Category: The Gospel in a Minute

Gospel in a Minute: The gospel is a gem set in the context of God’s history with Israel.

Gospel in a Minute

Peter referenced Moses’ prophecy found in Deuteronomy 18:15-19.

Moses said, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ 23  Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’ Acts 3:22-23 (NLT)

Principle: The gospel is a gem set in the context of God’s history with Israel.

Someone once said that if you cannot put your theology on a napkin, something is amiss. I have presented the “four spiritual laws” in this fashion, which is an effective way to explain what some call the “plan of salvation.” But napkin theology is not the gospel.

The gospel is the story of Jesus Christ set in the context of God’s dealings with Israel. Jesus’ incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return were all promised in the Old Testament scriptures. A proper presentation of the gospel will reference these promises in an effort to provide context and corroboration of the truth of the gospel.

Jesus did not just “show up” out of nowhere. He came to fulfill God’s eternal plan on our behalf and to bring his Father great glory. If we want to become more accurate and effective gospel communicators, we will make the effort to study how the apostles preached the good news and follow their lead.

Share this post...

Gospel in a Minute: The gospel promises salvation for the entire creation, not just individuals.

Gospel in a Minute

Peter informed his listeners that Jesus will return as the Messianic King who now waits in heaven until his Father’s appointed time to restore his creation to its original intent.

Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. 21  For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets. Acts 3:20-21 (NLT)

Principle: The gospel promises salvation for the entire creation, not just individuals.

One of the tragedies of the consumerist packaging of the gospel is that its enormous scope has been lost.

People conceive of Jesus merely as some kind of “personal savior,” whose impact is reduced to bringing peace and security to individuals who turn to him for forgiveness of sins. This is indeed one of the many benefits of declaring allegiance to the risen Lord, but it does not do justice to who Jesus is and what he accomplished on the cross and through his resurrection. People who put their faith in Christ are made new creatures, children of God, who will live and rule with him for eternity over a new creation.

And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Colossians 3:4 (NLT)

The restoration of the creation to God’s original intent under God’s benevolent rule will bring God enormous glory and satisfaction at the culmination of all things at Jesus’ return.

For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20  Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21  the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22  For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:19-22 (NLT)

This is an important part of the gospel message.

Share this post...

Gospel in a Minute: Sharing the gospel strips away people’s excuses.

Gospel in a Minute

Peter issued a call to repentance to his listeners.

And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. 18 "But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:17-19 (NASB)

Principle: Sharing the gospel strips away people’s excuses.

One of our most natural sinful tendencies is to avoid, deny, and suppress the truth when it comes to our sin. Jesus addressed this flaw in our nature.

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20  "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. John 3:19-20 (NASB)

The gospel strips away people’s excuses and shines a light on the sin of refusing to honor and glorify God by acknowledging his right to ownership of our lives. Mankind’s rebellion against God’s rule climaxed at the cross. We were all responsible for what happened there. Jesus carried all our sin, not just that of the Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers.

The gospel offers each hearer an opportunity to lay down arms and surrender to the God who created, who sustains, and who redeemed us.

Those who repent from their sin and rebellion will find forgiveness and refreshing.

Share this post...

Gospel in a Minute: The Jesus who forgives sin is the same One who heals.

Gospel in a Minute

Peter told his hearers that faith in Jesus was the key to the miracle they just witnessed.

And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. Acts 3:16 (NASB)

Principle: The Jesus who forgives sin is the same One who heals.

The Bible makes it clear that forgiveness of sins and physical healing are linked. When Jesus was being interrogated by Jewish leaders for having the audacity to declare that a man’s sins were forgiven, he asked the crowd:

"Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, and walk'? 6  "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—then He *said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home." 7  And he got up and went home. 8  But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. Matthew 9:5-8 (NASB)

Rather than accept the challenge to provide the Holy Spirit with an opportunity to demonstrate Jesus’ power to forgive sins by offering to pray for the sick, many sharers of the gospel theologically choose to divorce his authority to forgive sins from his power to provide physical healing, something the Bible does not do. Is this because we are afraid he will not heal?

Jesus understood that to us physical healing seems more difficult, which is why he still uses it to convince people of the truth of the gospel.

The Jesus who forgives sins is the same One who heals.

But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (NASB)
Share this post...

Gospel in a Minute: The gospel calls people to declare allegiance to Jesus the Messiah.

Gospel in a Minute

Peter packed a lot into the two sentences below.

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14 "But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15  but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.Acts 3:13-15 (NASB)

Principle: The gospel calls people to declare allegiance to Jesus the Messiah.

There is no middle ground when it comes to the gospel. We either declare allegiance to the Lord Jesus or we end up denying or disowning him. One of the core meanings of the Greek word “pistis,” which is translated “faith” in our English Bible, is allegiance. (For a well-reasoned argument in support of this, read my summary of Salvation by Allegiance Alone by Matthew Bates.) Faith responds to the gospel message by repenting from a self-directed life and turning in trust and obedience to Jesus, who is Savior and Lord.

Those who are indifferent or hostile to the gospel, end up disowning the Lord of Life. They will be disowned by him at the Last Judgment.

We must help people understand the gravity of their decision, just as Peter did.

