What is the Gospel?

The word “gospel” (Greek: euaggelizō) literally means “to announce good news”. The term “evangelize” comes from the same root word. From a biblical perspective, the gospel is God’s message to mankind. In this way, Abraham and Moses with the Jews of the exodus heard “the gospel” (Gal 3:8; Heb 4:2). Jesus also preached “the gospel” from the beginning of His earthly ministry (Mat 4:23; Mar 1:14). It appears, then, that the gospel is God’s message of “good news” to the people for that particular time.

Therefore, in the New Testament era (in which we are still living) the essence of the Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:1-4). This is the “good news” of God’s grace and power. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, humanity can be saved from the curse of sin, have peace with God, and inherit eternal life.

The Apostles beautifully likened our repentance, water baptism, and infilling of the Spirit to the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (Rom 6:3-5). They understood this new birth experience to be the manner in which we properly respond to the Gospel and apply it to our lives. By repenting we die to sin and identify with Christ’s death (Rom 6:6-11; 1 Pet 2:24). By being buried in the waters of baptism we identify with the Christ’s burial (Rom 6:3-4; Col 2:12). And, by being filled with the God’s Spirit we identify with Christ’s resurrection (Rom 6:4-5; 8:11). We can only fully realize the gospel message by being born again!

Thank God for the gospel of our salvation—the gospel of Jesus Christ! (Eph 1:13; 2 Cor 4:4).

Author: Jay Jones

Jay is an author, veteran church planter, speaker, and the pastor of the Pentecostals of Kentwood. He's a passionate worshipper of Jesus Christ, a husband, daddy, pastor, and a ‘pretty good guy’. Jay is also an ordained minister of the United Pentecostal Church, where he currently serves as a Presbyter in West Michigan.

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