10 Ignorant and wicked are the doings of those priests who, in the case of the dying, reserve canonical penances for purgatory. (Threaten dying people with purgatory)

#. This changing of the biblical penalty to the penalty of purgatory is quite evidently one of the tares that were sown while the bishops slept. “Weeds that were grown” While the bishops slept. “A worthless crop, a crop of weeds.” i.e. A worthless practice.

1. . In days gone by, church penalties were imposed before release from guilt to show true repentance.
2. When you die all your debts to the church are wiped out and those debts are free from being judged.

21. Therefore those preachers of indulgences are in error, who say that by the pope's indulgences a man is freed from every penalty, and saved;

33 Men must be on their guard against those who say that the pope's pardons are that infinate gift of God by which man is reconciled to Him;

36. Every truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without letters of pardon.

37. Every true Christian, whether living or dead, has part in all the blessings of Christ and the Church; and this is granted him by God, even without letters of pardon.

1. The assurance of salvation by letters of pardon is vain, even though the commissary, nay, even though the pope himself, were to stake his soul upon it.

62. The true treasure of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God.

79. To say that the cross, insignia with the popes arms, which is set up [by the preachers of indulgences], is of equal worth with the Cross of Christ, is blasphemy.

86. Again: -- "Why does not the pope, whose wealth is to-day greater than the riches of the richest, build just this one church of St. Peter with his own money, rather than with the money of poor believers?"

Summoned before Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in April 1521,

Consequently Luther was summoned to either renounce or reaffirm them at the Diet of Worms on 17 April 1521. When he appeared before the assembly, Johann von Eck, by then assistant to the Archbishop of Trier, acted as spokesman for Emperor Charles the Fifth. He presented Luther with a table filled with copies of his writings. Eck asked Luther if he still believed what these works taught. He requested time to think about his answer. Granted an extension, Luther prayed, consulted with friends and mediators and presented himself before the Diet the next day.

When the counselor put the same question to Luther the next day, the reformer apologized for the harsh tone of many of his writings, but said that he could not reject the majority of them or the teachings in them. Luther respectfully but boldly stated, " Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen. " On May 25, the Emperor issued his Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw.

He took refuge in the Wartburg castle, where he lived in seclusion for eight months. During that time he translated the New Testament into German and wrote a number of pamphlets. In March 1522 he returned to Wittenberg to restore order against enthusiastic iconoclasts who were destroying altars, images, and crucifixes. His reforming work during subsequent years included the writing of the Small and Large Catechisms, sermon books, more than a dozen hymns, over 100 volumes of tracts, treatises, biblical commentaries, thousands of letters, and the translation of the whole Bible into German.

With Philipp Melanchthon and others, Luther organized the Evangelical churches in the German territories whose princes supported him. He abolished many traditional practices, including confession and private mass. Priests married; convents and monasteries were abandoned. These were difficult times. Luther lost some popular support when he urged suppression of the Knights' Revolt (1522) and the Peasants' War (1524 - 26); his failure to reach doctrinal accord with Ulrich Zwingli on the nature of the Eucharist (1529) split the Reform movement. Nonetheless, Luther found personal solace in his marriage (1525) to a former Cistercian nun, Katherina von Bora; they raised six children.

What was the point of my analogy of the Reformation? Salvation attached with anything else is a tainted message.

Galatians 1:9As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preaches unto you any gospel other than that which you received, let him be cursed!!

10For am I seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ. 11For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man. 12For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.

American Standard Version. 1995 (Ga 1:9). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

27. “They preach (They have men who preach that say) man who say that so soon as the penny jingles into the money-box, the soul flies out [of purgatory]”. -Martin Luther

Martin Luthers point is well taken especially in light of what is going on with the Church today. Everything in the church today is money driven, not Christ driven. The Gospel (The good news about who Christ is and what he has done.) is not even preached. Instead the Church has replaced the message to one of repentance, “Jesus in my Heart” “Dedicating one's life to Jesus.” “Making Jesus Savior, AND Lord on ones life.” and also let's not forget the focus on Money, and Music. Or in the churches that I was exposed to the focus was on “THE Greek.” However the Message should be entirely Christ driven.

Today the gospel, If it is given at all is a message of Justification by Works. But Paul says “Not by works of Righteousness that we've done, but according to his mercy did he save us. Titus 3:5.

And just as we can do nothing to earn salvation. We can do nothing to lose salvation. I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

American Standard Version. 1995 (Ro 8:38). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

You could fill in the blank with all the other crap Preachers and Theologians tack on to the Gospel.

I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, (Life includes a good life or a sinful life.) nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, (present sins) nor things to come, (Future sins) nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38.

People love to take the focus off of Christ. What does it say in John 19:30 kalû, (kalawu). to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, spent (NH id., Pi.; Ph. כלה; Assyrian kalû, put an end to, and cease, vanish Dl

vb. verb.

NH New (Late) Hebrew.

Ph. Phenician.

Dl Freidrich Delitzsch, Assyriches Handwörterbuch;

Brown, F., Driver, S. R., & Briggs, C. A. (2000). Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Strong's, TWOT, and GK references Copyright 2000 by Logos Research Systems, Inc. (electronic ed.) (477). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems.

Greek work tetelestai which means It is finished. Papyri receipts for taxes have been recovered with the word tetelestai written across them, meaning “paid in full.” This word on Jesus’ lips was significant. When He said, “It is finished” (not “I am finished”), He meant His redemptive work was completed. He had been made sin for people (2 Cor. 5:21) and had suffered the penalty of God’s justice which sin deserved.

Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (2:340). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Eph 2:8for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not of works, that no man should glory. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

American Standard Version. 1995 (Eph 2:8). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Lets use some deductive reasoning. What is Paul saying? He is saying we are saved through Faith (pisteúō [to believe, trust], ) it's a gift. Do you have anything to do with a gift. Well not when it's a gift from God. You just take the gift no strings attached. Then Paul says not of works less anyone brag, boast. Think higher then themselves then they ought to.

He is saying just to let you know, you cant add anything to salvation, just in case you wanted to brag, boast. Also remember that they can't add anything to salvation. We are declared sinners (Romans 3:23) None are righteous Romans 3:10. Our righteousness is declared “Filthy Rags” the idea behind it is “Soiled garments.” in Isaiah 64:6