Jesus said in the great commission to tell others to obey Him. Thats what i'm doing and thats what I'm encouraging everyone else to do.

I would encourage anyone to do a study on the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven in the NT. Both terms are used a very frequently by Jesus and the Apostles.

This view point of the Gospel is what the early Christians believed for the 3 centuries of Christianity prior to Catholicism.

Here is a sermons that is very interesting. Also recommend a short book called the "Apostles Gospel" by Paul Pavao.

DKH wrote:
‭“But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”
Acts‬ ‭26:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Ladybug, your comment surprises me. I do not wish to get involved in a political discussion but want to point out that repentance is central to the gospel. All these verses are in Acts where the Apostles are confronting unbelievers. Shouldn’t we preach the gospel that the Apostles preached? And yet, if I would say “repent and do works meet for repentance” people would say I’m a heretic or quickly explain that Paul didn’t mean what he said.

John UK wrote:
DKH, when you have a moment, I would be interested to know what you consider to be the heart of the gospel message to sinners.

We serve him because he deserves every ounce of energy we have because He purchased us with His blood. We dont serve Him because of some benefit we get although there are many benefits! One of which is eternal life.

Just like other kingdoms, the King (Jesus) commands his servants to obey Him. "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?". But unlike earthly governments and kingdoms the King himself gives us the power to obey Him! This power is called Grace (Titus 2:11-14).

To join this Kingdom of God you must repent of your sins, believe on Jesus (not just believe a fact about the atonement, but actually believe in Him). And be baptized (John 3:16, Acts 2:38).

The Quiet Christian wrote:
Grateful for that half of the population who have the ability to emigrate with a UK passport, Brother John.

DKH wrote:
Another interesting note. In the book of Acts, the Apostles rairly (if not ever) talk about the atonement when sharing the gospel. That comes later in the epistles (letters written to believers). The Apostles preached Jesus and told people to follow him in Acts. They didn’t preach a fact about about Jesus which is walk a lot of Christians today preach. To be clear, the atonement is important but overused in witnessing.

For example:

John 3:16 KJV
(16)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Would you say that God "gave his only begotten Son" refers to the atoning sacrifice at Calvary, made by his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, particularly, redemption by his blood?

And that "whosoever believeth in him" refers to believing this about Christ, and believing, comes to him, receives him, and in receiving him, receives eternal life, because "he that hath the Son hath life"?

Frank wrote:
Brother JohnUK,

I have been elected and chosen by God through faith in Christ from before the foundation of the world. This election is based solely on God’s righteousness, and grace that have been bestowed upon me not based on works that I have done, am doing, or will ever do, but to fulfil His desire and purpose. Because of God’s effectual calling and the new nature He has given me, I confess that Jesus Christ is God, very God and man, very man and that He is my Lord and Savior. God Himself is then my Messiah and my Redeemer who came to this earth, took on humanity, lived a perfect life as the Son of Man and willingly shed His blood and was pierced through for my iniquities. His death on the cross was a singular event (IT IS FINISHED) and reveals His victory over Satan and demonstrates His righteousness for all to see.
God loved me from before the foundation of the world and because of His love, desire and purpose, He will conform me into the image of His precious Son as He has promised. He has given me a new heart that loves Jesus and based on that love, I desire to obey Him and to walk in a manner worthy of my Lord and Savior.

A cut and paste from my written testimony. You are so correct in all of your comment.

I have been elected and chosen by God through faith in Christ from before the foundation of the world. This election is based solely on God’s righteousness, and grace that have been bestowed upon me not based on works that I have done, am doing, or will ever do, but to fulfill His desire and purpose. Because of God’s effectual calling and the new nature He has given me, I confess that Jesus Christ is God, very God and man, very man and that He is my Lord and Savior. God Himself is then my Messiah and my Redeemer who came to this earth, took on humanity, lived a perfect life as the Son of Man and willingly shed His blood and was pierced through for my iniquities. His death on the cross was a singular event (IT IS FINISHED) and reveals His victory over Satan and demonstrates His righteousness for all to see.

Frank wrote:
...
Interesting comment on Paul. Yes some consider him to be a misogynist and they pick and choose what to believe is spiritual.
Well said brother.

Ladybug wrote:
Is repentance from sin necessary before God will save you? What does Hebrews 6:1, -repentance from dead works-mean? lordshippers and legalists want to dance, not interested in that. Must you stop sinning BEFORE God will save you? Keep in mind, repent means 'change of mind'...not interested in your 'testimonies' , quotes from compromisers, or any rabbit trails from the dynamic duo... What is repentance from DEAD works?

Frank wrote:
Brother John UK, yes I was instantly born again and became a permanent part of Christ's family. Well said brother.

To be born again is the most wonderful thing that can happen to any sinner in this world. It is evidence of God's electing love and sovereign grace, and all things flow from this new creation, including faith in Jesus Christ, which justifies immediately the sinner. This faith will have accompanying works, which will come later, having no effect on justification, except to prove its reality, because faith without works is a dead faith, that is, not genuine but pseudo.

DKH wrote:
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”

Anyway, thanks for your thoughts on repentance.

Brother JohnUK, yes I was instantly born again and became a permanent part of Christ's family.

Interesting comment on Paul. Yes some consider him to be a misogynist and they pick and choose what to believe is spiritual.

DKH wrote:
And yet, if I would say “repent and do works meet for repentance” people would say I’m a heretic or quickly explain that Paul didn’t mean what he said.

But the word of God is true and unashamed, and you quoted:

Acts 26:20 KJV
(20)  But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

There is a certain type of person who regards Paul the Apostle as their enemy rather than a great man of God.

Salvation IMHO is instantaneous. That is, justification comes to us in an instance in time, when we put our trust in Jesus Christ. This is a work of God in the heart. He also works a new attitude in the heart: hatred of sin and a desire to serve, love and obey the Lord Jesus Christ, thus submitting himself to the "law of Christ" as opposed to the 10 commandments, salvation being by grace alone. The submission is not a meritorious work, and comes not from the sinner's heart anyway. However, no submission, no salvation.