What is the Gospel?

Gospel means, simply, “good news.” There are numerous so-called gospels in the world proclaiming good news to those who would listen, but only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can address humankind’s most basic problem—the problem of sin and guilt; that is, spiritual deadness (Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13; Rom. 5:6). The Gospel is good news because, without it, we stand condemned as sinners before a holy and just God, deserving His wrath (John 3:18; Rom. 3:9-19; Eph. 2:1-3; Col. 2:13-14).

Yet, God has, in His good pleasure, made a way for sinners to be reconciled to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:10-11; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Col. 1:21). John 3:16-17 says,

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.

Jesus Christ lived a righteous life and then suffered death on a Roman cross for the sins of His people (Isa. 53:4-12; Matt. 1:21; John 10:11, 15, 17:6, 9, 19, Rom. 8:34). Thus, Jesus Christ satisfied the holy and just requirements of God (Rom. 3:21-26; 5:8-9; 8:3-4; 1 John 4:9-10). God then raised Him from the dead, vindicating Christ’s work (Matt. 28:18; Acts 2:32-36, 17:30-31; Rom 1:4; 14:9). Sinners are called to repent and believe the Gospel and to receive God’s free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Acts 2:38, 3:19; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9). Everyone who believes is thereby counted righteous before God (Rom. 1:16-17; 3:21-26; 4:4-8; 5:1; etc.). As the apostle Paul declares in Romans 10:9-13,

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

If you have never called upon the name of Jesus for salvation, we implore you to believe in Him while there is still time (John 12:36). “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2)!”