Introduction:

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.

 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.”

What is the Gospel?

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

-1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV)

What is the Gospel? The Definition

The question “What is the Gospel?” is perhaps the most important question a person can ask. The word Gospel literally means “good news.” It is the plan that God has designed to save sinful humans from eternal separation from Him. The word Gospel simply means “good news.” The Bible is full of good news, but its greatest news is found in Jesus Christ. For this reason, the Bible’s four accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are often referred to as “gospel". 

However, when Christians speak of “the Gospel,” they are usually referring to the good news that through faith in Jesus we can be saved from punishment for our sins and reconciled to God for eternity. This message represents the core of Jesus’ teachings to which all of the Bible points. The Gospel can be summarized in this way:

God:  The Gospel starts with God, the Creator and Ruler of all things. God is holy, good, loving, all-powerful, and deserving of our praise and allegiance. (Rev. 4:11)

Sin:  Despite being made and loved by this amazing God, we have all rebelled against God by ignoring Him, disobeying Him, seeking to live life our own way, and treasuring other things more than we value God. The Bible calls this “sin.” (Romans 3:10-12)

Judgment:  Because God is just, our rebellion against Him demands punishment. This punishment includes not only death, but also separation from God both now and for all eternity. (Hebrews 9:27)

Jesus:  Yet, God demonstrated His great love by sending His Son into the world as the man Jesus to live a perfect life and die in our place, paying our debt to God (1 Peter 3:18). In doing so, God made possible our pardon from sin—something we did not deserve.

Resurrection:  As proof that He accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for sin, God raised Jesus to life again, giving us assurance we too can have eternal life with God. (1 Peter 1:3)

Decision:  To be reconciled to God, we must turn to Him in repentance and have faith in Jesus. This will begin a relationship with Him that will never end. (Jn. 3:36)

When God saves us, He also adopts us into His family—the Church. Together we are to worship our glorious God, encourage each other through the study of the Bible, and seek to share this Gospel with others.

Ultimately, this Gospel is good news because through Jesus we can be brought into relationship with God—and nothing can bring us more joy than God Himself.

God Bless!!!  Please stay connected for more inspirational words from God.