Is the Gospel a job offer? Or good news aimed at those who believe?

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Dave-L

Dave-L

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Jesus says whoever believes has eternal life. This is a passage that is normally understood in one of two ways. Most see it as a job offer leading to salvation. For whoever chooses to believe and accepts the terms. Some see it as an announcement aimed at those who believe as they hear, providing directions for holy living.
 
posthuman

posthuman

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#2
Jul 31, 2013
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Dave-L said:
Jesus says whoever believes has eternal life. This is a passage that is normally understood in one of two ways. Most see it as a job offer leading to salvation. For whoever chooses to believe and accepts the terms. Some see it as an announcement aimed at those who believe as they hear, providing directions for holy living.
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well He says "has life" not "will receive life minus taxes at the end of the next payperiod prorated by # of hours worked"

so . . i think that's essentially a settled question.

people have different ideas about what 'life' means. some think unless you are daily 100% perfect and sinless, you don't have life. some think unless you are speaking in tongues you do not have life. some think 'life' means working miracles, some think it means always with a cheery and polite attitude, some even think it means their bodies stop their decay. and a lot of people look for such evidences, and if they don't see them, they declare a person does not have eternal life.

Jesus defines eternal life as knowing Him, and the Father who sent Him ((John 17:3)), and He says it is "given" not earned ((John 17:2))
 
mailmandan

mailmandan

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Apr 7, 2014
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The gospel is the “good news” of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who BELIEVES.. (Romans1:16) To “believe” the gospel is to trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation.
 
mailmandan

mailmandan

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The gospel is a message of grace to be received through faith. The gospel is not a set of rituals to perform, a code of laws to be obeyed or a check list of good works to accomplish as a prerequisite for salvation. It’s not a job offer, but a free gift.
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#5
#5
Dave-L said:
Jesus says whoever believes has eternal life. This is a passage that is normally understood in one of two ways. Most see it as a job offer leading to salvation. For whoever chooses to believe and accepts the terms. Some see it as an announcement aimed at those who believe as they hear, providing directions for holy living.
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It's not a job offer because there are no works you can do to achieve eternal life.

Even the demons believe....do they live a holy life?

I guess if God were to advertise it would read.....help wanted (but not needed.) Looking for person's willing to die to self, follow directions, and learn to wait. Open constant Communication a must, opening requires no heavy tasking.
We are a family owned business and will treat you as such.
Looking for individuals who want to change, must be willing to learn how to love and be kind.
Payment will be after your life long commitment, benefits are out of this world.


Requirements are as followed
Come as you are. Must be humble, and available. We will teach and enable that which is required. Uniform provided.
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

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#6
Jul 18, 2017
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#6
Dave-L said:
Jesus says whoever believes has eternal life. This is a passage that is normally understood in one of two ways. Most see it as a job offer leading to salvation. For whoever chooses to believe and accepts the terms. Some see it as an announcement aimed at those who believe as they hear, providing directions for holy living.
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Short answer to the question in the title: NEITHER.

Frankly I am somewhat puzzled that any Christian would look at the Gospel in these terms. The Gospel is all about salvation and the gift of eternal life. The Gospel is primarily for unbelievers, but righteous living for the saints is an integral part of the Gospel. See Titus 2:11-13.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#7
#7
The gospel offers life

as apposed to remaining dead

spiritually speaking of course.

it Offers salvation.
 
Dave-L

Dave-L

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#8
Jan 17, 2020
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Nehemiah6 said:
Short answer to the question in the title: NEITHER.

Frankly I am somewhat puzzled that any Christian would look at the Gospel in these terms. The Gospel is all about salvation and the gift of eternal life. The Gospel is primarily for unbelievers, but righteous living for the saints is an integral part of the Gospel. See Titus 2:11-13.
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What it comes down to is whether salvation is a legalistic offer (job offer). Or an announcement (preaching) of the good news of salvation for those who believe what they are hearing as the preaching continues.
 
Dave-L

Dave-L

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#9
Jan 17, 2020
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#9
pottersclay said:
It's not a job offer because there are no works you can do to achieve eternal life.

Even the demons believe....do they live a holy life?

I guess if God were to advertise it would read.....help wanted (but not needed.) Looking for person's willing to die to self, follow directions, and learn to wait. Open constant Communication a must, opening requires no heavy tasking.
We are a family owned business and will treat you as such.
Looking for individuals who want to change, must be willing to learn how to love and be kind.
Payment will be after your life long commitment, benefits are out of this world.


Requirements are as followed
Come as you are. Must be humble, and available. We will teach and enable that which is required. Uniform provided.
Click to expand...
But this assumes you don't need salvation if you can choose to do these things. Grace saves those who cannot believe in any true sense and are unable to discern spiritual truth. Giving them new hearts who believe and repent in Love for God.
 
mailmandan

mailmandan

Senior Member
#10
Apr 7, 2014
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Example of false gospels below:

Saved by grace through faith + works and salvation is also maintained by works.
Initially saved by grace through faith, then salvation is maintained by works.
Initially saved by grace through faith, then salvation is maintained by sinless perfection.
Saved by grace through faith + "these" works and just not "those" works.
Salvation by grace through faith + being water baptized 'in Jesus name only' followed by speaking in tongues. No tongues, no Holy Spirit.
Salvation by "grace plus law, faith plus works."
 
