I was sitting in a Bible study the other night, answering discussion questions. Two men in the Bible study came from different backgrounds. One was from a Methodist background and the other Lutheran. We had discussion questions asking about a 'personal relationship with Jesus.' The Lutheran said he never got what people meant by that. he said his faith was there, and it was a part of him, but he didn't get exactly what they were talking about. The Methodist had a similar answer.
I suppose someone might have accused these fellows of not believing and not being saved. But I don't know if that is fair.
Here is my question:
Is having a personal relationship with Jesus part of the gospel message?
If it is, why isn't it in the presentation of the Gospel we read in the Bible? Why didn't Peter stand up and tell the 3000 to have a personal relationship with Jesus? Why didn't Peter mention it in his message in the temple or int he Sanhedrin? Why didn't Paul mention this in any of his presentations of the Gospel in Acts? Why doesn't this show up as part of the Gospel in the epistles? Why doesn't Paul include having a 'personal relationship with Jesus Christ' as a part of the Gospel in
I Corinthians 15:1-3
1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
Why does Paul say all those things about the death of Christ for our sins and the burial and resurrection of Christ? Why didn't he say anything about having a 'personal relationship with Jesus' and 'ask Jesus into your heart.'?
After all, based on a lot of presentations of the Gospel you hear, you might think preachers consider telling about the death and resurrection of Christ is an option part of the Gospel, and the core message is a personal relationship with Jesus and asking him into your heart?
Btw, can anyone find anything about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ being a part of the Gospel in the Bible? Can you find anything at all about asking Jesus Christ into your heart? I can't find either.
Also, I'd like to point out that I am all in favor of a personal relationship with Christ. I'm all into recognizing Christ as being with us to the end of the world, listening to what the spirit says, receiving direction from the Lord, hearing God speak to our hearts, and all the 'personal' aspects of the Christian life. But don't people get saved first by believing the same Gospel we read about in the Bible and then grow in these 'personal relationship' aspects of the faith?
I suppose someone might have accused these fellows of not believing and not being saved. But I don't know if that is fair.
Here is my question:
Is having a personal relationship with Jesus part of the gospel message?
If it is, why isn't it in the presentation of the Gospel we read in the Bible? Why didn't Peter stand up and tell the 3000 to have a personal relationship with Jesus? Why didn't Peter mention it in his message in the temple or int he Sanhedrin? Why didn't Paul mention this in any of his presentations of the Gospel in Acts? Why doesn't this show up as part of the Gospel in the epistles? Why doesn't Paul include having a 'personal relationship with Jesus Christ' as a part of the Gospel in
I Corinthians 15:1-3
1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
Why does Paul say all those things about the death of Christ for our sins and the burial and resurrection of Christ? Why didn't he say anything about having a 'personal relationship with Jesus' and 'ask Jesus into your heart.'?
After all, based on a lot of presentations of the Gospel you hear, you might think preachers consider telling about the death and resurrection of Christ is an option part of the Gospel, and the core message is a personal relationship with Jesus and asking him into your heart?
Btw, can anyone find anything about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ being a part of the Gospel in the Bible? Can you find anything at all about asking Jesus Christ into your heart? I can't find either.
Also, I'd like to point out that I am all in favor of a personal relationship with Christ. I'm all into recognizing Christ as being with us to the end of the world, listening to what the spirit says, receiving direction from the Lord, hearing God speak to our hearts, and all the 'personal' aspects of the Christian life. But don't people get saved first by believing the same Gospel we read about in the Bible and then grow in these 'personal relationship' aspects of the faith?