Ways to Understand the Gospel in the Bible : We often hear the word “gospel” in Christianity – perhaps calling something the “truths of the gospel.” We might say, “Spread the gospel” or “I love gospel music” or ask, “Which gospel talks about the birth of Christ?” But what does the word “gospel” really mean, and what is the gospel according to the Bible?
There are different usages of the word gospel. Generally, it can refer to the teachings of a religious teacher or something considered an absolute truth. For example, there is an Islamic gospel. Gospel music is a specific genre that emerged from the religious revival of the 19th century and can also be applied to Christian music spreading the word of God.
But for Christians, the word gospel primarily has two meanings: it can refer to one of the four sacred gospels, the theological literature written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which narrate the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus. It can also generally refer to the good news of Christ and our salvation found in the Bible. Most of the time, when we use the word “gospel,” we mean this latter definition: the good news of what God has done in Jesus.
Let’s take a look at what the gospel is in all its beautiful and life-changing truth.
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What Does the Word “Gospel” Mean?
The New Testament is the second part of the Bible, discussing the teachings and personality of Jesus and the events related to the early church. This book was written in Greek because Greek was the common language of the Mediterranean region where the church began. The Greek word for “gospel” is usually “euangelion” or “euangelizō,” which translates to gospel, good news, and preaching or announcing this good news. It was a way for Jesus and his followers to refer to the most important hope of humanity: that Jesus, the Son of God, is our way to immortality because all who believe in him can have eternal life.
Why is the Gospel in the Bible Known as the “Good News”?
Jesus explicitly told his disciples, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” – Matthew 24:14
After his death and resurrection, he commanded them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” – Mark 16:15
This good news is not a secret but a triumphant truth that Jesus wanted to spread worldwide. Instead, God’s plan for the end of the world does not begin until the good news has been spread worldwide. Without the gospel – the salvation we have through faith in Jesus – we have no chance of eternal life. We are separated from God because of our sins, and as Romans 6:23 explains, “For the wages of sin is death.” But as the verse continues, “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Jesus told us that he is “the way and the truth and the life,” and no one comes to the Father except through him. This is good news for us who are lost without him and now have this path to heaven and can escape the grave.
What is the Main Message of the Gospel?
When Jesus began his ministry, the Bible tells us: “Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is near; repent and believe in the gospel.'” – Mark 1:14-15
Before his ascension after the resurrection, Jesus summarized the gospel for his followers, saying: “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” – Luke 24:46-48
In summary, the gospel is about the death and resurrection of Jesus for the forgiveness of people’s sins. This is open and accessible to anyone who repents and believes that Jesus Christ is our savior.
Apostle Paul, whose letters to the early church form a significant part of the New Testament and clarify many concepts, reminds us in his letter to the church in Corinth what the gospel essentially is.
“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel, you are saved if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received, I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” – 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Again, it is clear: the gospel is that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again. By dying for our sins, he sacrificed himself for us and paid the full debt of the sins we commit against our Father, God. Therefore, anyone who decides to repent and believe in him is forgiven. As Jesus declared in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Why is Belief in the Gospel So Important?
If you hear this and decide not to believe in the gospel, then Jesus also makes the consequences clear: unbelievers are condemned.
After clarifying the good news in John 3:16, he added in John 3:17-18: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
The Greek word used here for “condemned” is “krino,” which means to judge legally, decide, punish, or be under judgment or decision. Another word can be “condemned” or “doomed.” He explains elsewhere, saying: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” – John 3:36