JohnRH

JohnRH

Junior Member
#11
Mar 5, 2018
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#11
Dave-L said:
Jesus says whoever believes has eternal life. This is a passage that is normally understood in one of two ways. Most see it as a job offer leading to salvation. For whoever chooses to believe and accepts the terms. Some see it as an announcement aimed at those who believe as they hear, providing directions for holy living.
Click to expand...
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15 (KJV)
Obviously the gospel is aimed at unbelievers; they're told to repent and believe.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 (KJV)
Every creature isn't a believer.

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. Acts 15:7 (KJV)
Hearing the gospel comes first - then believing it.

... and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace ... Romans 10:14-15 (KJV)
The preacher preaches the gospel to unbelievers.

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation ... Eph 1:13 (KJV)
They heard the gospel and afterward believed it.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Heb 4:2 (KJV)
The gospel comes to unbelievers so that they may become believers.

Dave-L said:
Jesus says whoever believes has eternal life.
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Yes He does - but that sounds like a summary statement. If you're attempting to discuss a chronological or a cause & effect relationship between faith and salvation, you'll need to post what particular chapter & verse it is that you're referring to.
 
Dave-L

Dave-L

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#12
Jan 17, 2020
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#12
JohnRH said:
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15 (KJV)
Obviously the gospel is aimed at unbelievers; they're told to repent and believe.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 (KJV)
Every creature isn't a believer.

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. Acts 15:7 (KJV)
Hearing the gospel comes first - then believing it.

... and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace ... Romans 10:14-15 (KJV)
The preacher preaches the gospel to unbelievers.

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation ... Eph 1:13 (KJV)
They heard the gospel and afterward believed it.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Heb 4:2 (KJV)
The gospel comes to unbelievers so that they may become believers.


Yes He does - but that sounds like a summary statement. If you're attempting to discuss a chronological or a cause & effect relationship between faith and salvation, you'll need to post what particular chapter & verse it is that you're referring to.
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The Kingdom had arrived and the Law was becoming obsolete. Repenting was a transition by the born again Jews from the Old to the New. Salvation was always in the New Birth in both testaments and beyond going back to Eden.
 
J

John146

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#13
Jan 13, 2016
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mailmandan said:
Example of false gospels below:

Saved by grace through faith + works and salvation is also maintained by works.
Initially saved by grace through faith, then salvation is maintained by works.
Initially saved by grace through faith, then salvation is maintained by sinless perfection.
Saved by grace through faith + "these" works and just not "those" works.
Salvation by grace through faith + being water baptized 'in Jesus name only' followed by speaking in tongues. No tongues, no Holy Spirit.
Salvation by "grace plus law, faith plus works."
Click to expand...
Also, the gospel of the kingdom is not to be preached today. This was to the Jews before the cross concerning their promised earthly kingdom where the Messiah would place the government upon his shoulders and rule on the throne of David. That’s been postponed because of the Jews rejection. Only the gospel of the grace of God is valid today.
 
JaumeJ

JaumeJ

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#14
Jul 2, 2011
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I am given to say this with no doubt, there is only one Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ask Paul. Ask Abraham. Ask all qho believe
God...….
 
J

John146

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#15
Jan 13, 2016
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JaumeJ said:
I am given to say this with no doubt, there is only one Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ask Paul. Ask Abraham. Ask all qho believe
God...….
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There’s only one gospel unto eternal salvation and that’s the gospel of the grace of God which is also called the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God’s grace given to man unto salvation. This gospel is specifically how that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day.
 
J

John146

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#16
Jan 13, 2016
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#16
Dave-L said:
The Kingdom had arrived and the Law was becoming obsolete. Repenting was a transition by the born again Jews from the Old to the New. Salvation was always in the New Birth in both testaments and beyond going back to Eden.
Click to expand...
So, you believe Tahoe’s OT saints was present with the Lord upon death? If they were born again and made new creatures in Christ then there would be no need for Abraham’s bosom. Please explain...
 
Dave-L

Dave-L

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#17
John146 said:
So, you believe Tahoe’s OT saints was present with the Lord upon death? If they were born again and made new creatures in Christ then there would be no need for Abraham’s bosom. Please explain...
Click to expand...
Faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit all believers of all time had. Abel, Job, Abraham and more (Hebrews 11) were born again.
 
oyster67

oyster67

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#18
May 24, 2014
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#18
Dave-L said:
Jesus says whoever believes has eternal life. This is a passage that is normally understood in one of two ways. Most see it as a job offer leading to salvation. For whoever chooses to believe and accepts the terms. Some see it as an announcement aimed at those who believe as they hear, providing directions for holy living.
Click to expand...
The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus came and shed His blood on the Cross to save the spiritually sick and dying.

It IS salvation for anyone who will accept it.

It is aimed at the lost, sick, and dying. That is how we all start out on the road of life ever since the Garden Fall.
 
Dave-L

Dave-L

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#19
Jan 17, 2020
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#19
oyster67 said:
The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus came and shed His blood on the Cross to save the spiritually sick and dying.

It IS salvation for anyone who will accept it.

It is aimed at the lost, sick, and dying. That is how we all start out on the road of life ever since the Garden Fall.
Click to expand...
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV 1900)

Faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, not a work of the flesh. Your faith tells you God saved you, else you could not believe.
 
oyster67

oyster67

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#20
May 24, 2014
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Dave-L said:
Your faith tells you God saved you, else you could not believe.
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You believe first. You come by Faith. All men have a choice to make and "whosoever will" may come. Word mangling will not change this simple fact. Faith cometh by hearing. You must choose to listen. Not that complicated, is it?
 
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