The Kerygma - God's Requirement for Salvation

Yes, the Gospel. Now can we agree on the essential truths meant by the good news or is the meaning of this word too vague?

I do not think the meaning of the word is too vague, I think sometimes it is poorly defined.

Okay so would you like to define it?

The good news is the free gift of zōē aiōnios/ quality life given by God to those who trust in Him for it.

So far so good but perhaps we should define what “trust in Him” means.

be back!

“It is wrong to blame man’s rejection of the gospel on God, which is inevitable, logical conclusion if one's teach all men are born with hardened hearts by God eternal decree and therefore can do nothing other than reject His gracious offers of forgiveness unless granted belief.”

wow what a great statement ! Indeed

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12:13-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

imagine that first he makes it so that mankind can’t choose to do good or hear and obey God . Then tells them everything will be judged whether it’s good or evil.

“For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

….I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:

therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:11-14, 19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It seems as if he’s continually offering man a choice in ancient times.

I’m wondering if a person thinks a temptation is nOt a choice , how could we ever overcome it ?

If I first accept and believe “ I can’t choose “ how could I ever overcome a temptation or some sinful thing we maybe got wrapped up in ?

James is not using the word "justified" in James 2:24 to mean "accounted as righteous" but is shown to be righteous. James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God. (Romans 4:2-3)

Eggcellent .

notice he used Abraham’s example

first Abraham believed the lord regarding promise and God called him righteous

“And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭15:5-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul speaks of this often

“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭4:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

James is talking about when Abraham’s faith was tested later. At this point

“And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22:15-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

james also is drawing from what actually happened here

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:21-24, 26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And Paul also refers back to this act of faith by Abraham

“And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

….that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we ( also ) might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

…Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

….For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:8-9, 14, 16, 26-29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Faith moves, it’s not inactive we can say we have faith but if we aren’t acting in it it’s not bearing fruit faith will always and forever lead a man to act in what he believes

for instance if we were to believe the doctrine regarding baptism into his name for remission of sins if we first believed that it would lead us then to act in faith believing our sins were remitted in baptism

A interesting take on James 2:24.
Do you know of any Bible translations that present the verse in such a way?

Accepting Jesus as Christ and Lord implies the reason that the kerygma/GRFS is stated in terms of believing right and behaving right. We can harmonize these two categories of teachings by understanding that right or saving faith precedes and produces good works or working faith that loves. The priority of faith is indicated by James 2:17, which says that “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied [manifested] by action, is dead.” And Paul (in GL 5:6) states, “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Ephesians 2:8-9, which emphasizes salvation by grace through faith, is followed in verse 10 by: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”

In other words, right faith in God/Christ is the horse that pulls a cartload of good works. Good or loving works are significant as the sign of saving faith, but we should never put the cart before the horse. A person who claims to be a Christian, but who seems selfish and unloving, may be making a false profession; but no particular work—even including outward confession and water baptism—is necessary in order to be saved and to become a Christian. Saving faith motivates good works.

That is interesting but what about the question?

It is amazing how many believers today think and believe that mankind cannot choose to believe His Gospel. God did something about our(mans) predicament.

Ecc 3:11~~11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, without the possibility that mankind will find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

I could not imagine witnessing for Christ and thinking," But it's really pointless, the Gospel is meaningless until He regenerates His elect. And you're more than likely not one of the few He died for."

John 12:38b-40 “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord
been revealed?” For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”

The question is made moot by the agreement of James and Paul indicated in the verses in bold along with EPH 2:8-10.

Indeed sister let’s look at why he said that and to who he’s saying it to have they chosen anything ?

“Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word;….

For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

…. For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, …and to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66:1-5, 7-8, 10, 15-22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, and the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6:9-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah , which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed;

Lest at any time they should see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And should understand with their heart, And should be converted, and I should heal them.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:14-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And when they agreed not among themselves, ( Jews ) they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; And seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes have they closed; Lest they should see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should be converted, And I should heal them.

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God ( the gospel ) is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭28:25-28, 30-31‬ ‭

Israel rejected God for generations before he did that is my point they continually chose wrong but sometimes a generation would obey him but there’s truly a relationship a very volitile one

“And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land. And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.

And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old. And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers:

and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, ( same thing in Eden ) of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them,

and provoked the LORD to anger.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭2:6-8, 10-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

There’s a reason sister that he finally blinded israel it was because he had said he was going to do this and had sworn it and said he wouldn’t repent he would do it

“I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; a people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face;
Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom, your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom. Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.

…Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not….

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭65:2-3, 6-9, 12,…. ‭KJV‬‬

his relationship with Israel doesn’t go well sis he finally said that he would blind most of them to the messiah and choose a people from all nations with the remnant who believed. It’s why Jesus says things about being blinded in the gospel and “not able to come to him “ because israel was made blind to Gods word after rejecting it so often so long and serving other gods then he made them reject it so the nations could be saved along with them.

Israel’s covenant has a lot of curses in it much of those prophecies are results of the curses written in Moses law .

If we reject God continually he will move on to those who will accept him even if it comes through our downfall who reject him

In Matthew 12:37, we read - "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." This is because our words (and our works) reveal the condition of our hearts. Words/works are evidence for, or against a man being in a state of righteousness.

God is said to have been justified by those who were baptized by John the Baptist (Luke 7:29). This act pronounced or declared God to be righteous. It did not make him righteous. The basis or ground for the pronouncement was the fact that God IS righteous. Notice that the NIV reads, “acknowledged that God's way was right.." The ESV reads, “they declared God just.” This is the "sense" in which God was “justified.” He was shown to be righteous.

Matthew 11:19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified/vindicated/shown to be right by her deeds."

In the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the Greek word for justified "dikaioo" #1344 is:

1. to render righteous or such he ought to be
2. to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered
3. to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be

Sister you are not at all hearing what I’m saying I’m sorry I’m not great at communicating with text . I’m gonna let you have the last word you are appreciated much !