What changed the pagan Gentiles from immorality to new life in Christ?
The gospel is what changed pagan Gentiles from gross immorality to new life in Christ. Paul explains that the gospel opened the door and made them new creatures, transforming them. It is the same message Paul preached: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
Les explains that the gospel had to open the door because it is the gospel that made these pagan Gentiles finally come out of their gross immorality. It was the gospel that made them new creatures in Christ, and it was the gospel that transformed Jewish people from legalists to people of grace. Paul put no priority on water baptism for its own sake; Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel, lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect. Paul constantly refers to this gospel throughout his letters: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and arose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
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