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The GOSPEL
Also see the gospel outline at: The Gospel
1. Definition based on the
Greek:
The verb occurs 54 times,
and means to announce good news.
Euangelidzō is used only 2 times by John in Revelation (10:7; 14:6).
Euangelidzomai is used 52 times.
The root word is angelidzō and means simply, to announce or give a message.
From this word, we have angelos, or ANGEL, which simply means, a messenger.
The little word, EU, in front means, good, well, acceptable.
Together, then, it means to announce or bring a message of good news.
The noun, euangelion is
used 77 times, and means good announcement (news).
The noun, euangelistās, is used 3 times for an announcer of good news;
an evangelist.
There is only one gospel.
It is the gospel of salvation from sin, and the gospel of the abundant life;
the quality of life that can be lived as a result of that salvation.
A. The plan of salvation:
Eph. 1:13, the gospel of your salvation; Rom. 1:16.
The issue here is to be saved from the penalty of sin; the wrath of God and
the eternal condemnation that comes from His perfect righteousness and
justice.
B. Standards for living the
Christian way of life: 1 Tim. 1:3-11; Acts 15:35; Rom. 16:25; Gal. 1:6-9;
3:1-3; Titus 2:11-12.
The issue here is to live according to God’s righteous standards and enjoy the
abundant life of peace, joy and inner stability.
2. Salvation from sin gives a person PEACE WITH
GOD (reconciliation) and an entrance into the kingdom of God to live
here on earth under his authority, viewpoint and policy (Titus 2:11-12) and in
eternity to live with Him forever and ever in perfect harmony and happiness. Rom. 5:1-2; Col.
1:13-14.
3. The idea and term, “gospel of the kingdom,”
refers to this entrance and access into God’s (right now) kingdom. That’s what Jesus was
talking about at John 3:3 and 5, when He told Nicodemus that one could ACCESS
the kingdom of God only by being born again.
See Topic: The kingdom of God
4.
Since SALVATION from sin is the basis for both entrance into the kingdom and
access to Kingdom of God resources, it is called, “the gospel of salvation.”
Eph. 1:13
Thus, it is announced to Joseph, “For it is He who will save His people from
their sins.” Mat. 1:21
And to the shepherds a clear announcement of salvation was made, “I bring you
GOOD NEWS (gospel) of a great joy which will be for all the people; for today
in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord.” Luke 2:10-11.
The angels also proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace
(peace with God) to men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:14
Thus, when Jesus proclaimed the GOSPEL, “He came and proclaimed good news of
PEACE to you who were far away (Gentiles) and peace to those who were near
(Jews). Eph. 2:17
Acts 10:36, “The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming the
good news of peace through Jesus Christ.”
Simeon understood this when he was told that
he would not die before he saw “the Lord’s Christ (Messiah).” Luke 2:26
He was thus able to proclaim, “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you
have prepared in the presence of all peoples; a light of revelation to the
Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:30-32
This was UNDERSTOOD by those who were “looking
for the redemption of Jerusalem,” and “for the consolation of Israel.”
This was not something NEW to them. It had been
taught by the prophets in the Old Testament. 1 Peter 1:10-11 (NET).
”Concerning this salvation, the prophets who predicted the grace that would
come to you searched and investigated carefully. They probed into what person
or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified
beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent
glory.”
John the
baptizer certainly understood the issue involved with salvation. John 1:29,
"Behold the lamb of God who takes up the sin of the world."
THOUGHTS ON PROGRESSIVE REVELATION
I believe in the concept of progressive
revelation. That is, that some details are not made known to Old Testament
believers until after Christ's first advent. But I think it relates more to
WRITTEN revelation rather than what was actually known by the people. I
believe that the people of the OT knew and understood MUCH more than the
text reveals, and that includes in the area of God's plan of salvation. The
OT was not designed as an evangelistic manual but I see evidence that they
understood what the CORE of the salvation provision was. IE. A Savior; the
sacrifice of the Savior for REDEMPTION; resurrection; everlasting life;
I really don't think that the people offered animal sacrifices without
UNDERSTANDING that it symbolized the salvation promise that had been taught
since Adam was in the garden.
When God made animal clothing for Adam and Eve, I truly think that He taught
them then and there WHY the animal had to die in order to provide the
clothing.
Noah was a proclaimer of righteousness. Surely he and the hearers understood
that he was talking about being right with God through forgiveness of sins.
