What is the Gospel? « Gospel Presbyterian Church

The gospel is a message.

The gospel is a message of good news.

The gospel is the message of the good news centering on Jesus Christ, that he is both king and savior of all the world. By His power, he can defeat the demons in our lives, by his grace (undeserved favor), He can forgive us of our sins, once and for all, and by His love, he can renew our hearts, and change the direction and desires of our lives forever, toward Himself.

But don’t take it from me. Come to your own conclusion from the text itself. Determine for yourself the meaning of the word “Gospel” as it is used in the New Testament (King James Version), some potentially helpful questions are added after the Bible verse in italics in parentheses:

Matthew 4:23_And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Is the gospel then about a king and a kingdom?)
Matthew 9:35_And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Matthew 11:5_The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Matthew 24:14_And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 26:13_Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. (So the gospel is a message that is proclaimed?)
Mark 1:1_The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Are then facts about Jesus Christ the content of the gospel?)
Mark 1:14_Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mark 1:15_And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (Since Repentance and Faith are proper responses to the gospel, they can’t actually be the gospel themselves, right?)
Mark 8:35_For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. (is the gospel worth dying for?)
Mark 10:29_And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Mark 13:10_And the gospel must first be published among all nations. (So the gospel is a verbal message?)
Mark 14:9_Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. (So the original gospel is what would be proclaimed in all the world?)
Mark 16:15_And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Luke 4:18_The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 7:22_Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
Luke 9:6_And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
Luke 20:1_And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
Acts 8:25_And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
Acts 14:7_And there they preached the gospel.
Acts 14:21_And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
Acts 15:7_And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. (So the Gospel is something that you believe?)
Acts 16:10_And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Acts 20:24_But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Does this gospel have something to do with “the grace of God”?)
Romans 1:1_Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. (Is the gospel something important about God Himself?)
Romans 1:9_For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; (Does this mean that “Jesus” is “God”?)
Romans 1:15_So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Romans 1:16_For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (So if you believe the Gospel then you receive salvation?)
Romans 2:16_In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Romans 10:15_And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (So is it a “good” or “glad” message?)
Romans 10:16_But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Romans 11:28_As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes.
Romans 15:16_That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:19_Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
Romans 15:20_Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
Romans 15:29_And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
Romans 16:25_Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
1 Corinthians 1:17_For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (So the gospel has something to do with the cross?)
1 Corinthians 4:15_For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:12_If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:14_Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:16_For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
1 Corinthians 9:17_For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
1 Corinthians 9:18_What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:23_And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
1 Corinthians 15:1_Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. (So if you believe it you are saved, and it has to do at least with Jesus’ death and resurrection?)
2 Corinthians 2:12_Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
2 Corinthians 4:3_But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2 Corinthians 4:4_In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Corinthians 8:18_And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
2 Corinthians 9:13_Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
2 Corinthians 10:14_For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ
2 Corinthians 10:16_To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.
2 Corinthians 11:4_For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (Is there only one gospel, which was preached by Paul and the other original Apostles?)
2 Corinthians 11:7_Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
Galatians 1:6_I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. (So retreating from the first gospel is not acceptable to Paul?)
Galatians 1:7_Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:8_But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Was the original gospel message then once for all, complete, enough for salvation?)
Galatians 1:9_As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Is it safe to say Paul is passionate about this?)
Galatians 1:11_But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Galatians 2:2_And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Galatians 2:5_To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Galatians 2:7_But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Galatians 2:14_But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? (So is it possible to be living in a way that is not consistent with the Gospel?)
Galatians 3:8_And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. (So was the gospel announced even in the Old Testament, that people would be made right with God, “justified”, through faith?)
Galatians 4:13_Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
Ephesians 1:13_In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 3:6_That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and gospel:
Ephesians 6:15_And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Ephesians 6:19_And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Philippians 1:5_For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Philippians 1:7_Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Philippians 1:12_But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
Philippians 1:17_But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Philippians 1:27_Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Philippians 2:22_But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
Philippians 4:3_And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life. (So the work of the gospel is shared by men and women?)
Philippians 4:15_Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
Colossians 1:5_For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
Colossians 1:23_If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
1 Thessalonians 1:5_For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
1 Thessalonians 2:2_But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
1 Thessalonians 2:4_But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:8_So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
1 Thessalonians 2:9_For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
1 Thessalonians 3:2_And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
2 Thessalonians 1:8_In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Thessalonians 2:14_Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 1:11_According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
2 Timothy 1:8_Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2 Timothy 1:10_But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (Is the fact that Jesus is “Savior” essential to the gospel message?)
2 Timothy 2:8_Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
Philemon 1:13_Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
Hebrews 4:2_For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (So the gospel doesn’t benefit those who don’t believe it?)
1 Peter 1:12_Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
1 Peter 1:25_But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1 Peter 4:6_For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
1 Peter 4:17_For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Revelation 14:6_And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. (Since it is an “eternal” gospel, it never changes, even from what is proclaimed above right?)

This wonderful, joyous message that Jesus is King and Jesus is Savior must be responded to somehow. Either you will disbelieve these things about Jesus, or you will believe them. And if you believe, you will raise your open hands to God, letting go of your rebellion against Him, and call upon his name, and surely, He will save you. Ask yourself, “Am I ready to surrender to Jesus, who is God, as my King? Am I ready to trust in Christ alone to forgive and cleanse me, that I might be with God forever?” If you are, tell Him. He’s listening, right now.