And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)
I think this passage captures much of what the gospel is all about. In other places, he calls it, "the gospel of the kingdom" (e.g., Mark 1:14,
John wrote:
I personally believe that Paul in I Cor gives us the definition of the gospel -- the death, burial and proveable resurrection.
That is the popular notion among the modern ministers today, but I think it is a bit myopic to focus only upon these elements as being "the gospel." In 1 Cor. 15, Paul was addressing the resurrection, and he was reminding the Corinthians of these elements as being basic building stones of the gospel because some of them were "spiritualizing" the idea of the bodily resurrection. Paul was about to challenge those Corinthians who were thinking that the resurrection is a spiritual resurrection and not a physical one. That is why he mentions, "death, burial and resurrection," not because this is the total sum of the gospel message.
It is especially interesting to notice that those who harp upon this narrow definition of the gospel are often those who emphasize grace so much that they believe "once saved always saved," yet this passage in 1 Cor. 15 is one of the strongest passages that indicate that a believer might "believe in vain" and lose his salvation. Consider the passage carefully:
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time."
(1 Corinthians 15:1-8)
Notice how he says that the Corinthians had received the gospel and stood in the gospel, then he says, "IF ye keep in memory (hold fast) what was preached unto you, UNLESS YE HAVE BELIEVED IN VAIN." Then he goes on to explain part of what he preached... the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The rest of the chapter is devoted to talking about the resurrection and challenging those who doubt that it will literally, physically happen. Yet even in this, Paul mentions the reign of Christ (e.g., 1 Cor. 15:24-28), and the good works that are expected of believers (e.g., 1 Cor. 15:33-34, "awake to righteousness and SIN NOT").
John wrote:
"Repentance" is something we do, of course and "remission of sins" is something given to us.
I do not view repentance as only something we do. I truly view it as a gift, just as much as the remission of sins is a gift. Consider the following passage as describing repentance as something "granted" to the Gentiles:
Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
(Acts 11:17-18)
Consider also how Esau sought repentance with tears, but could not find it.
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
(Hebrews 12:16-17)
Repentance is not in the power of anyone. We only cooperate with God's moving of grace in our hearts. It is a gift, and much more fragile than many people realize.
Your emphasis on repentance as something we do while remission of sins is portrayed as being something given to us is truly at the heart of why your emphasis is on grace and remission of sins. I am convinced, the more I talk with others, that those who emphasize eternal security the most are those least secure in their salvation, and those who emphasize grace over works are those who ascribe the most personal worth to repentance and good works. There are certainly exceptions to this, but I observe it time and time again, that my view of God's sovereinty and grace to man goes far beyond most of those who shout about God's sovereignty the most. Yet these same people often oppose me for emphasizing how men need to repent, stop sinning completely, and let God truly reign over their life in every aspect of it, small or great.
John wrote:
The rich young ruler was told to give up his possessions. Others were told to leave their families behind, another was told to "sin no more" in regards to sexual sins. Peter on the Pentecost Day told preached repentance and baptism (probably with water). John 3:16ff gives us salvation tied to the New Birth. Paul in Gal. 3:26,27, presents Christ likeness in the light of "immersion into Christ (Himself)." James presents justification in terms of an expression of belief and Peter tells us that baptism, as an act of the conscience, saves through the resurrection (I Pet 3:21).
It seems to me that the gospel is the Living Christ, an indwelling force and gift to all. How we appropriate that gift is a personal matter. There is no "plan of salvation) (something Church of Christers and Baptists are raised believing) except that we find ourselves in Christ, literally and spiritually. Sometimes that requires repentance -- sometimes confession, sometimes ------- contrition and brokenness and so on.
It sounds like you are saying that salvation is different for different people. It sounds like you are saying that some people will need to repent but others won't, that some people will need to give up sexual sin, but others won't, that some people will need to sell all, but others won't, that some people will need to be baptized, but others won't. You say that there is no plan of salvation? You say that salvation just happens to people and they just find themselves in Christ, some required to do some things, but others required to do something else... it is all a personal matter? I truly think I am misunderstanding you here. Before I comment further, perhaps you should better develop and express your thinking here. Obviously, my perspective is that while salvation is personal in the sense that everyone needs to work it out for themselves (nobody else is going to do it for them), the expectation of the believer is universally the same. We all need to sell all, we all need to stop sinning, we all need to be baptized, etc.
Peace be with you. David Miller.
---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org
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