2 Peter 2:5
David understood about forgiveness of sins. Psalm 32
Job understood about redemption and a redeemer. Job 19:25-26, "I know that
my redeemer lives and later He will arise on the earth. Even after my skin
is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God."
Abraham had knowledge of resurrection as the writer of Hebrews through
divine inspiration tells us. "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered
up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only
begotten son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be
named;' considering that God was able even to raise him from the dead."
Hebrews 11:17-19.
They all understood WHAT redemption meant and understood that it was only
available on God's terms.
MANY of the Psalms teach this.
Psalm 49:7-9
"no man can redeem another or give to God a ransom for him . .
that he should live on eternally."
Verse 15, "but God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will
receive me."
The OT prophets taught about forgiveness of sins through a savior.
Acts 10:43.
“Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who
believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”
It was understood in an OT context that God would provide a Savior for both
Jew and Gentile.
Luke 2:30-31.
The people, even the Samaritans, understood that there would be a "savior of
the world."
John 4:25, 42.
Luke 11:31-32
The queen of the south and the people of Nineveh received eternal salvation.
What they heard and believed MUST have been "redemption" information from
Solomon and from Jonah respectively.
Again, the specifics are not RECORDED as the good news of redemption was
proclaimed throughout the world, but I truly believe that the specifics were
PROCLAIMED.
Luke 24:46-47
"Thus IT IS WRITTEN, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the
dead the third day; and that repentance for forgiveness sins should be
proclaimed in His name to all the nations beginning from Jerusalem."
THE PHYSICAL KINGDOM
The Old Testament also
teaches about the physical kingdom that the Messiah will establish on the
earth when He sits on David’s throne. This entails a physical deliverance of
Israel
from all her enemies and was often confused with the SPIRITUAL kingdom by the
disciples and the people of Israel. Students of the Bible are also challenged to discern between WHAT
kingdom issue is in view when looking at various New Testament passages.
As a matter of fact, the earthly, Davidic kingdom is not taught about
anywhere in the New Testament - either by Jesus or the apostles until it is
mentioned in the book of Revelation.
See Topic:
the Millennial kingdom
THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
The prophets in the Old Testament
were taught not only the FACT of a coming Savior and salvation from sin, but
also the MEANS by which the Savior would provide this salvation.
Isaiah 53:5 (NET), “He was wounded because of
our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins.”
Isaiah 53:8 (NASB), “He was cut off out of the land of the living, for the
transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due.”
Isaiah 53:11 (NASB), “As a result of the suffering of His soul, He will see;
He will be satisfied. By His knowledge, the Righteous One, My servant, will
justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities.”
The fact that the coming Messiah
would be the Savior was clearly taught in the Old Testament, both directly and
in type. Acts 10:43.
“Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who
believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”
A. Gen. 3:15 - the seed of
the woman who defeats Satan.
B. Gen. 4:26 - then men began calling on the name of the LORD.
Joel 2:32, “whoever will call on the name of the LORD will be saved.”
C. Noah: A proclaimer of righteousness - 2 Pet. 2:5
D. Abraham: Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:1-5;
Gen. 12:2-3 and Gal. 3:8, “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would
justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel beforehand to Abraham,
saying, ‘all the nations shall be blessed in you.’”
E. Job: Job 19:25-26, “I know that my Redeemer lives.”
F. Moses: Heb. 11:24-26, Moses evaluated that “the reproach of (identification
with) the Messiah was of greater value than the treasures of Egypt.”
G. The sacrificial system: Heb. 9 and 10 (9:1-12)
H. The prophets: 1 Pet. 1:10-12
I. Isaiah: 28:16; 55:1-3; 53:5-12
J. Ninevah: Jonah 3:5; Luke 11:32
K. Romans 10:13-21
5. The gospel that John the
baptizer proclaimed and the gospel that Jesus proclaimed is the SAME gospel.
A. John proclaimed, “Repent for
the kingdom of heaven (God) is at hand.” Mat. 3:2
Repentance means that the person must change his mind about his present
belief system in order to TRULY accept the belief system of salvation by
grace.
B. Jesus proclaimed, “The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the
gospel.” Mark 1:15.
It is the same gospel and the same message. Believe in the Savior for the
forgiveness of sins.
C. At Mark 1:4, John’s message is summarized, “proclaiming a baptism of
repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (It is repentance for forgiveness;
not baptism for forgiveness, Luke 24:47).
D. When Luke summarizes John’s
ministry, he uses the simple term, “the gospel.” “So with many exhortations
also he proclaimed the gospel to the people.” Luke 3:18.
