What, exactly, is the gospel?

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_moksha
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Post by _moksha »

Coggins7 wrote:Because people like you exist Harmony, people who need adult supervision in spiritual things.



Why be so grumpy?
Cry Heaven and let loose the Penguins of Peace
_Inconceivable
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Post by _Inconceivable »

This is what has baffled me within Mormonism for many years. To me, it's the most essential definition to get right for a true Christian. Specifically it is nothing mentioned so far although such behavior may follow a true believer in the gospel.

Gospel: Good News.

What good news?

That is the question isn't it?

It is simply this:

We can become renewed through the atonement of Christ.
That he is there to comfort, forgive, love unconditionally, and to lead through the example of a selfless life of contribution to others.
That through Him we may obtain inner peace of conscience through repentance.

That's good news isn't it - if it's true.

Defined, it's all about Jesus Christ. It's not about a church, administration, organization or some other guy that professes he follows Him.

I used to believe in Christ. I'm not sure anymore. However, most of the words attributed to Him as he walked the earth are peaceful and reasonable. If believed and practiced it has a tendency to swell faith in good things, hope in a better future and charity toward all.
Last edited by Guest on Sat May 10, 2008 2:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
_the road to hana
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Re: What, exactly, is the gospel?

Post by _the road to hana »

harmony wrote:What makes up the gospel of Jesus Christ?



Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The word is really misused in Mormon context.
The road is beautiful, treacherous, and full of twists and turns.
_Inconceivable
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Post by _Inconceivable »

Coggins7 wrote:
What, exactly, is the gospel?


You're worst nightmare...


Not even a clue there, Coggins7.

You remind me of either a Belfast Irish Catholic or Protestant - take your pick.
_Coggins7
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Post by _Coggins7 »

Inconceivable wrote:
Coggins7 wrote:
What, exactly, is the gospel?


You're worst nightmare...


Not even a clue there, Coggins7.

You remind me of either a Belfast Irish Catholic or Protestant - take your pick.






Oh the pain, the terrible pain...
The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance.


- Thomas S. Monson
_beastie
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Post by _beastie »

As a believer, I would have said that the gospel was faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism and forgiveness.

Coggins isn't really in a position to answer this question, because he is a poser who doesn't understand the basic principle of repentance. For his elucidation, I offer this from Mormon.org:

The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Repentance

Faith in Jesus Christ leads you to desire to change your life for the better. As you study the gospel, you will recognize that you have sinned, or acted against the will and teachings of God. Through repentance, the second principle of the gospel, you change thoughts, desires, habits, and actions that are not in harmony with God’s teachings. He promises that when you repent, He will forgive your sins.

To repent, you:

* Recognize that you have sinned and feel sincere sorrow for what you have done.
* Stop sinning and strive never to commit sin again.
* Confess your sins to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. If you have sinned against another person, you must ask that person for forgiveness.
* Make restitution. You should do everything in your power to correct any problems your actions may have caused.
* Keep the commandments. Obeying God’s commandments brings the power of the gospel into your life and gives you strength to abandon your sins. Keeping the commandments includes giving service, forgiving others, and attending Church meetings.
* Acknowledge the Savior. The most important part of repentance is the realization that forgiveness comes because of Jesus Christ. The Savior suffered for your sins so they can be put behind you, even the serious ones.

Cultivating a spirit of forgiveness in your home will help you find peace, comfort, and joy. When a spouse or other family member hurts your feelings, try not to hold a grudge. Remembering the wrong every time you become frustrated or upset with them can be very damaging to your marriage and family. Everyone makes mistakes and all of us need forgiveness. Jesus Christ taught that if we want to be forgiven of our wrongs, we must forgive others ( Matthew 18:21–35).

Even after you have accepted Christ and repented of your sins, you may fall short and sin again. You should continually try to correct these transgressions. In addition, you should continually strive to develop Christlike qualities, to grow in knowledge, and to serve more effectively. As you learn more about what the Savior expects of you, you will want to show your love by obeying Him. Thus, as you repent daily, you will find that your life will change and improve.

Repentance requires changes. It requires an increased commitment to live according to God’s will. As you change, you will recognize that you are a child of God and that you need not continue making the same mistakes. If you sincerely repent, your desire to follow God will grow stronger and deeper. You will feel God’s forgiveness and His peace in your life, and guilt and sorrow will be swept away, allowing you to feel the influence of the Spirit in greater abundance. When you pass from this life and are fully repentant, you will be more prepared to live with your Heavenly Father and His Son. Heavenly Father wants you to be happy and knows that sin makes you unhappy and brings unhappiness to those you love, for “wickedness never was happiness” ( Alma 41:10).


additional reference:


7 And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God.

D&C 82
Last edited by Tator on Sat May 10, 2008 3:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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_antishock8
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Post by _antishock8 »

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is clear:

Believe that Jesus Christ existed, that He died for your sins, repent of your sins, and no matter the evidence continue to believe that Jesus Christ existed and died for your sins. Oh, and it would be helpful to give someone who tells you that money.
You can’t trust adults to tell you the truth.

Scream the lie, whisper the retraction.- The Left
_Mercury
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Post by _Mercury »

Its whatever you want it to be.
And crawling on the planet's face
Some insects called the human race
Lost in time
And lost in space...and meaning
_karl61
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Post by _karl61 »

it's God's spell - like folk magic ;) but it's not suppose to be an evil spell but a good spell.
I want to fly!
_Inconceivable
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Post by _Inconceivable »

Good News:

17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
(Book of Mormon | Alma 36:17 - 20)
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