For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Romans 10:13-14The Gospel
The Gospel is the good news of all that God has done for sinners through Jesus Christ. It is primarily the message of God’s forgiveness that is now available for all sinners who repent of their rebellion against God and who turn to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that sinners are freely granted forgiveness for their sin, reconciliation with God, and a righteous standing before God – all by grace.
The Early Church
The focus of the early church was primarily the advancement of the Gospel to more and more people groups. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave this command to His disciples.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8Jesus commanded His followers to be His witnesses to an ever-expanding group of people until they reach the ends of the earth. After the church was birthed in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, and Peter preached his first gospel message, we read,
And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:47The Advance of the Gospel
The story of the early church is the on-going story of the advancement of the Gospel. We read about the disciples preaching, and teaching, and counting it a privilege to suffer for the gospel, and daily the Lord added new believers to the church. The proclamation of the gospel was often met by persecution, but even in the face of persecution the disciples spoke boldly, the gospel went forth in power, and people were added to the church.
And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Acts 5:42The Church Today
The church today is commissioned for the same mission – to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel of Jesus Christ. We exist to see the mission of God carried forward so that more people groups are added to the Kingdom of God until the gospel reaches the ends of the earth. In all that we do and say, it is a priority to tell people about what God has done for them through Jesus Christ and how they can be reconciled to God.
Defining Value Number 8
CrossWay Community Church is committed to faithfully pass the gospel on to others. We see ourselves, along with all Christians, as commissioned by God to engage with our local community and with the larger world in such a way that the Gospel is faithfully demonstrated and clearly proclaimed.
We also see it as a specific charge from God to pass on to our children a clear and complete doctrine and a compelling witness to the transforming grace of God, and by so doing, firmly establish the next generation in its faith in Jesus Christ.
CrossWay is committed to the advance of the gospel in our homes, in our community and in the world.
Related Posts:
Conviction 1 – The Glory of God
Conviction 2 – The End of Human History
Conviction 3 – The Rejection of God
Conviction 4 – God’s Mission of Redemption
Conviction 5 – Redemption Through Jesus Christ
