Gospel for All Nations

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Gospel for All Nations

Reason #8

Greg Koukl

All Nations Are to Be Given this Gospel

Jesus gave one last command before He ascended into Heaven: the Great Commission. It’s an odd directive, though, if pluralism were true. Why cover the globe with a message no one needs since each person’s sincerity already serves Him well? The command to go to all nations makes sense only if all are lost without Christ.

Lk. 24:47 “Repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

Matt. 28:18-19 “All authority has been given to me in Heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations. . . “

Jesus, the Only Way

Greg Koukl

The Bible and Religious Pluralism The ancient Christian teaching that trust in Jesus is anyone’s only hope for salvation clashes head on with the modern idea that all religions are equally legitimate paths to God. Sadly, this “religious pluralism” is a notion many Christians have embraced, too. Is Jesus the only way? Is salvation dependent on faith in Christ? That’s what Jesus taught with crystal clarity: Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. (Matt. 7:13-14) Not only is Jesus the only source of salvation (since forgiveness is not possible without the payment Jesus provides), but trust in Him is the only means of salvation (since He’s the only one who solved our problem—sin). The following verses identify nine distinct lines of argument that biblically prove Jesus taught this truth and entrusted it to every one He trained to take His message after Him—the Apostles. Neither Jesus nor His disciples were religious pluralists. When a hundred passages argue the same point from a variety of different angles it cannot be mistaken, only ignored. The Clearest Statements Jn. 14:6 Jesus said to Him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me.” Acts 4:11-12, Acts 16:30-31, 1 Tim. 2:5, 1 Jn. 2:23, 1 Jn. 5:11-12, Lk. 10:16, Lk. 12:8-9, Jn. 3:18, Jn. 3:36, Jn. 8:24, Jn. 10:7-8b

The Only Source of Salvation

Greg Koukl

Jesus Is the Only Source of Salvation for the World Man, guilty of rebellion, wanders as an outcast, but God does not abandon Him. The Messiah would be the true door, the bread of life, the only way to the Father, bringing eternal life to those who trust in Him. Acts 4:11-12 “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the very cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Mk. 14:61-62, Jn. 3:14-16, Jn. 6:51, Jn. 6:53-54, Jn. 6:68-69, Jn. 10:9a, Jn. 15:1a, Jn. 16:8-9, Jn. 17:3, Acts 16:30-31, Rom. 10:9, 1 Tim. 2:5, Titus 1:4, Titus 2:13, Titus 3:6, Heb. 12:2, 1 Jn. 5:20

The Father's Choice

Greg Koukl

Jesus Is the Father’s Choice The Father’s rescue operation was carefully planned from the beginning. He chose one man, Jesus, His Son. God exalts Him alone and puts all things into His hand. We’re to listen to Him, believe in Him, trust in Him. 1 Jn. 3:23a And this is [God’s] commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus the Messiah . . . just as He commanded us. Matt. 17:5, Mk. 9:7, Lk. 9:35, Jn. 3:33-34, Jn. 6:28-29, Jn. 6:40, Jn. 6:45b, Jn. 16:15a, Phil. 2:9-11, Heb. 1:1-3, 1 Jn. 4:14, Lk. 10:22, Jn. 3:35