The Gospel Message

Where are you going?  What are you doing?  What is life all about?  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the key to answering all these questions.  If you want to know the answers, Jesus Christ is the key to all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  In fact, He said, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6 ESV. Jesus also made the astounding statement that "He who believes in Me has everlasting life. John 3:36 NKJV. The Gospel of Christ is the best news that you will ever hear. The links below go into more detail about this good news.

What is the Gospel?

The English word “gospel” comes from the Anglo-Saxon godspell, meaning “God-story” or “good story.”  It translates the Greek euangelion, which means “good news.”  Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, tenth edition, defines the gospel as “The message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation.”  According to Unger’s Bible Dictionary, the gospel is the “full and free deliverance from sin on the basis of simple faith in Jesus Christ.”   The facts of the Gospel were outlined by the Apostle Paul when he wrote to some of his converts:

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved … For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 ESV

So the gospel is the good news that salvation is freely available to you because Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world, because He was raised from the dead on account of our justification, and because by Him all who believe are justified from all things.

The death of Christ for our sins is good news because it implies that we do not need to die for them.  The gospel is the good news about the death, burial and resurrection of the Jesus Christ as provided by our Lord and preached by His disciples. 

What is Sin?

Sin is any lack of conformity to the character of God.  Sin is a failure to meet God’s standards, a failure to obey the commands of God.  The commands of God are revealed in the Bible.  However, even apart from the Bible, everyone has a sense of morality because of the function of the conscience.  The Bible acknowledges this fact:

“For when the Gentiles, who do not have the Law do by nature (instinctively) the things contained in the Law, they are for themselves a law, even though they do not have the Law.  They show (demonstrate) the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience confirming (that fact), and their thoughts alternately accusing and even excusing (their conduct).”  Romans 2:14-15 EMS

Every human being is sinful, whether he acknowledges it or not.  There are really only two categories of people: sinners and liars.  Today some say that moral absolutes are an illusion, that there are no such things as good and evil.  These ideas are not only false but also inconsistent. 

Even moral relativists must make statements like, “the world is getting better” or “…worse,” but it is not possible to know it is getting better or worse unless we know what is best.  In adjectives there is the superlative (best) and the comparative or relative (better).  Less than perfect is only measurable against perfect. 

Hence all objective moral judgments imply an absolute moral standard by which they can be measured.  Moral disagreements demand objective standards.  Real moral disagreements are not possible without an absolute moral standard by which both sides can be measured.  Otherwise both sides of every moral dispute are right, but opposites cannot be both be right.  For example, “Hitler was an evil man,” versus “Hitler was not an evil man” cannot both be true in the same sense.  Unless there is an objective moral standard by which Hitler’s actions can be weighed, we cannot know that he was evil.

Moral absolutes are unavoidable.  Total moral relativism reduces to statements such as, “You should never say ‘never,’” “You should always avoid ‘always,’” “You absolutely ought not to believe in moral absolutes.”  “Ought” statements are moral statements, and “Ought never” statements are absolute moral statements.  So there is no way to avoid moral absolutes without affirming a moral absolute.  Total moral relativism is self-defeating.  If you condemn the concept of good and evil, you are making a moral judgment.  Moral judgments are unavoidable because every human being has a moral consciousness.  When you see injustices, or worse yet, experience injustice, you are incensed.  This is because of the moral consciousness laid in you by the Moral Judge of the universe, the Creator. 

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah 5:20 HCSB

Why is God so upset about sin?

The answer lies in the holiness of God.  God is perfectly righteous and His nature defines goodness. "The Lord is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works. His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He." Psalm 145:17 KJV, Deuteronomy 32:4 NKJV

Any person who falls short of the righteousness of God is someone with whom He cannot have a relationship.  In fact, sin must be punished, because "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5 NKJV. God's righteous standard must be met. If it is not, the just punishment must be meted out. 

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth by means of unrighteousness." Romans 1:18 EMS

God’s wrath is not the petty anger that we feel against someone who has wronged us, but the opposite of God’s love for good.  Wrath describes God’s abhorrence of evil.  God would not truly be good if He did not both find sin repugnant and punish it. 

Fortunately for mankind, God has revealed to His Creatures what sin is.  There are many exhortations against sin and definitions of certain behaviors as sin.  Since God is righteous and perfect, the standard for sin is very high and seemingly insignificant infractions are sufficient to violate God’s standards.  Examples include lying, hatred for someone else or coveting.

