THE GOSPEL

The Bible teaches that a number of items are necessary for
salvation, that we are not saved by any one thing alone. One of them is
the gospel of Jesus Christ. "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having
believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians
1:13).

Good News!
What is the gospel? Our English word "gospel" comes from an
Anglo-Saxon term which literally means "good news." The word in the New
Testament translated "gospel" means "good message" or "glad tiding"
(Romans 10:15). "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will
be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10). The gospel in essence is
the good news of salvation in Christ by divine grace through man's
obedient faith (Ephesians 2:8). "...Preach the gospel to every creature.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who doe snot
believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16).

Content
What is the content of the gospel? "Moreover, brethren, I declare to
you the gospel which I preached to you....For I delivered to you first of
all that which I also received: 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 15:1-4). The gospel
contains these facts which one must believe to be saved. However, the
gospel must also be obeyed (Romans 10:16). Facts themselves cannot be
obeyed; commands can be obeyed. Thus, the gospel also contains commands.
This is why Jesus said that preaching the gospel includes commands to
believe and be baptized (Mark 16:16). Furthermore, the gospel has
preciuos promises, as the hope laid up in heaven (Colossians 1:5).

God's Gift
What is God's part in the gospel? First of all, the gospel is the
good news of salvation in Christ alone, adn God has made all the
provisions to grant us salvation by His grace. Paul preached "the gospel
of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). Additionally, God has revealed all
these provisions in the gospel--both what He has done to make salvation
available, and those conditions upon which we can receive it. Paul says
"that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, of the same body, and
partakers of the promise in Christ through the gospel" (Ephesians 3:3-6).

Man's Responsibility
What is man's part in the gospel? To be saved from sin people must
believe the gospel (Mark 1:14). Before people can believe the gospel,
they must hear it (Acts 15:7). Then they must obey the gospel, because
those who do not obey the gospel will be punished with everlasting
destruction for their sin (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). Both those who hear
and those who preach the gospel must not accept a perverted gospel
(Galatians 1:6-11).

Gospel and Doctrine
What is the relationship between the gospel and doctrine? Some
affirm a distinction between the gospel, to be preached only to the lost,
and doctrine, to be taught only to the church. This distinction has been
the basis for several false ideas, including unscriptural "unity in
diversity." Such a distinction is not scriptural. Paul was coming to the
saints (church) at Rome to preach the gospel to them (Romans 1:7-15). At
the same time, these Romans were Christians because when they were lost
they"obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine" by which they were
freed from sin (Romans 6:17-18). Sound doctrine andthe gospel are
co-extensive in the saving and sanctifying of man (1 Timothy 1:10-11).

Conclusion
Jesus has given us marching orders: "Go into all the world and
preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). We sing, "Of one the
Lord has made the race, Through one has come the fall; Where sin has gone
must go His grace: The gospel is for all" (J. M. McCaleb). The gospel is
for all, because all have sinned (Romans 3:23). The fact that people must
hear and believe the gospel means that those who are saved have an
obligation to preach the gospel to a lost world (1 Corinthians 1:17). Let
us confidently say, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is
the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16).
Let us believe it, obey it, preach it, and defend it with all our might.

by Wayne S. Walker via The Defender Volume 47; October 2, 2005; Number 40

Return to the General Articles page

Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /