What Is The Gospel?

In the world today under the banner of Christendom we see many so-called Gospels being taught, believed and practiced. Well which one is the true and only Gospel spoken of in Gods Word, the Bible? And is it important to know the difference? 

Just so we have a foundation of truth to begin this short study, here is The Gospel as penned by the Holy Spirit inspired Apostle Paul:

1 Corinthians 15:1-8

"Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

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, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time."

So, the Gospel is defined as being the "death," "burial," and "resurrection," of Christ and that is all that is in the Gospel.

Let us first consider a number of the terms that are used to depict the “no-longer-lost” state. Here are several: saved, forgiven, delivered, cleansed, blotted out, washed, redeemed, life, set free, etc.

Lets reflect upon a number of New Testament texts in which these various expressions are connected with conditions preliminary to the reception of the associated goal. Along the way, we must remind ourselves that we are seeking biblical harmony among these passages — not contradiction. The Bible, being the inspired word of God, is harmonious. No “interpretation” may be placed on one text that forces it to conflict with another on the same theme. Note the following.

Belief + baptism = salvation (Mk. 16:16)

Belief = eternal life (Jn. 3:16)

Repentance + baptism = forgiveness (Acts 2:38)

Receiving the word + baptism = saved (Acts 2:41, 47)

Repentance + turning = sins blotted out (Acts 3:19)

Belief + baptism = rejoicing (Acts 8:37-39; 16:31-34)

Repentance = life (Acts 11:18)

Baptized = washing away of sins (Acts 22:16)

Faith = justification (Rom. 5:1)

Raised from baptism = newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4)

Obedience = righteousness (Rom. 6:16)

Obedience = delivered from sin (Rom 6:17)

Belief + confession = salvation (Rom. 10:9-10)

Washed + sanctified = justified (1 Cor. 6:11)

Baptism = in one body (1 Cor. 12:13)

Baptism = in Christ (Gal. 3:27)

Faith = salvation (Eph. 2:8)

Washing of water + word = cleansing (Eph. 5:26)

Washing + renewing = salvation (Tit. 3:5)

Baptism = salvation and good conscience (1 Pet. 3:21)

If one synthesizes the data in these texts he can come only to one conclusion. The following conditions are inherent to the divine plan of human salvation — belief, repentance, confession of faith, and baptism in water for remission of sins. The result of submitting to these inspired conditions is — salvation, forgiveness, justification, newness of life, and being in Christ, or in the one body a new citizen of His church.

The following is a gospel proclamation of a popular church movement in Southern California.

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

WE ARE A CHURCH OF COMMUNITIES LIVING OUT THE GOSPEL TOGETHER.

The Gospel is a story of “good news.” Thousands of years ago, God created this world and everything in it. He created people, men and women like you and me, so that they would know Him and be with Him. But God’s people quickly turned their backs on Him and chose their own way. When they did, a new reality of darkness and distance from God ushered in. However, God set a plan in motion to reclaim this creation that He loved and longed to be with. He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world as a way back to Himself. Through His life, Jesus taught us what God is like. Through His death, He took the judgment for our wrongdoing. Through His resurrection, He opened the door for us to have life with God for all of eternity. And now, through His Holy Spirit, He continues to draw people into His story and make their lives new.

WHY DOES IT NEED TO BE LIVED OUT?

The Gospel is a story that changes lives. For centuries, this story has rescued all kinds of people from lives of brokenness and has brought hope, meaning, and newness. In view of that, this is not just a story to be told. As we continue to encounter the Gospel and find our place in it, we want to live in light of its hope and promises. This means that we see our place in the world through a new lens – as men and women who show the people around us what the Author of the Gospel story is like.

WHY TOGETHER?

The Gospel is a story of togetherness. God did not create us to be alone. He created us for community with Himself and with the rest of His creation. So as we find our place in this story, we don’t have to live it out by ourselves. God has given us one another with the intent that we would do this together. Not only does that benefit us, but as we step into the kind of Church that God wants us to be, we want our love for each other to represent Him to the world in compelling ways.

So here is the question. Do you see the obvious differences between the gospel from Heaven in 1 Corinthians 15 and the gospel of man above? The content and intentions are dramatically opposed to each other for which the latter really is no gospel of Jesus Christ whatsoever.

Conclusion:

What it comes down to is, obedience to Christ is the only way to recognize, hear and obey the gospel correctly. This video presentation represents the true gospel and response to it to salvation.

Blessings: