If the gospel is necessary, that implies that whatever was it's substitute was not suffice to accomplish the purposes for which it was intended. The gospel is good news. The Gospel is good news from God to HIS people. This begs the question, what was the bad news? What were God's people believing that wasn't true? What was wrong?
What was God's intent towards HIS people?
Genesis 1 - 3
When God created mankind HE gave them dominion over the earth and access to a personal relationship with HIM. Adam and Eve knew what God looked like, what HE sounded like and had access to eternity. But when they disobeyed God's command HE banished them from access to HIS presence. God had so many good plans for man's dominion of HIS Kingdom on earth. HE wanted man to replicate HIS order and power in the earth all along. But in order for this to be sustained man would have to remain in constant communication with heaven; to get directives and resources for continued success.
What happened?
Constantly HE reiterates HIS plan and purpose for mankind on earth.
Genesis 9: 1-6
9 God said to Noah and his sons:
I am giving you my blessing. Have a lot of children and grandchildren, so people will live everywhere on this earth. 2 All animals, birds, reptiles, and fish will be afraid of you. I have placed them under your control, 3 and I have given them to you for food. From now on, you may eat them, as well as the green plants that you have always eaten. 4 But life is in the blood, and you must not eat any meat that still has blood in it. 5-6 I created humans to be like me, and I will punish any animal or person that takes a human life. If an animal kills someone, that animal must die. And if a person takes the life of another, that person must be put to death.
9 God said to Noah and his sons:
I am giving you my blessing. Have a lot of children and grandchildren, so people will live everywhere on this earth. 2 All animals, birds, reptiles, and fish will be afraid of you. I have placed them under your control, 3 and I have given them to you for food. From now on, you may eat them, as well as the green plants that you have always eaten. 4 But life is in the blood, and you must not eat any meat that still has blood in it. 5-6 I created humans to be like me, and I will punish any animal or person that takes a human life. If an animal kills someone, that animal must die. And if a person takes the life of another, that person must be put to death.
Not long after Noah, HE pulls Abraham.
Genesis 12: 1-3
12 The Lord said to Abram:Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless anyone who blesses you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you.
12 The Lord said to Abram:Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless anyone who blesses you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you.
Genesis 17 God's one condition to Abraham was that he should remain obedient to God. Nevertheless, God promises to be their God no matter what. Over and over throughout the different generations God keeps pulling away HIS righteous people to start over on a new slate. So it was with Moses and the Israelites. Finally, God promised to send someone, a part of himself to fix the problem.
Isaiah 9: 6-8
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
Jesus changed the Jewish paradigm
Jesus brought the government of heaven to earth to help us to finally get it right. Now we can do things the right way with all the right resources in abundance. The great news is that 'of the increase of HIS government there will be no end, meaning: once HE brought it, we have all we need and this government will never be overthrown. God fulfilled HIS promise to the Jews by sending HIS son Jesus Christ as the solution of reconciling mankind back to a right relationship with HIM as well as to a rightful position as rulers in the Kingdom of heaven on earth. 2 Corinthians 5: 11-21
Initially, the Jews did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. They didn't believe HE was from God nor even God himself. As a result, Jesus invited other 'non-jews', i.e. gentiles, to benefit from HIS actions. St. John 1 Jesus brought truth and grace for all peoples. Reconciliation to the Father and HIS Kingdom is for anyone who will accept by faith what God promised. This is the parable of the King who had a great feast with specially invited guests. But when he sent his servants to get the invitees they were pre-occupied and refused to attend. So he told the servants to go back out and invite the 'forbidden'. The Jews and the Gentiles did not mix. Gentiles were considered forbidden and unclean. Luke 14 The gospel is for anyone who will believe Jesus and obey HIS commands of reconciliation to God. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. God gave Peter this confirmation in a dream about no longer calling different animals unclean. Acts 10 This is the good news for the gentiles. The centurion though gentile was now entitled to partake of God's promises according to his faith. Today, our only pre-condition to God is faith in Jesus.
TESTIMONY: Son of Imam starts preaching the Gospel on the streets of GAZA!! - Pod for Israel - Arabic Ministry
WORSHIP: JJ Hairston & Mercy Chinwo : EXCESS LOVE REMIX (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
No one is excluded!
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