The Gospel Defined

There are scores of great resources in books and online that give very beautiful, in depth and theologically correct definitions of the Gospel (you can find some of these resources on the Sabbath Today website HERE). So what is the Gospel?

Let’s start first with a short definition of the Gospel. The English word itself is a translation of the Greek word “euangelion” which basically means good news. Although the word “euangelion” is used in the New Testament over 100 times (in either noun or verb form), the Bible gives a direct definition of the Gospel in only 2 places: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 and Romans 1:16-17. We’re going to quote both texts here:

• - 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 - 1 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. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 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.7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
• - Romans 1:16-17 - 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.

Thus, the Bible definition of the Gospel has the following basic elements:

• - We are sinners which makes us lost (1 Cor. 15:2, 8)
• - Christ died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3)
• - Christ was buried and raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:4)
• - Christ appeared to many as evidence of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:5-8)
• - God saves us by faith alone. (Rom. 1:17. 1 Cor. 15:2)
• - This salvation is for everyone (Rom. 1:16)

So we could restate the bullet points above by saying the Gospel is about Christ and the salvation that God gives freely through His birth, life, death, burial and resurrection to all who believe in Him.

The Good News part of the Gospel is that God is offering this amazing Eternal Life with Him forever in heaven, to all those who believe. And He is making this offer free of charge or obligation to any one of us if we receive Jesus in our heart and surrender our life to Him. If you are not sure about your eternal future, then please read our article “Your Eternal Destiny Changed Forever” .

The Bible goes beyond just the basic definition of the Gospel to explain the implications and applications of the Gospel for each believer and for humanity. Please read our article “Bible Applications and Implications of the Gospel” to find out more.