What is the Gospel?

The word “gospel” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “godspell” which means “ a story about God “ or “a good story” . The Greek word translated “gospel” used in the New Testament Scriptures is the word “evangellion” which means “ good news”. The four Gospel accounts in the New Testament – Matthew, Mark , Luke and John are the authoritative narratives of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The Gospel essentially consists of the record of the events centered in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and the explanation of those events. The Gospel records Jesus’ birth – (born in the town of Bethlehem), some limited information of His family – ( mother – Mary, father – Joseph, brothers – Jude, James, Simon and Joses, sisters – un-named ).

However, the primary purpose of the Gospel record is to provide information on the (3 ½) years of the public ministry of Jesus Christ. A sizeable amount of the Gospel accounts record the last week of Jesus’ life, His death on the cross and resurrection. The intent of the Gospel is not to provide a complete biographical presentation of Christ, but rather the intention is to present Who Jesus is, what His diagnosis is of the condition of humanity, the work that He accomplished through the cross and resurrection and how He intends for us to respond to Him.

The Gospel in simple terms is not a philosophy or a set of teachings but rather it is a Person – Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news that everyone needs to hear. Simply stated, the Gospel claims that through Jesus’ death for us on the cross we can have forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

The 3 Primary Facts About the Gospel Are:

1. Jesus Christ is God – ( The Lord)

2. Jesus Christ died for our sin – (in our place)

3. Jesus Christ rose from the dead – ( never to die again)

The clearest example of these essentials are found in (2) passages in the New Testament. I Corinthians 15: 3-5.

“ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: 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 and that He was seen….”

Romans 10:8,9,13 – “ What does it (the Gospel) say? The word is near you in your mouth and in your heart, that is the word of faith which we preach: That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”.

To believe the Gospel we must first acknowledge that we are sinners and need the Savior (Jesus Christ). Second, we believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Sovereign Lord of all, the Divine Son of God and Savior who died for our sins and then rose from the dead. Last, we must turn from our sin (independence from God, our self-directed life and actions) and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. In doing this, the Scriptures tell us our sins are forgiven and we have eternal life – John 5:24.