: W. E. Vine
: The Gospel and the Incomparable Christ
: Kingsley Books
: 9781912149544
: 1
: CHF 9.40
:
: Religion/Theologie
: English
: 256
: kein Kopierschutz
: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet
: ePUB
'The aim of the preaching of the Gospel,' says W.E. Vine, 'is to bring people into a life of conformity to the will of God, of devotion to Christ, and of serving Him in His eternal Kingdom.' Such an abundant life brings joy and the 'hope of the Gospel.' This is the heart of what it means to be a Christian. What are the details behind these statements? W.E. Vine explains the theology of the Gospel, including Christ as Lord, as our propitiation, as our vicarious sacrifice, and as our redeemer. He includes chapters on the resurrection of Christ, justification by faith, repentance, righteousness, the Holy Spirit and the New Birth, sanctification, the Lord's second advent, and more. Christ is at the center of the Gospel, and so this ebook contains six other articles about the person and work of Christ. including an exploration of the relationship between God the Father and God the Son, what is meant by the term 'Christ the firstborn,' and the work of Christ in the atonement. A picture of Christ, like a diamond, has many facets and Vine carefully explores each facet. God sent His Only Begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. 'We may be thankful,' says W.R. Lewis, 'for these helps toward understanding the great mystery of God's love.'

CHAPTER ONE

The Person Presented

In our ministry of the Gospel, it is incumbent upon us to have regard to what is set forth in Scripture as to the nature of the message we are called to proclaim. We can minister this sacred theme effectually only as, having experienced its power ourselves, we apprehend the truth of the Word of God in relation to it, and adhere to a precisely Scriptural way of presenting it. The command given to Timothy concerning his ministry applies to all who seek to preach the Gospel. Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15,r.v.). The fulfillment of this prevents us from marring our testimony and enables us efficiently, with the power of the Spirit of God, to fulfill the divine purpose in the message. Conformity to the phraseology of Scripture is a safeguard against inadvertent misrepresentations or perversions of the Gospel. Considering that it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, what care is needed to handle such an instrument in entire communion with Him who has provided it, and in strict accordance with what His Word says concerning it!

The Gospel is described in various ways in the New Testament, with reference to God the Father and to the Lord Jesus Christ.

God the Father

1.It is The Gospel of God (Rom. 1:1; 1 Thess. 2:2); that is to say, it has its origin in, and its authority from, God.

2.It is the Gospel of the glory of the blessed God (1 Tim. 1:11); this points not to its character as glorious, but rather to its subject, the scope and aim of its message being an exhibition of the majesty and the attributes of God, and His own joy in the work of salvation.

3.It is the Gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), demonstrating the way in which He has condescended to bestow His unmerited favor upon the guilty.

The Lord Jesus Christ

1.It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God (Mark 1:1); this presents Christ as its subject, and sets Him forth in the combined glories of His Deity and Humanity, His essential, eternal and unique relationship with the Father, Himself being Jehovah the Savior, the Anointed of God.

2.It is the Gospel of God concerning His Son. . . even Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 1:1-4); here the apostle stresses the Lordship of Christ