The Gospel by Rob Haynes

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

Jesus, Mark 1:15 ESV

“Gospel” is a word that we hear quite a bit in church circles. However, what exactly is “the gospel?” In many settings, at least in churches in the West, it runs the risk of being reduced to something easily distilled to a few spiritual laws or a plan of Salvation that can be shared with someone else. While it is certainly admirable to try to make the message of Jesus one that others can understand, I am not sure that this always presents a biblically faithful presentation of the “gospel.” Rather, we should speak of the gospel as the Christian Scriptures do.

What is the Gospel? Defining the Good News

When the New Testament writers speak of the gospel, we see that the words translated from the Greek give us “gospel” or “good news.” This includes the words of Jesus recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The first hearers of this would have understood it in a way perhaps different from our use of it today. We need to, instead, speak about the gospel the way that the New Testament does. Correctly understood, this is a foundational message of good news that is incorporated into the entire Bible. The entire Bible contains the story of all that God has promised, has accomplished, and will bring to completion through his Son, Jesus. Jesus is the promised Messiah, the savior who takes away the sins of the world and will return as the Eternal King.

The Gospel in the Old and New Testament

“Bible” and “gospel” are almost interchangeable terms. The primary function of the Bible, from the opening chapter of Genesis to the complete story of John’s Revelation, is to bear witness to Jesus Christ. To put it succinctly, God’s good news is Jesus. This is important because many may be tempted to discard the Old Testament as inconvenient, unknowable, or an embarrassing preface to Jesus’ arrival. Rather, the Old Testament reveals God’s plan and accomplishment of his purposes in Jesus. The teachings and story of Jesus make sense because of the Old Testament backdrop. The same can be said of the parts of the New Testament letters that make us uncomfortable. Rather than discard them, our goal should be to understand them as God intends to use them to reveal the gospel.

To put it another way: The gospel is centered on Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. Jesus is the good news which God proclaims to us. The Bible is God’s self-revelation to us. The whole Bible bears witness to Jesus in one way or another. Therefore, the “gospel” is made up of the entire Bible, for God has given it to us to know and understand the person and work of Jesus as God’s good news.

Kingdom of God Meaning: Repentance, Faith, and Salvation

The Kingdom of God that Jesus reveals is the gospel that was proclaimed by the apostles and his faithful evangelists ever since. The response that God asks for is two-fold, repentance and faith. This response also brings demand and promise alike. On one hand salvation is promised by the King of Kings for any who respond in that faith and repentance. Since Jesus is King, change is also necessary. Jesus offers salvation and requires our obedience. These are both the blessings and the demands of Kingdom living.

This may sound harsh at first. But to those who have been set from the slavery to sin and death it is the life-giving message of freedom here and in the life to come. It is God’s life-giving, transforming power at work in the world. “It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16) Once we have experienced this transforming power, we cannot keep it to ourselves. Obedience to Christ is “faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6)

May we each faithfully work through love to share the gospel wherever Christ has placed us.