Topical Bible: Joy: The Gospel to be Received With

◄ Joy: The Gospel to be Received With ►

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Introduction

Joy, as a profound and spiritual emotion, is a central theme in the Christian faith, particularly in the context of receiving the Gospel. The New Testament frequently associates the reception of the Gospel with joy, highlighting its transformative power and the deep, abiding happiness it brings to believers. This entry explores the biblical understanding of joy in relation to the Gospel, drawing from various scriptural passages to illustrate its significance.

Joy in the Old Testament

While the New Testament explicitly connects joy with the Gospel, the Old Testament lays the foundation for understanding joy as a response to God's presence and salvation. The Psalms, for instance, are replete with expressions of joy in God's deliverance and faithfulness. Psalm 16:11 declares, "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." This joy is rooted in a relationship with God and anticipates the fuller revelation of His salvation through Christ.

Joy in the New Testament

1. The Announcement of the Gospel

The New Testament begins with the announcement of the Gospel as a source of great joy. The angelic proclamation to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus is a prime example: "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people'" (Luke 2:10). This announcement underscores the universal scope of the Gospel and its inherent joyfulness.

2. Joy in Receiving the Gospel

The reception of the Gospel is consistently marked by joy. In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes those who receive the word with joy: "The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy" (Matthew 13:20). This initial joy reflects the immediate impact of the Gospel's truth and hope.

3. Joy in Salvation

The joy of salvation is a recurring theme in the New Testament. The Ethiopian eunuch, after being baptized by Philip, "went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:39). Similarly, the Philippian jailer, after believing in the Lord Jesus, "rejoiced with all his household that he had come to believe in God" (Acts 16:34). These accounts illustrate the joy that accompanies the realization of salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

4. Joy in Suffering for the Gospel

The New Testament also presents joy as a response to suffering for the sake of the Gospel. The apostles, after being persecuted, "left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" (Acts 5:41). This joy is not derived from the suffering itself but from the privilege of participating in Christ's sufferings and the assurance of His ultimate victory.

5. Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit

Joy is listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." This joy is a supernatural result of the Holy Spirit's work in the believer's life, enabling them to experience and express joy regardless of circumstances.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of joy, particularly in relation to the Gospel, is multifaceted. It encompasses the initial joy of receiving the good news, the ongoing joy of salvation, the joy in suffering for Christ, and the joy as a fruit of the Spirit. This joy is deeply rooted in the believer's relationship with God and the transformative power of the Gospel, offering a profound and enduring happiness that transcends earthly circumstances.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Thessalonians 1:6
And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,. ... still (Eph 2:8,9). however, once received,
becomes the ... by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

Joy Born at Bethlehem
... Not in your gold, O Britons, will ever lie your joy, but in the gospel enjoyed by
all classes, the gospel freely preached and joyfully received. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/joy born at bethlehem.htm

"And Truly Our Fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son ...
... And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full ... other places of the
world, that where the gospel is pretended to be received, that men ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vii and truly our.htm

Seed Scattered and Taking Root
... Jerusalem had just expelled the disciples, and would fain have crushed the
Gospel; despised Samaria received it with joy. 'A foolish ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture the acts/seed scattered and taking root.htm

On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... (Romans 4:13.) Both excite spiritual joy in the ... Galatians 2:15, 16.) The use of the
law was also serviceable to the Gospel which was to be received by faith ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm

Sermon on the Mount Continued Its Woes in Strict Agreement with ...
... Because they have indeed received their consolation, glory, and honour ... so does it
run in the Gospel: They who sow in laughter, that is, in joy, shall reap ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xv sermon on the mount.htm

The Three Parables of the Gospel: of the Recovery of the Lost - of ...
... they charged Him with: He not only received them when ... the Kingdom, and there might
be joy in heaven ... And so these are truly Gospel-Parables, although presenting ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii the three parables.htm

"For as Many as are Led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of ...
... much of the sweetness of the peace and joy of God ... of wisdom and grace revealed in
the gospel, the proclaiming ... 1:12, "As many as believed (or received) him, to ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxvii for as many.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xvi. 9, "Make to Yourselves ...
... The recent lesson of the Gospel has admonished us to make ... on the right hand who did
so, received, or rather ... in unto him, and he, filled with joy, said, "The ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxiii on the words.htm

"But Ye have Received the Spirit of Adoption, Whereby we Cry, Abba ...
... as this comes into the soul, and is received with some ... captives, of light to the
blind, of joy to the ... can hardly receive without suspicion the gospel that lays ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxviii but ye have.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xxiv. 36, "He Himself Stood in ...
... On the words of the Gospel, Luke 24:36, "He ... salvation: for the very word salutation
has received its name ... yet in hesitation, and wondered for joy." [3560] Now ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxvi on the words.htm