Let me start by stating the simplified answer to the question, “What is the gospel?”
The “gospel” is an expression in Scripture that simply means “good news.” It is best to think of the gospel in three related parts.
- The Gospel – Jesus is the Messiah, the promised saving King described in Scripture. He came into our world as God’s Son from heaven, and he died for our sins and rose from the dead. He is now enthroned at God’s right hand, and he is coming back as humanity’s Judge.
- Gospel Benefits – Jesus offers you forgiveness, right standing with God, hope, his indwelling presence, and new life in his kingdom now and after you die, in eternity.
- Gospel Response – You respond by making the decision to place your faith in Jesus and his gospel, which means you will trust and follow Jesus in all things. You turn to Jesus by turning from your sinful lifestyle, by verbally expressing your faith in him and by surrendering to his new life in water baptism.
Now that you know where I am going, can we step back and look at some deeper issues within how to define the gospel?
“What is the gospel?” is an important question for Christian leaders to think through. It’s easy for Christian leaders to refer to and affirm their belief in the gospel without telling their people what the gospel actually is. The assumption is that everyday Christians already understand it, and then when leaders do not define it, a good number of Christians, even seasoned ones, have a vague, imprecise idea of it. Worse yet, sometimes church leaders talk about the gospel, but describe something that isn’t quite the gospel, or they present a distorted view of the gospel.
Precision is important.
What Does the Bible Say About the Gospel?
In 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, the apostle Paul gives us a summary of the gospel that has become a go-to passage for church leaders. Notice the five key components: 1) Christ died for our sins, 2) in according to the Scriptures, 3) he was buried, 4) he was raised on the third day, 5) and he appeared to many people afterward.
“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, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-6, NIV)
This is a succinct and pivotal passage. Yet, as I’ve studied additional passages that describe the gospel, I’ve seen that, when used alone, this 1 Corinthians passage is far from a complete gospel, and it does not provide all the precision we need. In fact, too often in the Protestant or Restoration Movement church, this passage has been used to promote a gospel whose only emphasis is salvation from sins, which is a truncated gospel.
“In 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, the apostle Paul gives us a summary of the gospel that has become a go-to passage for church leaders.”
As we look at other important scriptures on the gospel, we see a more multifaceted gospel, one that includes forgiveness for our sins but is much more substantive than just that single focus. In a word, we need to proclaim the “King Jesus Gospel,” as Scot McKnight so ably described in his 2011 book, The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited. Thoughtful leaders who want to understand and articulate the gospel today will start by forming their minds around the truths this book presents.
As an example, just as there are four verses used to describe the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, there are four key verses at the beginning of the book of Romans (1:1-4) that describe the gospel, but the picture is an expanded one. Notice the five key components of the gospel in these verses: 1) the gospel was promised beforehand through the prophets, 2) the gospel is in regard to the Son, who in his earthly life was a descendant of David, 3) through the Spirit of Holiness he was appointed the Son of God, 4) he was appointed in power through the resurrection of the dead, and 5) he is Jesus Christ our Lord:
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 1:1-4, NIV)
“. . . the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David . . .”
The gospel as described in Romans 1:1-4 is also important for us to incorporate into our understanding of the gospel. Yet, here, the emphasis isn’t as much on forgiveness of sins. Although forgiveness of sins figures prominently throughout the book of Romans, in this particular description of the gospel, there is no mention that “Jesus died for our sins.” It’s common to state that you are not proclaiming the gospel unless you focus on the forgiveness of sins. However, is it okay to focus on the forgiveness of sins while ignoring the gospel’s emphasis on “Jesus Christ our Lord,” a title that includes his kingship (“Christ”) and lordship, or that, as “a descendant of David,” Jesus is King?
Aren’t both passages, and what they teach, important for understanding the gospel?
There is more.
Sometimes when describing the gospel, the focus in Scripture is on other things that are not explicitly mentioned in either Romans 1:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 15:3-6. For example, in 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Paul says that those who do not obey the gospel will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord.
“He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, NIV)
“He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”
As we see in this passage, the gospel message includes judgment of those who do not obey it. Then, in Romans 2:6-16, Paul says something similar, as he ties the gospel to the day of judgment.
“This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.” (Romans 2:16, NIV)
So, our gospel, if it is to be a truly biblical gospel, will include the day of judgment and punishment, as well.
Putting It All Together
Here is my point: it is actually not easy to describe the gospel precisely and succinctly. Matthew Bates does a good job summarizing the teaching of God’s Word in his RENEW.org book The Gospel Precisely. I recommend it if you want a good summary work on this topic. Christian leaders ought to be able to describe the teachings which the Bible categorizes under the “gospel.”
At the same time, we should not feel compelled to mention everything that is a part of the gospel each time we describe it. That would not be realistic. Even Paul, Peter, and the other apostles did not do that.
So, we want to be accurate and sensitive to the nuances of the situation. Evangelistic situations require summaries and nuance. And when providing fuller teaching, it is important to accurately summarize.
If you take the time to review every passage in Scripture on the gospel/good news, as I have done several times, I believe you will find the following to be a good summary of the gospel. Please note, it is important not to confuse the benefits of the gospel and response to the gospel, with the gospel itself. Scripture does not do that. We have found it to be most helpful to delineate 1) the gospel 2) gospel benefits and 3) gospel response. When we think in terms of these three parts, it makes things clearer, and clarity makes things more compelling.
What is the gospel? “We have found it to be most helpful to delineate 1) the gospel 2) gospel benefits and 3) gospel response.”
