Christian Basics
The fundamentals of Christian belief
[A hilltop church in South Australia]
        Biblical theology is the science of systematizing the available information about God as it is revealed in the Bible. There are numerous ways of organizing this information. The system presented here is based on the Biblical theme of the Kingdom of God, as summarized in the gospel.
        The "Basics" series of studies are introductory papers on the many different aspects of the Biblical theology of the Kingdom of God. The series serves as an introduction to Christian truth and as such, may be used as a basis for belief.
        The link studies in this series are designed to enable post-formatted printing, A5, A4, etc.

The Gospel and the Kingdom of God

        The gospel is God's message to lost humanity. Its content concerns the Kingdom of God. The message states: "The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the gospel." These words may seem strange to us, but to a Jew living in the first Century, they were easily understood, although seldom believed.
        The gospel message concerns the coming Kingdom of God. God's agreement(covenant) with his creation, through the people of Israel, was that one day he would dwell with his people, giving them complete and eternal access into his presence, and complete and eternal protection. Jesus, through his death and resurrection, made this a reality for lost humanity - to Jews first and then to all of us. Jesus both announced the new covenant (the gospel) and made it real for us. The Kingdom is now. We can enter it now, eternally secure in the arms of our creator God. Our security and his eternal friendship, is freely ours for the asking through Jesus. This gospel of God's grace is the basis of the reformed doctrine of justification (a declared right standing with God) by grace (as a free gift) through faith (trust in the person and work of Christ).
 
A Gospel structure for Biblical Theology [dandelion]
    Biblical theology is best studied within the structure of the gospel of the Kingdom of God:
  • Introduction. The present state: God - person and work. Humanity - nature and sin. The creation.
  • The time is fulfilled. Jesus, through his person and work, brings in the Kingdom.
  • The Kingdom of God at hand. The person of the Holy Spirit and his seven-fold work in the here and now - regeneration, mystical union, sanctification, providence, revelation, fellowship and ministry. Also, future blessings - Christ's coming.
  • Repent and believe. The necessary human response of repentance and faith, along with our journey of discipleship.

The Basics series. God's truth about the Kingdom of God

Index of studies. Resource file.
[Pumpkin Cottage]
Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources
Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons
www.lectionarystudies.com