Tag: Christ

JUST WHAT IS THIS “GOSPEL” THING?

THE GOOD MESSAGE

INTRODUCTION

Summary (In advance):   

  • The idea that complexity can be used to obscure or avoid the truth is a recurring theme in various fields, notably in economics. Economist John Kenneth Galbraith famously stated that complexity in the study of economics is often employed to disguise or evade simple truths, rather than to reveal them.
  • This seems to be true in theology.
  • The word, “gospel” has been used in almost all of the translations of the scriptures. There is only one translation, of which I’m aware, that uses the words, “good news”. “Gospel” is a word no longer used in our English speaking nations, and means nothing to the average person.
  • In this case, “religious language” obscures the truth.
  • Was it intentional? We’ll never know.
  • The original Greek was meant to be clear to the average reader.
  • The meaning throughout the New Testament is, “Good Message”.
  • None of the original people involved ever “preached the gospel”.
  • Jesus, for the most part, heralded the “Good Message”.
  • Herald (Def.):   As a noun:   official messenger bringing news, or a person or thing viewed as a sign that something is about to happen.

          As a verb:   a sign that (something) is about to happen.

  • The delegate (apostle) Paul , for the most part, announced the “Good Message”.
  • So, what is that “Good Message”?
  • That Jesus will return soon and set up a kingdom.
  • Yes, it will be a monarchy, and Jesus will be its king, and
  • He will rule with a “rod of iron”,  with strength.

She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.

Rev. 12:5

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 

Rev. 19:15

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  • The original Greek is shown in [red]:

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching [✓] in their synagogues [assemblages of persons], preaching [heralding (as a public crier)] the gospel [good message] of the kingdom [properly royalty, that is, (abstractly) rule], and healing [to wait upon menially, that is, (specifically) to relieve (of disease)] all kinds of sickness [maladies] and all kinds of disease [softness, that is, enervation (debility)] among the people.

Mat. 4:23

When anyone hears the word [something said (including the thought)] of the kingdom [properly royalty, that is, (abstractly) rule], and does not understand it, then the wicked [hurtful] one comes and snatches [seizes] away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.

Mat. 13:19

 And this gospel [good message] of the kingdom [properly royalty, that is, (abstractly) rule] will be preached [heralded (as a public crier)] in all the world as a witness [something evidential, that is, (generally) evidence given] to all the nations [races (as of the same habit), that is, tribes], and then the end will come.

Mat. 24:14

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching [heralding (as a public crier)] the gospel [good message] of the kingdom [properly royalty, that is, (abstractly) rule] of God, 

Mark 1:14

And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

18 

“The Spirit [current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze] of the Lord [supreme in authority] is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach [announce good news] the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

Luke 4:17-18

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching [heralding (as a public crier)] and bringing the glad tidings [and announcing the good news] of the kingdom [properly royalty, that is, (abstractly) rule] of God. And the twelve were with Him, 

Luke 8:1

Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught [✓] the people in the temple and preached the gospel [announced good news], that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him

Luke 20:1

And how shall they preach [herald (as a public crier)] unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel [announce good news] of peace,
Who bring glad tidings [announce good news] of good things [good]!”

Rom. 10:15

* * * * * * 

Paul, a bondservant [slave] of Jesus Christ [the Anointed], called [invited, that is, appointed] to be an apostle [a delegate], separated [set off by boundary, that is, (figuratively) limited, excluded, appointed, etc.] to the gospel [good message] of God 

Rom. 1:1

For God is my witness [✓], whom I serve with my spirit [current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze] in the gospel [good message] of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 

Rom.1:9

For I am not ashamed of the gospel [good message] of Christ [the Anointed], for it is the power [force] of God to salvation [rescue or safety (physically or morally)] for everyone who believes [who has faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing)], for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 

Rom. 1:16

that I might be a minister [a public servant, that is, a functionary in the Temple] of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering [a temple worker, that is, officiating as a priest (figuratively)] the gospel [good message] of God, that the offering [presentation; concretely an oblation (bloodless) or sacrifice] of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified [made holy, that is, (ceremonially) purified or consecrated] by the Holy [Sacred] Spirit [current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze]. 

Rom. 15:16

But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing [fine speaking, that is, elegance of language] of the gospel [good message] of Christ.

