The Doctrines of Grace and the preaching of the Gospel

[Herald]

To preach the gospel is to state every doctrine contained in God's Word, and to give every truth its proper prominence. Men may preach a part of the gospel; they may only preach one single doctrine of it; and I would not say that a man did not preach the gospel at all if he did but maintain the doctrine of justification by faith—"By grace are ye saved through faith." I should put him down for a gospel minister, but not for one who preached the whole gospel. No man can be said to preach the whole gospel of God if he leaves it out, knowingly and intentionally, one single truth of the blessed God. (Charles Spurgeon, "Preach the Gospel", a message preached on August 5, 1855)

Now comes the third question, with which we are to finish WHAT IS THAT NECESSITY WHICH IS LAID UPON US TO PREACH THY GOSPEL?

First, a very great part of that necessity springs from the call itself: If a man be truly called of God to the ministry, I will defy him to withhold himself from it. A man who has really within him the inspiration of the Holy Ghost calling him to preach cannot help it. He must preach. As fire within the bones, so will that influence be until it blazes forth Friends may check him, foes criticise him, despisers sneer at him, the man is indomitable; he must preach if he has the call of heaven. All earth might forsake him; but he would preach to the barren mountain-tops. If he has the call of heaven, if he has no congregation, he would preach to the rippling waterfalls, and let the brooks hear his voice. He could not be silent. He would become a voice crying in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." I no more believe it possible to stop ministers, than to stop the stars of heaven. I think it no more possible to make a man cease from preaching, if he is really called, than to stop some mighty cataract, by seeking, with an infant's cup, to drink its waters. The man has been moved of heaven, who shall stop him? He has been touched of God, who shall impede him? With an eagle's wing he must fly; who shall chain him to the earth? With seraph's voice he must speak, who shall stop his lips? Is not his word like a fire within me? Must I not speak if God has placed it there? And when a man does speak as the Spirit gives him utterance, he will feel a holy joy akin to heaven; and when it is over he wishes to be at his work again, and longs to be once more preaching. I do not think young men are called of God to any great work who preach once a week, and think they have done their duty. I think if God has called a man, he will impel him to be more or less constantly at it, and he will feel that he must preach among the nations the unsearchable riches of Christ. (Charles Spurgeon, "Preach the Gospel", a message preached on August 5, 1855)

The contemporary Doctrines of Grace preacher proclaims the Gospel to all who will listen because he is under the compulsion of God Himself. He must preach the Gospel because the Holy Spirit is leading him. As Charles Spurgeon rightly points out, the Gospel is the message of justification by faith, but it also more than that. It is nothing less than the whole counsel of God, revealed in His Word.

The preacher proclaims it freely. Bounds cannot be put on the Gospel, "for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes." In another thread a poster accused those who preach the Doctrines of Grace of telling people they have not been pre-selected. That is pure rubbish. The Doctrines of Grace preacher does no such thing. He preaches as though Arminianism was true. He knows the means of salvation is the preaching of the Word of God (Romans 10:14, 17). He delivers his message under the unction of the Holy Spirit, knowing that it is God alone who will call His sheep.

It is a shame that some posters are accurately described by the Apostle Paul:

Philippians 1:15-18 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even [m]from envy and strife, but some also [n]from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition [o]rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. (emphasis mine)

Evil motives should not used to impugn any minister of the Gospel, regardless of which side of the Doctrines of Grace argument he may be on. The fact is those preachers who hold to the Doctrines of Grace preach the Gospel freely and implore those who hear to be reconciled to God - all without asking them whether they are pre-selected.

 

[Old Union Brother]

Powerful writing ....well done.

 

[Iconoclast]

The contemporary Doctrines of Grace preacher proclaims the Gospel to all who will listen because he is under the compulsion of God Himself. He must preach the Gospel because the Holy Spirit is leading him. As Charles Spurgeon rightly points out, the Gospel is the message of justification by faith, but it also more than that. It is nothing less than the whole counsel of God, revealed in His Word.

The preacher proclaims it freely. Bounds cannot be put on the Gospel, "for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes." In another thread a poster accused those who preach the Doctrines of Grace of telling people they have not been pre-selected. That is pure rubbish. The Doctrines of Grace preacher does no such thing. He preaches as though Arminianism was true. He knows the means of salvation is the preaching of the Word of God (Romans 10:14, 17). He delivers his message under the unction of the Holy Spirit, knowing that it His God alone who will call His sheep.