"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33  "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33 (NASB)
Share this post...

Gospel in a Minute: Divine healing opens the door for the gospel.

Gospel in a Minute

Peter launched his second sermon, found in Acts 3, by praying for a lame man who was immediately healed.

But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!" 7  And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 8  With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9  And all the people saw him walking and praising God; 10  and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11  While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement. 12  But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, "Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? Acts 3:6-12 (NASB)

Principle: Divine healing opens the door for the gospel.

Someone once said that the gifts of the Spirit are the “dinner bell” for salvation. When our kids were small, we rang a large bell to call them to supper. No matter where they were in the neighborhood, when they heard its clear sound, they came running, knowing that a good meal awaited them. When God heals people, it gets their attention. We make the best use of the manifestation of God’s gracious gifts when we take advantage of people’s interest to preach the gospel.

Demonstrations of God’s power break past the intellectual and emotional barriers men and women erect in their hearts and open them to the truth about Jesus.

Share this post...

Gospel in a Minute: Give clear instructions to those who respond.

Gospel in a Minute

When Peter concluded his gospel message in Acts 2, some of his hearers immediately responded. There are three ways people may respond to us: apathy, hostility, or interest. In the category of interest, there are the possibilities of a passionate response or a measured one. Peter’s hearers ardently responded, which is the best possible outcome.

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38  Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.Acts 2:37-38 (NASB)

Principle: Give clear instructions to those who respond.

When the Holy Spirit opens someone’s heart, there will be a response to the gospel. Be ready to “close the deal” if the opportunity presents itself. Peter gave clear instructions to his respondents.

  • Repent – This is the fundamental required response to the message that Jesus is Lord. It means we acknowledge Jesus’ claim to be Lord and willingly submit our lives to him.
  • Be baptized in water – Water baptism is a public declaration of  faith – our trust in and allegiance to Christ. It combines inner belief with a public confession.
  • Receive the baptism or gift of the Holy Spirit – This baptism done by Christ himself equips and empowers disciples to be bold witnesses.

We should never leave our hearers wondering what to do with our message. Give clear instructions regarding how to begin the discipleship journey.

Share this post...

Gospel in a Minute: The Core Gospel Declaration Is the Lordship of Jesus the Messiah

Gospel in a Minute

Peter concluded his Acts 2 gospel presentation by declaring unequivocally that Jesus is Messiah and Lord.

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified." Acts 2:36 (NASB)

Principle: The Core Gospel Declaration Is the Lordship of Jesus the Messiah

This is where many modern “gospel” presentations go wrong. Many of us have bought into the consumerism that plagues the church with the result that we present the good news as a sales pitch encouraging our hearers to take advantage of God’s magnificent offer of forgiveness and eternal life. These are amazing benefits attached to believing the gospel, but it is not the core message. Rather than selling a life assurance plan, gospel preachers must declare to the world that Jesus is Lord of Lords to whom we are accountable for how we live. The hearer is advised to make the one reasonable response: surrender to Jesus the Lord.

The gospel calls us to turn away from a self-directed life and choose to serve Jesus the Lord.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NLT)
Share this post...

Gospel in a Minute: The Outpouring of the Spirit Was Further Proof of Christ’s Exaltation

Gospel in a Minute

Peter continued his explanation of what his hearers had just witnessed.

Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. Acts 2:33 (NASB)

Principle: The Outpouring of the Spirit Was Further Proof of Christ’s Exaltation

What happened on Pentecost proved that Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf was fully accepted by his Father in heaven. Not only did God raise Jesus from the dead, he installed him on his throne in heaven. The Spirit was given to demonstrate Christ’s exaltation and rule. Jesus is now Lord of the Harvest, having commissioned his followers to preach the gospel and make disciples all over the world until his return.

This fulfilled John the Baptist’s prophecy that Jesus would baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire. The Spirit baptism empowers and equips God’s people to be Great Co-Missionaries.

Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; 5  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now... 8  but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:4-8 (NASB)
Share this post...

Gospel in a Minute: Jesus’ Resurrection Fulfilled Prophecy

Gospel in a Minute

Peter went on to quote from Psalm 16:8-11, written by King David, to whom God promised that one of his descendants would reign forever over Israel. (2 Samuel 7:12-13)

"For David says of Him, 'I SAW THE LORD ALWAYS IN MY PRESENCE; FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.26  'THEREFORE MY HEART WAS GLAD AND MY TONGUE EXULTED; MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE;27  BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES, NOR ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.28  'YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE.'29  "Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 "And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, 31  he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY. 32 "This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. Acts 2:25-32 (NASB)

Principle: Jesus’ Resurrection Fulfilled Prophecy

Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection did not come out of nowhere. It had been prearranged in the counsels of God (Acts 2:23) and announced centuries before through the prophets, of which David was one. The gospel is the story of Jesus the Messiah. It is framed in the history of God’s dealings with the patriarchs and the nation of Israel. It is important for people to know that Jesus fulfilled prophecies made hundreds and sometimes thousands of years prior. This is part of God’s testimony of the truthfulness of the message.

Good gospel presentations frame the message in the history of God’s Old Covenant people.

Share this post...
Share this post...