What is Gospel?

The word Gospel refers to sharing good news with someone. In Greek, it is composed of two seperate buildingblocks: The prefix eu (good) + the word angelo (angel or messenger). Consider a N.T. illustration. Paul was only with the Thessalonian believers for a few weeks before he was persecuted and thrown out of the city. Because of his quick departure he feared that those who professed Christ during his short ministry there would be scattered. So, he sent Timothy to Thessalonica to see if they continued in the faith. Timothy visited and discovered good news regarding their faith. In turn, Timothy came back and “brought the good news” about them (1 Thessalonians 3:6). This is the only time this word is used in the N.T. where it does not refer to the good news about Jesus (although in one sense this is related). Timothy was the bearer of good news to Paul about the Thessalonian believers. As Gospel proclaimers we have good news handed to us from God – that His Son died for all. It is our job to share that good news with everyone we possibly can!

Below is a study of the N.T. term Gospel (euangelion, euangelidzo).

• The Gospel (of the Bible) is the good news of Jesus (Mark 1:1; Acts 8:35) the Messiah (Acts 5:42): That He came (Matthew 4:23, 9:35; Mark 1:1, 14; Luke 1:19; 2:10; 2 Timothy 2:8) to die for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3) was buried (1 Corinthians 15:4) and rose again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:4; 2 Timothy 2:9; Acts 17:18) for our sins. And that He appeared to show His victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).
  
  •For the Gospel to take effect on your behalf you must repent (Mark 1:15; Acts 11:20) and believe (Mark 1:15; Acts 8:12; 15:7; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:2; Ephesians 1:13; Hebrews 4:2-6) in its effectiveness on your behalf.
  
  •The benefits of believing the Gospel are that you are saved from your sins (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4), given spiritual life (1 Peter 4:6) sealed by the Holy Spirit (secured of heaven - Ephesians 1:13) brought into the church (Both Jews and Gentiles in the same body – Ephesians 3:6), given eternal life (2 Timothy 2:10), granted peace with God (Acts 10:36), given the certain hope of being in God’s presence blameless and without reproach (Colossians 1:23), enabled to gain the glory of Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:14) and made partaker of the unsearchable riches of Jesus (Ephesians 3:8).
  
  •All the world (Matthew 24:24; 26:13; Mark 13:10; 14:9; 16:15; Luke 2:10; Revelation 14:6) is commanded to obey the Gospel (believe in Jesus Romans 10:16) and those who do not will be condemned (Romans 2:16; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Hebrews 4:2; 1 Peter 4:17).
  
  •Those who teach a false Gospel are condemned (Grace mixed with works - Galatians 1:8, 9).
  
  •Those who dedicate their lives to share the Gospel are blessed (with eternal reward - Mark 8:35; 10:29; with spiritual children – 1 Corinthians 4:15; with financial remuneration from a local church – 1 Corinthians 9:14; with beautiful feet – Romans 10:15).
  
  •Proclaiming the Gospel is often accompanied by persecution (Mark 8:35; 10:29; Acts 5:41-42; 20:24; 1 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Timothy 1:8; 2:9).
  
  •The Gospel continues to establish the believer (Romans 16:25); it is how the believer stands (1 Corinthians 15:1)1; it is displayed publicly by baptism (Acts 8:12); and it is evidenced as effective in someone’s life by their generosity (2 Corinthians 9:13) and fruit bearing (Colossians 1:6).
  
  •Believer’s should strive together for the furtherance of the Gospel (Acts 8:4; 15:35; 16:10 Philippians 1:27; 2:22; 4:3 Ephesians 6:19 - The Apostle Paul is a primary example of someone who strove throughout his life to further the Gospel – Acts 14:7, 15, 21; Romans 1:1; 1:9; 15:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 9:16, 23; Philippians 1:16; 4:15 ); live in a manner worthy of the Gospel (Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2:4), and curb their liberty for the furtherance of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:12). Believers should share the Gospel boldly (Acts 4:29; I Thessalonians 2:2), clearly (Colossians 4:3-4), and considerately (1 Corinthians 9:22-23).
  
  •The Gospel is referred to in the N.T. as the Gospel . . . of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 24:14; Luke 16:16; 8:1; Acts 8:12), of great joy (Luke 2:10), of the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4), of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:14; Galatians 1:7; Romans 15:19; 1 Corinthians 9:12; 2 Corinthians 2:12; 9:13; 10:14; Galatians 1:7; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 3:2), of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:1), of our Lord Jesus (2 Thessalonians 1:8), of His Son (Romans 1:9), of peace (Eph 6:15), of God (Mark 1:14; Romans 1:1; 15:16; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 8, 9; I Peter 4:17), of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), of the blessed God (1 Timothy 1:11), and the Gospel of good things (Romans 10:15).

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1 Often when we talk about preaching the Gospel we focus our attention solely on how the Gospel applies to unbelievers - how someone initially has their sins forgiven. However, the Gospel is just as needy for the believer as the unbeliever. We must always believe in the Gospel. Our sins are washed away once and for all. But if Satan or our conscience accuses us we need to ‘be believing’ in the Gospel. We need to proclaim the Gospel to ourselves to remember again that our sins are washed away and we stand complete in Jesus Christ. This is the way Paul preached the forgiveness of sins in Acts.

Acts 13:38-39 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.

The word believes is in the present tense meanings – ‘the one who is believing is freed . . .’ There is never a time when our faith should not be steadfastly fixed to the good news of Jesus. As the Hymn writer said “‘Tis grace that led me safe this far, and grace will lead me home.”

In the word study, you notice that the Gospel is used in connection with believers. It is the Gospel that continues to establish us (Romans 16:25). And the believer stands in the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1). The word ‘establish’ in Romans 16:25 is used of the activity that Paul endeavored to do when returning back to the churches he had planted to disciple the believers.

Acts 18:23 And having spent some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

So the same Gospel that Paul used to bring people to the faith is the Gospel that would establish them in that Faith. It is the good news of Jesus that not only brings us to faith but builds us in the faith. He is the milk of the Word and the meat of the Word. The Gospel does not just include justification (being declared to be like Jesus in heaven); it also includes sanctification (progressively growing to be more like Jesus on earth). It is the Gospel that motivates us to live a life that is pleasing to God. The Bible teaches that we are not saved by our good works but we are saved unto good works (Ephesians 2:8-10).

This is confirmed in I Corinthians 15:1. We stand in the Gospel if we hold fast our believing it. As believers we must always remember that our standing before God is always based on Jesus. If we ever slip into thinking that our standing before God is based on how I am performing for Him today we are destined to fail every day. Our standing is in Christ. The Galatian believers were fooled to believe that after they believed in Jesus they had to do certain things to maintain that relationship to God. Paul calls this a different Gospel.