InstaStudy

The Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Revelation of God's Saving Truth

This study explores the profound truth of the Gospel as revealed through Jesus Christ, emphasizing His singular identity and the complete plan of salvation He offers to humanity. Understanding Jesus is the only way to truly grasp His Gospel.

1. The Identity of Jesus Christ: God Manifest in Flesh

1.1 Jesus as the Creator and Sustainer of All Things

Verses: John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2-3
  • Before all things, Jesus was with God and was God, through whom all creation came into being.
  • He holds all things together by His powerful word, demonstrating His divine authority.
  • The universe was created by Him and for Him, revealing His preeminence.

1.2 Jesus as the Only True God and Savior

Verses: Isaiah 9:6; John 14:7-9; 1 Timothy 3:16
  • Prophecies declare Him as 'Mighty God' and 'Everlasting Father,' revealing His divine nature.
  • To see Jesus is to see the Father, for He is the express image of the invisible God.
  • God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1.3 Jesus: The Fullness of the Godhead Bodily

Verses: Isaiah 45:21-22; John 10:30; Colossians 2:9
  • There is no God else beside Him; He is a just God and a Savior, and there is none beside Him.
  • Jesus declared, 'I and my Father are one,' signifying His singular divine essence.
  • In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, meaning the entirety of God's being resides in Christ.

2. The Saving Work of Jesus Christ: His Life, Death, and Resurrection

2.1 The Incarnation: God Dwelling Among Us

Verses: Matthew 1:23; John 1:14; Philippians 2:6-7
  • He was called 'Immanuel,' meaning 'God with us,' fulfilling ancient prophecy.
  • The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.
  • Though existing in the form of God, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant.

2.2 The Atoning Sacrifice: God's Love Manifested

Verses: Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Peter 2:24
  • God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
  • God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.
  • He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness.

2.3 The Victorious Resurrection: Conquering Sin and Death

Verses: Romans 6:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Colossians 2:12
  • Having been raised from the dead, Christ dies no more; death no longer has dominion over Him.
  • He died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and He was buried, and He rose again the third day.
  • We are buried with Him in baptism, in which we also are raised with Him through faith in the working of God.

3. The New Birth: Entering into the Gospel Covenant

3.1 Repentance: Turning from Sin to God

Verses: Acts 2:38; Luke 13:3; 2 Peter 3:9
  • Repentance is the initial step, a change of mind and heart leading to a turning away from sin.
  • Unless one repents, they will likewise perish, highlighting the necessity of this change.
  • God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

3.2 Water Baptism in Jesus' Name: Burial and Resurrection with Christ

Verses: Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; Acts 19:5
  • Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
  • Believers were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, signifying their identification with Him.
  • When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, demonstrating the consistent apostolic practice.

3.3 Receiving the Holy Spirit: The Indwelling Presence of God

Verses: Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44-46; Ephesians 1:13-14
  • They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
  • The Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word, and they spoke with tongues and magnified God.
  • After believing, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the guarantee of our inheritance.

4. Living the Gospel: The Transformed Life

4.1 Walking in Obedience and Holiness

Verses: Romans 6:1-4; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Hebrews 12:14
  • We are to walk in newness of life, having been buried with Christ through baptism into death.
  • As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.
  • Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

4.2 The Power of the Indwelling Spirit

Verses: Romans 8:9-11; Galatians 5:22-23; John 14:26
  • If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He will also give life to your mortal bodies.
  • The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
  • The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

4.3 Sharing the Good News of Jesus

Verses: Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15
  • Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature; he who believes and is baptized will be saved.
  • You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me.
  • How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?