The gospel is the means that the Holy Spirit employs for communicating the grace of Christ to elect sinners in order to produce that change of their state and of their nature to which they have been chosen. It is by means of the gospel that, in the moment of regeneration, the Spirit of Christ and His grace enter and take possession of the hearts of God’s elect. Sinners who are born again are born “not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23). Hence, the psalmist, directing his speech to the Messiah, says, “The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power” (Ps. 110:2–3). The gospel, accordingly, is called “the spirit [which] giveth life” (2 Cor. 3:6); “the grace of God that bringeth salvation” (Titus 2:11); and “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). By the gospel, God exerts the exceeding greatness of His power in quickening and converting sinners to Himself. It is by means of it that He enlightens their “minds, renews their wills, rectifies and sanctifies their affections, and so makes them partakers of a new and holy nature. Hence, the apostle Paul styles it “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus,” which made him “free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2).

John Colquhoun | A Treatise on the Law and Gospel (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books), 109-110.

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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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