I had determined in the second edition of this work to very much alter its general plan and enlarge it; but a number of friends who have used "The Gospel" as a text-book in our Church schools, in Improvement Associations and theological classes, persuaded me not to materially change or too much enlarge it. Their experience in using the little work as a text-book gives weight to their opinions, and I have so far yielded to their judgment that I have made but few changes, and those merely verbal, in this edition of the book.
I have, however, added as a supplement, a series of articles originally written for The Contributor, on "Man's Relationship to Deity." Those articles were intended in the first place to be supplemental to "The Gospel," and as the theme has a close relation to the subject of which the work treats, I thought it would increase the interest in the whole subject to publish them in this edition.
The Author.
CONTENTS.
[Chapter I.—Introductory]
[Chapter II.—General Salvation]
[Chapter III.—General Salvation]
[Chapter IV.—General Salvation]
[Chapter V.—Individual Salvation]
[Chapter VI.—Principles and Ordinances]
[Chapter VII.—Faith]
[Chapter VIII.—Faith.—The Bible]
[Chapter IX.—Faith.—The Old Testament]
[Chapter X.—Faith.—The New Testament]
[Chapter XI.—Faith.—The New Testament]
[Chapter XII.—Faith.—The New Testament]
[Chapter XIII.—Faith.—Tradition]
[Chapter XIV.—Faith.—Revelation]
[Chapter XV.—Faith.—The Character of God]
[Chapter XVI.—Faith.—Course of Life]
[Chapter XVII.—Repentance]
[Chapter XVIII.—Repentance]
[Chapter XIX.—Repentance.—Historical Illustration]
[Chapter XX.—Repentance.—Historical Illustration]
[Chapter XXI.—Baptism]
[Chapter XXII.—Object of Baptism]
[Chapter XXIII.—The Subjects for Baptism]
[Chapter XXIV.—The Mode of Baptism]
[Chapter XXV.—The Holy Ghost]
[Chapter XXVI.—The Holy Ghost.—Who May Receive It]
[Chapter XXVII.—The Holy Ghost.—How Imparted]
[Chapter XXVIII.—The Holy Ghost.—Character and Source]
[Chapter XXIX.—The Holy Ghost.—Its Power]
[Chapter XXX.—Authority]
[Chapter XXXI.—Laws of Spiritual Development]
[Chapter XXXII.—History of the Gospel]
[Chapter XXXIII.—Salvation for the Dead]
[Conclusion]
[Supplement.—Man's Relationship to Deity]
THE GOSPEL.
[CHAPTER I.]
INTRODUCTORY.
In the investigation of any subject, it is of first importance that the terms employed be thoroughly understood; hence, I begin the subject in hand by asking and answering the question, What is the Gospel? The definition to the term I shall derive from the scriptures; not from one passage alone, but from the consideration of a number of passages.
The Apostle Paul, in defining the Gospel, calls it: "The power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth".[A]
[Footnote A: Rom i: 16.]