THE GOSPEL MADE SIMPLE
INTRODUCTION
This publication will give a brief overview of what the Bible teaches and it will explain the Gospel of Jesus Christ, this book will explain God’s original purpose for humanity and detail the fall of man. It is our hope that this book will help you to better understand the message of the Bible and God’s plan to give you eternal life.
GOD'S ORIGINAL PURPOSE FOR MANKIND
The Bible teaches us that God created the world and everything in it (Genesis 1:1-25). It also teaches that God created mankind in His own image, meaning the LORD created human beings perfect and without sin. God’s original reason for creating mankind was so we could live with Him forever in the beautiful Garden of Eden. Even though it was short lived mankind once had eternal life and did live in the presence of God without fear of death (Genesis 1:26-31).
THE FALL OF MAN
God warned the first humans (Adam and Eve) not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The tree of knowledge gave mankind the ability to understand the concept of good and evil, and this knowledge ultimately gave man the ability to commit sin. God warned Adam and Eve that having this ability would cause them to die (Genesis 2:16-17). However God gave mankind free will, and the first human creation used their free will to ignore God’s warning. The Bible teaches us that Satan convinced Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge and it was this act of rebellion by both Eve and Satan that caused the fall of mankind (Genesis 3:1-13).
SATAN THE FATHER OF DEATH
According to the Bible Satan is a liar and the father of all lies (John 8:44). The first lie in the history of the world was told by Satan to Eve in the Garden of Eden and it was this lie that lead to Adam and Eve eating from the tree of knowledge (Genesis 3:4-5). Once they ate from the tree of knowledge their eyes were opened to the concept of evil which gave them the ability to commit sin and It is this sin that is the original cause of death. Because of man’s ability to know evil, people now sin and man is no longer suitable to dwell in the presence of God, or to have access to the tree of life (Genesis 3:22-24). Having the knowledge of good and evil causes man to sin and the Bible teaches us that sin is ultimately the cause of our death (Romans 6:23).
WHY DO I HAVE TO DIE?
According to the Bible, every man, women and child descends from God’s first creation Adam and Eve, it is because of this fact that all human beings are born into sin (Romans 5:12) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
But what does that mean? An easy way to describe this concept is to say that sin is in human D.N.A. Being born into sin is like being born with a terminal illness, eventually you will die from it (Romans 6:23). But this is not what God wants for you and your family, God loves you and wants to give you a cure for the terminal illness of sin. Ask yourself this, have you ever done anything wrong? Have you ever lied or stolen something? If you answered yes, you’re guilty of sin, and if you answered no, maybe you should think about it for a bit longer and reconsider your answer
(1 John 1:8) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
ANOTHER CHANCE AT ETERNAL LIFE
The Bible tells us that we have all sinned and it is because of this that human beings fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). However the LORD has provided a way for us to be saved from our sin and once again be able to stand in the presence of God. God wants to offer you a cure for the terminal illness of sin, and give you eternal life through the Gospel (Good news) of Jesus Christ.
THE GOOD NEWS
The good news is that God wants to forgive you for all of your sins and He wants you to become His child (Romans 5:8-10). The Bible teaches us that God offers everyone the free gift of salvation and the forgiveness of sin (John 3:16), God is giving us all another chance to have eternal life, and an opportunity to be a part of His kingdom.
GOD'S PLAN TO SAVE YOU
Before you can receive eternal life and become part of God's kingdom you must understand His plan to save you. The Bible teaches us that God sent His Son (Jesus Christ) to live as a human being just like we do (Matthew 1:18-25). Throughout His life Jesus endured the temptation of Satan (Luke 4:1-13) but despite this fact Jesus overcame the temptations of this world and lived a sinless life.
(Hebrews 4:15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Jesus was a perfect example for man to follow, He devoted His life to serving God and preaching the Gospel of God's Kingdom. Jesus taught that God wanted to forgive mankind and that He had come to die as payment for the sins of the world.
(1 Peter 3:18) For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.
THE DEATH OF JESUS
According to the Bible Jesus came to earth to show mankind the truth about God and to be sacrificed as payment for the sin of the world. After His death Jesus remained in the grave for three days and three nights before rising from the dead. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the true Gospel of God and what it truly means to believe in Jesus.
(Hebrews 2:9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
(Hebrews 2:14) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
(Romans 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
BELIEVE IN JESUS
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is God’s plan to save you and only through faith in this plan can you obtain forgiveness and eternal life. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and you accept His death as payment for your sins you can become God's child and receive eternal life (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
God has a plan to save you and that plan is faith in Jesus, if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He rose from the dead you can be saved! below you can read every thing you need to know in order to be saved and receive eternal life.
GOD'S FOUR STEP PLAN FOR YOUR SALVATION
Step 1. You must acknowledge that you have sinned against God and broken His laws (Romans 3:23) and because of this you are not righteous (Romans 3:10).
Step 2. You must understand that the result of your sin against God is death (Romans 6:23).
Step 3. You must believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and God has forgiven you (Romans 5:8).
Step 4. You must confess verbally that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead in order to be saved (Romans 10:9-10).
GRACE THROUGH FAITH
It is very important to understand that salvation is received through faith alone in Jesus Christ and you cannot trust in your own righteousness or good works (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is also essential that you know that once you are saved you are always saved, nothing can take away your salvation or separate you from the love of Jesus Christ (John 6:37). These foundational beliefs are the true meaning of faith in Jesus Christ and without them there is no salvation or chance of eternal life. If you believe in Jesus and want to become God’s child, pray for Jesus to come into your life.
PRAY FOR JESUS TO COME INTO YOUR LIFE
“Dear God, I believe Jesus is your Son and that he came into the world to die for my sins. I believe that He died and that you raised Him to life again. I accept the sacrifice Jesus made as payment for my sins and I want Jesus to be my Lord and to save me. Please God let me receive your Holy Spirit and open my eyes to your wisdom through the Bible. Help me to understand your word and guide me towards your purpose. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.”
STUDY THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s inspired word (2 Timothy 3:16). Reading the word of God gives you understanding of God’s character and reading the Bible helps you to have a better relationship with Him. Once saved by the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ we are born again as children of God (John 1:12), but the only way we grow as Christians is by studying the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ.
