Dictionary of Bible Themes » 2000 Jesus Christ » 2400 Jesus Christ, gospel of » 2420 gospel » 2426 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 5:1,5,10-12
The command to accept the gospel
Matthew 11:28; Acts 17:30 See also Matthew 6:19-24 pp Luke 11:34-36; Matthew 7:7-12 pp Luke 11:9-13; Matthew 7:24-27 pp Luke 6:47-49; John 4:13-14; John 6:35-40; John 8:31-32,36; John 10:9-10; John 11:25-26; John 12:44-46
Examples of people who accepted the gospel
Mark 1:16-18 pp Matthew 4:18-22 See also Mark 1:19-20; Matthew 9:9 pp Mark 2:14 pp 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
Rejection of the gospel
Through lack of perception
John 12:37-41 See also Matthew 13:13-15 pp Mark 4:10-12 pp Luke 8:9-10; Isaiah 6:9; Romans 11:8; Ephesians 4:17-19
Through worldly distractions
Matthew 13:22 pp Mark 4:18-19 pp Luke 8:14 See also Matthew 6:24 pp Luke 16:13; 2 Timothy 4:10; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15
Through indifference
Matthew 12:30 pp Luke 11:23
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
Warnings against rejecting the gospel
Hebrews 2:1-4 See also Mark 8:36-38; Luke 12:5,16-21; Luke 13:22-30; John 12:47-50; Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:29-31; Hebrews 12:25; 2 Peter 2:17-22
Examples of people who rejected the gospel
Matthew 19:16-22 pp Mark 10:17-22 pp 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
The gospel evokes opposition
John 17:14; Acts 17:13 See also Acts 13:8; Acts 17:5-9; 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16
The gospel evokes persecution
Acts 8:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 3:7 See also Acts 13:49-50; 2 Thessalonians 1:4
See also
2369 Christ, responses to 6178 hardness of heart 6604 acceptance, human 8030 trust 8778 materialism 8785 opposition 8794 persecution 8836 unbelief, response 8849 worry
