What does "obey the gospel" mean?
Introduction. Language such as "obey the gospel" is often lacking in the vocabulary of many religious people today. Phraseology such as "obey the gospel" suggests the gospel is structured, understandable, and authoritative. Many think more in terms of "believe the gospel", "get saved", or "get religion." Many explain "God does it all" ("Grace only") or all one has to do is believe ("Faith only").
For starters, 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 New Testament. However, we do find such expressions as obey the gospel. Paul wrote in quoting Isaiah 53: 1, "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" 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 (Phil. 2: 12). The gospel must be obeyed - not human creeds (Mk. 7: 6-13). 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?
For starters, 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 New Testament. However, we do find such expressions as obey the gospel. Paul wrote in quoting Isaiah 53: 1, "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" 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 (Phil. 2: 12). The gospel must be obeyed - not human creeds (Mk. 7: 6-13). 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?