*Editor’s Note: Matthew Bates will be speaking at the Renew Gathering on November 6, in Franklin, TN.
See if you can catch the end result, the ultimate purpose of the Gospel, according to these passages. Hint: Look for what the Gospel is meant “to bring about.”
Romans 16:25-26
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith.
Romans 1:1-5
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
The end result of the Gospel is to bring about the obedience of our faith, indeed of the faith of all nations. The Gospel is far more than merely forgiveness for our sins. We must not miss the kingship of Jesus and the obedience of our faith to His kingship.
Here is Matthew Bates, from his book Gospel Allegiance:
Although the exact gospel proclamation varies in the Bible, its main lines can be detected securely. Ten distinct events are repeatedly mentioned, describing how Jesus became the saving king.
The gospel is that Jesus the king
- preexisted as God the Son,
- was sent by the Father,
- took on human flesh in fulfillment of God’s promises to David,
- died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
- was buried,
- was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
- appeared to many witnesses,
- is enthroned at the right hand of God as the ruling Christ,
- has sent the Holy Spirit to his people to effect his rule, and
- will come again as final judge to rule (Bates, 114).
