What is the Gospel? What a great question! Today we will be talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what it means for you and for me. Let’s dive in! You can find the answer to many more questions here.
Besides questions of who Jesus is and His redemptive work, the gospel may be the most important question.
What Does Gospel Mean?
The word gospel simply means “good news.” And there is more than one gospel. One example is “an eternal gospel.” This is not another name for the gospel of salvation, but the good news that immediately before and at Christ’s second coming God’s patience has ended and He is judging evil:
“And I saw another angel flying in midheaven with an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, …and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth…(Revelation 14:6-7).”
What is the Gospel of the Kingdom?
The Gospel of the Kingdom is “the good news” that Jesus came to earth at His first advent to announce that, as David’s descendant, He was ready to establish His Kingdom. But Israel rejected Him, so He delayed setting up His Davidic Kingdom until His Second Coming:
‘Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:14-15).’
What is the Gospel of Salvation?
But we think you mean the gospel of salvation that God promises will bring eternal life. The Apostle Paul gives us the content of that gospel and the Apostle John tells us what God requires of us:
The Apostle Paul gives us the content of this gospel:
Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you…by which also you are saved….Of first importance …that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scripture and that He appeared…to more than five hundred brethren at one time (1 Corinthians 15:1-6).
1st Statement: Christ died for our sins–Proof: He was buried.
2nd Statement: He was raised on the third day–Proof: He was seen by more than five hundred brethren.
The Apostle John gives us God’s promise to those who believe on Jesus’ Name: Eternal Life
John’s gospel is the only Bible book written whose stated purpose is that we might have (eternal) life:
“These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31).”
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name (John 1:12).”
What, you may ask, no works? No works:
Therefore (the Jews) said to (Jesus), “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent (John 6:28-29).”
Please watch the GREAT NEWS FOR YOU video on this page if you would like to know more about how to receive eternal life through Jesus Christ. If you would like to ask questions or speak to someone, please click on the connect button or click here.
