The GOSPEL, 1. Christ suffered and died for our sins, 2 was buried 3. rose from the dead, 4 was seen alive by hundreds of people. Just in the past months I have heard sermon after sermon without one bit of the gospel or just bits and parts of the gospel given. THEN, I heard this, in person, people are exhorted to be saved like this,"just give your life to Jesus" NO we must receive the Lord Jesus not give our lives to him. Then over and over and this is done thousands of times, "give your heart to Jesus," that lost man does not have a clue what that means and if you pressure preachers they don't have a scriptural answer or Bible verse that tells the unsaved to do that. One preacher said this over and over, "Just walk the aisle for Jesus". My word how unscriptural can you get. That is almost heresy personified.
The Biblical definition of the gospel , all 4 points, is given in 1 Cor 15:1-4. One fourth of it is almost never given in tracts or preaching. That is "He was seen by hundreds". Is that really important. YES, Please follow this with me. Acts 1:21 ff "Wherefore...beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us MUST one be ORDAINED to be a witness with us of his resurrection ( seen alive if you please). They picked out Justus and Matthias and prayed the Lord would "shew which of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry..." All of this was done before the day of Pentecost, before Peter could preach that great sermon and 3000 people were saved. Now notice carefully "this Jesus hath God raised up whereof we are all witnesses" 2:32. Remember "one must be ordained to be a witness of his resurrection" seen by them if you please. Notice this "But ye killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raise from the dead; whereof we are WITNESSES" 3:15.
Don't miss this, "And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve, After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once...after that, he was seen of James, then of all the apostles, ;;;;;;And last of all he was seen of me also as of one born out of due time" 1 Cor 15:5-9. Folks this was not all put in here to fill up space but as part of the gospel, a confirmation that Jesus is alive and was SEEN by a multitude. NO ONE ever saw a "savior" of any religion of the world raised from the dead and is alive today but Jesus. When I tell this to a lost person almost always they say, "I never heard it like that before. Well they ought to for it is in the Word of God as part of the gospel. To God be the glory, but what I was a pastor at least 90 % of those confessing Christ went on with the Lord. Be Scriptural and put in "He was seen" and see the results be far greater.
WELL GLORY. One day we shall see Him as He is, in all of is glory and we shall be like Him" 1 John 3:2, my life verse and my driving desire.
I sent out 15 notices to people whose name was drawn to get a pack of tracts and have mailed out 9 packs already. I just bought 1000 Tickets to heaven" for my personal use. Get some for yourself. In eternity you will be glad you did. Call 1-877-872-2871 ask for "sales" and order some in Spanish or KJV. All new Web encourging articles and drawing. THANKS Steve.
"Ye shall be witnesses" if you and I don't who will? Be a leader, an example to your whole family. ABC Sumner
