WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia summarizes the gospel message this way:

The central truth of the gospel is that God has provided a way of salvation for men through the gift of His son to the world.  He suffered as a sacrifice - dying for our sin, was buried, arose from the grave - overcoming death, and now offers a share in His triumph to all who will accept it.

The gospel is good news because it is a gift of God, not something that must be earned by penance or by self-improvement (Jn 3:16; Rom 5:8–11; II Cor 5:14–19; Tit 2:11–14).3

 In a day of depressing headlines and uncertainty all around us, good news is very welcome.  What better news could there be than as the old hymn says: 

“The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives?”  When Christians refer to the “Gospel” they are referring to the “good news” that Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for our sin so that we might become the children of God through faith alone in Christ alone.  In short, “the Gospel” is the sum total of the saving truth as God has communicated it to lost humanity as it is revealed in the person of His Son and in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible, God's Word. 

If you aren’t sure whether or not you are God’s child, you might want to read God’s Plan of Salvation before you read on in this lesson. 

 Titus 3:5-7  

He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior.  And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life. 

1 John 5:13

"I write these things onto you who believe in the Name of the  Son of God  so that you may know that you have eternal life” 

The term gospel is found ninety-nine times in the NASB and ninety-two times in the NET Bible.   In the Greek New Testament, gospel is the translation of the Greek noun euangelion (occurring 76 times) “good news,” and the verb euangelizo (occurring 54 times), meaning “to bring or announce good news.”  Both words are derived from the noun angelos, “messenger.”  In classical Greek, an euangelos was one who brought a message of victory or other political or personal news that caused joy.  In addition, euangelizomai (the middle voice form of the verb) meant “to speak as a messenger of gladness, to proclaim good news.” 1  Further, the noun euangelion became a technical term for the message of victory, though it was also used for a political or private message that brought joy. 2

That both the noun and the verb are used so extensively in the New Testament demonstrate how it developed a distinctly Christian use and emphasis because of the glorious news announced to mankind of salvation and victory over sin and death that God offers to all people through the person and accomplished work of Jesus Christ on the cross as proven by His resurrection, ascension, and session at God’s right hand.  In the New Testament these two words, euangelion and euangelizo, became technical terms for this message of good news offered to all men through faith in Christ.

The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia summarizes the gospel message this way:

The central truth of the gospel is that God has provided a way of salvation for men through the gift of His son to the world.  He suffered as a sacrifice for sin, overcame death, and now offers a share in His triumph to all who will accept it. The gospel is good news because it is a gift of God, not something that must be earned by penance or by self-improvement (Jn 3:16; Rom 5:8–11; II Cor 5:14–19; Tit 2:11–14). 3 

John 5:24

" Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. 

 Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life". 

John 10:27-29 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 

 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; 

no one will snatch them out of my hand.  

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

REFERENCES

(1) The gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1; 1 Cor. 9:12) and the gospel of His Son (Rom. 1:9).  These two descriptions speak of the good news of salvation that comes through the person and work of Jesus Christ who is the very Son of God in human flesh.  Again, this is a good news of deliverance from sin’s penalty, power and presence through the two advents of Christ.

(2) The gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24) emphasizes that salvation in all of its aspects is on the basis of grace rather than on some meritorious system of works.

(3) The gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 4:23; 9:35; 24:14) is the good news that God will establish His kingdom on earth through the two advents of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Some content was borrowed form "Bible.org", with much thanks and gratitude.

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Page created by Peter Brenner October 2023