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When considering the question of deliverance from hell it is troubling that there are so many answers. There are many theological controversies, denominational differences, sectarian viewpoints, but none strike the heart so much as the question, what is the gospel? What must I do to be saved? This question in these words is only asked one recorded time in the Bible, and Paul gives only one answer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 16:31) The Philippian jailer is directed to the person of Jesus, the Lord God, the man, the Messiah. But what do we believe? And what does it mean to believe? As we examine these questions, we must ask another question. Is the Bible clear in what it says? In systematic theology the Bible is affirmed as having perspicuity, the ability to say what it means, and mean what it says. If that is so, we should have no trouble determining the gospel, there should be ease in understanding. Acts 16:31 seems easy to understand. I believe in Jesus for salvation. But is there more to this? Let's look for Jesus' answer. Imagine Jesus feeding 5000 people miraculously. They then come to Him asking questions. What a great moment for Jesus to speak simply about filling their spiritual need after having filled their physical need. They immediately ask Him a question, “What do we do to do the work of God?” Jesus replies, “Believe on the One He has sent.” But there must be more to it than this. The conversation recorded in John 6 is that of Jesus trying to show them that he means what He says, and the crowd refusing to believe His simplicity. Their response is amazing, “Show us a miracle and we will believe, you gave us bread, our fathers got manna, bread from heaven.” Jesus obliges, “I am the bread from heaven, anyone God gives me will eat and have eternal life and be raised up on the last day.” They grumble cause they know this son of Joseph and Mary, just who does He think He is? Does He really expect them to believe in Him? Jesus comes back with the clearest statement He can make, “He who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.” What could be clearer? Jesus already gave the illustration of His ability to provide physical sustenance, bread for life, now He states that He has the ability to give spiritual sustenance, heavenly bread for eternal life. So what do we believe? What is the work of God? What is the gospel? He who believes in Jesus has eternal life. What does it mean to believe? Well, what does it mean to eat bread? It's pretty simple isn't it? I eat bread to live physically, I believe in Jesus to live spiritually.
Indeed the Bible is clear, the gospel is simple, salvation is easy. Do you believe this? Do you trust the person of Jesus for your eternal destiny? Do you have eternal life? Thanks to Zane Hodges for showing this author the simplicity of Jesus in John 6.
