Topical Encyclopedia The doctrines of the Gospel, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, are the foundational truths of the Christian faith. These doctrines encompass the nature of God, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the role of the Holy Spirit, salvation, sanctification, and the ultimate hope of eternal life. However, the Bible makes it clear that these doctrines are not readily accepted or endured by the wicked—those who live in opposition to God's will and reject His truth.Biblical Foundation The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently addresses the resistance of the wicked to the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1:18, he writes, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." This verse highlights the stark contrast between the perception of the Gospel by believers and unbelievers. To the wicked, the doctrines of the Gospel appear as foolishness, lacking the wisdom and understanding that comes from the Holy Spirit. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul warns Timothy of a time when people "will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." This passage underscores the tendency of the wicked to reject sound doctrine in favor of teachings that align with their own desires and lifestyles. Spiritual Blindness and Hardness of Heart The inability of the wicked to endure the doctrines of the Gospel is often attributed to spiritual blindness and hardness of heart. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, Paul explains, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." This spiritual blindness prevents the wicked from comprehending the truth and beauty of the Gospel. Furthermore, the hardness of heart is a recurring theme in Scripture. In Ephesians 4:18-19, Paul describes the wicked as "darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts." This hardness leads to a callousness that resists the transformative power of the Gospel. Moral and Ethical Rejection The doctrines of the Gospel also present a moral and ethical challenge to the wicked. The call to repentance, holiness, and submission to God's authority is often met with resistance by those who prefer to live according to their own standards. In John 3:19-20, Jesus states, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." This passage reveals the moral aversion of the wicked to the Gospel, as it exposes their sinful deeds and calls for a radical change in lifestyle. The doctrines of the Gospel demand a surrender to God's will, which is often contrary to the desires of the flesh. The Role of the Holy Spirit Despite the resistance of the wicked, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in convicting the world of sin and drawing individuals to the truth of the Gospel. In John 16:8, Jesus promises, "When He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." The Holy Spirit works to soften hearts and open minds to the doctrines of the Gospel, enabling even the most hardened sinner to come to faith. Conclusion The doctrines of the Gospel, while life-giving and transformative for believers, are not endured by the wicked due to spiritual blindness, hardness of heart, and moral resistance. Yet, the power of the Holy Spirit continues to work in the world, offering hope that even those who initially reject the Gospel may one day embrace its truth. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Timothy 4:3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Faustus Claims that the Manich??ans and not the Catholics are ... Christ --Our Substitute 2 Timothy i. 10-Aug Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity Treasure Christians have in the ... The Trouble and Rest of Good Men "There the Wicked Cease from ... The Vanguard and Rereward of the Church V. ... The Benefits of an Early Piety Persecution in the First Centuries. Persecution in the First Centuries Resources Limited atonement-is it biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is latitudinarianism? | GotQuestions.org What is dogma? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Doctrines: General Scriptures Concerning Doctrines: Guidelines Set Forth from the Leaders in Jerusalem False Doctrines: Curse on Those Who Teach False Doctrines: Destructive to Faith False Doctrines: Hateful to God False Doctrines: Punishment on Those Who Teach False Doctrines: should be Avoided by all Men False Doctrines: should be Avoided by Ministers False Doctrines: should be Avoided by Saints False Doctrines: Teachers of Attract Many False Doctrines: Teachers of Bring Reproach on Religion False Doctrines: Teachers of Deceive Many False Doctrines: Teachers of not to be Countenanced False Doctrines: Teachers of Pervert the Gospel of Christ False Doctrines: Teachers of Shall Abound in the Latter Days False Doctrines: Teachers of Shall be Exposed False Doctrines: Teachers of should be Avoided False Doctrines: Teachers of Speak Perverse Things False Doctrines: Teachers of, are Described as Corrupt and Reprobate False Doctrines: Teachers of, are Described as Covetous False Doctrines: Teachers of, are Described as Cruel False Doctrines: Teachers of, are Described as Deceitful False Doctrines: Teachers of, are Described as Proud and Ignorant False Doctrines: Teachers of, are Described as Ungodly False Doctrines: The Wicked Given up to Believe False Doctrines: The Wicked Love False Doctrines: Try, by Scripture False Doctrines: Unprofitable and Vain The Doctrines of the Gospel are from God The Doctrines of the Gospel are Godly The Doctrines of the Gospel are Taught by Scripture The Doctrines of the Gospel: A Faithful Walk Adorns The Doctrines of the Gospel: Bring No Reproach On The Doctrines of the Gospel: Immorality Condemned By The Doctrines of the Gospel: Lead to Fellowship With the Father and With the Son The Doctrines of the Gospel: Lead to Holiness The Doctrines of the Gospel: Ministers should Attend To The Doctrines of the Gospel: Ministers should be Nourished up In The Doctrines of the Gospel: Ministers should Continue In The Doctrines of the Gospel: Ministers should Hold Steadfastly The Doctrines of the Gospel: Ministers should Hold, in Sincerity The Doctrines of the Gospel: Ministers should Speak Things Which Become The Doctrines of the Gospel: Not Endured by the Wicked The Doctrines of the Gospel: Saints Abide In The Doctrines of the Gospel: Saints Obey, from the Heart The Doctrines of the Gospel: The Obedience of Saints Leads to Surer Knowledge of The Doctrines of the Gospel: Those Who Oppose Are: Doting About Questions The Doctrines of the Gospel: Those Who Oppose Are: Ignorant The Doctrines of the Gospel: Those Who Oppose Are: Not to be Received The Doctrines of the Gospel: Those Who Oppose Are: Proud The Doctrines of the Gospel: Those Who Oppose Are: To be Avoided Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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