E. At Acts 19:4, Paul summarizes John’s message, “telling the people to
believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
F. Jesus Himself said the same thing at John 6:29, “This is the work of God,
that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”
And at John 8:24, “Unless you believe that I am he, you shall die in your
sins.”
And John 12:36, “While you have the light, believe in the light, in order that
you may become sons of light.”
G. And after His resurrection,
Jesus instructs the disciples to proclaim the very same message, “that
repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the
nations,” (Luke 24:47).
H.
The message of the disciples during Christ’s time on earth:
Mt. 10:27; Luke 9:2-6, “And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God.
Luke 10:9-16, “the kingdom
of God has come near you.”
Those other than “official” disciples were also commissioned to proclaim the
gospel. Luke 9:60, “go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”
I. The gospel of God and the gospel of the kingdom are the same thing.
Luke 8:1, “proclaiming and announcing good news of the kingdom of God.”
Mark 1:14, “the gospel of God”
Mat. 4:23; 9:35, “the gospel of the kingdom”
J. When it is said that the
kingdom of God (heaven) was proclaimed, it is referring to the proclamation of
the GOSPEL of the kingdom, which is the gospel of salvation through repentance
for the forgiveness of sins. In fact, at Luke 16:16, the term occurs, “the
gospel of the kingdom of God.”
The terms, kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven are synonymous. Mat. 19:23-24;
Matthew 4:17, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Mark 1:15, “the kingdom of God is at hand; repent therefore and believe.”
K. At Matthew 24:14 and 26:13,
“this THE gospel,” was clearly understood to mean the very same gospel OF
SALVATION that he had been proclaiming from the beginning.
Along with the demonstrative pronoun, THIS, is the definite article, THE,
thus, “this, THE gospel of the kingdom.” It is therefore focusing NOT on the
statement of deliverance just given, but to THE SPECIFIC gospel of the
kingdom; the gospel of salvation, that has been proclaimed all along.
The theory that Jesus was talking about a different gospel; a gospel of being
physically delivered through the tribulation through endurance is not
consistent with the rest of Scripture. Nor is it consistent with the immediate
context, for Jesus does not say, “this gospel,” as in referring to the
previous mention of deliverance through endurance, BUT He says, “this the
gospel OF THE KINGDOM.” The reference is clearly to the specific gospel of
the kingdom that has been proclaimed all throughout His ministry.
6. When Jesus was teaching the disciples after His resurrection,
that ministry is summarized at Acts 1:3 as, “speaking of the things concerning
the kingdom of God.”
They were still unsure about exactly what they were to do, so Jesus had to
tell them that their ministry was to proclaim the gospel in all the world.
Acts 1:6-8
Thus, at Luke 24:44-48,
”Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was
still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the
prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds so
they could understand the scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it stands
written that the Christ would suffer and would rise from the dead on the third
day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his
name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these
things.”
7. Philip’s message was,
“proclaiming the good news (gospel) about the kingdom of God and the name of
Jesus Christ,” Acts 8:12.
And Paul’s message is summarized at Acts 19:8 as, “reasoning and persuading
them about the kingdom of God.”
And at Acts 20:25, “among whom I went about proclaiming the kingdom.”
Acts 28:23, “solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God.”
Acts 28:31, “proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord
Jesus Christ.”
8. What is the required response
to the gospel.
Both repentance and belief (trust) are required to become born again and enter
into God’s kingdom. Jesus said at Mark 1:15, “repent and believe in the
gospel.”
(1) The issue of repentance: The
Greek word, metanoieō, means to change the mind. It does NOT mean to stop
sinning. It means to change the mind. What change of thinking needs to take
place? The person must change his mind about his present belief system in
order to TRULY accept the belief system of salvation by grace. It does not
matter WHAT it is, whether Judaism, the Greek mystery cults, Catholicism,
Mormonism – whatever. THAT belief system must be abandoned and acceptance of
God’s plan of salvation IN CHRIST must be claimed.
Thus, the
ultimatum given by Jesus at Luke 13:3, 5, “but unless you repent, you will all
likewise perish.”
And the commission given at Luke 24:47, “repentance for forgiveness of sins
should be proclaimed.”
And at Acts 20:21, the gospel message is summarized as, “repentance toward God
and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(2) The issue of FAITH: The
Greek word, pisteuo, means to trust something; to believe that something is
true and to DEPEND on it AS true. With Christ as the object of faith, it means
to totally trust the fact that HE is the one who died for your sins and that
BY BELIEVING in Him, you will in fact, be forgiven all sins and given eternal
life.