It is a shame that some posters are accurately described by the Apostle Paul:



Evil motives should not used to impugn any minister of the Gospel, regardless of which side of the Doctrines of Grace argument he may be on. The fact is those preachers who hold to the Doctrines of Grace preach the Gospel freely and implore those who hear to be reconciled to God - all without asking them whether they are pre-selected.

Yes.....rubbish, a caricature, a strawman......or a list of out of context verses ,will not answer to the grace of God preached and made effectual by the Spirit.:thumbsup::wavey::thumbsup:

 

[Benjamin]

In another thread a poster accused those who preach the Doctrines of Grace of telling people they have not been pre-selected. That is pure rubbish.

From his example of preaching the “gospel”:

Originally posted by Iconoclast:

The Son comes into the world in the form of a servant,to live and die for these chosen and elected persons.


if election comes up.....I stress that it is certain to come to pass..I tell Him the truth...do not hide it under a bushel.

If he tries to mock and scoff like those in 2 pet3...I do mention that God has not planned to save everyone, and unless God allows a sinner to repent and believe,,,they will die in their sins.......

"Rubbish" MMMHHMMM

At least Icon is "honest" [sic] about it.
:sleep:

 

[annsni]

It has been a rare Sunday that my husband has preached where he did not give the Gospel. Today was again such a day. Today no one came to speak to him but two weeks ago, a man came and was saved. Hubby is faithful when he feels the Spirit leading him to include the Gospel in his message and yet it doesn't always result in lives saved - but for those of us who are already saved, it is a refocusing and renewal of our understanding and commitment to the Lord.

 

[Iconoclast]

From his example of preaching the “gospel”:



"Rubbish" MMMHHMMM

At least Icon is "honest" [sic] about it.
:sleep:

[edit - moderation]

24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.


7 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God

 

[Iconoclast]

It has been a rare Sunday that my husband has preached where he did not give the Gospel. Today was again such a day. Today no one came to speak to him but two weeks ago, a man came and was saved. Hubby is faithful when he feels the Spirit leading him to include the Gospel in his message and yet it doesn't always result in lives saved - but for those of us who are already saved, it is a refocusing and renewal of our understanding and commitment to the Lord.

:thumbsup::wavey::thumbs:

 

[Herald]

It has been a rare Sunday that my husband has preached where he did not give the Gospel. Today was again such a day. Today no one came to speak to him but two weeks ago, a man came and was saved. Hubby is faithful when he feels the Spirit leading him to include the Gospel in his message and yet it doesn't always result in lives saved - but for those of us who are already saved, it is a refocusing and renewal of our understanding and commitment to the Lord.

Ann, if your husband is preaching the Word of God then he is preaching the Gospel.

 

[Benjamin]

Originally posted by Herold:
The Doctrines of Grace preacher does no such thing. He preaches as though Arminianism was true.

I see! "Some" - "others" will lie about their determinstic beliefs about pre-selection, ...until later.

Strike two.

 

[Iconoclast]

From his example of preaching the “gospel”:



"Rubbish" MMMHHMMM

At least Icon is "honest" [sic] about it.
:sleep:

Well.....do you have the whole list...or what??? let's see the context of what I offered to you.....

I will be staying overnight up in winslow at the flying J.....exit 255.....if you are free for breakfast, we could discuss things there..let me know....

 

[Herald]

Theologically I know that only God's elect will have a positive response to the Gospel. In His providence God has not granted to me the ability to discern who is elect and who is not elect. Therefore I preach as though all are elect. God has chosen the means to call His sheep (the preaching of the Gospel), so I am eager to preach it to all who will listen.

 

[Benjamin]

Benjamin,


43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God

In the interest of saving time I have prepared this statement for you:

"Icon, to be frank, your “specially revealed” Archie Bunker scriptural interpretations which you eagerly await to begin presenting to “help me” understand “your” Deterministic system seems more in tune to the constant beat of the drums that comes from a person without a mind of his own to reason with or ability to change his beat. I’m fed up with your evasive and obnoxious debate tactics nor do I expect you to be rational or your values and goals within a debate to be of interest to me, so your efforts to push your agenda is best ignored by me. I’ve decided to no longer waste my time to attempt to have a rational and ethical debate with you which would only serve to frustrate me by trying to, so don’t bother wasting your time to try to engage me in a debate. These attempts will merely amount to nothing more than a rather comical reminder these ignorant and irritating broadcasts of yours resemble the sounds of an “annoying false teaching parrot” to me and also reminds me of the tactics used by cult members who commonly go about using threatening accusing with “cleverly” veiled words or by use of "your highlighted scriptural interpretations to suggest" that your opponents aren't saved if they don't believe in your "special enlightenments".

