Preaching the Gospel !

[beloved57]

Preaching Christ and Him Crucified !

1 Cor 2:2

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

We cannot Preach Christ without preaching the whole counsel of God regarding Him Acts 20:27

27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel or Purpose of God.

For example, to Preach Christ and Him crucified, the Cross of Christ, is to declare the Eternal Purpose, Counsel and Will of God, that ordained the death of Christ Acts 2:23

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Acts 4:27-28

27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

1 Pet 1:20

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

 

[beloved57]

Preaching Christ Crucified !

To Preach the Cross of Christ, is to make known the very foundation and purpose of it, the Eternal Purpose of God. The Cross of Christ was not a backup plan [as most believe] to God's Eternal Purpose, because Adam sinned and brought sin into the world ! Christ was the lamb slain from the or before the foundation of the world Rev 13:8; 1 Pet 1:20. The Lord Jesus Christ was made Surety [For the Sheep] of the Everlasting Covenant, from Everlasting Heb 13:20.

Acts 15:18

18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Those Christ died for were Chosen by God in the lamb from the foundation or before the world began Eph 1:3-4

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

2 Thess 2:13

13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

So one cannot Preach Christ crucified without Preaching Him as the Lamb Slain from or before the foundation in the Eternal Purpose of God.

Thats the foundation of the Cross being performed in time !

Paul says in 1 Cor 3:13

11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

When was this foundation Laid ? It was Laid by the Godhead in the counsel of the Eternal Covenant, when Christ was slain from before the foundation Eph 3:11

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

 

[beloved57]

The Results of Christ Crucified !

We cannot preach Christ crucified without stating the objective and effects or results of His Death ! 1 Pet 3:18

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

The word that here is the greek word hina
and means:

that, in order that, so that

Its a word denoting God's Purpose, His intent. The Purpose, the objective Christ had for His sufferings to include His death was to bring us [God's Elect or Sheep] to God.

Now what does scripture say about God's Purpose ? Isa 14:14

The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:

And the result of Christ being crucified for those He was crucified for was that they were healed [spiritually] 1 Pet 2:24,25

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

The healing spiritually that Christ crucified effected is manifested when those He died for are returning unto the Shepherd and Bishop pf their Souls.

Unless one Preaches these results of Christ crucified, they are preaching another Christ, another Jesus.

 

[beloved57]

double post

 

[beloved57]

The Results of Christ Death !

Continuing with the thought that we cannot Preach Christ and Him Crucified without stating the results or consequences of His Death. We have stated that it actually brings us to God 1 Pet 3:18

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

That means His Death results in the Repentance/Faith and return to God of everyone He died for.

You see, Christ suffering for sins and being put to death in the flesh, both means His being Crucified, quickened by the Spirit speaks to His Resurrection, and the results are us or those whom He Represented are brought to God.

The word bring is the greek word prosagō and means:


to lead, to bring

a) to open a way of access, for one to God

1) to render one acceptable to God

b) in a forensic sense, to summon (to trial or punishment)

2) to draw near to, approach

a) the land which a sailor is approaching seeming to approach him

The verse could also be rendered in order to lead us to God, He suffered for our sins, He was put to death in the flesh to bring about that result !

The Apostles Preached a successful Christ and Him Crucified, and His Fruit..

Jn 12:24

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

 

[beloved57]

Eternal Justification and the Gospel !

Can the Gospel of God's Grace be Preached without Preaching Eternal Justification ? Absolutely not ! For this Truth is part of what Paul calls the " all the counsel of God" Acts 20:24-27

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Now it cannot be denied that Paul made this statement in vs 27 as it related to His Testimony to the Gospel of the Grace of God in vs 24 !

And so, that Testimony of the Grace of God, Paul states that Grace was given us [Elect] in Christ before the world began ! 2 Tim 1:9

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

And being that Paul's Testimony includes clear reference to Being Justified by the Grace of God Rom 3:24

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Titus 3:7

7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Then its quite obvious that He included this Truth in His Gospel Testimony.

And remember what He said about the Gospel He preached and received from Christ by revelation Gal 1:8-9

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

 

[beloved57]

The Primary purpose for Preaching the Gospel !

1 Cor 1:21

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

The Purpose of preaching the Gospel , it was the ordained means by which God determined to bless the Covenantees and to turn them away from their sins. The Preaching of the Gospel was the ordained means of God to feed His Sheep. Jn 21:15-17

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Do you know when Peter first began feeding the Lambs ? It was his first sermon on the day of Pentecost Acts 2. The Lambs were prepared to hear and to receive their very first bit of nourishment.

 

[beloved57]

Gospel For the Elect to Hear !