A. John the baptizer’s
message: Acts 19:4, “a baptism of repentance . . . believe in Him.”
B. Christ’s message: Mark 1:15, “repent and believe in the gospel”
John 6:29, 40 and 12:36.
John 3:16, “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life.”
C. The message of the apostles: Acts 15:7, that “the Gentiles should hear the
word of the gospel and believe.”
D. Acts 26:20, “that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds that
evidence repentance.”
Romans 1:16, the gospel is “the power of God to salvation to everyone who
believes.”
D. The command of Acts
16:31, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” The
imperative mood is the mood of COMMAND. Obedience to this command is to
believe; FAITH. Accordingly, several times this expression of faith is
described as OBEDIENCE.
Acts 5:32, The Holy Spirit, “Whom God has given to those who obey
Him.”
Acts 6:7, “and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the
faith.”
Acts 14:2, “but the Jews who disobeyed (were not persuaded by)”
Romans 1:5, “to bring about the obedience of (which is) faith among the
Gentiles.”
Romans 2:8, “but to those who . . . do not obey the truth . . . wrath and
indignation.”
Romans 6:17, “you obeyed from the heart that form of teaching to which you
were exposed.”
Romans 16:26, “my gospel . . . has been made known to all the nations, leading
to obedience of faith.”
2 Thes. 1:8, “those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 5:9, “He became to all those who obey Him, the source of eternal
life.”
1 Peter 4:17, “what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel
of God?”
1 Peter 2:8, “who stumble by being disobedient to (not persuaded by) the
word.”
9. Comments on Matthew
16:21-23.
”From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to
Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief
priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and on the third day be
raised. So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him: ‘God forbid, Lord!
This must not happen to you!’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind
me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, because you are not setting your
mind on God’s interests, but on man’s.’”
Some have suggested that since Peter rebuked
Jesus for this revelation, he did not understand the gospel and that the
gospel in fact, had not been taught to them.
Peter understood the gospel. Peter had been taught that the Savior was to die
for the sins of His people. John the baptizer taught this by the phrase,
“behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” (John 1:29).
Peter and the other disciples understood academically that Jesus was the
Messiah, the Son of God (Mat. 16:16), but his emotional zeal would not let him
make the necessary and logical conclusion that Jesus was THEREFORE “the lamb
of God’ that John the baptizer had announced.
Satan was continually “bothering” Peter and God had allowed this harassment to
occur.
We learn at Luke 22:31, that “Satan had obtained permission to sift you all
like wheat.”
Thus, he was permitted to “suggest” various things to Peter and the others.
This is why at Mat. 16:16:23, Jesus says to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! . .
. you are not setting your mind on God’s things but on man’s.”
Satan had not really “possessed” Peter, but the PROTEST by Peter was suggested
to him by Satan, and was of the satanic agenda to keep Christ from going to
the cross.
So, it went no further, and Peter with the other disciples learned that Jesus
was indeed the Savior of the world, who, like a lamb, was to be sacrificed for
the sins of the world.
However, even with such knowledge, they were unable to keep their faith in the
face of the human judgments and the crucifixion. They were not even sure about
the resurrection reality until it happened and was confirmed by several
appearances by Jesus.
10. Definition based on the
message which is proclaimed. This is WHAT the gospel message was about.
A. Luke 2:10, source of
great joy
B. The kingdom of God:
Luke 4:43; 8:1; 16:16; cf. Acts 28:31
C. Jesus Christ: Acts 5:42 (Jesus: Acts 8:35; The Lord Jesus: Acts 11:20)
D. The word: Acts 8:4 (The word of the Lord: Acts 15:35)
E. Things about the kingdom
of God: Acts 8:12; cf. Acts 28:31
F. Peace by Jesus Christ: Acts 10:36 (Peace: Eph. 2:17)
G. To turn from idols to God: Acts 14:15
H. Good things: Romans 10:15
I. The Faith: Gal. 1:23
J. The unfathomable riches of Christ: Eph. 3:8
K. Thus, the good news about God and His plan for the human race;
Entrance into and participation in the kingdom of God.
