133 – The Gospel
THE GOSPEL
§ 133. The Gospel in the strict sense of the term 1 is the divine doctrine 2 by which God announces to all mankind 3 His grace and mercy in Christ Jesus,4 earnestly offers to all that hear it 5 forgiveness of sins and the righteousness which Christ has earned by His obedience unto death (vis collativa), and by the power inherent in such grace efficaciously operates 6 in their hearts toward the acceptance 7 of His gracious gifts, and perseverance in faith 8 and in holiness of life,9 and produces such effects wherever they are not frustrated by man’s obstinate resistance 10 (vis operativa seu effectiva).
1. The Gospel in the strict sense of the term
Mark 1:15 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
2. is the divine doctrine
Acts 14:3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the Word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Galatians 1:11-12 But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me.
I Peter 1:25 But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.
I Thessalonians 1:8 For from you sounded out the Word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything.
Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy Word.
Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins.
I Corinthians 2:12-13 That we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth.
I Corinthians 1:5-7 In everything ye are enriched by Him in all utterance and in all knowledge. Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift.
3. by which God announces to all mankind
Mark 16:15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Matthew 24:14 And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name.
Romans 10:17-18 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
4. His grace and mercy in Christ Jesus,
Luke 1:76-77 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins.
5. earnestly offers to all that hear it
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints.
II Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
I Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
6. forgiveness of sins and the righteousness which Christ has earned by His obedience unto death (vis collativa), and by the power inherent in such grace efficaciously operates
Romans 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. Cf. I Thessalonians 2:13 above sub 5. “effectually worketh.”
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
I Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
I Thessalonians 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.
Colossians 1:5-6 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.
Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Galatians 3:5 He that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth He it by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith?
James 1:18 Of His own will begat He us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures.
I Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel.
I Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
7. in their hearts toward the acceptance
Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith?
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their Word.
Acts 26:17-18 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.
I Corinthians 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
I Corinthians 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.
I Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
8. of His gracious gifts, and perseverance in faith
I John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
I John 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
9. and in holiness of life,
John 17:17 Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
10. and produces such effects wherever they are not frustrated by man’s obstinate resistance (vis operativa seu effectiva).
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