The Gospel

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H. Richard

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1 Cor 15:1-4
15 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you — unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: 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,
NKJV

That Christ died FOR OUR SINS.

It is not what man does. It is all about what Christ did. He died to pay for the sins of ALL MANKIND. The gospel is simple. It is not what man does to save him/her self. It is ALL about what Jesus (GOD) did on the cross.

But like the Jews who rejected Jesus as their Messiah and King, if a person does not believe (have faith in) that Jesus has paid for their sins then that person can not claim what He did on the cross for them. They, like the Jews, reject His work on the cross and wish to substitute their own works. Just as Cain did.
 

Anthony D'Arienzo

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Jesus died a Covenant death for the children the Father gave to Him,not all mankind.
2x this passage speaks of....according to the Scriptures.
The children given to the Son are scattered worldwide, but it is not said to be all mankind.
 
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FHII

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As usual, great post Richard! Christ's death indeed is enough to cover the sins of all men. It is also available to all men and women. Yet it will not be accepted by all.
 

Episkopos

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As usual, great post Richard! Christ's death indeed is enough to cover the sins of all men. It is also available to all men and women. Yet it will not be accepted by all.
It is a popular religious fable that a sacrifice has to be "accepted" in order to work. It's more like...what are you going to do now! There's far too much self-congratulatory rhetoric based on a survival instinct self-preservational acceptance of a seeming way to get away with being a sinner. And to make things worse it would seem to gve license to judge other people who are in many cases doing better than we are.

God will have mercy on whom He wills...not who we feel less prejudicial towards.
 
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CoreIssue

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It is a popular religious fable that a sacrifice has to be "accepted" in order to work. It's more like...what are you going to do now! There's far too much self-congratulatory rhetoric based on a survival instinct self-preservational acceptance of a seeming way to get away with being a sinner. And to make things worse it would seem to gve license to judge other people who are in many cases doing better than we are.

God will have mercy on whom He wills...not who we feel less prejudicial towards.

Calvinism
 

VictoryinJesus

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They, like the Jews, reject His work on the cross and wish to substitute their own works. Just as Cain did.

Since His work covers all men...and it IS HIS work alone which covers ...then how do we justify some choose to “believe” the first work being “their” belief ...while others “reject” their first work being “to reject”?

To believe?
Or To reject?
Isn’t that putting the first work on man and not God who said it is the work of God that we believe. John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

It is not the work of man to believe on him whom God sent. BUT it is the work of God that man believes on him whom God sent. Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth

Not of the works of man to believe
Or not of the works of man to reject
...but of him that calleth. For the elections sake God opens the eyes of the blind and gives ears to hear the voice of God...so that it is of God and not of man.
Yet we condemn those who reject based off the works to reject.

Romans 10:17
[17] So then faith cometh by hearing(God’s voice),and hearing (God’s voice) by the word of God.

Faith doesn’t come by reading the Bible day after day, knowing scripture inside and out but faith comes by knowing Him and hearing the voice of the prophets... and when and to whom to speak God decides: Acts 13:27-28 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him . [28] And though they found no cause of death in him , yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

Ephesians 3:5-7
[5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; [6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: [7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Not man’s power to believe OR to reject. But by the Spirit who calleth.
 

CoreIssue

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Since His work covers all men...and it IS HIS work alone which covers ...then how do we justify some choose to “believe” the first work being “their” belief ...while others “reject” their first work being “to reject”?

To believe?
Or To reject?
Isn’t that putting the first work on man and not God who said it is the work of God that we believe. John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

It is not the work of man to believe on him whom God sent. BUT it is the work of God that man believes on him whom God sent. Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth

Not of the works of man to believe
Or not of the works of man to reject
...but of him that calleth. For the elections sake God opens the eyes of the blind and gives ears to hear the voice of God...so that it is of God and not of man.
Yet we condemn those who reject based off the works to reject.

Romans 10:17
[17] So then faith cometh by hearing(God’s voice),and hearing (God’s voice) by the word of God.

Faith doesn’t come by reading the Bible day after day, knowing scripture inside and out but faith comes by knowing Him and hearing the voice of the prophets... and when and to whom to speak God decides: Acts 13:27-28 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him . [28] And though they found no cause of death in him , yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

Ephesians 3:5-7
[5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; [6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: [7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Not man’s power to believe OR to reject. But by the Spirit who calleth.

Belief is not work. It is acceptance.
 
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VictoryinJesus

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Belief is not work. It is acceptance.

John 6:29
[29] Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Swing it however you want: this is the work of God, that you ‘accept’ Him whom He has sent.

Man does nothing to earn grace? But we claim ‘man’ does earn it by acceptance. So how do they who reject, earn hell? By works? It is a serious question...one I struggle with?
 
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Enoch111

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The children given to the Son are scattered worldwide, but it is not said to be all mankind.
It should be obvious to that the children of God are NOT all mankind.

The point of the OP is that all mankind COULD BE the children of God. which you deny to your own peril.
 