Jesus said that "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20 HCSB). The standard is exceedingly high.

What is the Solution?

The solution is the righteousness of God that is satisfied by the sacrifice of Christ and provided for the believer in Christ.   Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for sins that was demanded by God’s holiness.  Because God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice, sin is no longer the issue for man.  The only issue between God and man is what he does with Christ.  What will you do with Christ?  The choice is simple, yet it is the most profound decision you can make, the decision to believe in Christ:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:16-18 NKJV

Notice that man is not condemned for his sins but for not believing in Jesus Christ. 

Am I Saved?

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." Acts 16:31 NKJV. It is as simple as faith in the person and personal sacrifice of Jesus Christ for you.  If you believe that the God of the universe in human form – Jesus – took upon Himself the penalty for your sins and that He rose again, thus conquering death, you too are saved from sin, and its penalty, death.  You have eternal life and will enjoy peace with and fellowship with God in heaven for all eternity.  It’s really that simple.  Jesus Himself said to one sinner: "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." Luke 7:50 NKJV

Saved from What?

Eternal death.

The true meaning of “death” is separation from God.  The true meaning of life is knowing God.  Jesus said in prayer to God the Father: “This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent—Jesus Christ.”  John 17:3 HCSB

Jesus said that the individual who believed in His claims would pass from death into life (John 5:24).  Unless you have accepted Christ’s as the sacrifice for your sin, you are dead spiritually, though alive physically.  When your physical existence comes to a close—when you die—your separation from God will become irreversibly permanent unless you believe in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for your sin. 

Right now you enjoy a tremendous advantage as God’s creature.  You enjoy the grace of a loving Creator who sustains your very life and breath, who preserves you from harm and Who desires your salvation.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”  Second Peter 3:18 NKJV

However, those who flout Jesus’ offer of eternal life will suffer the consequence of eternal separation from God.  There will not be an end to existence, but rather a tormented existence of suffering and regret for all eternity.  The Bible says that for such people, the blackness of darkness is reserved forever (2 Peter 2:17).   Eternal death in hell is also described as a lake of fire: “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:15 NKJV

What distinguishes the gospel of Jesus Christ?

First, the founder of every religion is dead or will die, except one: Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the only human being to have ever conquered death, because He is more than just a human—He is God.

The pyramids of Egypt are famous because they contained the mummified bodies of ancient Egyptian kings.  Westminster Abbey in London is renowned because in it rests the bodies of English nobles and notables.  Mohammed’s tomb is noted for the stone coffin and the bones contained in it.  Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC is revered, for it is the honored resting place for many outstanding Americans.  There is however, all the difference in the world between the tomb of Christ and these places.  They are famous and draw visitors from afar because of what they contain, while the Garden Tomb is famous because it is empty, Matthew 28:1-6; Mark 16:1-6; Luke 24:1-8 and John 20:1-9.   

In a relatively short period of time, three short years, Christ began a movement that never died out from history.  Historians fail to recognize the most amazing nature of Christianity, that there is nothing like it on the face of the earth.   The fact that it spread worldwide is phenomenal, but from generation to generation is even more amazing.  It is a movement that never died out from history, and it is as vibrant now as it was then.  It changed the direction of the human race.

Think of it—the impact of Jesus Christ on human history.  In a very short period of time, approximately three years, Jesus Christ began a movement that changed the course of history, a movement that spread throughout the entire civilized world in one generation, a movement that changed the lives of people forever, a movement that never died out from history.  Such was the nature of this movement that it was considered a major problem by the Imperial Roman government. 

So one man, in a very short period of time launched this kind of movement.  Jesus Christ, in a very very short period of time, approximately three years, permanently altered the course of history

It’s over when you die, so what’s the big deal?

Don’t let anyone convince you that it is all over when you die, that all consciousness is gone.  Just as you have the knowledge of God in you, you also have the knowledge that you are not merely material, Ecclesiastes 3:11.  There is a spiritual part of you, and you know it.  Denying reality will not change the nature of reality.  You will have to face God when you die.  The Bible tells us, "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." Hebrew 9:27 NKJV

It cannot be denied that man is capable of intangible thoughts such as love, kindness, right, wrong, truth, justice, etc.  These concepts defy physical description, have no physical properties, do not occupy space, and are clearly not part of the scientifically observable universe of time and sense. The universal and overpowering conviction that has persisted in every culture since the dawn of time is that death does not end human existence.  You know that there is life after death!

