What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

I heard the name of Jesus commonly growing up. More specifically, I heard the gospel of Jesus Christ several times before I was an adult. Of course, at the time it meant very little to me. As a religious Baptist, I just assumed God was happy with me. The negative attacks on Christianity by the American Media and Hollywood have created an unrealistic negative perception. This, of course, fills peoples minds with misinformation. I hope to replace any misinformation you may have with the facts detailed in this article.

When did the Gospel of Jesus Christ begin?

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;” (Mark 1:1). The gospel is without a doubt about Jesus Christ! The Bible teaches us that this good news begins with the public ministry of Jesus Christ. This passage in Mark details when the gospel begins. I hope this is as exciting for you as it is for myself.

Reading on in Mark chapter one we learn that it starts with the forerunner John the Baptist. He is announcing the arrival of the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world! While we would consider any biblical news about the life of Jesus to be good news. It is interesting that the Bible notes the starting place and time. Furthermore, it is no coincidence that it all started with a faithful preacher. John is testifying of the coming Christ that would die for the sins of the world. 

 

Who is the Gospel of Jesus Christ for?

Nations

“And the gospel must first be published among all nations” (Mark 13:10). If you can think of a nation anywhere in this world at any time, they need the gospel. This historical event is so important that it has the potential to change lives for eternity. Before he ascended back into heaven, Jesus expected that his people would be busy publishing the gospel in every nation! Notice the wonderful detail, in an age when publishing was nothing like it is today. Either way, the command stands, with the ease we have now, we should be busy doing so. This assumes, to a certain extent, script and language, a good example of this would be tract distribution. A tract is a card, pamphlet or printed paper that gives a simple gospel presentation. The gospel has made its way around the world a few times at this point in history. Some nations rejected the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, some nations embraced the good news. Either way, the Savior commanded, publish the gospel in every nation, as Christians, we should be laboring diligently to that end.

Every Creature

The Bible continues, “And he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). Here the Lord gets more specific. Publishing in such a way that a nation has access to the gospel is very different than presenting the gospel on an individual basis. The world over, men and women need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are a number of ways to get the gospel to people, but here we have a direct command, Christians are to PREACH the gospel! The decisions a person makes regarding the gospel will affect their lives for eternity, thus the responsibility is a heavy one. It is difficult to think in terms of eternity, especially in a demanding fast food world. You have offended a Holy and a righteous God, there will be eternal consequences, or you can escape condemnation by placing your trust in the gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for every nation and every individual!

 

How do people hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Preach the Gospel of Peace:

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they are 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! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:13-17). Notice the passage gives us a logical order.

1. Whosoever is a curious term, it literally means “all without exception.”. God made salvation quite simple, trust in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. A natural problem arises, how can they call on the name of the Lord if they have not believed? Belief is a matter of the heart. The persons confession of faith stems from their heart belief. Both heart belief and confession are necessary for salvation. To simply make the confession would be vain, likewise to believe and never tell anyone would be suspicious.
3. The Bible takes us a step further, how can someone believe in someone, if they have never heard of him. Of course, this is both practical and logical. Furthermore, it defies much of the false religious experiences that dominate our religious world. You must first hear the gospel, then you have received the information necessary for your heart to believe and your mouth to confess.
4. The final aspect we will discuss, how can they hear without a preacher? Christians make the gospel of Jesus Christ manifest to this world through preaching (Titus 1:3). We are to publish in every nation, and preach to every creature.

Ye Heard the Word of Truth:

“That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 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, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:12-14). Once again we see the progression, people hear the gospel when a preacher gets it into their ears or their hands.

1. Men that first trusted in Christ, then go and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. Then others trusted after they heard the word of truth, which is the gospel of salvation.
3. Then believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit.

What is the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Romans 1:16 tells us it is “the power of God unto salvation.” The gospel is the only means God has available to him to save your soul. The verse is very specific, “THE POWER OF GOD” making very clear there is no other way available. It would be good then to set your sacraments aside, forget about church membership, stop attempting to keep some aspect of the law, you need the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:3 tells us “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:”

If at this point you are still wondering exactly what the gospel is, bare with me as we narrow our discussion and make things clear. Lets put this truth together, if the gospel is the power God has to save your soul, and you are unclear what the gospel is, then you should be humbly concerned. As you continue reading, I am going to predict what will happen next, I am going to specifically tell you, from the word of God, what the gospel is. You will respond in your mind by saying “I already knew that.” I encourage you, as you read these last several words, remain humble and be honest with yourself. God knows your heart, you have nothing whatsoever to prove to me.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ:

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”

The gospel is the fact that Jesus Christ, God made manifest in the flesh, died on the cross for the sins of the world. After his death on the cross, he was buried, sealed within the tomb, and three days later Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Soon after his resurrection, he was seen of many witnesses, many of whom we have recorded testimony with us to this day.

The death of God’s Son on the cross is a serious matter, I would encourage you to give it reasonable thought. Where will you spend eternity? What will happen when you pass from this life into the next?

What do I do with the gospel?

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, BECAUSE he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.” On the cross at Calvary Jesus Christ cried aloud “It is finished.” This signified the fact that the payment for sin is complete! There is only one step left to be taken by sinful men, BELIEVE the gospel.

God’s expectation of you and of me is that we recognize that we have transgressed his word, we have sinned.  Sin is not something that God takes lightly, it is a serious enough matter that he sacrificed his own dear Son as payment for man’s sin. The sacrifice is complete, Jesus is risen from the dead, payment has been made. Now, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

PLENTEOUS REDEMPTION

Recommended reading:

For more information on this topic, I would like to recommend a few books for you to read. Please take the eternal destination of your soul very serious. If planning for your future is important, how much more important is the eternal resting place of your soul?

A SURE FOUNDATION

A Sure Foundation is a wonderful book for new Christians, or those searching for foundational Christian truth. The book was written by Pastor James W Knox, the Pastor at The Bible Baptist Church of Deland Florida. The Lord has given him a wonderful gift to clearly present biblical truth.

8 THINGS THAT MATTER

W. Graham Scroggie was a great Bible teacher and prolific writer. Scroggie is both a godly man and an intellectual. Some suppose that the two cannot go hand in hand. His in-depth Bible studies are sure to help you gain a better understanding of God and the salvation he has provided.

THE SUFFERING SAVIOUR

F.W. Krummacher’s Suffering Saviour is by far one of my favorite books. Detailed meditations on the path from the last supper to the night in Gethsemane, Krummacher does a wonderful job of exalting the Saviour that died for our sin. I highly recommend this book.

GOD’S PROMISES: SALVATION, LIFE AND ETERNITY

Of course, we can always count on the numerous volumes left us by Spurgeon to give us the gospel. I would recommend any materials written by Spurgeon, he will always glorify Christ and give you the truth you need.

THE KING JAMES BIBLE 

The Holy Bible teaches us that “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17.  Friend if your desire is to know the true and living God, he left you a way to do just that. Read the word of God, meditate on its precepts and study its doctrines.

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