As a Christian, if I asked you what were Jesus’ teachings could you give a clear and succinct answer? What about the message of the Gospel? Could you give an answer then? I posed this question to some fellow young leaders in my church a few years ago. Though I am confident they could pick the correct answer on a multiple choice question, they could not synthesize their own answer. While this is concerning, there is good news. The Bible offers some succinct summaries of Jesus’ teachings and the Gospel.
Where Did You Get Your Answer
Almost as important as what you say Jesus’ teachings are, is the question of where you got the answer from. Is it simply what you think what is important? Is it from a pastor or theologian? Have you considered how the Bible summarizes Jesus’ Teachings and the Gospel? Have you considered what The Bible emphasizes?
How the Bible Summarizes Jesus’ Teachings and the Gospel
There are a few passages that offer summaries of Jesus’ teachings and the Gospel. Although I am not making an exhaustive list, here are some passages to consider:
- “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
- —From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'” (Matthew 4:17)
- —Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'” (Mark 1:14-15)
- —But we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:23)
- —For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:5)
- —One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And He said to him, ”You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.'” (Matthew 22:35-40)
Here we see a number of things about Jesus’ teachings and the Gospel. First, we see the importance of scripture and that the events were in accordance with scriptures. We see the centrality of repentence and belief. Then there is the importance of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Though I did not include it, if we look further in the Corinthians passage, Paul goes on to say that if He did not return from the dead, our faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:13-14). Additionally, there is the command to love God, and to love our neighbor. Finally, we see that Jesus is Lord. Now, why does it matter how the Bible summarizes these things?
Why Knowing What Scripture Emphasizes in Jesus’ Teachings Matter
Since we can see what The Bible emphasizes we can take step to emphasize the same thing. When you know what the Bible prioritizes you can stay within the bounds of orthodoxy. Also, knowing this may help analyze whether criticism is fair or accurate. Like, if someone says something along the lines of, “how can you be for X when Jesus was all about Y?” then you can compare what the person claims Jesus was all about with what scripture says He was all about. Lastly, since we are all called to go and make disciples, it helps us to know what to tell others.
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Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Andrew Hansen
