Gospel, responses to

The gospel cannot be subscribed to half-heartedly or in part; it must be either accepted or rejected.

The gospel calls for a positive response

Romans 10:5–13 See also Acts 13:38–39, Acts 16:29–32; Romans 3:21–26; John 6:41–52; 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:5, 1 John 5:10–12

The command to accept the gospel

Matthew 11:28; Acts 17:30 See also Matthew 6:19–24 parallel Luke 11:34–36; Matthew 7:7–12 parallel Luke 11:9–13; Matthew 7:24–27 parallel Luke 6:47–49; John 4:13–14, John 6:35–40, John 8:31–32, John 8:36, John 10:9–10, John 11:25–26, John 12:44–46

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.

Examples of people who accepted the gospel

Mark 1:16–18 parallel Matthew 4:18–22 See also Mark 1:19–20; Matthew 9:9 parallels Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27–28 Matthew was also known as Levi; Acts 2:41, Acts 11:19–21, Acts 13:46–48, Acts 16:13–15

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” And at once they left their nets and followed Him.

Rejection of the gospel

Through lack of perception

John 12:37–41 See also Matthew 13:13–15 parallels Mark 4:10–12, Luke 8:9–10; Isaiah 6:9; Romans 11:8; Ephesians 4:17–19

Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.” Isaiah said these things because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him.

Through worldly distractions

Matthew 13:22 parallels Mark 4:18–19, Luke 8:14 See also Matthew 6:24 parallel Luke 16:13; 2 Timothy 4:10; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15

The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Through indifference

Matthew 12:30 parallel Luke 11:23

He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

Through hostility to God

Romans 8:6–8 See also John 7:13–20, John 10:24–33; Acts 4:15–18, Acts 5:17–28, Acts 7:51–53, Acts 19:8–9, Acts 21:27–32; 1 Thessalonians 2:14–16

The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

Warnings against rejecting the gospel

Hebrews 2:1–4 See also Mark 8:36–38; Luke 12:5, Luke 12:16–21, Luke 13:22–30; John 12:47–50; Hebrews 6:4–6, Hebrews 10:29–31, Hebrews 12:25; 2 Peter 2:17–22

We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.

Examples of people who rejected the gospel

Matthew 19:16–22 parallels Mark 10:17–22, Luke 18:18–23 See also Acts 5:29–33, Acts 7:51–58, Acts 17:32, Acts 13:44–47, Acts 19:23–28, Acts 24:24–25, Acts 26:24–28

Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’” “All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.

The gospel evokes opposition

John 17:14; Acts 17:13 See also Acts 13:8, Acts 17:5–9; 1 Thessalonians 2:14–16

I have given them Your word and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that Paul was also proclaiming the word of God in Berea, they went there themselves to incite and agitate the crowds.

The gospel evokes persecution

Acts 8:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 3:7 See also Acts 13:49–50; 2 Thessalonians 1:4

And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.