1 Thess 1:5

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

This Gospel which Paul calls our Gospel, came unto a certain People. It came unto them because God sent it to them. Rom 10:15

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

The word for sent is the greek word apostellō and means:

to order (one) to go to a place appointed

Now the sender is the Triune God, for the Father sends, The Son sends, and the Holy Ghost sends. And they send with a purpose to a people to whom it has been prepared for them to hear the Gospel of their Salvation.

They are sent to appointed places for a appointed People !

God sends them to where His Elect are, His Sheep. Jesus said before He died that He had Sheep that would hear His voice Jn 10:16, well, those are the ones that the Apostles was sent to with the Gospel, to the Sheep that will Christ's voice through their Preaching of the Gospel. That is why Paul said to the Corinthians 2 Cor 5:20

20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Thats because they are the Sheep that Christ referenced in Jn 10:16, at least some of them.

When Paul finally turned from the jews, He stated that He was going to the Gentiles and that they will or shall hear !

Acts 28:28

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

Who of the Gentiles will hear it ? Jn 10:16

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

These are Gentile Sheep, and Sheep means God's Chosen People Israel.

Ps 78:52

But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

Ps 79:13

So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

Ps 95:7

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,


Ps 100:3

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Jer 50:6

My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.

The Sheep are God's Elect, His Chosen ones, His Israel. Regardless of Ethnicity, His Israel is One Fold Jn 10:16

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

One Sheepfold Israel, all the Children of Promise, of Abraham's Seed.

The Gospel is sent to them, and they are God's Elect.

Lets look at 1 Thess 1:5

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

Now who are the You here that the Gospel came unto ? Notice vs 4 before it !

4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

It's the Election of Grace. The word of the Gospel came unto them, because God sent it to them to hear His voice as predicted in Jn 10:16 !

 

[beloved57]

The Gospel hid from the non elect, the Lost !

2 Cor 4:3-4

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Who are the our here in our Gospel ? Its the Church, its the Called out ones, its the Chosen.

We know this because Paul himself was Chosen and Called by God Rom 1:1

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

1 Cor 1:1

Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

Paul identifies himself with the called of Rom 9:24

24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

Paul was Chosen of Christ Acts 9:15

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Acts 22:14

And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

Notice also that he was Chosen to Hear the voice of God ! Its the Sheep that it is declared they shall hear His voice Jn 10:16,27

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

So as Paul was Chosen to hear God's voice, so was all of God's Sheep.

Now, that we have established this, we know that God revealed the Gospel to Paul Gal 1:11-12

11But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel is revealed to God's Elect as it was to Paul, for that is the only way it can be received, by revelation. If it is not revealed to one then its hid from them as stated in 2 Cor 4:3

3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

The word hid here is the greek word kalyptō :

to hide, veil

a) to hinder the knowledge of a thing

The Gospel is hid to them that are Lost in their sins !

But it is revealed to them that are being saved. That word revelation in Gal 1:12 is the greek word apokalypsis and means:

laying bare, making naked

2) a disclosure of truth, instruction

a) concerning things before unknown

The Gospel must be revealed by God's Spirit if we are to believe it 1 Cor 2:10

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

If God does not reveal the Gospel to us by His Spirit, then it will remain hid from us, which is indicative of one not being saved by the Cross of Christ, and therefore Lost in their sins.

 

[beloved57]

The Gospel, a New Covenant Ministry !

Paul was a Minister of the New Testament or Covenant, we know this from 2 Cor 3:6

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament/covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Who are the us here ? The Twelve. Paul, Peter and John and James were all made New Covenant Ministers, they all Preached the same Gospel, for the Gospel is the Power of God unto Salvation for all who were believing, to the Jew First and also to the Greek or the Gentile.

Now the New Covenant Ministry was quite appropriately designed for a New Covenant People Heb 8:8 ! So what is so special about this New Covenant People? It is this, Christ shed His blood according to this New Covenant Matt 26:28

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many[Heb 8:8] for the remission of sins.

Note: Christ blood was shed for a specific People !

His death and blood confirmed the Covenant with Many Dan 9:27

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Christ confirmed the Covenant by His Death as per Heb 9:16-17

16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

This, the confirming of the Covenant, ensures that all the Covenantees will receive a New Heart, A New Spirit, and that they should keep the commandments of God Ezk 36:26-27

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

So when God sent the Apostles out to Preach, He sent them to people who had been recipients of the New Covenant Heart, confirmed to them by the blood of Christ. Now having received the Heart from the blessing of the Covenant, they are enabled to hear the Gospel of the Covenant and obey its commands ,which are Faith and Repentance. Thats what being Ministers of the New Covenant was about. It was God sending His chosen messengers to a chosen people, with a New Covenant Heart, to bring them to obedience of Faith as per Rom 15:18

For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

 

[beloved57]

The Gospel is what God promised He would do ! Gal 3:8

When understanding the Gospel of God, it is always wise to consider what all scripture says about it either directly, and indirectly. We have a portion of what the scripture calls the Gospel directly here in 1 Cor 15:1-4

1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

however, by no means is this record of the historical record of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection the total Gospel without further clarification. For instance, Who is Christ in vs 3 ? That needs to be clarified when preaching the Gospel !

