Explorations Class #36

The Gospel

In all the studies we have undertaken so far, the underlying premise is the gospel. All churches profess a desire for salvation, and all present their version of a "gospel" which allows it. And all seem to be different in one way or another. Because of these differences, we must consider the details of the gospel as presented in scripture. After all, if we do not understand this, nothing else matters.

1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Cor 15:1-4

3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7

It is possible to conclude this study here, but it will be helpful if we pursue the details presented in these definitions of the gospel as written by the Apostle Paul. Our first stop is to note that the word translated "gospel" is euangelion, which literally means "good news." But we will begin with what Paul describes as being of first importance: Christ.

1. The word "Christ" means the same as "Messiah." It refers literally to an anointed one, and more specifically in terms of the gospel to Jesus. Who was the Messiah predicted to be?

a) Gen 3:15, Job 19:23-27, Is 53:4-5

 

b) Mal 3:1-2, Isa 61:1-3

 

c) Isa 4:2; 7:14, Dan 7:13-14

 

d) Psa 132:10-18, Hos 3:4-5, Amos 9:11-15

 

e) Psa 2:7, Micah 5:2, Isa 9:6

 

2. Who did the Messiah turn out to be?

a) Gal 4:4-5, Titus 2:11-14

 

b) Mark 14:24, Luke 1:68-72

 

c) Matt 1:20-23, Heb 7:14, Rev 5:5

 

d) Matt 1:1; 21:15-16

 

e) John 1:1,14, Php 2:5-7, Heb 1:8

 

3. The fundamental problem to which the Messiah provided the answer was the sin of man. What are the requirements of the law?

a) Heb 9:22

 

b) Lev 1:1-4

c) Could the blood of animals actually atone for sin? (Heb 9:11-14)

 

4. Was Jesus at risk for sin? (Matt 4:1, Heb 4:15)

5. Did Jesus satisfy the requirements of the law?

a) Heb 4:15

 

b) Heb 9:8-14, 24-28

 

c) 2 Cor 5:21, Col 2:14

 

6. Was it predicted that the Messiah would die? (Isa 53:4-9, Psa 22:14-18)

7. Did Jesus truly die? (John 19:30; 20:26-28, 1 Cor 15:3, 1 Pet 2:24)

8. What was predicted for the Messiah after death? (Psa 16:8-10, Isa 53:10)

9. What followed in three days? (1 Cor 15:4)

10. What does Paul say about the importance of the resurrection? (1 Cor 15:12-18)

11. What was predicted for the Messiah's duty after resurrection? (Job 33:23-28)

12. What is Christ's function today? (1 Tim 2:5, Heb 7:25; 4:15-16)

13. What was the Messiah's office predicted to be? (Psa 110)