Am I preaching "steps" or Jesus? (L)

[Originalist]

Short message. I'd appreciate feedback.

[renee819]

Beautiful message, who can honestly disagree.

You know, if you preach the cross, you have to preach, death, burial and resurrection. Is that 3 steps, or is it the cross

I have been in Pentecost most of my life, and I never heard people talk about 3 steppers, 2 steppers and 1 stepper, until I came on this Forum. You know why? It is people that want to criticize the 3 steps, that make a big deal about it.

Let them rant and rave, if you preach Jesus you preach the 3 steps of the Cross, and the 3 steps to salvation.
Peter preached Jesus, he preached 3 steps, the same as Paul, the same as Stephen. They all repented, were baptized in Jesus name and received the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.

And to the jailer, Paul preached, “the word of the Lord.” Stephen preached, “Jesus” to the Ethiopian eunuch. Since there was and is only one gospel, they all preached the same gospel.

[houston]

Nope

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by houston

Nope

Nope as to what exactly?

[houston]

Originally Posted by Originalist

Nope as to what exactly?

all of her post

[Abiding Now]

Good Pentecostal preaching, that includes "the steps". I did take pause at Adam having the Holy Ghost, but no biggie.

[renee819]

Originally Posted by houston

Nope

So then Houston, does your “NOPE” mean that Peter didn't preach the 3 steps, neither did Stephen or Paul? That they taught another gospel? And Paul didn't know what he was talking about when he said, “If any man teach any other gospel, let him be accursed?”

[KeptByTheWord]

If the GOSPEL was preached... which is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, instead of the "steps", I believe many people would not be so misled at the beginning of their walk with the Lord. For many believe, that if they just "follow the steps" to salvation, that once they are saved.... the work is done. It is not that simple.

To believe in the gospel of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, it involves a laying down of your life, a submitting of your will and purpose to HIS will and purpose, and it involves a transformation of the way you think, act, and live. It is not just steps... it is the transformation of a life into the image of Christ.

IF the gospel was truly preached, no one who truly wanted to follow Christ would question any of the "steps", they would want it all... just like those in the book of Acts who, when they heard the gospel, they said.... what must we do? You see.... it is putting the cart in front of the horse to teach the steps, without first presenting the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, the dying so that you can live gospel!

[KeptByTheWord]

Further, the gospel does not need to be watered down. People need to hear that following Jesus means laying aside your will, and submitting it to His. It means picking up the cross and following Him. It means suffering, trials, persecutions, and battles with our flesh.

They cannot hear this though, without first knowing and understanding the great love that Jesus had for us in dying for us, and sending His spirit to live within us, to help us overcome, and become made into His image.

Therefore, teaching the gospel of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus involves teaching about His great love for us, and in turn, as we accept the gift of love on Calvary, we must in turn be willing to follow Him, and acknowledge that our will is submitted to His, and through our submitted will, and life, the mighty power and demonstration of the Spirit of Jesus will be evident in all that we do.

This is the mighty and wondrous plan of the gospel, and it should never be watered down to make it more palatable. It is a great and beautiful package, and should be presented so.

Too many want the "Santa Claus" gospel where you do good works, and receive great blessings. This is a false gospel.

Preach the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, which is what the entire book of Acts records.... and while you many not have as many "converts"... the ones converted will endure to the end. Many may turn away sorrowful, such as the young man Jesus talked to.... but many will see the gospel as a beautiful thing, desire it, want it, and will be able to endure to the end because the gospel was presented in truth.

Many churches today are full of people believing the false *Santa Claus* gospel. We must let the gospel speak for itself, it as the apostles did, and not water it down. It can stand alone, and it has the power to reach and transform those who truly see it and want it.

[phareztamar]

Well said, my friend.