What is the gospel?
The gospel (the word means 'good news') is the announcement that God, in love, became man in Jesus Christ, died for our sins, was raised for our justification, and freely saves all who repent and believe. It is news to be believed, not a task to be performed.
Begin by reading
Go into the Word
Not a summary of these passages: the passages themselves. Read them, then come back to the study below.
The study
What the Scripture says
It is good news, not good advice
The gospel is not a list of instructions to improve yourself: it is an announcement of what God has done. Paul delivers what he received: 'that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day.' It is something to believe, not something to achieve.
Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: 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,
For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.
The message: a Person and His finished work
The gospel centers on Jesus, not on our efforts. 'God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.' The good news is who He is and what He did for us.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: 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,
namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.
What it gives: righteousness and eternal life
By the gospel we are 'justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.' The wages of sin is death, but 'the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.' The gospel turns a verdict of death into a gift of life.
being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
What it asks: repentance and faith
The jailer asked what he must do, and the answer was: 'Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.' Jesus began His ministry, 'Repent, and believe in the gospel.' It is received, never earned.
brought them out, and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.
It is for everyone
The gospel is 'the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes.' God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. It is good news for all: the worst and the best alike.
For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.
For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.
who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.
As you read, you may wonder…
Scripture raises the next question
Studying the Word naturally opens more of it. Follow what you just read: it leads somewhere.
We haven't written this one yet. Take it to your church or small group: the Word answers it wherever it is asked. If we study it here later, all the better.
Hold onto these
Verses to meditate on
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: 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,
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Worth visiting