Rom. 15:29

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel [good message] and the preaching [proclamation] of Jesus Christ [The Anointed], according to the revelation [disclosure] of the mystery [a secret or “mystery”] kept secret [kept silent] since the world began

Rom. 16:25

And He said to them, “Go into all the world [orderly arrangement, that is, decoration; by implication the world] and preach [herald (as a public crier)] the gospel [good message] to every creature [formation]. 16 He who believes [has faith] and is baptized [made whelmed (that is, fully wet)] will be saved [saved, that is, delivered or protected]; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Mark 16:15-16

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid [frightened, that is, (passively) alarmed], for behold, I bring you good tidings [announce good news] of great [big]  joy [cheerfulness, that is, calm delight] which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior [Deliverer], who is Christ [Anointed] the Lord [Supreme Authority].

Luke 2:10-11

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry [attendance (as a servant, etc.)] which I received from the Lord [Supreme in Authority] Jesus, to testify [attest or protest earnestly] to the gospel [good message] of the grace [graciousness] of God.

Acts 20:24

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel [good message] of your salvation [rescue or safety (physically or morally)]; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed [stamped (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation] with the Holy [Sacred] Spirit [current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze] of promise [announcement (for information, assent or pledge],

Eph. 1:13

But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated [exercise violence, that is, abused] at Philippi, as you know, we were bold [frank in utterance, or confident in spirit and demeanor] in our God to speak to you the gospel [good message] of God in much conflict [properly a place of assembly (as if led), that is, (by implication) a contest (held there)].

1 Thes. 2:2

But we are bound [owed (pecuniarily); figuratively to be under obligation (ought, must, should)] to give thanks to God always for you, brethren [brothers] beloved [loved (in a social or moral sense)] by the Lord [Supreme Authority], because God from the beginning chose you for salvation [rescue or safety (physically or morally)] through sanctification [properly purification, that is, (the state) purity] by the Spirit [current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze] and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel [good message], for the obtaining [acquisition] of the glory [✓] of our Lord [Supreme Authority] Jesus Christ [Anointed].

2 Thes. 2:13-14

Glory (Defs.):   high renown or honor won by notable achievements.

                               magnificence or great beauty.

according to the glorious [glory (as very apparent)] gospel [good message] of the blessed [supremely blest; by extension fortunate, well off] God which was committed to my trust.

1 Tim. 1:11

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POSTSCRIPT:   This would fall under speculation, as it can’t be proved conclusively, but the Holy Spirit is mentioned in several of the above quoted texts. In all cases it’s translated from the original Greek as Holy [Sacred] Spirit [current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze].

Note the following scripture: 

And when He (Jesus) had said this, He breathed [blew at or on] on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy [Sacred] Spirit [current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze]”.

John 20:22

Is it possible that the Holy Spirit is God (the Father’s, or even maybe even Jesus’) actual Sacred Breath?

BELIEVE IN SOMETHING AS TRUE, AND DON’T OPPOSE IT (FAITH).

BELIEVE IN SOMETHING AS TRUE, AND DON’T OPPOSE IT (FAITH).

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith [persuasion/credence] and do not doubt [to separate thoroughly/to withdraw from/oppose], you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast [thrown] into the sea,’ it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer [prayer (worship)], believing [having faith in/credit], you will receive.”

Mat. 21:21-22

Credence (Def.):   belief in, or acceptance of, something as true.

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief [faithlessness/disbelief/unfaithfulness]; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith [persuasion/credence] as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Mat. 17:20-21

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Mark 11:22-24

So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?

Luke 17: 6-7

And not being weak [feeble] in faith [persuasion/credence], he did not consider his own body, already dead [deadened] (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver [separate thoroughly/withdraw from/oppose] at the promise [announcement/divine assurance of good)] of God through unbelief [faithlessness/disbelief/unfaithfulness], but was strengthened [empowered] in faith [persuasion/credence], giving glory [glory] to God,

Rom. 4:19-20

Credence (Def.):   belief in, or acceptance of, something as true.

Glory (Def.):          high renown or honor won by notable                                                                                                                                 achievements.

                                  magnificence or great beauty.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith [persuasion/credence], so that I could remove mountains, but have not love [love/affection/benevolence], I am nothing [not even one/none/nobody/nothing]. 

1 Cor. 13:2

Credence (Def.):   belief in, or acceptance of, something as true.

But let him ask in faith [persuasion/credence], with no doubting [separating thoroughly/withdrawing from/opposing], for he who doubts [separates thoroughly/withdraws from/opposes] is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed [tossed with the wind] by the wind.

James 1:6.

Credence (Def.):   belief in, or acceptance of, something as true.

* * * * * * *

PERSEVERE IN THE ORIGINAL, TRUE, DELEGATES’ (APOSTLES’) INSTRUCTION (THROUGH THEIR WRITTEN WORD, IN THE N.T.):

And they continued steadfastly [to be earnest towards/persevered] in the apostles’ [delegates’] doctrine [instruction] and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.   Acts 2:42