Offer or Command?

I have heard some of those who rightly reject the doctrine known as the “well-meant offer” (the idea that God “sincerely offers” eternal salvation to all men including the non-elect) claim that the gospel, while not being an “offer”, is a command.

Paul’s summary of the Gospel in his first epistle to the Corinthians shows that it is neither an offer nor a command.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (I Corinthians 15:1-4)

The word “gospel” means “good news”. It is a proclamation concerning who Jesus is and what he did to save his people from their sins. It declares a finished work of salvation from sin for all those the Father gave him to save. The proclamation of this good news is COUPLED with a command to repent, believe, be baptized and follow the Lord in faithful discipleship as part of our reasonable service having come to the knowledge of our salvation (Acts 2:38-40; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10). But this is not the Gospel, properly speaking, and should not be confused with it.

- Tyler Sposite