The Gospel of the Kingdom of God
John the Baptist went out proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Luke 3:3) He warned of the wrath of God that is coming, saying, “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:7-9) He testified of the Christ who was to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, saying, “His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Luke 3:16-17) When the son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. (Matt 25:31) Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (Mat 25:32) He will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left – and the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Mat 25:33-34) He will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ (Mat 25:41) The wicked will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. (Matt 25:46)
Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15) He went preaching the good news of the kingdom of God to different towns, for he was sent for this purpose. (Luke 4:43) He went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. (Luke 8:1) He said, “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.” (Luke 16:16) The Apostles of Christ preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ baptizing both men and women in Jesus’ name. (Acts 8:12) In a parable of sowing seed Jesus explained that the one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed is the sons of the kingdom, and the weeds are the sons of the evil one. (Mat 13:36-38) The harvest is the end of the age. (Mat 13:39) Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at the end of the age – The wicked will be destroyed in the fiery furnace, but the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. (Mat 13:41-43)
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these – those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5:19-21) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law – And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Gal 5:22-24) For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Eph 5:5) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Eph 5:6)
We Give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Col 1:12) He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col 1:13-14) Go our savior, desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth: For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all. (1Tim 2:3-6) He has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father. Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth (Rev 1:5) He died and is alive forevermore and has the keys of death and Hades (Rev 1:18)
Luke 3:3 (ESV)
3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 3:7-9 (ESV)
7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Luke 3:16-17 (ESV)
16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Matthew 25:31-34 (ESV)
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Matthew 25:41 (ESV)
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Matthew 25:46 (ESV)
46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Mark 1:14-15 (ESV)
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Luke 4:43 (ESV)
43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”
Luke 8:1 (ESV)
1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him
Luke 16:16 (ESV)
16 “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.
Acts 8:12 (ESV)
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Matthew 13:36-43 (ESV)
36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
Galatians 5:18-24 (ESV)
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Colossians 1:12-14 (ESV)
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
1 Timothy 2:3-6 (ESV)
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
Revelation 1:5 (ESV)
5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
Revelation 1:17-18 (ESV)
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Resurrection of the Just and the Unjust
Jesus believed in the resurrection of the dead. (Mark 12:24-25). He believed he would be killed and on the third day would be raised. (Luke 9:22) He taught that at the end of the age he would return again coming in the clouds with power and glory sending out the angels to gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. (Mark 13:25-27) Jesus said, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:34-36)
Our hope in God is that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust (Acts 24:15) Jesus said, “Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. (Mat 16:26-27) In the end of the age, the evil will be separated from the righteous and be thrown into the fiery furnace. (Mat 13:47-50)
Mark 12:24-25 (ESV)
24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
Luke 9:22 (ESV)
22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Mark 13:26-27 (ESV)
26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
Luke 20:34-36 (ESV)
34 And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
Acts 24:15 (ESV)
15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
Matthew 16:26-27 (ESV)
26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
Matthew 13:47-50 (ESV)
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus is the Christ (Messiah)
The news of great joy is that a savior was born, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11) Jesus said to the woman at the well, “The hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23) The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ) – When he comes, he will tell us all things.” (John 4:25) Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” (John 4:26) The revelation of Peter that “Jesus is the Christ, Son of the living God,” is the revelation that the church is founded upon. (Matt 16:15-18) Jesus told the Jews he is the Christ and they did not believe (John 10:24-25) He was then crucified for claiming to be the Christ. (Luke 23:1-3) The gospels were written so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God, and that by believing, we may have life in his name. (John 20:31)
Subsequent to Jesus being raised from the dead, the Apostles proclaimed that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus who was crucified. (Acts 2:36) Every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. (Acts 5:42) Upon the conversion of the Apostle Paul, as he increased all the more in strength, he confounded the Jews by proving that Jesus was the Christ. (Acts 9:22) He later went into the synagogue and reasoned from the Scriptures, explaining, and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” (Acts 17:1-3) Throughout his ministry, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. (Acts 18:5) He made no distinction between Jews and Gentles saying, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved.” (Rom 10:9-12)
Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
John 4:23-26 (ESV)
23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
Matthew 16:15-18 (ESV)
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
John 10:24-25 (ESV)
24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me
Luke 23:1-3 (ESV)
1 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.”
