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Serious Call of the GospelThe good news ofconversion.The good news (or gospel) goes beyond announcing whatGod the Father had planned to do, and God the Son had executedin His work of redemption, into what God the Holy Spirit ispresently doing in applying this salvation to mankind.The good news is that out of all the sons and daughters ofAdam, dead and totally helpless in trespasses and sins, God theHoly Spirit would raise to spiritual life a people whom God hadchosen in His love to save and for whom Christ had died and roseagain. All that is necessary for their salvation is found in theredemptive work ofChrist. The Holy Spirit applies these benefitsto the chosen of God in time, so that they come to the consciousknowledge oftheir salvation, and thus live the remaining days oftheir lives in joy and thankfulness under the lordship of Christ.The good news is incomplete without this promise of the HolySpirit's work. The Westminster Larger Catechism is clearon this:Q 59: Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?A 59: Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated,to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it; who are intime by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christaccording to thegospel.Notice that the enabling work of the Holy Ghost is somethingHaccording to the gospel," and that it is very particular in itseffectual communication of redemption. The first sign of life asthe Holy Spirit regenerates is conversion. It is good news that Godshould promise conversion among the children of man.2. The gospel is the authoritative announcement of this good news.This good news must be published throughout the whole worltLThis good news ofthe gracious work ofthe triune God mustbe published throughout the whole world. That this is the purposeofGod was already hinted at in the time ofthe Old Testament, andalso during the earthly ministry of the Lord.Though not in a big way like the time ofthe New Testament,there was already indication that God did gather His children fromnations other than the Jewish nation. Before there was the JewishNovember, 2001 37