What is the "good news"?

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Indifferently said:
According to your understanding of Christianity, what is the good news (the gospel)?
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1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures

Romans 3: 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
 
Marie5890 said:
Physical death is no longer eternal…
By His resurrection, He has broken the bands of death…

You will be resurrected…Redeemed from death

(and since some got confused by Pope Francis’ recent remarks on this, I will add, “redemption” and “salvation” are not the same thing…
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I’m trying to understand what you say…

Why do we die the first place?
 
Servant19 said:
I’m confused, what does “bands” mean?
How has He overcome death, and why is that good news for me?
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You, like me, are doomed to die, am I right? You will grow old and your life will end, or perhaps some tragic event will end our lives. Regardless of how it will happen, both you and I will die.

But death, Jesus demonstrated, is not the end. After experiencing a violent and horrific death, Jesus came back to life and, as Acts 1:3 states: “He showed himself alive after his suffering death by many infallible proofs, being seen by his followers for forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

Jesus taught those who were responding to his teaching and his guidance that those who follow after him will share in a resurrection like his own. He taught that death cannot act like a binding or like “bands” to keep us from living forever and finding fulfilling happiness.

Through Jesus, God is demonstrating what he wants for you and me. God showed to what extent he is willing to go to ensure we have life and that he wants us to have the best of life. God wants you to live not just in today’s world where you are subject to disease, harm, and death, but in God’s Kingdom, where “he will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain.”–Revelation 21:4.

We who believe in Jesus believe this is good news. Freedom from suffering, from our sinful traits, from harm, from death, the end of war, poverty, hunger, disease–all this is good news to us. To some it is not good news because some want the world the way it is. But to those who will accept it, it is the best of news…the best ever!
 
Servant19 said:
I’m trying to understand what you say…

Why do we die the first place?
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Im not sure why you are finding it hard to understand? Perhaps there is a language barrier? English is my native tongue, and American my culture. Im not sure how to translate in a way that would be helpful. (Hopefully someone else can bridge that gap)

Death is part of the fallenness of creation…

Christ became Incarnate to redeem fallen creation and break the bands of death.
 
Kliska said:
1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures

Romans 3: 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
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Excellent answer!
 
DelsonJacobs said:
You, like me, are doomed to die, am I right? You will grow old and your life will end, or perhaps some tragic event will end our lives. Regardless of how it will happen, both you and I will die.

But death, Jesus demonstrated, is not the end. After experiencing a violent and horrific death, Jesus came back to life and, as Acts 1:3 states: “He showed himself alive after his suffering death by many infallible proofs, being seen by his followers for forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

Jesus taught those who were responding to his teaching and his guidance that those who follow after him will share in a resurrection like his own. He taught that death cannot act like a binding or like “bands” to keep us from living forever and finding fulfilling happiness.

Through Jesus, God is demonstrating what he wants for you and me. God showed to what extent he is willing to go to ensure we have life and that he wants us to have the best of life. God wants you to live not just in today’s world where you are subject to disease, harm, and death, but in God’s Kingdom, where “he will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain.”–Revelation 21:4.

We who believe in Jesus believe this is good news. Freedom from suffering, from our sinful traits, from harm, from death, the end of war, poverty, hunger, disease–all this is good news to us. To some it is not good news because some want the world the way it is. But to those who will accept it, it is the best of news…the best ever!
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👍

(Hope Delson’s explanation helps your understanding, Servant19 )
 
The Catholic Encyclopedia says:
The first word common to the headings of our four Gospels is Euaggelion, some meanings of which remain still to be set forth. The word, in the New Testament, has the specific meaning of “the good news of the kingdom” (cf. Matthew 4:23; Mark 1:15). In that sense, which may be considered as primary from the Christian standpoint, Euaggelion denotes the good tidings of salvation announced to the world in connexion with Jesus Christ, and, in a more general way, the whole revelation of Redemption by Christ (cf. Matthew 9:35; 24:14; etc.; Mark 1:14; 13:10; 16:15; Acts 20:24; Romans 1:1, 9, 16; 10:16; etc.). This was, of course, the sole meaning connected with the word, so long as no authentic record of the glad tidings of salvation by Christ had been drawn up. In point of fact, it remained the only one in use even after such written records had been for some time received in the Christian Church: as there could be but one Gospel, that is, but one revelation of salvation by Jesus Christ, so the several records of it were not regarded as several Gospels, but only as distinct accounts of one and the same Gospel.
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Servant19 said:
I’m trying to understand what you say…

Why do we die the first place?
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Bahá’u’lláh taught that humans have an immortal soul and that, like Christians, we can expect a life after death since our immortal soul is what defines us as persons. If it is immortal then we are meant to be immortal.

Dying, in both your faith and mine, may be a mystery in itself to some extent. For Christians we see it as a reality for the mortal body which, subject to sin, cannot be free to live forever until sin is conquered in it.

Bahá’u’lláh confirmed in his writings that the Kingdom of God was real and the end goal for the soul that has been freed from all that impedes its progress toward God. Catholics believe that sin is the main impediment as God is without sin. Christ, we believe, teaches us how to be free of sin so that we are not impeded in our end goal of being with God in the Kingdom.

Some of the concepts of the Bahá’í faith are practically identical with Catholicism. Many of those concepts about death and eternal life, as illustrated above, are among some of these.