Now another scripture that directly states what the Gospel is , is found here Gal 3:8

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

So there must be a connection with this verse, and 1 Cor 15:3-4 !

Now we know that When God told Abraham that in Him Shall all Nations be Blessed, it was connected to God Justifying the heathen through Faith !

That is what is meant couched in the words that God spake to Abraham here Gen 12:1-3

1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Now this was repeated by Peter here to some jews he preached to Acts 3:25

25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

So the Gentiles are included in the same promise God made to Abraham, which Paul states in Eph 3:6

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Now you see that ? Who would have guessed that God spoke to Abraham about the Doctrine of Justification by Faith ?, But that is clearly what God meant when He declared the Gospel to Abraham " In thee shall all nations be blessed"

Now, what is the blessing ? It is Justification by or through Faith to His Seed Rom 3:30

Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.


The word shall denotes a Promise, Justification by or through Faith is something God Promised to do, and not something man is conditioned to do to cause God to Justify him as the False Gospel preachers of our day teach. And Justification by Faith and Justification through Faith, are one and the same !

 

[beloved57]

So Justification or Justification by Faith is a Gospel Promise, it is not a condition for man to get saved, as the False Teachers teach.

Justification is resultant of God's Grace Titus 3:7

7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

It is resultant of Christ's Blood Rom 5:9


9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

And Faith accompanies Justification ! Gal 3:8

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

So Justification through Faith is the Gift of God ! That is the same thing Eph 2:8 states, that Salvation by Grace through Faith , is the Gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast !

Faith will be given to those God Justifies Rom 8:33

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

So it is the Faith of God's Elect Titus 1:1

1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

Now the point again here is that the promise of the Gospel is that God would Justify the heathen through Faith, so Justification by Faith is conditioned , not on mans freewill, but on God's Promise. This is something God promised He would do.

You see how man has perverted God's word ? They have taken a unconditional Promise of the Gospel, Justification by Faith, and have imposed a man made condition upon it that man must meet, and to make it even more twisted, the very condition they impose, is what God has already graciously promised to give and do, to Justify many by Faith ! Don't take my word for it, the scripture is clear in Gal 3:8 as to what the Gospel was to Abraham. What God declared there was His Immutable and Eternal Decree, this Justification of the Heathen by faith, was part of an Eternal Purpose Eph 3:11 that had been realized in Christ ! Its by His Death, that God Justifes [by Faith] many ! Isa 53:11

He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Thats a Gospel Promise !

 

[beloved57]

Something to know about the Gospel !

Many False preachers are teaching that the Gospel is some kind of offer to all men [without exception], basically they say Christ has died for everyone's sins in order to make it possible that they can get saved if they only accept the gift of what Christ has done and made it possible for them to get saved. Folks that is one of the biggest lies ever told. The Gospel is founded upon promise, of what God said He is going to do, for a certain people ! That this is True, read Gal 3:8

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. BTW this took place in Gen 12:1-3, and Abraham was a non jew at the time, he would be considered a gentile, uncircumcised. Thats what Paul means by this statement Rom 4:8-10

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

Now, do you see that ? The Gospel is premised on a absolute promise of God, that He is going to Justify the heathen by Faith, which is based upon another promise, that being God announcing that in Abraham's Seed, all Nations shall be blessed. This has reference to the work of Christ. Again God first preached this promise to Abraham back in Gen 12:1-3

1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

So there you have it, the Gospel is the proclaiming of the fulfillment of that Promise, and not a general offer. Peter realizes this in what He said to these jews he preached the Gospel to Acts 3:25-26

25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

You see that ? because it was the fulfillment of God's Promise, God sent Jesus Christ to bless some of them, by turning them away from their sins ! You see, the Gospel is not an Offer, but God realizing His promise to certain people to do what He said He would do. Now those who fail to make this distinction, and preach the gospel as an conditional offer to everyone to accept or reject, be it known to you, they are preaching a false Gospel, no matter who it is ! Gal 1:8-9

8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Paul shows no mercy here to False Preachers of the Gospel !

 

[beloved57]

A Promise of Grace to a certain People !

The Gospel is a Promise of Grace that would come upon a certain People 1 Pet 1:10-12

10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

This is quite plain, that the Gospel is that report to some that Grace was promised to come to ! The Sufferings of Christ was connected to that Promise, and the Glory that would follow !

Notice again vs 10, the Prophets, that is the OT Prophets, like Isaiah, announced this Salvation, and that is why Paul writes that the Preached Gospel is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and the Prophets Eph 2:17-20

17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

The Apostle's are now showing how that the Promised Salvation proclaimed by the OT Prophets finds its fulfillment in Christ the Chief cornerstone, and the Church, the Lively stones, stones in this building and to whom the focus of the promises pertained !