John 20:31 (ESV)
31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Acts 2:36 (ESV)
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Acts 5:42 (ESV)
42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Acts 9:22 (ESV)
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
Acts 17:1-3 (ESV)
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
Acts 18:5 (ESV)
5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
Romans 10:9-12 (ESV)
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
Jesus, the prophesied Son of Man
Taking his twelve disciples, Jesus said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished – for he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” (Luke 18:31-33) It was necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (Luke 9:22) As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so it was necessary that the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:14-15)
An hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. (John 5:25) For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. (John 5:26) And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. (John 5:27) Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (John 5:28) Jesus does not have this power on his own, as he hears he will judge, and my judgment will be just, because he seeks not his own will but the will of him who sent him. (John 5:28) Unless you believe that Jesus is the Son of Man, you will die in your sins. (John 8:24-28)
Luke 18:31-33 (ESV)
31 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.”
Luke 9:22 (ESV)
22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
John 3:14-15 (ESV)
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
John 5:25-29 (ESV)
25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
John 8:24-28 (ESV)
24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” 25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” 27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.
The chosen one whom God commands us to listen
The Messiah who was to come into the world (he who is called Christ) – he is the one who was to tell us all things when he comes. (John 4:25) Jesus is God’s chosen one, the son to whom God commands us to listen. (Luke 9:35) The Christ of God is God’s chosen one. (Luke 23:35) What God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. (Acts 3:18). The Christ that God appointed for us is Jesus. (Acts 3:20) Jesus is the one of whom Moses said, “The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ (Acts 3:22-23) Jesus is the offspring of Abraham in which all families of the earth are blessed. (Acts 3:25) God having raised up his servant, sent him out as a blessing by turning everyone from their wickedness (Acts 3:26)
Jesus said, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news. (Luke 4:18) He said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34) and I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 5:30) Regarding his teaching Jesus stated, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.” (John 7:16) Indeed he said, “I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me” and “I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” (John 8:28-29) Jesus was a man who told the truth that he heard from God. (John 8:40) He did not speak on his own authority, but the Father who sent him gave him a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. (John 12:49-50) He affirmed “the word that you hear is not min but the Father’s who sent me. (John 14:24). Jesus came not of his own accord, but God sent him.” (John 8:42) He affirmed, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.'” (John 8:54) Jesus declared, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. (John 8:28)
Jesus, the man attested by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him, was delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. (Acts 2:22-23) He continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Pet 2:23) In great distress, understanding the horrible death he was about to suffer, Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. (Heb 5:7) Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered (Heb 5:8). And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. (Heb 5:9) The Father loves him because he laid down his life in obedience. (John 10:17) He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross – Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name. (Phil 2:8-11) This corresponds to the prophecy ‘my servant shall act wisely, he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.’ (Isa 52:13)
John 4:25-26 (ESV)
25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
Luke 9:35 (ESV)
35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”
Luke 23:35 (ESV)
5 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”
Acts 3:18 (ESV)
18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.
Acts 3:19-26 (ESV)
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
Luke 4:18 (ESV)
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
John 4:34 (ESV)
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
John 5:30 (ESV)
30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.
John 7:16 (ESV)
16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.
John 8:28-29 (ESV)
28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
John 8:40 (ESV)
40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.
John 12:49-50 (ESV)
49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
John 14:24 (ESV)
24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
John 8:42 (ESV)
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
John 8:54 (ESV)
54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’
John 8:28-29 (ESV)
28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me.
Acts 2:22-23 (ESV)
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
1 Peter 2:23 (ESV)
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Luke 22:42 (ESV)
2 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
Hebrews 5:7-10 (ESV)
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
John 10:17 (ESV)
17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.
Philippians 2:8-11 (ESV)
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Isaiah 52:13 (ESV)
13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up and shall be exalted.
