The Gospel in a Nutshell

[RR144]

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16

This is a wonderful verse, and is all the more wonderful when we understand of the lengths and breadths and heights and depths of the Divine Plan of salvation. Luther, who grasped the Gospel message more fully than many of his day, and yet less fully than we see the reality to be, called this verse the “little Bible.” We would express the same in the words, “the Gospel in a nut shell.” The whole message of God is contained in a condensed form in these words:

1. Man’s need is shown - his perishing condition, his need of Divine help.
2. God’s love is declared, and the proof of it is pointed out to be the gift of His Son.
3. Our Lord’s willing cooperation in the Father’s plan is evidenced.
4. The lengths and breadths of this love and redemption are declared to embrace the whole world, and not merely a section, a family or class.
5. The limitations of Divine grace are plainly stated: only through a true acceptance of Christ can any obtain this great blessing - release from the perishing conditions of the curse and full reinstatement in the Divine favor and its blessed reward of life everlasting (Acts 4: 10-12).

Therefore, this Gospel statement assures us that there is no hope for the heathen in their present ignorance. It points us, as do other Scriptures, to the hope respecting them in the future, when the voice of the Son of man who redeemed them shall call all from the grave; that all may attain to a resurrection to perfection under the judgments of the Millennial age. “When the judgments of the Lord are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness”; and many who have gone down into the tomb under the curse, and in ignorance of the only name given under heaven and among men, shall ultimately be blessed as they shall hear of the great salvation God has provided, and if they shall accept it upon God’s terms

 

[Dropship]

..and many who have gone down into the tomb under the curse, and in ignorance of the only name given under heaven and among men, shall ultimately be blessed as they shall hear of the great salvation God has provided, and if they shall accept it upon God’s terms..

If by "tomb" you mean Hell, are you saying that sinners will be let out if they become Christians?
In that case Hell will be completely empty because they'll all say "Let us out, we've become Christians".
Of course, satan would like people to think they'll get out of hell..

 

[Robert Gwin]

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16

This is a wonderful verse, and is all the more wonderful when we understand of the lengths and breadths and heights and depths of the Divine Plan of salvation. Luther, who grasped the Gospel message more fully than many of his day, and yet less fully than we see the reality to be, called this verse the “little Bible.” We would express the same in the words, “the Gospel in a nut shell.” The whole message of God is contained in a condensed form in these words:

1. Man’s need is shown - his perishing condition, his need of Divine help.
2. God’s love is declared, and the proof of it is pointed out to be the gift of His Son.
3. Our Lord’s willing cooperation in the Father’s plan is evidenced.
4. The lengths and breadths of this love and redemption are declared to embrace the whole world, and not merely a section, a family or class.
5. The limitations of Divine grace are plainly stated: only through a true acceptance of Christ can any obtain this great blessing - release from the perishing conditions of the curse and full reinstatement in the Divine favor and its blessed reward of life everlasting (Acts 4: 10-12).

Therefore, this Gospel statement assures us that there is no hope for the heathen in their present ignorance. It points us, as do other Scriptures, to the hope respecting them in the future, when the voice of the Son of man who redeemed them shall call all from the grave; that all may attain to a resurrection to perfection under the judgments of the Millennial age. “When the judgments of the Lord are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness”; and many who have gone down into the tomb under the curse, and in ignorance of the only name given under heaven and among men, shall ultimately be blessed as they shall hear of the great salvation God has provided, and if they shall accept it upon God’s terms

That verse is a big part of it for sure Drop. It is a simple verse, and most everyone can quote it, even those who do not regularly attend church. What puzzles me is that many of those who can quote it, don't believe it, have you observed that sir?

I guess many don't realize what the verse is actually saying perhaps.

 

[Episkopos]

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16

This is a wonderful verse, and is all the more wonderful when we understand of the lengths and breadths and heights and depths of the Divine Plan of salvation. Luther, who grasped the Gospel message more fully than many of his day, and yet less fully than we see the reality to be, called this verse the “little Bible.” We would express the same in the words, “the Gospel in a nut shell.” The whole message of God is contained in a condensed form in these words:

1. Man’s need is shown - his perishing condition, his need of Divine help.
2. God’s love is declared, and the proof of it is pointed out to be the gift of His Son.
3. Our Lord’s willing cooperation in the Father’s plan is evidenced.
4. The lengths and breadths of this love and redemption are declared to embrace the whole world, and not merely a section, a family or class.
5. The limitations of Divine grace are plainly stated: only through a true acceptance of Christ can any obtain this great blessing - release from the perishing conditions of the curse and full reinstatement in the Divine favor and its blessed reward of life everlasting (Acts 4: 10-12).

Therefore, this Gospel statement assures us that there is no hope for the heathen in their present ignorance. It points us, as do other Scriptures, to the hope respecting them in the future, when the voice of the Son of man who redeemed them shall call all from the grave; that all may attain to a resurrection to perfection under the judgments of the Millennial age. “When the judgments of the Lord are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness”; and many who have gone down into the tomb under the curse, and in ignorance of the only name given under heaven and among men, shall ultimately be blessed as they shall hear of the great salvation God has provided, and if they shall accept it upon God’s terms

You have expressed the understanding of the "little book" in rev. 10. Sweet in the mouth but the end is bitter. Jesus said that it was those who believed INTO Him that experience His eternal life...the life we experience as we abide in Him. But that concept is a spiritual one and not so easily grasped.

I suggest a more accurate gospel "nutshell"...as spoken by Jesus according to the Isaiah prophecy.

Is. 61: 1The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

Jesus came to save us from our sinful nature. He came to set us free from the bondage of the flesh. Those who have little to gain from this world (the poor) are meant to hear this message...as the rich will ignore it or twist the meaning.

Jesus saves us into HIS life and victory. That is the gospel. As we surrender our lives to Him...He translates us into a walk in His resurrection life...that is free from sin, the devil and the world.

And this that God might be glorified.