The following is a partial summary of what I have gleaned from my study over the last year. It shows areas where some of us have overlooked key aspects of the Gospel, and as a result, weaknesses in some evangelistic presentations.
1. The Gospel cannot be separated from the Kingdom
- Jesus proclaimed the “Gospel of the Kingdom”—Matt. 4:23; 9: 35; Mk 1:14,15; Luke 4:43; Lk 8:1
- He indicated that the Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached to all before the end of time—Matt. 24:14
- Jesus linked eternal life to the Kingdom—John 3:3,5; Matt. 19:16-17, 23-24, 25
- Philip preached the Gospel of the Kingdom (Acts 8:12)
- The Kingdom is directly linked to Paul’s presentation of the Gospel—Acts 28:31
2. The Kingdom is essentially the reign and rule of the King (see D.A. Carson and Craig Blomberg’s references in their commentaries on Matthew)
3. Jesus repeatedly identified Himself as the Christ/King and was repeatedly identified by others as such—in fact He was convicted and executed for admitting to as much (Christ=Messiah=King—and by implication, Master, Ruler, Lord—not just in title, but in function. See “The First Mark of a Disciple” http://www.mediafire.com/?bibbjg8yxjz)
4. Jesus indicated that the church is comprised of those who recognize (and by implication submit to) Him as King (Matt. 16:16-18—again, Carson and Blomberg)
5. Jesus linked eternal life to knowing Him as Christ/King—John 17:3
6. John indicated that a prerequisite to eternal life is believing/trusting Jesus as Christ/King—20:31
7. The essence of the Gospel in Acts focused on the centrality of Jesus as the Christ/King
- Peter at Pentecost—2:31-37
- Peter upon healing crippled man—3:13-18
- The whole church—5:32
- Stephen—Acts 7:52 (by implication—referring to “the Righteous One”)
- Philip—Acts 8:5
- Paul—Acts 9:22; 17:3; 18:5; 26:23; 28:31
- Observations by the Jews (17:7)
- Apollos—18:28
8. To be saved is to enter the Kingdom. Entering the Kingdom requires acknowledging, submitting to, and yielding to the King. So, in order to be saved, one must recognize and be willing to submit to the King (Master, Ruler, Lord). Therefore, you cannot accurately or adequately proclaim the Gospel without proclaiming Jesus as absolute Christ/King/Lord/Master/Ruler, and explaining the need to trust Him as such.
