Bible Questions
  • Home
  • Topics
    • Popular
    • Steps to Salvation
    • Seeking a Church?
    • A - E >
      • A
      • B
      • C
      • D
      • E
    • F - J >
      • F
      • G
      • H
      • I
      • J
    • K - O >
      • K
      • L
      • M
      • N
      • O
    • P - T >
      • P
      • R
      • S
      • T
    • U - Z >
      • U
      • V
      • W
      • Z
  • Lessons
    • Baptism
    • Bible Basics
    • How to Study >
      • Interpreting the Bible
      • Effective Bible Study
    • Bible Surveys >
      • Beginner Bible Survey
      • Advanced BIble Survey >
        • Old Testament Survey
        • Major and Minor Prophets
        • New Testament Survey
      • Old Testament Characters
    • Book Surveys >
      • Ecclesiastes
      • Sermon on the Mount
      • Acts of the Apostles
      • Romans
      • 1 & 2 Thessalonians
      • 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
      • James
      • 1 & 2 Peter
      • 1, 2, 3 John
      • Jude
    • Christian Living >
      • Adding to Your Faith
      • Christian Evidences
      • Parables of Jesus
      • Personal Evangelism
      • Practical Christianity
      • Prayer
      • Self-Assessment
      • Supernatural Power
    • The Church >
      • Leadership
      • Work of the Church
  • Podcasts
  • Ask Question
  • About Us
  • Study Aids
  • Blog
  • Sermons
  • Baptism Debate 2011
  • Privacy Policy
<...Go back

What does obey the gospel mean?


Introduction. Language such as "obey the gospel" is often lacking in the vernacular of many. It is not only lacking, but is often foreign. Phraseology such as "obey the gospel" suggests the gospel is structured, understandable, and authoritative. Many think more in terms of "get religion," something which externally is bestowed, and "get saved." "God does it all," they explain, "man is passive."

To obey the gospel means you believe the gospel. Belief is a prerequisite to initial salvation (Mk. 16: 16). Belief of the gospel is inseparably involved in this saving belief (cf. Mk. 1: 15). It is strange that the common language such as "get saved" or "get religion" is not found in the vernacular of the New Testament. However, we do find such expressions as obey the gospel. Paul wrote in quoting Isaiah 53: 1, "for Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" (Rom. 10: 16) Also notice how Paul used "obey" as a synonym for Isaiah's word "believed."

The language "obey the gospel" clearly teaches the necessity of man's obedience. The lost sinner in initially coming to God must obey (Acts 10 34, 35, see context). The child of God must also obey the gospel (Phili. 2: 12). The gospel must be obeyed - not human creeds (Mk. 7: 6-13). Beloved, I know such teaching is not common and is not popular. Nonetheless, it is what God says in His word.

One of the apostle Paul's favorite subjects was Jesus' return in judgment. Please consider what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thes. 1: 8, see verses six through nine) Is obeying the gospel part of your vocabulary and concept?
 Bible Questions is a work of the Holly Street church of Christ in Denver, CO. 
Copyright (c) 2023 Holly Street church of Christ. All material within the website may be freely distributed for non-commercial uses by including a reference to the website.