When exploring the apostle Paul’s understanding of the “gospel,” we clearly see development of theology within the Bible storyline. The gospel Paul preached was this: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve” (1 Cor 15:3-5).

While Jesus focused the gospel on the Kingdom of God, Paul recognized that Jesus’ resurrection was critical to the good news of salvation. Paul emphasized the cross as the very centre of the gospel message. This has important theological and historical implications.

In our lesson, we will examine the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection and what that means for us personally and our proclamation of the gospel.

With the publication of John MacArthur’s book in 1988, The Gospel According to Jesus, a very important debate amongevangelicals quickly followed, often dividing Christian communities into the so-called “Lordship Salvation” camp and the “Free Grace” camp. The concern is that many people profess to follow Christ, yet don’t display the fruit ofthat confession in their lives. Others leave the faith altogether after some years of church involvement. Were those people ever saved? That question prompts us to examine the substance of the gospel according to Jesus.

Our lesson will explore the following questions –

1. What truths must you know and believe to be saved?
2. What is the complete gospel message?
3. Does saving faith always produce fruit?

The issue at hand is whether, in addition to belief in the gospel, repentance from sin, obedience to God, and submission to Christ’s lordship are necessary for sinners to be saved.

What must I do to enterThe Kingdom of God?

This class will explore further the important question – whatis the Gospel? If we understand the Gospel as Paul definesit in 1 Cor 15:3-4 – the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ – it naturally begs the question if Jesus preached theGospel.

We know from the four gospel accounts that Jesus preached the Kingdom of God. Is the Gospel according to Paul different from the Gospel according to Jesus? Some Christian leaders would go so far as to say that “I don’t believe in the Pauline gospel, but I believe in the Kingdom gospel.”

Understanding the Gospel presupposes a certain way ofreading the Bible storyline. In this class, we will discus

• how to read the synoptic gospel accounts,
• the nature of the Kingdom of God, and
• how to reconcile the apparent tension between the Pauline gospel and the Kingdom gospel when it comes to sharing the good news with others.