David writes > I have a question for you
concerning your gospel. Jesus began his gospel with the word,
"Repent." Do you think the gospel changed at some point where it
became unnecessary to begin the preaching of the gospel by preaching that
people needed to repent?
I think repentance now, on this side of the
cross, is a very (super)natural response to the Good News of our
salvation. When Jesus said "repent" he was speaking to the Jews, those to whom
the promise of the Kingdom of God had been given. They would need to repent of
there false concepts concerning the kingdom or they would not be able to
recognize him as Messiah, which is exactly what many (most? all?) of them
refused to do. Instead, they crucified him. When you (and most others) strip
Jesus' word from this very Jewish context and use it as the first words to our
post resurrection and ascension gospel, you change the very specific meaning
which Jesus was attempting convey. Notice Peter's message in Acts 2. He does not
begin with repent. He begins instead by telling them what they, many of them the
very same Jews, had done in their rejection of Jesus, yet even their
actions had not prevented him from accomplishing that which he had come to do
-- procure for them their forgiveness, among other things. He then
said, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has
made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." It was upon
hearing the truth of their actions and being pricked in the heart by the Holy
Spirit that THEY ASKED what they must do. Peter told them to change their
minds about Jesus, the one whom they had crucified, and be baptized in his name
INTO the cancellation of the guilt of their sins. On that day 3000 of them did.
When we take this message of repentance away from
its Jewish context and its specific relatedness to their Messiah, we generalize
into the Gospel a condition which cannot be understood apart from this story. My
suggestion is, tell them the story first, allow the Holy Spirit to prick their
hearts -- they will be very excited about their inclusion in Christ -- and when
they ask you what they should do, tell them to change their minds about this
Jesus who died to secure for them the forgiveness of their sins . .
.
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2005 9:02
AM
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Basis of
Unity
> > Nic said to him, "Rabbi, we know that
> > you are a teacher come from God; for
> > no one can do these signs that you do
> > unless God is with him." Jesus answered
> > and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say
> > to you, unless one is born from above,
> > he cannot see the kingdom of God."
> > Izzy, do you think Nicodemus and the
> > "we" for whom he spoke, were wrong
> > in their assessment concerning Jesus?
>
> I would say Nic was correct, but I don't understand your point about this.
> Maybe you can elaborate.
>
> I have a question for you concerning your gospel. Jesus began his gospel
> with the word, "Repent." Do you think the gospel changed at some point
> where it became unnecessary to begin the preaching of the gospel by
> preaching that people needed to repent?
>
> 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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