What is the issue in Salvation?

When someone asked the Apostle Paul what he should do to be saved, Paul replied “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31 NKJV)  Faith in Christ is the only condition of salvation.

The Gospel of John is the gospel of belief.  The word “believe” (pisteuo in the original Greek) and its cognates occur almost one hundred times in the gospel.  This fits in perfectly with the New Testament and the Word of God.  More than 200 times in the New Testament, salvation is conditioned solely on the basis of faith.   John, in the gospel of belief, stresses this concept over and over: John 1:12; 2:11; 3:15,16,18,36; 4:39,41,42,53; 5:24; 6:29,35, 40,47; 7:31,38,39; 8:30ff; 9:35-38; 11:25f,45; 12:11.

When we observe the clear statements in John about the condition for salvation, we conclude that John presents faith alone in Christ alone as the only condition for salvation.  Another important aspect of John’s gospel is the absence of qualifiers or additional conditions for salvation.  It is extremely significant that we do not see qualifiers with the word believe.  John does not condition salvation on whether one “really believes” or “truly believes.”  Neither does he speak of “genuine faith,” “real faith,” or “effectual faith.”  There is only one kind of faith.  One either believes in something or he does not.

In contrast, John DOES use qualifiers to distinguish the real from the fraudulent in other concepts.  He speaks of the “true light” in John 1:9, the “true bread,” John 6:32, the “true vine,” John 15:1, “true worshipers,” John 4:23, and the “true God,” John 17:3.

Also in John, we do not see other conditions attached to faith or any condition replacing faith.  For example, the word repent does not even occur once in John.  Neither do we find the condition for salvation stated as surrender or commitment of all of one’s life to Jesus as Master.  Salvation is totally and absolutely free and is not conditioned on human merit.  It is what one receives, not earns, merits or barters for.  It will be given freely to whoever asks, John 4:10 NKJV: "Jesus answered and said to her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, "Give Me a drink," you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.'"

Jesus Christ told her that all she had to do was ask even though she was currently living in sin (She had five previous husbands and was living with a man to whom she was not married). 

Similarly, we do not find salvation conditioned on continual obedience.  If anything, we could argue that John’s Gospel purposefully introduces us to those who believe in Jesus as Savior, but were less than fully committed as disciples or were partially obeying Him.  Less than full confession and commitment are found in the “secret disciple,” Joseph of Arimathea, John 19:38

Some argue that Nicodemus was also in this category, John 19:39: “And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night…”  

In addition the Jewish rulers mentioned in John 12:42 believed in Christ, but did not confess Him publicly for fear of being ostracized by the other Jewish leaders.  The significance of John’s lack of embellishment of faith and the absence of any other conditions emphasize this one condition as the sole and sufficient means of obtaining eternal life. 

So according to the Gospel of John, the sole condition for salvation is faith in Christ, belief in Jesus Christ.  This fits in perfectly with the rest of the New Testament.  More than two hundred times in the New Testament, salvation is said to be conditioned solely on the basis of faith, Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:28: "For we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law" Romans 3:28 HCSB.

Therefore, in like manner, the Epistle to the Romans, written to formulate the complete statement of salvation by grace alone, does not use the term repentance in relation to salvation. 

Note the straightforward answer of the Apostle Paul in Acts 16:31 NKJV. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”

What about Repentance?

It is true that the New Testament does use the word repent in a few places such as Acts 2:38 NKJV, however it does not say repent of your sins, rather it says “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  The Greek word translated “repent” is metaneo which means to change one's mind.  In Acts 17:30 NKJV Paul says,"God . . . now commands all men everywhere to repent", the passage continues some men joined him and believed, Acts 17:34, therefore we see the issue in repentance is belief.

So, is repentance a condition for receiving eternal life?  Yes, if it is repentance or changing one’s mind about Jesus Christ.  No, if it means to be sorry for sin or even to resolve to turn from sin, for these things will not save.  Is repentance a precondition of faith?  No, though a sense of sin and the desire to turn from it may be used by the Spirit to convict one, direct someone to the Savior and His salvation.  Repentance may prepare the way for faith, but it is faith that saves, not repentance (unless repentance is understood as a synonym for faith or changing one’s mind about Jesus Christ).