Jesus died for our sins
After Peter identified Jesus as “The Christ of God,” Jesus said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (Luke 9:20-22) Jesus understood that he must first suffer many things and be rejected before all would be fulfilled regarding the Son of Man. (Luke 17:22-25) Jesus identified himself as the suffering servant (Son of Man) of whom the prophets bore witness of. (Luke 18:31-34) He said that he would be delivered over to the Gentiles and would be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon and, after being flogged, he would be killed and on the third day rise. (Luke 18:32-33) It was necessary that Scripture was fulfilled in him that, ‘he was numbered with the transgressors.’ (Luke 22:37) Jesus celebrated a last meal with his disciples, knowing he was about to suffer. (Luke 22:14) He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19) And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:20) The Church of God was obtained with the blood of Jesus. (Acts 20:28)
As one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. (Rom 5:18) For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. (Rom 5:19) Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross – Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:8-11)
The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe – For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. (Rom 3:22-25) Apart from the Gospel, we are dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of the flesh but through the Gospel God makes us alive together with him, having forgiven all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against them with its legal demands – This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Col 2:13-14) Believers were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from their forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (1Pet 1:18-19) He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of those who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory. (1Pet 1:20-21)
Jesus entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. (Heb 9:12) For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Heb 9:13-14) Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. (Heb 9:15) Christ has entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. (Heb 9:24) He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Heb 9:26) Having been offered once to bear the sins of many, Jesus will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Heb 9:28)
“Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) If we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1John 1:7) The multitude in heaven will sing a new song, saying, “Worthy are you, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God and they shall reign on the earth.” (Rev 5:9-10)
Luke 9:20-22 (ESV)
20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” 21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Luke 17:22-26 (ESV)
2 And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man.
Luke 18:31-34 (ESV)
31 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.
Luke 22:37 (ESV)
37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.”
Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)
19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
John 1:29 (ESV)
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Acts 20:28 (ESV)
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Romans 5:18-19 (ESV)
18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Philippians 2:8-11 (ESV)
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Romans 3:22-25 (ESV)
22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV)
13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
1 Peter 1:18-21 (ESV)
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1 John 1:7 (ESV)
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Hebrews 9:12-15 (ESV)
12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
Hebrews 9:24-28 (ESV)
24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Revelation 5:8-10 (ESV)
8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
The Gospel by which we are being saved
Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1Cor 15:20) For as by a man came death, by a man has come the resurrection of the dead – For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1Cor 15:21-22) What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. (1Cor 15:42) The first man Adam became a living being, the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. (1Cor 15:45). As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust, and as the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. (1Cor 15:48) Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. (1Cor 15:49) Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (1Cor 15:50) The dead in Christ will be raised imperishable and shall all be changed. (1Cor 15:52) For the perishable becomes imperishable and the mortal receives immortality. (1Cor 15:53) The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law – But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! (1Cor 15:56)
The Gospel received by believers by which they are being saved, is the word preached through the Apostles. (1Cor 15:1-2) Of first importance is that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. (1Cor 15:3-4) He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve, then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and then also to Paul. (1Cor 15:5-8) We proclaim Christ as raised from the dead. (1Cor 15:12) The belief in the resurrection is fundamental to the faith. (1Cor 15:17-19)
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (ESV)
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:42-49 (ESV)
42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:50-53 (ESV)
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (ESV)
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:1-8 (ESV)
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
1 Corinthians 15:12 (ESV)
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
1 Corinthians 15:17-19 (ESV)
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Judgement is through Christ, God’s Mediator
God commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. (Acts 17:30-31) Jesus is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42) To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:43) Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Heb 1:1-2) After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs (Heb 1:3-4)
It was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking (Heb 2:5) Jesus is beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Col 1:18) God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus who was crucified. (Acts 2:36) For there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. (Cor 8:6) God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth – For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (1Tim 2:3-6) Eternal life is to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ who he has sent. (John 17:3)
Acts 17:30-31 (ESV)
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Acts 10:42-43 (ESV)
42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Hebrews 1:1-4 (ESV)
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Hebrews 2:5 (ESV)
5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking.
Colossians 1:18 (ESV)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Acts 2:36 (ESV)
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
1 Corinthians 8:6 (ESV)
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
1 Timothy 2:3-6 (ESV)
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
John 17:3 (ESV)
3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent
Repent and believe the Gospel
What God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. (Acts 3:18) Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. (Acts 3:19-21) Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:23-26)
God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus who was crucified. (Acts 2:36) The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus. (Acts 3:13) The God of the patriarchs raised Jesus and exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:30-31) We must all repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) The promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the LORD our God calls to himself. (Acts 2:39) Jesus is the Christ, the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Luke 3:16) His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. (Luke 3:16-17)
John 3:16-18 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
John 3:35-36 (ESV)
35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
John 17:1-3 (ESV)
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
John 6:40 (ESV)
40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 5:25-27 (ESV)
25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
Acts 3:18-21 (ESV)
18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
Luke 9:23-26 (ESV)
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Acts 2:36 (ESV)
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Acts 3:13 (ESV)
13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.
Acts 5:30-31 (ESV)
30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 2:38-39 (ESV)
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Luke 3:16-17 (ESV)
16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”