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The Gospel and Its Implications

Posted by on September 17, 2013 in General | 1 Comment

1. Christ died.

  • Implication 1.1: Christ was (and is) a Godman who could die.
  • Implication 1.2: Christ did not swoon or faint or merely appear to die.
  • Implication 1.3: Christ laid down his life; he was not killed against his will.

2. Christ died for our sins.

  • Implication 2.1: Christ died for a purpose, not by accident.
  • Implication 2.2: We are sinners deserving death.
  • Implication 2.3: Christ did not die for his own sins.
  • Implication 2.4: Christ had no sins.
  • Implication 2.5: Christ died in our place; he bore the punishment we deserve.
  • Implication 2.6: Christ was an acceptable substitute for us.
  • Implication 2.7: We are free from the punishment we deserve.
  • Implication 2.8: Christ did not die for the sins of every man, but only for our sins.

3. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.

  • Implication 3.1: Christ is the Messiah prophesied by the Old Testament.
  • Implication 3.2: Christ’s death was neither an accident nor Plan B, but part of the one eternal plan of God for the salvation of his people.
  • Implication 3.3 Christ fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament.

4. Christ was buried and rose again the third day.

  • Implication 4.1: Christ’s burial and resurrection are historical events.
  • Implication 4.2: Christ is not dead, but living.
  • Implication 4.3: Death has been conquered and has lost its power over Christ and his people.

5. Christ was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

  • Implication 5.1: Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection were prophesied by the Old Testament.
  • Implication 5.2: Christ’s death and resurrection were parts of God’s eternal plan.

This is Paul’s outline of the Gospel. The phrase  “according to the Scriptures” implies other ideas not explicitly mentioned in the outline. Modern evangelists deny many parts of the Gospel: Some say we are not sinners; we have free will. Some say there is no eternal, unchangeable plan of God; that God is not sovereign. Some say that Christ died for all men without exception. And some deny that salvation is by grace through faith alone. But Paul wrote: “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the Gospel which I preached to you, which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you.”

That is the Gospel according to Jesus. Anything else is something else.

– Dr. John Robbins