Enoch111

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John 6:29
[29] Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.Swing it however you want: this is the work of God, that you ‘accept’ Him whom He has sent.
VIJ, that is why context is critical, but for you context is irrelevant. So why did Jesus make that statement? It was in response to this question:Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Many Jews believed at that time that they could be justified by doing the works of the Law (obedience to the laws of the Old Covenant). So Christ had to make them see that justification is by grace through FAITH. Hence the metaphorical "work of God" was believe on him whom he hath sent. Since faith is NOT a work, Jesus was saying that the only "work" which God will accept is believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and HIS FINISHED WORK.
Man does nothing to earn grace? But we claim ‘man’ does earn it by acceptance.
Who makes such a preposterous claim? Acceptance is by God's grace, and by definition, it is not earned. It is a free gift of God to the one who believes.
So how do they who reject, earn hell? If it is not by works? It is a serious question...one I struggle with?
No one earns Hell either. They choose Hell by refusing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (Jn 3:19)
 
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VictoryinJesus

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VIJ, that is why context is critical, but for you context is irrelevant. So why did Jesus make that statement? It was in response to this question:Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Many Jews believed at that time that they could be justified by doing the works of the Law (obedience to the laws of the Old Covenant). So Christ had to make them see that justification is by grace through FAITH. Hence the metaphorical "work of God" was believe on him whom he hath sent. Since faith is NOT a work, Jesus was saying that the only "work" which God will accept is believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and HIS FINISHED WORK.

Who makes such a preposterous claim? Acceptance is by God's grace, and by definition, it is not earned. It is a free gift of God to the one who believes.

No one earns Hell either. They choose Hell by refusing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (Jn 3:19)

Still is it that you chose (accepted) God,
Or that He chose (accepted)you? Are you better than the one who rejects?

Dead works are of the flesh...it (flesh) can not believe. The action of Faith is the work of God (Spirit) which are the works of life. The difference between the bread Moses gave and the true bread. John 6:32-33 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. [33] For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Otherwise it is dead works. Flesh can not and does not choose to accept. A new heart is required. The Spirit works therefore it is a work of God and not a dead work of man.

James 3:9-10
[9] Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. [10] Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Do we curse those who reject as if our acceptance we did of our own will?
 

FHII

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It is a popular religious fable that a sacrifice has to be "accepted" in order to work.
Oh really? So if we reject Christ we can still be accepted?
 

Enoch111

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Still is it that you chose (accepted) God
You can call it whatever you wish: Believe God, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ ,Obey the Gospel, Accept God, Accept Christ, Receive Christ by Faith, etc. Regardless of what you wish to call it, the bottom line is that sinners (even Calvinists) must respond to the Gospel in one of two ways.
Or that He chose (accepted)you?
Since the Bible says that God was in Christ RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, it should be crystal clear that God will accept every sinner who obeys the Gospel. God is no respecter of persons, and God does not play favorites, by choosing some for salvation and others for damnation.
Are you better than the one who rejects?
Since the whole world is guilty before God, no one is better or worse than anyone else. However those who choose Christ ARE BETTER OF. They receive the gift of eternal life, and no one can boast because eternal life is a GIFT from God.
 

Anthony D'Arienzo

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Gospel means good news. No free will in salvation is not good news.
According to you and carnal philosophy.
It should be obvious to that the children of God are NOT all mankind.

The point of the OP is that all mankind COULD BE the children of God. which you deny to your own peril.
Jesus makes it clear in mt7 : 21-24. Many perish.
There is no peril,and if you understand post 10 you would understand there is no could.
.but there is the election of grace.
 

Enoch111

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Jesus makes it clear in mt 7: 21-24. Many perish.
Many perish only because they do not obey the Gospel, not because God elects them to perish. That would be absurd, unbiblical, and contrary to the Gospel: But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (Rom 10:16)

And the passage you quoted is about false professors, who do not know Christ internally and experientially, and are therefore not know of Him.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

And what is the will of the Father? To believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and receive everlasting life: And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:40)
 

justbyfaith

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It seems so me that on one side of this debate, the proponents make statements without scriptural backup. While on the other side, scriptural backup is prevalent.

I choose to believe the side that backs up their claims with scripture.
 
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VictoryinJesus

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You can call it whatever you wish: Believe God, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ ,Obey the Gospel, Accept God, Accept Christ, Receive Christ by Faith, etc. Regardless of what you wish to call it, the bottom line is that sinners (even Calvinists) must respond to the Gospel in one of two ways.
Since the Bible says that God was in Christ RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, it should be crystal clear that God will accept every sinner who obeys the Gospel. God is no respecter of persons, and God does not play favorites, by choosing some for salvation and others for damnation.

God did the work for all to be children? Now it is up to man to choose either to accept and be born again of God from above, or to reject the gift? Then why all the scriptures about God choosing and electing so it is not by man’s will(choice) but by God’s will? If God’s will is that all men might be Children of God...then man’s will trumps over God’s will in some whom He paid the price for, reject Him and are therefore lost yet could have been children? Are you saying God chooses All in that He died for All, but All do not choose God? Is that what you are saying or have I misunderstood? Did He swallow up Hell and death in victory for all men or not?
 
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Episkopos

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Oh really? So if we reject Christ we can still be accepted?


Who determines what "rejecting Christ" signifies or entails? A rejection of our organized religion perhaps?

Or is it a person who claims to follow Jesus but refuses to humble themselves so as to obey Christ to say...love your enemies or bless those who curse us. A religious stance that claims Christ as saviour will invariably deny the actual Christ by their works.

For example...a person who does violence to another is rejecting Christ. Jesus did not come to kill but to save.

So what kind of rejection are we talking about?
 
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