Gospel and Salvation

When we approach the doctrine of salvation, we want to be sure that God gets all the glory, His sovereignty is maintained, that man has nothing in which to boast, and that it is thoroughly biblical. The last point is where many make a departure, however. Theological differences can have such an overarching effect that the first three goals are clouded. At the same time if we can demonstrate the former three points, the last point will fall into line.
The gospel is generally understood to be important in relation to salvation. So what is the gospel? The following quotes illustrate the gospel as presented to three types of people.

God Fearing Gentiles

Acts 10:34-43 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (35) But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (36) The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) (37) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; (38) How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (39) And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: (40) Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; (41) Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. (42) And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. (43) To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

God Fearing Jews

Acts 13:16-43 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. (17) The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. (18) And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. (19) And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot. (20) And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. (21) And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. (22) And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. (23) Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: (24) When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. (25) And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. (26) Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. (27) For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. (28) And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. (29) And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. (30) But God raised him from the dead: (31) And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. (32) And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, (33) God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. (34) And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. (35) Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. (36) For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: (37) But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. (38) Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (39) And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (40) Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; (41) Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. (42) And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. (43) Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

Non-God Fearing Gentiles

Acts 17:22-31 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. (23) For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. (24) God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; (25) Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (26) And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; (27) That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: (28) For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (29) Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. (30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (31) Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

See also: Acts 2:22-39; Acts 3:13-26; Acts 5:29-32; Acts 7:2-53; Acts 14:15-17; Acts 16:31; Revelation 14: 6,7.

In the book of Acts the gospel includes at least these five points:
(1) Jesus Christ, an historical person, is Lord over heaven and earth.
(2) God raised Jesus from the dead.
(3) God commands everyone to repent of his sins.
(4) Jesus is the judge of the quick (living) and the dead.
(5) The forgiveness of sins is proclaimed through the name of Jesus.

Is not the gospel something that must be believed? Do you not believe things that are true? Must you be able to explain that which is true in order to believe it? Cannot something be true whether you believe it or not? Also, is it not possible to believe something that is not true?

• Consider the following accounts of two boys.

A young boy’s parents take him to the mall to visit Santa. He asks Santa to bring him something for Christmas. Lo and behold the boy receives something for Christmas and it’s even what he had asked Santa to bring. His parents reinforce that Santa brought it. Next year the boy visits Santa again with his parents. Each year the boy receives what he’s asked Santa to bring. The boy believes in Santa. Why? Because he believes that Santa is able to do what he says.
Christian parents present their child for baptism. He is told as he grows up that Jesus promises to forgive and cleanse us of our sins. He is told that the LORD God is his God and that he is God’s servant and heir in Christ. He learns and keeps the commandments of God. He learns to be merciful because Jesus was merciful to him. He is told that God is able to do what He promises. God promises life to all that believe in Him. Christ’s name is upon him. He belongs body and soul to God. The boy believes in God.
Whose faith is real?
Which one believes the truth? You see, it is the object of faith that is important. By its very nature of being outside of us, it is not subjective.
What is it that is true in the gospel for us who have been baptized? God adopts us as His children, Jesus forgives us our sins, and the Holy Spirit applies the blood of Christ to us and makes us new creatures. Augustine refers to this as “predestination unto grace.” Grace is a relation, not a substance. It is the gift of Christ Himself. It is not static or impersonal. Because grace is the formation of a relation, it is defectable. Just as a relation can be nurtured or negated by lack of attention, so a relation with God comes under the same possibilities. A relation with God can be cultivated and expanded, or it can be rejected and killed.
We must insist upon the promise in baptism and hence the promise of the covenant as being salvific grace and blessing. This remains its primary meaning for the church. Promises are to be believed. Promises are likewise conditional. If we call upon the LORD, He will hear us and deliver us. If we repent of our sins, He will forgive us. If we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Persevering in faith in the One who makes these promises is of supreme importance, for by faith alone are the promises realized. Augustine would refer to this as “predestination unto perseverance.” There are five statements of fact, which are true pertaining to baptism:

• It signifies and seals entrance into the new eschatological age of the Covenant of Grace.
• It is intended to signify regeneration, grace and blessing to the recipient.
• It is a powerful oath, and will exercise great significance irrespective of the response of the recipient.
• The promises and grace indicated in the covenant will be realized only through faith.
• God’s righteous vengeance, prefigured in the Cross and the destruction of apostate Jerusalem, will be exercised toward the unrepenting recipient of baptism.

Take an example from scripture:
Matthew 18:21-35 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? (22) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (23) Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. (24) And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. (25) But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. (26) The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. (27) Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. (28) But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. (29) And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. (30) And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. (31) So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. (32) Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: (33) Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? (34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. (35) So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

•  What is the ultimate result of our Father in heaven not forgiving our trespasses?
  

Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

2Peter 1:3-11 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (5) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (11) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.