The word gospel means good news, yet Scripture gives it a definite content. It is God’s announcement concerning His Son and His saving work for sinners. Its comfort is real precisely because it addresses a real problem: men have sinned against a holy God and cannot repair their guilt by religious effort.
READ THE KEY PASSAGES
Begin with what
Scripture says.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4For 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.
Romans 1:16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.
Mark 1:15The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
01
The gospel begins with God’s truth about sin
Romans 3:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
The gospel does not assume that people are basically well and simply need encouragement. Paul says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Sin is rebellion against the God who made us, bringing guilt, corruption, death, and judgment.
That bad news is not meant to make the gospel harsh. It explains why the good news is necessary. If sin is reduced to inconvenience, Christ’s cross becomes unnecessary. Scripture permits neither reduction. God is holy, man is guilty, and no work of the law can make a sinner righteous before Him.
02
The gospel announces Christ’s finished work
1 Corinthians 15:3Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.
Paul summarizes the message he had received and delivered: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. The center is not the believer’s story or a program for moral improvement. It is the historical saving work of Jesus Christ.
Christ did not die as a vague example of love. He died for our sins. His resurrection is equally essential: the risen Christ shows that death has not defeated Him, that His sacrifice is accepted, and that salvation rests in a living Savior.
03
The gospel is received by grace through faith
Romans 4:25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
The gospel offers salvation; it does not sell it. A sinner does not contribute enough obedience, sincerity, baptism, church attendance, or reform to become acceptable to God. Scripture says salvation is by grace through faith, not of works. Faith receives Christ and rests upon what He has done.
This excludes boasting. It also excludes the false idea that believing is merely agreeing with facts from a safe distance. Christ calls men to repent and believe the gospel. Repentance turns from sin and self-rule toward God; faith receives the Son whom God has given.
04
Grace produces a changed life
Ephesians 2:8–9For by grace are ye saved through faith... Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Grace does not leave a person settled in the same rebellion from which Christ saves. Ephesians 2:10 says believers are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Works are not the root of salvation. They are the fruit of God’s saving grace in those who belong to Christ.
That order protects the gospel. Legalism makes obedience the price of acceptance. Lawlessness uses grace as permission to resist Christ’s authority. The gospel declares forgiveness and peace with God through Christ, then calls the forgiven person to walk as one bought by His blood.
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Questions for further reading.
- 01
What does 1 Corinthians 15 say belongs at the center of the gospel?
- 02
Why must the gospel tell the truth about sin before it can tell the truth about grace?
- 03
How do Ephesians 2:8–10 keep faith, grace, and good works in their proper order?
Read patiently. Let God’s Word speak.
The gospel is God’s good news concerning His Son: Christ died for sinners, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures. It meets human guilt with divine grace and calls every hearer to repent and believe in the Savior who alone can save.