11. What must be believed:
The details of the salvation message
A. The outline at 1 Cor.
15:3-8
1. Christ: the Messiah who
is God in the flesh (Emmanuel, Is. 7:14)
2. Died for our sins: Spiritual sacrifice - John 1:29; Is. 53:10
3. Died physically: "buried" - principle of John 12:24
4. Rose from the dead: resurrection as proof - Acts 17:31
B. Believe in Christ: Acts
16:31
C. Belief in the Father: Rom. 4:24; John 5:24
D. Faith in His blood: That is, the sacrifice He made - Rom. 3:25
E. Faith in the resurrection: Rom. 10:9; Col. 2:12
F. HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN:
http://www.biblefragrances.com/studies/becomeChristian.html
12. The GOSPEL titles:
A. Gospel of the kingdom:
Mt. 4:23; 9:35; 24:14; Mk. 1:14; cf. Acts 28:31
Gospel of the kingdom of God, Luke 16:16
B. Gospel of God: Rom. 1:1; 15:16; 2 Cor. 11:7; 1 Thes. 2:2, 8, 9; 1 Pet.4:17
C. Gospel of the Blessed God: 1 Tim. 1:11
D. Gospel of Jesus Christ: Mat. 1:1
E. Gospel of Christ: Rom .1:16; 15:19; 1 Cor. 9:12, 18; 2 Cor. 2:12; 9:13;
10:14;
Gal. 1:7; Philip. 1:27; 1 Thes. 3:2
F. Gospel of the glory of
Christ: 2 Cor. 4:4
G. Gospel of our Lord Jesus: 2 Thes. 1:8
H. Gospel of His Son: Rom. 1:9
I. Gospel of the grace of God: Acts 20:24
J. Gospel of peace: Eph. 6:15
K. Gospel of your salvation: Eph. 1:13
L. My gospel and our gospel: Rom. 2:16; 16:25; 1 Thes. 1:5; 2 Thes. 2:14; 2
Tim.2:8.
M. The everlasting gospel: Rev. 14:6
13. Believing in vain: 1
Cor. 15:2
A. Means to believe the
wrong object. Put your trust in something other than the details of the gospel
as God has outlined it.
B. If someone believes
something else it is another gospel (Gal. 1:6-9) and although their "faith"
may be genuine, since it is in the wrong object, it is in vain, and it will
not save.
14. Believer's attitude
toward the gospel:
A. Rom. 1:16 - not ashamed
B. 2 Tim. 2:15 - diligence in study in order to teach it accurately.
C. 1 Pet. 3:15-16 - always ready with a "word" to those who ask.
D. Paul's example: 1 Cor. 9:19-23.
Paul always made himself available to those who needed to hear the gospel.
He never brought up any false issues such as race or social status or
religious persuasion. And he never used emotional or intellectual gimmicks to
persuade the hearers. 1 Cor. 2:1-5; 1 Thes. 2:3-8
15. The false gospel:
A. A distorted gospel: Gal.
1:6-9; 2:11-14; 2 Cor. 11:3-4
This includes ANYTHING added to FAITH ALONE.
B. A false messenger: 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Mat. 7:22-23; Acts 16:16-18
C. Incomplete message: Apollos - Acts 18:24-25
D. A carnal messenger: Philip. 1:15-17
Even so, if the message is accurate, there can be benefit, but if there is sin
in the life, it can influence the accuracy of the message.
E. A faulty response:
1. 1 Cor. 15:2 - believing
in vain: This means that their faith was not in the right object, but in a
distorted object; perhaps involving works or some other addition to the gospel
message, that takes it out of the realm of “by grace . . . through faith”
(Eph. 2:8-9).
2. A wrong focus: John 6:14-15.
The people were interested in some kind of PHYSICAL or materialistic benefit,
but did not really understand that Christ’s message revolved around the
spiritual issue of salvation from sin. They were interested in “Him” but not
interested in His true nature or His message.
F. The blinded mind: 2 Cor. 4:3-4 (with Mat.
13:19). They are unable to “repent;” unable to abandon their present belief
system and accept the true belief system.
G. Gal. 5:1-9; Rom. 4:1-4: faith in your works is a false gospel and does not
save.
This includes ANY kind of human merit. At John 1:13, we are told that that the
new birth (becoming a child of God) is NOT from blood (hereditary merit); and
not from the will of the flesh (personal philosophy from the sin nature); and
not from the will of man (organized philosophy and religion).
At 1 Corinthians 1:26 we learn that election (salvation) is not based on
“wise” (intellectual merit); nor on “mighty” (physical merit); nor on “noble”
(social merit).
16.
Why become a Christian?
http://www.biblefragrances.com/studies/becomxn.html
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