The Gospel
What is the Gospel
The greatest blessing that we have ever received and could ever share is the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Gospel means good news. Even as the birth of Christ was "good tidings of great joy" (Lk 2:20), so also is the gospel of Christ.
But what is the gospel? The apostle Paul answered that question in these words: "I declare unto you the gospel . . . 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." Here is the Good News - and those who with their heart truly believe and receive it, and thus stand firm upon and hold fast to it, are saved by faith in it (I Cor 15:1-4; Rom 10:9-10).
The gospel is the Good News of God's love. God so loved the world that He gave His holy Son to stand in the place of sinful man. The sinless Son of God, Jesus Christ, took upon Himself our guilt and shame, and suffered in our stead God's just wrath and judgment against sin. "Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). He "gave himself for our sins" (Gal 1:4). He "bare our sins in his own body on the tree" (I Pet 2:24). This indeed is good news for sinners - and there is more! For, as prophesied, three days later Jesus arose from the dead. He "who was delivered for our offenses, was raised again for our justification. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 4:25 - 5:1). Through faith in the gospel, i.e., Jesus' death for our sin and His resurrection to eternal life, God "hath made us accepted in the beloved" (Eph 1:6). We now have peace with God. All who put their trust in Christ for salvation are accepted by God in Him, and some day He will bring us to God. "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" (I Pet 3:18).
The Bible tells us that Jesus "abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (II Tim 1:10). The way to immortal, eternal life has been brought to light through Christ's death for our sins and subsequent resurrection. The gospel has made it clear that forgiveness of sins, acceptance with God and everlasting life are not obtained through human effort. We do not merit these blessings by the good we do or the religious traditions we keep. It is "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Tit 3:5). It is through faith in Christ's once-for-all sacrifice for sins that we are Spirit regenerated (born again) and made new. "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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph 2:8-10).
Among the first and last words spoken by Jesus as recorded in the four Gospels are these: Repent ye, and believe the gospel"; "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mk 1:15; 16:15). Christ calls us to repent of sin and believe the gospel, and then to proclaim the gospel to all people. For the gospel is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom 1:16). In response to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, all who desire deliverance from sin and death can receive it by trusting wholeheartedly in God's Son for this salvation. By relying on Jesus' atoning death, believing in His bodily resurrection, resting in His gracious promises, and welcoming of His loving Lordship, sinners are declared in Scripture to be forgiven of sin, freely given eternal life and forever reconciled to God. This is the gospel; this is good news!
Jesus refers to those who believe in Him as sheep. And concerning His sheep, Jesus says in John 10:27-30: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."