The gospel after the fall was revealed in the form of a free and absolute promise of a Savior with salvation in Him to lost sinners of mankind. It was then promised that the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). The gospel was preached to Abraham also under the form of an absolutely free promise: in thee and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed (see Gen. 12:3; 22:18; Gal. 3:8). In the gospel, salvation from sin, from the curse of the law, and from the wrath of God, as well as restoration to fellowship with God, conformity to Him, and the eternal enjoyment of Him are graciously promised in Christ to all who cordially believe in Him. The Lord promises in His gospel that He will give His Holy Spirit to elect sinners to quicken their dead souls; to enlighten their dark minds; to enable them to believe in Jesus; to repent of their sins after a godly sort; to love, obey, and enjoy Him now; and to attain the perfect fruition of Him forevermore. In the gospel, as preached under the Old Testament, were promises of the coming of Messiah in human nature; and in the same gospel, as preached under the New, are promises of the coming of the Spirit, or of Christ’s coming in a greater measure of spiritual influences. These promises are, in the gospel, presented or offered to sinners in common and are made and performed to such sinners as believe.

John Colquhoun | A Treatise on the Law and Gospel (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books), 95–96.

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Post authored by:

• Tony Phelps

  

  Tony grew up in Rhode Island. He was educated at BA (University of Rhode Island) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He worked in the insurance industry for ten years. He planted a PCA church in Wakefield, RI where he served for eleven years. In 2015–18 he pastored Covenant Reformed Church (URCNA) in Colorado Springs. He is currently pastor of Living Hope (OPC). Tony is married to Donna and together they have three children.

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