 

[annsni]

:thumbsup::wavey::thumbs:

Hey Icono!!

Update on us: Things are going great - have settled down well. We had 57 in service today, 8 new members welcomed in, 3 new believers being baptized in a few weeks and one of our members came to us today and said that she and her family are praying daily that we will be having a Christmas Eve service in our own building next year. We see God's hand daily in all that is going on. :godisgood:

 

[Iconoclast]

In the interest of saving time I have prepared this statement for you:

"Icon, to be frank, your “specially revealed” Archie Bunker scriptural interpretations which you eagerly await to begin presenting to “help me” understand “your” Deterministic system seems more in tune to the constant beat of the drums that comes from a person without a mind of his own to reason with or ability to change his beat. I’m fed up with your evasive and obnoxious debate tactics nor do I expect you to be rational or your values and goals within a debate to be of interest to me, so your efforts to push your agenda is best ignored by me. I’ve decided to no longer waste my time to attempt to have a rational and ethical debate with you which would only serve to frustrate me by trying to, so don’t bother wasting your time to try to engage me in a debate. These attempts will merely amount to nothing more than a rather comical reminder these ignorant and irritating broadcasts of yours resemble the sounds of an “annoying false teaching parrot” to me and also reminds me of the tactics used by cult members who commonly go about using threatening accusing with “cleverly” veiled words or by use of "your highlighted scriptural interpretations to suggest" that your opponents aren't saved if they don't believe in your "special enlightenments".

Does this mean I will have to go through the archives to supply the full context of what i offered you??? Got to head east, let me know if you can about Winslow....

 

[Iconoclast]

Hey Icono!!

Update on us: Things are going great - have settled down well. We had 57 in service today, 8 new members welcomed in, 3 new believers being baptized in a few weeks and one of our members came to us today and said that she and her family are praying daily that we will be having a Christmas Eve service in our own building next year. We see God's hand daily in all that is going on. :godisgood:

Glad to here of the evident blessing upon Pastor Bob:thumbs::thumbs:
May the new year be blessed by a great harvest of souls into the kingdom:wavey:

 

[Herald]

"There isn't any other way to be saved from hell into everlasting joy than ... [by] hearing and believing the Gospel." - Pastor John Piper


"The gospel is what we preach. The gospel is how we preach. The gospel is why we preach." - Pastor Voddie Baucham

Both of these men are Baptist Doctrines of Grace pastors. Both having a burning desire to reach sinners with the Gospel so that they may be converted. Why is their desire so vilified by certain groups of so-called Christians - these enemies of the Gospel?

 

[Herald]

Hey Icono!!

Update on us: Things are going great - have settled down well. We had 57 in service today, 8 new members welcomed in, 3 new believers being baptized in a few weeks and one of our members came to us today and said that she and her family are praying daily that we will be having a Christmas Eve service in our own building next year. We see God's hand daily in all that is going on. :godisgood:

.....Amen!

 

[annsni]

Glad to here of the evident blessing upon Pastor Bob:thumbs::thumbs:
May the new year be blessed by a great harvest of souls into the kingdom:wavey:

Amen!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Benjamin]

I will be staying overnight up in winslow at the flying J.....exit 255.....if you are free for breakfast, we could discuss things there..let me know....

In the interest of saving time I have this prepared statement concerning your occasional “invites”:

"Icon, to be frank, I find you to be extremely obnoxious and offensive so in the interest of not being prompted to have to test my composure, and while taking into consideration my physical abilities and "past" experiences, by which the effects have certainly proved to be quite overpowering, dreadful and detrimental regarding my answer to the uncontrolled “motivations” of an antagonist who is wanting to “meet” me for “discussion”, for rational and ethical reasons I will have to reverently decline your invitation."

 

[12strings]

Ann, if your husband is preaching the Word of God then he is preaching the Gospel.

...just started a new thread on this...:wavey: