I always have these finely dressed tweeners toting bibles knocking on my doors and wanting to tell me about the gospel, and I just want clarification: what exactly IS the gospel? They never give me a straight answer....
I always have these finely dressed tweeners toting bibles knocking on my doors and wanting to tell me about the gospel, and I just want clarification: what exactly IS the gospel? They never give me a straight answer....
"the gospel" is the first four books of the new testament, and the story therein of Jesus being born, preaching, and sacrificing his very soul to pay for the sin of Adam and all subsequent sin.
It's a very generalized word, often used to preach the historical account of Jesus' ministry, yet often forgetting to elaborate on WHAT Jesus was teaching and what his sacrifice directly means for us (at least more specifically than some undefined "salvation")
__________________ John 17:1-26
Galations 5:19-25 1 Corinthians 13:1
"the gospel" is the first four books of the new testament, and the story therein of Jesus being born, preaching, and sacrificing his very soul to pay for the sin of Adam and all subsequent sin.
It's a very generalized word, often used to preach the historical account of Jesus' ministry, yet often forgetting to elaborate on WHAT Jesus was teaching and what his sacrifice directly means for us (at least more specifically than some undefined "salvation")
So is spreading the gospel reciting the first 4 books of the New Testament? Or can you be more specific?
So is spreading the gospel reciting the first 4 books of the New Testament? Or can you be more specific?
Well "The gospel" is the first 4 books... one could summarize it... focus on specific parts they found interesting... or do any number of things. Perhaps you could make your question more specific.
Asking "What is the gospel?" is like asking "What is truth?"
__________________ John 17:1-26
Galations 5:19-25 1 Corinthians 13:1
Well "The gospel" is the first 4 books... one could summarize it... focus on specific parts they found interesting... or do any number of things. Perhaps you could make your question more specific.
Asking "What is the gospel?" is like asking "What is truth?"
Well, how about this: If you're standing at someone's door asking if they know the Gospel and they say no, what do you tell them in a few sentences, with the goal being to be invited into the home and sharing further? Again; at the door, not what is said once invited in...
Etymology
Main article: Evangelium
The word gospel derives from the Old Englishgod-spell[citation needed] (rarely godspel), meaning "good tidings" or "glad tidings". It is a calque (word-for-word translation) of the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον, euangelion (eu- "good", -angelion "message"). The Greek word "euangelion" is also the source of the term "evangelist" in English. The authors of the four canonical Christian gospels are known as the four evangelists.
Originally, the gospel was the glad tidings of redemption through the expiatory offering of Jesus Christ for one's sins, the central Christian message. Note: John 3:16. [7] Before the first gospel was written (Mark, c 65-70)[2], Paul the Apostle used the term εὐαγγέλιον gospel when he reminded the people of the church at Corinth "of the gospel I preached to you" (1 Corinthians 15.1). Paul averred that they were being saved by the gospel, and he characterized it in the simplest terms, emphasizing Christ's appearances after the Resurrection (15.3 – 8):
__________________ God is a spirit (jn 4:24)........... God is not a man...(Nu 23:19) A spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me (Jesus) have (Lu 24:39).....the man Christ Jesus 1 ti 2:5
Personally, I wouldn't use the phrase because I'm not a big fan of words the church has invented which lack definite meaning.
Instead of asking "Do you know the Gospel?" Many JWs may start a conversation with a question "Have you ever sat down and asked yourself: What does the Bible REALLY teach?" ... effectively it's the same thing, but with a more finite definition. At the same time, it includes the entirety of the bible... not just Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Plus, we have a book with the title "What does the bible really teach?" that's pretty handy in that it covers a lot of the basic topics someone who's just starting to read the bible for themselves might ask.
I've found a few things in the publication that I've thought could be worded better... but it was written by fallible men. I'm sure if anyone wrote a book over 200 pages trying to cover such a broad topic, I'd find plenty of places where I would personally change the wording.
ANYWHO... so the basic question was essentially about canned "openers" to a bible study... from what I've seen, I try to stay away with something as vague as "Have you ever wondered what the bible really teaches" or "what is the gospel?" It just tends to put off most people. So, I try to start off the conversation with a more specific attention grabber.
"... have you ever wondered why God allows suffering?"
"... why it was necessary for Christ to die?"
Usually a specific topic will lead to a more focused conversation... as you can see... I tend to go off on tangets. Give me such a wide category as "what is the gospel" and I'll be talking forever.
Anyone else wanna put their version in more "normal person" terms?
__________________ John 17:1-26
Galations 5:19-25 1 Corinthians 13:1
Personally, I wouldn't use the phrase because I'm not a big fan of words the church has invented which lack definite meaning.
Instead of asking "Do you know the Gospel?" Many JWs may start a conversation with a question "Have you ever sat down and asked yourself: What does the Bible REALLY teach?" ... effectively it's the same thing, but with a more finite definition. At the same time, it includes the entirety of the bible... not just Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Plus, we have a book with the title "What does the bible really teach?" that's pretty handy in that it covers a lot of the basic topics someone who's just starting to read the bible for themselves might ask.
I've found a few things in the publication that I've thought could be worded better... but it was written by fallible men. I'm sure if anyone wrote a book over 200 pages trying to cover such a broad topic, I'd find plenty of places where I would personally change the wording.
ANYWHO... so the basic question was essentially about canned "openers" to a bible study... from what I've seen, I try to stay away with something as vague as "Have you ever wondered what the bible really teaches" or "what is the gospel?" It just tends to put off most people. So, I try to start off the conversation with a more specific attention grabber.
"... have you ever wondered why God allows suffering?"
"... why it was necessary for Christ to die?"
Usually a specific topic will lead to a more focused conversation... as you can see... I tend to go off on tangets. Give me such a wide category as "what is the gospel" and I'll be talking forever.
Anyone else wanna put their version in more "normal person" terms?
Churches that believe one must be born again to be saved, will often times ask if a person is saved, or if they know the lord personally, and then if the answer is no they will ask if they want prayer for salvation, and be directed to repent of their sins and invite Jesus into their hearts, which results in the born again experience. That is the normal method of evangelism outisde of JW churches. Your method is to persuade them that you have the answers and all other churches do not by discussing the bible with t hem. At least thats muy understanding of the JW approach. I believe this is what lenpettiswas getting at. we who are of the born again persuasion, believe salvation is an experience one has with the Lord, whereas you JW's believe it is taking in knowledge about God, correct?
__________________ God is a spirit (jn 4:24)........... God is not a man...(Nu 23:19) A spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me (Jesus) have (Lu 24:39).....the man Christ Jesus 1 ti 2:5
Well, I can definitely understand that perspective... but, I hope I can illustrate the two from a different point of view.
We agree that the gift of salvation is freely given, all one needs to do is accept it. If "salvation" is all you want... then "I accept salvation. yay, good for me." ... done.
To many people... they accomplish this task... and then they're "done" and "close enough to God." This is something we find mind-boggling... the term "close enough" ... to God? Just doesn't compute...
Although, I know for a fact many JWs present their faith in a debate format (I'm guilty of that myself a lot)... the goal isn't to prove that "our organization is right and yours is wrong." Most organizations get most parts of the bible spot on. In fact, some non-Christian faiths have some very Christian teachings. But, however close you are... there's no way to be "close enough."
Think of it numerically... Very few people are 100% separated from God. Even an athiest living a moderately moral life may cut his separation with God in half, just by trying to be a good person. And only 50% separation isn't "bad." But, you can cut it in half again by actually believing in God, and a reason you should be good. Only 25% separation from God is better. Most denominations will cut their separation from God in half even more times... and "accepting Jesus as your savior" may make you very close to God.
But, we still consider this a very basic step. Cut the number in half an infinite number of times... and you'll still never reach 0.
Likewise, "accepting Christ" may be close enough to God for some... But again, you run into the phrase "close enough to God."
We don't mean to call everyone else "wrong" and us right... but there are a number of things we see people doing that we BELIEVE is separating them from God. It seems inconceivable that someone would be OK with a thing that contributes to that separation. Hense, we assume people will want to know. Not to "prove that you're wrong." You're not the point, God is. And certainly not to "prove that we're right." We're not the point. God is.
So, we preach primarily to share what we've learned... usually on the assumption that you've already taken the most basic steps such as accepting Christ, and being "born again."
However, another main reason we preach is because it also teaches us. If you agree, it bolsters our faith. If you disagree, we may be asked a question we've never though of before! How precious is that?! Then, after researching it and praying over it... we'll learn from that question. Either the answer will bolster the faith we already had, or teach us a new lesson, bringing us closer to our heavenly father.
Either way, we grow spiritually because of it, and sincerely hope that you do too.
... at least, that's the theory. I'm sure you still disagree on any number of doctrines we have... but did that change your understanding of our point of view at all?
__________________ John 17:1-26
Galations 5:19-25 1 Corinthians 13:1
Think of it numerically... Very few people are 100% separated from God. Even an athiest living a moderately moral life may cut his separation with God in half, just by trying to be a good person. And only 50% separation isn't "bad." But, you can cut it in half again by actually believing in God, and a reason you should be good. Only 25% separation from God is better. Most denominations will cut their separation from God in half even more times... and "accepting Jesus as your savior" may make you very close to God.
I think this is where "Jaydubs" (just trying it out, we'llsee if it catches on) and Christians differ most widely. Christians believe that without Christ there is 100% separation from God, and no amount of "Being a good person" will bring you closer. That being said; however, I believe that God is constantly working on the heart of the non-believer. Scripturally speaking, Christians happen to be correct on this point.
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