 

[ThePresbyteers]

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]"God intentionally designed salvation so that no man can boast of it. He didn't merely arrange it so that boasting would be discouraged or kept to a minimum - He planned it so that boasting would be absolutely excluded. Election does precisely that." - Mark Webb[/FONT]

 

[beloved57]

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]"God intentionally designed salvation so that no man can boast of it. He didn't merely arrange it so that boasting would be discouraged or kept to a minimum - He planned it so that boasting would be absolutely excluded. Election does precisely that." - Mark Webb[/FONT]

That is a excellent point !

 

[beloved57]

A Promise of Grace to a certain People ! Cont

Now where these Gospel Promises of Grace for the whole World ? Yes, Look back at the original Promise to Abraham Gen 12:3

3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

All Families of the Earth SHALL BE Blessed ! This is a Promise, the word SHALL denotes that !

The Promise is to all the Families of the Earth, or to all kinds or Nations, which is the World. This comes to pass in the song of Rev 5:9

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; = The whole world !

Now were the Gospel promises to everyone without exception ? No, they were confined to One particular Seed, The Seed of Abraham Gal 3:16

16Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Now, who wants to deny that the promises[of the Gospel] were made to only one seed ? The scripture says it plainly, the promises were made to one seed, singular !

However this one particular Seed of Abraham was located in All nations, and not just one particular, this we know from Gen 17:5

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

So it is in this manner that the Gospel Promises were made to the whole World [All Nations or Families of the Earth] but still to a particular Seed, the Seed of Abraham ! That Seed as Gal 3:16 states, is Christ, which means Christ and His Church which are One, Christ !

 

[ThePresbyteers]

That is a excellent point !

Where did Pate go?

 

[beloved57]

Acts 20:24-27 The True Gospel of the Grace of God !

Acts 20:24-27

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Many have not only shunned the testimony of the Gospel of the Grace of God, but they altogether reject it and oppose it !

The True Gospel, the Gospel of God's Grace, proclaims God the Father's Sovereign and Eternal Election Eph 1:3-6

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

See also 2 Thess 2:13-14

It proclaims Christ's particular and Efficacious and vicarious redemptive death for His People the Church Isa 53:6-11

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Jn 10:11,15

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Gal 3:13

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

That is an accomplished fact of the Death of Christ for anyone He died for, they have been forever redeemed from the curse of the Law Heb 9:12

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. All for whom Christ died have been Eternally delivered from the penalty of their sins ! Thats what meant by He having obtained Eternal Redemption for us, those He died for. Thats Gospel !

It is a Eternal Redemption because it includes all True Believers of every dispensation, The OT Saints and NT Saints. When redemption of the soul is mentioned in the OT as per Ps 49:8

8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever )


Titus 2:14

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

And Finally, the Gospel Proclaims the Sovereign Work of the Holy Spirit as He is the One who Applies Salvation and Redemption to the Chosen Ones, to include the Effectual Call utilizing the Gospel, the Word of Truth

2 Thess 2:13-14

Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

His Sovereign Grace communicating New Life from Christ to those Christ redeemed by His Death Jn 3:5-8

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Ps 65:4

4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

 

[beloved57]

A Gospel Mystery !

Eph 6:19-20


19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Scripture, particularly the NT is full of statements that indicate that the Gospel is a Mystery, that means experiential knowledge of it is not attainable by the natural man. Paul makes that clear in 1 Cor 2:14

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The things of the Spirit of God here is primarily the Gospel ! We know this from vs 13

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

What are the things WE SPEAK ? The word speak here is the greek word laleō and it is translated also preach as here Acts 13:42

42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.


Acts 14:25

25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

And with even more significance its the same word used in Acts 18:9

9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

Now if you do not realize it, Paul was in Corinth when the Lord gave him this imperative !

So that takes us back to 1 Cor 2:13

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

These things they speak refers to the Gospel.

Now Paul says immediately after this verse in vs 14 about those things they speak which is the Gospel

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The Natural man receives not the the things [Gospel] of the Spirit of God.

This means, that those who did receive the word spoken or preached by the Apostles as per Acts 11:1

And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.


Acts 17:11

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

1 Thess 1:6

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

These were not natural men, that is these were people who had been born again of the Spirit of God, they had to be in order to receive the Gospel, the word of Truth. If not, then Paul lied in 1 Cor 2:14 !

In fact, that is what Jn 1:12-13 teaches as well Jn 1:12-13

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Those who received the Incarnate word, had to be born again or of God also to receive Him, as Paul indicates that one must be born again to receive the Preached word, which is all about the Incarnate Word ! These things are True because the Gospel is a Mystery, in fact a series of Mysteries, that cannot be understood and received by the Natural man !