If you are interested in learning more about our faith, you should contact a Catholic church in your area. Learning about Christ is too limited on a forum like this. Those who have genuine interest will find their questions best met by meeting with Catholics face-to-face and perhaps joining a religion or Bible class at your local parish.
 
Servant19 said:
Thank you Steve, can you tell me how this passage relates to us overcoming death please?
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We overcome death by being resurrected. Jesus never said we would not die a physical death. Even he did. I was only pointing out that the Christian Scriptures have never claimed that we would not die a physical death. Your question implied that we are claiming that since Christ came we will no longer die. We have never said such a thing.
 
DelsonJacobs said:
You, like me, are doomed to die, am I right? You will grow old and your life will end, or perhaps some tragic event will end our lives. Regardless of how it will happen, both you and I will die.

But death, Jesus demonstrated, is not the end. After experiencing a violent and horrific death, Jesus came back to life and, as Acts 1:3 states: “He showed himself alive after his suffering death by many infallible proofs, being seen by his followers for forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

Jesus taught those who were responding to his teaching and his guidance that those who follow after him will share in a resurrection like his own. He taught that death cannot act like a binding or like “bands” to keep us from living forever and finding fulfilling happiness.

Through Jesus, God is demonstrating what he wants for you and me. God showed to what extent he is willing to go to ensure we have life and that he wants us to have the best of life. God wants you to live not just in today’s world where you are subject to disease, harm, and death, but in God’s Kingdom, where “he will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain.”–Revelation 21:4.

We who believe in Jesus believe this is good news. Freedom from suffering, from our sinful traits, from harm, from death, the end of war, poverty, hunger, disease–all this is good news to us. To some it is not good news because some want the world the way it is. But to those who will accept it, it is the best of news…the best ever!
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Was death “the end” then for all the souls living before Jesus came?

Was the Prophet Elijah no more when He died?
 
Servant19 said:
Was death “the end” then for all the souls living before Jesus came?

Was the Prophet Elijah no more when He died?
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As I mentioned in my previous post: “Bahá’u’lláh taught that humans have an immortal soul and that, like Christians, we can expect a life after death since our immortal soul is what defines us as persons. If it is immortal then we are meant to be immortal.”

The teachings of Christianity are in line with those of Bahá’u’lláh in reference to your questions. Since humans are more than their physical selves but their immortal souls as well, people are not “no more” when they die. This would go for the Prophet Elijah as well.

Catholics believe that eternal life in the spiritual realm is not the end, and if I am not mistaken the eschatology taught by Bahá’u’lláh is similar. Christians believe not merely in an immortal soul but in the resurrection of the physical body as well as a “new heavens and new earth” where the universe itself will be renewed under God Kingdom.

Please read the following link from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It will explain this a little more.

And, as I mentioned above, if you are honest about seeking answers and want them to make a difference in your life, please contact your closest Catholic parish.
 
DelsonJacobs said:
Bahá’u’lláh taught that humans have an immortal soul and that, like Christians, we can expect a life after death since our immortal soul is what defines us as persons. If it is immortal then we are meant to be immortal.

Dying, in both your faith and mine, may be a mystery in itself to some extent. For Christians we see it as a reality for the mortal body which, subject to sin, cannot be free to live forever until sin is conquered in it.

Bahá’u’lláh confirmed in his writings that the Kingdom of God was real and the end goal for the soul that has been freed from all that impedes its progress toward God. Catholics believe that sin is the main impediment as God is without sin. Christ, we believe, teaches us how to be free of sin so that we are not impeded in our end goal of being with God in the Kingdom.

Some of the concepts of the Bahá’í faith are practically identical with Catholicism. Many of those concepts about death and eternal life, as illustrated above, are among some of these.

If you are interested in learning more about our faith, you should contact a Catholic church in your area. Learning about Christ is too limited on a forum like this. Those who have genuine interest will find their questions best met by meeting with Catholics face-to-face and perhaps joining a religion or Bible class at your local parish.
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Thankyou for this Delson, I apprecaite where you are coming from.

Isn’t sin, however, a condition which affects the spirit?

.
 
Servant19 said:
Isn’t sin, however, a condition which affects the spirit?

.
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Exclusively? No…

Sin can effect the body as well.
STD’s, and a whole host of medical conditions can be brought upon by sin…
All kinds of violence…
Breaking of the commandments, as understood in the Judeo-Christian tradition, can bring on all kind of physical maladies (murder, rape, physical abuse, etc etc etc…)

(Servant19 are you looking to understand or are you looking for something else?)
 
Marie5890 said:
Exclusively? No…

Sin can effect the body as well.
STD’s, and a whole host of medical conditions can be brought upon by sin…
All kinds of violence…
Breaking of the commandments, as understood in the Judeo-Christian tradition, can bring on all kind of physical maladies (murder, rape, physical abuse, etc etc etc…)

(Servant19 are you looking to understand or are you looking for something else?)
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Dear friend, I hope my questioning is not deemed as disrespectful Marie? I am trying to understand…

My question is that with all the things you list above are consequences of spiritual decisions which have an “impact” on our physical bodies and our environment. No?

Anyway, I’m quite happy to approach my local parish to ask 🙂

.
 
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