The gospel is the good news that God's Son Jesus Christ died for sinners, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Through faith in him, sinners are forgiven, justified, adopted, and given eternal life. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).
The word 'gospel' (Greek 'euangelion') means 'good news.' The biblical gospel is the central message of the Christian faith. Several biblical truths frame it. (1) The need: humanity's problem. Romans 3:23 — 'all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.' Romans 6:23 — 'the wages of sin is death.' Humans are sinners under God's just judgment. (2) The provision: Christ's work. The core gospel facts are summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: '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.' Christ's death paid sin's penalty (substitution); his resurrection demonstrated his victory over sin and death. (3) The response: repentance and faith. Mark 1:15 — Jesus' first message: 'Repent ye, and believe the gospel.' Acts 17:30 — God 'commandeth all men every where to repent.' Romans 10:9 — 'if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.' (4) The benefits: salvation, forgiveness, eternal life. Ephesians 1:7 — 'In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.' John 3:16 — 'whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' Romans 8:1 — 'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.' (5) The mission: to all the world. Matthew 28:19-20 — the Great Commission. Acts 1:8 — witnesses 'unto the uttermost part of the earth.' The gospel is for every nation, tribe, and tongue. (6) The basis: God's character and promise. The gospel is rooted in God's love (John 3:16), grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), faithfulness (1 Corinthians 1:9), and sovereignty (Ephesians 1:11). (7) The power: God's saving work. Romans 1:16 — 'I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.' The gospel doesn't just describe salvation; it effects it. The gospel is more than minimum salvation. It is the announcement of God's kingdom breaking in through Christ — redeeming sinners, transforming lives, building the church, and culminating in the new heavens and new earth. Common misconceptions about the gospel. (a) 'Be good and try hard' — this is moralism, not the gospel. (b) 'God is love so everyone is saved' — this is universalism, contradicted by Christ's own teaching. (c) 'The gospel is mainly about how to live' — the gospel is news (something Christ has done), not advice (something we must do). (d) 'The gospel is for non-Christians; Christians move on to deeper teaching' — no, the gospel is the foundation and the ongoing center of Christian life (1 Corinthians 15:1-2). What the gospel produces in believers. Salvation. Forgiveness. Adoption as children of God. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Transformation (sanctification). Mission. Eternal hope. Joy.
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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.”
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Believe the gospel — trust Christ as Savior and Lord. Repent of sin. Be baptized. Share the gospel with others (Matthew 28:19-20). Don't outgrow the gospel — return to it daily for assurance, joy, and motivation. Live in light of grace. The gospel is the foundation and the ongoing power of the Christian life.
The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died for sinners, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Through faith in him, sinners are forgiven, justified, adopted, and given eternal life. The gospel is God's saving work in Christ, received by faith and producing transformation, mission, and hope.
Repent of sin and believe in Christ. Mark 1:15 — 'Repent ye, and believe the gospel.' Acts 16:31 — 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.' Romans 10:9 — confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him from the dead. Practically: turn from sin, trust Christ, receive him (John 1:12), be baptized, find a Bible-believing church.
Because it announces what God has done for sinners — not what sinners must do for God. The bad news is universal sin and judgment; the good news is Christ's substitutionary death and resurrection. The gospel is news (announcement of accomplished work), not advice (instruction on what to do). It is the best news in history: God has come to save.
No. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 — Paul calls himself the chief of sinners and finds mercy. Romans 5:20 — 'where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.' No sin is greater than Christ's atoning work. The thief on the cross was saved at the last moment (Luke 23:43). The gospel is for all who come, regardless of past. The only obstacle is unwillingness to come.