Sharing the Gospel with the Utterly Depraved and Hopeless
The Gospel, meaning "good news," is a message of salvation through Jesus Christ, intended for all people [2, 7]. This message is not limited to those who are morally upright or spiritually receptive, but extends even to those described as "utterly depraved and hopeless" [4]. The Apostle Paul considered it a grace given to him to "preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ," despite viewing himself as "less than the least of all saints" [1].
The core of the Gospel is the proclamation of Christ as the sole Savior and Redeemer, whose righteousness justifies believers, whose blood atones for sins, and through whom acceptance with God is found [6]. This message is presented as the "power of God to salvation" [2]. Ministers of the Gospel are tasked with this stewardship, even when faced with rejection or indifference [2, 3].
Historically, the preaching of the Gospel has been directed towards both Jews and Gentiles [4, 5]. The Old Testament foretold the coming of this good news, and it was preached even in that era [2, 7]. The New Testament emphasizes its universal scope, with Christ himself initiating its proclamation [2]. The early apostles, such as Paul, turned to the Gentiles when the message was rejected by some Jews, gathering "all, as many as they found, both good and bad" [4]. This indicates that the Gospel's reach is indiscriminate, encompassing individuals of varying moral and spiritual states [4].
The purpose of preaching the Gospel is to save souls by making known the way of salvation [5]. It is through the ministration of the Gospel that Christ is "lifted up and held forth as the only Saviour of lost sinners" [9]. Even when the immediate response is negative, leading to anger from God at the ingratitude and contempt shown towards His kindness, the message remains available [3]. The "professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ" by those who receive it leads them to glorify God, acknowledging Him as the source of all grace [8]. The Gospel is described as "glorious" and "everlasting," bringing "life and immortality to light" [2].
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] Ephesians 3:8 — Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 14:20: So that servant came and showed his Lord these things,.... The several excuses which those that were bidden to the supper made. So the ministers of the Gospel come to God and Christ, and give an account of the success of their ministry, which is often with grief, and not with joy: then the master of the house being angry; as well he might, at their ingratitude to him, their slighting of his kindness, and the contempt they poured upon his entertainment. Christ resented the impenitence and unbelief of the Jews, who were favoured with his ministry and miracles; and look”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 22:10: So these servants went out into the highways,.... Turned from the Jews, and went among the Gentiles, preaching the Gospel to them; particularly the Apostle Paul, with Barnabas, and others: and gathered together all, as many as they found, both good and bad: the Persic version reads it, "known or unknown". The Gospel ministry is the means of gathering souls to Christ, and to attend his ordinances, and into his churches; and of these that are gathered by it into churches, and to an attendance on outward ordinances, some are good and some bad, as the fishes gathered ”
- 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 2:16: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved,.... Speaking or preaching the Gospel is the ordinary means of saving souls, or of acquainting them with the way of salvation, the necessity of it, and of the application of it to them, and with this end and view it is preached: now though the Jews disbelieved the Gospel, and despised the ministry of it, and disavowed any such use and end of it, yet such was their envy at the Gentiles, and their hatred of them, that could they have believed it to be the means of salvation, they would have forbid”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:28: Whom we preach,.... Under the above considerations; as the riches, the glory, and the mystery of the Gospel; as the hope set before lost sinners to lay hold upon; as the only Saviour and Redeemer, by whose righteousness believers are justified, through whose blood their sins are pardoned, by whose sacrifice and satisfaction atonement is made, and in whose person alone is acceptance with God: Christ and him crucified, and salvation by him, were the subjects of the ministry of the apostles; on this they dwelt, and it was this which was blessed for the conversion of ”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 4:2: For unto us was the Gospel preached,.... The Gospel is the good news and glad tidings of salvation by Christ; and this may be said to be preached, when men preach not themselves, nor read lectures of morality, nor mix law and Gospel together, nor make justification and salvation to be by works, nor set persons to make their peace with God, or get an interest in Christ; but when they preach Christ and salvation alone by him; and so it was preached to the Hebrews, and that more fully, and with more clearness, power, and success than formerly; and which is a privilege an”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 11:12: And he shall set up an ensign for the nations,.... For the gathering of them, for the calling of the Gentiles, that is, the Lord would do it; he who before is said to set his hand a second time to recover his people, whether among Jews or Gentiles; this he has done in the ministration of the Gospel, in which Christ is lifted up and held forth as the only Saviour of lost sinners, the sole author and glorious Captain of salvation, for them to flee to, and lay hold on; and this he still does, and will continue to do, until all his people are gathered in from the several”