The Gospel
2021-12-28
What can we do to be acceptable to God? Let me tell you about Jesus Christ.
God the Creator
God created everything, but He was neither created nor caused; He always was and always will be. He created everything for His personal purpose. He is the highest authority, the Lord. He is distinct from His creation; He is holy.
- Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting. (Psalms 93:2)
- Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)
- For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)
The Creation
God created everything perfectly. He cannot sin or make mistakes. He ordained human beings to be the caretakers of the world. They were placed in a garden where they lacked nothing.
- God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)
- God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
- And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat (Genesis 2:15-16)
Angels and Demons
God created spirit beings, called angels. One primary angel’s name was Lucifer. He rebelled against God and led many other angels in that rebellion. These fallen angels are called devils or demons. Lucifer’s name was changed to Satan, or “adversary.” They seek to undermine God by destroying God’s creation, especially human beings. Their destiny is a place of eternal torment called the lake of fire.
- Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire (Psalms 104:4)
- How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (Isaiah 14:12)
- And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone... and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)
The Only Law
There was one tree among a multitude of trees in God’s garden that was forbidden. The penalty would be death; their perfect relationship with God would be broken. Death was not a part of the original creation, but a penalty for rebellion against God’s commandment.
- But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:17)
Satan Deceived the First Humans
Satan approached the first human beings, Adam and Eve. The fallen angel lied to them, but they knew better, outright rebelling. They broke the single law and died spiritually; their relationship with God was broken. They were ejected from the garden and were enemies of God. The world was cursed. They eventually physically died. Every human being born afterward was born to die and were enemies of God.
- And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die (Genesis 3:4)
- ...she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6)
- Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. (Genesis 3:23)
The Lake of Fire
Sin is not a little moral pollution. It is something hardwired into our nature. We are all born with a sin nature because of what happened in the beginning. However, we also commit our own sins, and deserve nothing but condemnation. We are God’s enemies. All the offspring of Adam, including us, will die someday. After that, a judgment will take place, which results in the lake of fire where Satan and his devils will be. We are helpless to do anything about it.
- And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works... (Colossians 1:21)
- And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27)
- Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41)
- ...all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)
Promised Savior
Though God’s righteous and holy character demands justice for the sinner, His love for humanity demands a pardon. After Adam and Eve sinned, God promised them a Savior, to be born of a virgin, who would save humankind from sin, Satan, and the lake of fire. The Savior would deliver the death blow to Satan, though the Savior would also be attacked by Satan. If people trusted in God’s promise of this coming Savior, the relationship between them and God would be repaired.
- And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)
The Savior is God Himself
Centuries later, the Son of God became a human being, Jesus Christ. “Christ” means “anointed king.” He is the promised Savior, born of a virgin. He was authenticated by His miracles and His sinless life. He fulfilled countless prophecies found in the Old Testament.
- Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:34-35)
- And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:30-31)
Jesus Died for Our Sin
Jesus was arrested by religious and political leaders. He was tortured and put to death on a cross. However, on that cross, He received the wrath of God we deserved.
- Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24)
- But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Jesus Rose from the Dead
Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, proving He was the Savior and that His service was accepted by God. He was seen alive by hundreds of witnesses.
- Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. (Acts 2:24)
- 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. (1 Corinthians 15:6)
Trust Christ for Salvation
To be saved from sin, Satan, and the lake of fire, we must trust that the wrath of God our sin deserves was received by Christ. Our sin was punished without us being punished ourselves. Anyone who trusts in Christ can be saved. If you trust in Him, you have eternal life now. Eternal means forever. You have received a new life that lasts forever, being saved from the second death of the lake of fire.
- Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:30-31)
- He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)
- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Trusting Christ Means You Are Born Again
You once were born into the family of Adam and Satan’s kingdom. In Christ, you are a new creature, born anew into Christ’s family and kingdom.
- Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (1 Corinthians 15:50)
- To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18)
- Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Colossians 1:13)
- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Saved to a New Life
You were saved to real purpose: to serve God and share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. He will not ever leave you.
- All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Do you believe God’s message? Here are some next steps.