What Is The Gospel?

According to Webster's, Gospel has several meanings.

 

1) The message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation.

 

2) One of the first four New Testament books telling of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

3) Something accepted as infallible truth or as a guiding principle.

 

 

So based on these definitions, is the Gospel a message, a book, the truth, or a combination of some or all of these?

 

Jesus Christ was the Son of God. The Gospel is clearly shown as recorded by Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians.

 

Jesus Died For Our Sins, Was Buried, And Raised

"Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures . . . ."

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

 

So the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the good news message of Him dying for our sins. Jesus' life events were recorded in the first four New Testament books, each of which include the account of His death, burial, and resurrection. And Jesus being God's Messiah and sacrificial Lamb is the infallible truth. So in this case, Webster's did a good job of capturing the Biblical context of what Gospel really means. The Gospel is the infallible truth of the message of Christ dying for our sins, being buried, and rising again on the third day according to the Scriptures and as recorded in the first four New Testament books.

 

What Is Your Gospel?

"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel."

2 Timothy 2:8

 

So what should people do with the Gospel?

 

Accept the Gospel

"He [God] called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

2 Thessalonians 2:14

 

Spread the Gospel

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Matthew 28:19

 

Teach the Gospel

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Colossians 3:16-17

 

Devote Yourself to the Gospel

". . . Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching."

1 Timothy 4:12-13

 

Suffer For the Gospel

". . . But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life -- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time."

2 Timothy 1:8-9

 

Pray For Words When Presenting the Gospel

"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel."

Ephesians 6:19

 

God loves you so much that he wants to bless you beyond imagination. But that will only be possible if you trust in Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Accept the free gift of Jesus Christ today!