Based on several times reading through the Bible’s references to the gospel, I have come to the following summaries:
The Gospel
The gospel is the good news that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) and, as Christ (Messiah), he:
- Pre-existed as God the Son,
- Was sent by the Father,
- Took on human flesh in fulfillment of God’s promises to King David,
- Lived as humanity’s example and teacher,
- Died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and was buried,
- Was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures,
- Appeared to many witnesses,
- Is enthroned at the right hand of God as the ruling messianic King,
- Has sent the Holy Spirit to his people to effect his rule, and
- Will come again as final Judge to rule.
The earliest Christians often summarized the gospel in succinct statements like this one. Everett Ferguson, an ancient church and Restoration Movement historian, provides examples from the earliest Christians in his book The Rule of Faith: A Guide. The Apostles’ Creed is an example of how early Christians sought to write a short and summarizing statement to clarify the gospel. There is merit in using it today.
In addition, from studying the gospel, here are the benefits I found that come from the gospel as well as the response we need to have to the gospel:
Gospel Benefits
By grace, Jesus the Messiah gives the following to those who respond to Jesus in faith (see below):
- Salvation,
- Forgiveness of all sins,
- Righteousness (right standing with God),
- Hope in what is stored up in heaven,
- God’s Holy Spirit as an indwelling presence, seal, and sanctifying power,
- A new life in the God’s Kingdom now and when Jesus returns,
- Future resurrection from the dead, without fear of eternal punishment,
- An extended family of brothers, sisters, fathers, etc.,
- Unification of both Jews and non-Jews (gentiles), and
- Our names written in the book of life.
Gospel Response
Placing faith in Jesus and his gospel is born of the Spirit and involves allegiance, loyalty, and faithfulness. In the list below describing this response, notice that we respond to the gospel by placing our faith in Jesus for salvation (expressed in numbers 1-4) and by continuing to grow in faithfulness to our King throughout the rest of our lives (see numbers 5-10).
- Repentance from sin and choosing obedience,
- Deep conviction,
- Confession,
- Baptism,
- Hope,
- Sacrifice and suffering, even to the point of losing one’s family or one’s life,
- Service and love for others,
- Generosity,
- Proclaiming the gospel to others,
- Living a life worthy of the gospel.
This embodied response to the gospel is described in Acts 2. After describing the core teachings that are found in the gospel, the apostle Paul states the summary truth in verse 36: “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
Acts 2:37-39 (NIV) then tells us their response:
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’”
What is the gospel? “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
This same embodied response to the gospel—belief, repentance, and baptism in Jesus’ name for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live a life worthy of the gospel—is available today. We should state this message clearly and with conviction.
Don’t Miss These Two Facets of the Gospel
To fully understand the gospel and the gospel response of faith, as Scripture teaches, it is important to understand two things that are not being clearly taught enough in our churches.
First, Jesus is humanity’s King and Judge. A part of the gospel is Jesus’ enthronement to the right hand of God, where he is currently reigning as Lord and anointed King. He will come back to judge. We need a gospel where people relate to Jesus in reverence and awe. Too often he is presented only as our Savior, not also as humanity’s reigning King and future Judge.
Second, faith is not just mental assent and/or trust. Faith, according to Scripture, is a term about living, breathing relationship. Yes, trust is at the heart of it, but so is loyalty, allegiance, and devotion. Teresa Morgan has provided deep study on this point in her book Roman Faith and Christian Faith: Pistis and Fides in the Early Roman Empire and Early Churches. And I want to recommend another of Matthew Bates’ books, Why the Gospel?: Living the Good News of King Jesus with Purpose, on this point.
You might also be on the lookout for the soon-to-be released free RENEW.org eBook on related topics by Curt Erskine, The King Jesus Revolution.
What is the gospel? “A part of the gospel is Jesus’ enthronement to the right hand of God, where he is currently reigning as Lord and anointed King.”
Sharing the Gospel with Lost People
We need summaries of the gospel to present to people, as we lead them to place faith in Jesus the messianic and saving King. At my home church, we do this in several ways. One of the ways I like to summarize the gospel is through a lens that I learned from N. T. Wright. In his book Simply Good News, he maintains that in the ancient world the expression “gospel” or “good news” had a political context. In brief, it was an expression you would use when something really big happened that changed everything moving forward. For example, think of the change that occurred when a new Roman Emperor came to power. Wright puts it this way when it comes to who Jesus is and what he did in the gospel:
“The good news was, and is, that all this has happened in and through Jesus; that one day it will happen, completely and utterly, to all creation; and that we humans, every single one of us, whoever we are, can be caught up in that transformation here and now.”
That makes for a helpful framework for evangelism (or discipling lost people, as I prefer to say).
So, I recommend that you work on your succinct gospel statements, and in so doing use a broader summary than just the death of Jesus for our sins. Talk about Jesus’ rule and the necessity of surrendering to him. This is especially true when we are explaining our faith briefly and succinctly to non-believers. Truly, it should fill us with joy and hope when we learn that Jesus, the One who loves us more than we love ourselves, is the One who reigns. That’s good news!
“It should fill us with joy and hope when we learn that Jesus, the One who loves us more than we love ourselves, is the One who reigns.”
So, again, here is how I share “the gospel,” the “good news”:
- The Gospel – Jesus is the Messiah, the promised saving King described in Scripture. He came into our world as God’s Son from heaven, and he died for our sins and rose from the dead. He is now enthroned at God’s right hand, and he is coming back as humanity’s Judge.
- Gospel Benefits – Jesus offers you forgiveness, right standing with God, hope, his indwelling presence, and new life in his kingdom now and after you die, in eternity.
- Gospel Response – You respond by making the decision to place your faith in Jesus and his gospel, which means you will trust and follow Jesus in all things. You turn to Jesus by turning from your sinful lifestyle, by verbally expressing your faith in him and by surrendering to his new life in water baptism.
