God’s gospel is incredible! It is the most amazing message that human ears can hear and human hearts can contemplate.
In the Bible, “gospel” is translated from the Greek word “εὐαγγέλιον/euangelion,” which “originally denoted a reward for good tidings; later, the idea of reward dropped, and the word stood for ‘the good news’ itself . . . In the NT it denotes the ‘good tidings’ of the kingdom of God and of salvation through Christ” [Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words; www.studylight.org/ dictionaries/ved.html]. The gospel is the great news that salvation is available to mankind through Jesus, the Son of the living God.
In the New Testament, we often read the simple, two-word expression “the gospel” (Mark 1:1, 15). It also is called “the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14), as well as “the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). Most Christians are familiar with the terminology “the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16). In particular, the apostle Paul frequently calls it “the gospel of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:2, 8, 9). Though it has several scriptural designations, there is only one true gospel (Galatians 1:6-8). Let us consider some different aspects of God’s gospel and man’s response to it.
Source of the gospel – That would be none other than the Lord Himself. In Paul’s letter to the saints in Thessalonica, he reminded them about the message he had declared to them, five times calling it “the gospel,” “the gospel of God,” or “the gospel of Christ” (1 Thessalonians 2:2, 4, 8, 9; 3:2). In that context, he said they had received the gospel, “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God” (2:13). Yes, the Lord is the Source of the best news ever!
Power of the gospel – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
Facts of the gospel – “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you…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” (1 Corinthians 15:1, 3, 4).
Warnings of the gospel – “…he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
Promised blessings of the gospel – “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). Jesus is “the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9), and He said that one who keeps His word “shall never see death” (John 8:51).
Believe the gospel – While preaching in Galilee, Christ charged the Jews in that region, “Repent, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). As Paul and Silas preached the gospel in Philippi of Macedonia, when a prison-keeper asked about what he must do to be saved, they commanded him, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:10, 31).
Obey the gospel – We read the terminology “obey the gospel” in three Bible verse: Romans 10:16, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, and 1 Peter 4:17. If the gospel can be obeyed, then the gospel contains more than facts. The gospel includes commands which must be obeyed: such commands as believe, repent, and be baptized. To obey the gospel is the same as be “obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7), to obey Jesus (Hebrews 5:9), and “obey the truth” (1 Peter 1:22).
Proclaim/preach/teach the gospel – Jesus wants His followers to declare the gospel to every person in the whole world (Mark 16:15). Like the apostle Paul, each Christian ought to be ready to declare the gospel’s great message of salvation (Romans 1:15,16).
Defend the gospel – With no intention of boasting about hi seeforts, Paul reminded the saints in Philippi that he was appointed “for the defense of the gospel” (Philippines 1:17). Like our first-century brethren, we need to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3).
Live the gospel – God’s appeal to Jesus’ disciples in Philippi was, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ . . .” (Philippians 1:27). Yes, we must preach and defend the gospel. As we do those two things, we need to live it, too! Our outreach is strengthened when we teach God’s truth and live it.
(extracted from TRUTH, a monthly publication to help educate, edify, encourage, and equip the saints of God.)