Nonetheless, there are those who allege that one cannot be saved without repentance or that one cannot go to heaven unless a life of good works is lived.  The Apostle Paul never said that!  The Bible never says that.  What Paul and the Bible do say is clear: “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.”  Romans 4:5 NKJV

Yes, the Reformers got it right after all.  The inspiring insight of Reformation thought is altogether Biblical and true, specifically, Sola fide!  Solely by faith.

So I have believed in Jesus Christ. What now?

Immediately upon believing in Jesus Christ you became a member of the family of God, and the possibility of a personal relationship with God is now open to you, Galatians 3:26.

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26 NKJV

You are now indwelt with the Holy Spirit, by God Himself, John 14:16; Romans 8:9.

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 HCSB

“You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” Romans 8:9 HCSB

As a believer in Jesus Christ, as part of His family, you have the privilege of coming before the God the Father anytime, anywhere in prayer, Hebrews 4:16; John 16:23-24.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NKJV

“In that day you will not ask Me anything. I assure you: Anything you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be complete.” John 16:23-24 HCSB

A word of caution: Your status in the family of God does not mean that you are perfect. Your sinful nature has not been removed. Someday it will be permanently removed when you are taken to heaven, but as a follower of Christ now, you are commanded by God to live righteously, First Peter 2:24; First Corinthians 15:34.

“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 NKJV

“Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God.” 1 Corinthians 15:34 NKJV

The ministry of the Holy Spirit who indwells us can teach us, guide us and help us. However, when we have sinned, God does not hear our prayers, Psalm 66:18, and we do not have fellowship with God. Fortunately, God has provided us a solution to this problem. That solution is simply to acknowledge to God your error, to confess to God the sin that you have committed:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” I John 1:9 NKJV

Now just because you can confess your sins and be cleansed does not mean that it is okay to sin. The Bible specifically condemns such an attitude; Romans 6:1&2. Sin does not please the Lord, First John 2:1a.

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” Romans 6:1-2 NKJV

“My little children these things I write to you so that you may not sin…” 1 John 2:1 NKJV

In view of God's unsurpassed love for us, the only logical response is to live to serve and please Him. In the Bible He has told us how we are to live, what is right and what is wrong.

“For the love of Christ motivates us. . . so that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose for them,” 2 Corinthians 5:14a&15b EMS

The Apostle Paul said in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, in view of the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

In the attempt to live to please God, Jesus Christ is our ultimate example. He showed us how we ought to live. It should be our objective to conform our lives as much as possible to the image of Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:1-2; First Peter 2:21.

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJV

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 NKJV

The Bible tells us everything that we need to know to live a life pleasing to the Lord, and to be productive in the Christian life. In addition to the ministry of the Holy Spirit, God has provided pastor-teachers to teach us the Bible, enable us to understand it and to watch over our spiritual welfare.

The Apostle Paul wrote to one pastor, Timothy, the following instructions:

“These things command and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” First Timothy 4:11-16 NKJV

He also instructed pastor Timothy to continue to pass the mantle, Second Timothy 2:2. This means that the teaching and spiritual guidance that pastors provide is essential for believers still today:

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Second Timothy 2:2 (NKJV)

The New Testament clearly urges believers to assemble together for worship and study of God’s Word in a local church, Hebrews 10:25; compare Titus 1:5; Philemon 2:

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 NKJV

“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.” Titus 1:5 NKJV

“to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house…” Philemon 2 NKJV

You should find a local church that teaches the Bible clearly and in depth. You should attend regularly, because the study of the Bible is the key to developing your new relationship with God. God loves you and desires a relationship with you. You will learn to love God as you learn more about him through the study of His Word. However, you cannot love who you do not know, so you must learn to know God.

“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.” 1 Peter 2:2 NKJV

“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever.” 2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

“Your words were found, and I ate them,

O Lord God of hosts.”

Jeremiah 15:16 NKJV

“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”” Matthew 4:4 NKJV

“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;

I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.”

Job 23:12 NKJV

So, the Bible is to be learned and put into practice.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 NKJV

What is Heaven?

As a believer in Jesus Christ, when you die and go to heaven, your sinful nature will be removed, and you will be ushered into a glorious eternal future with Jesus Christ, First John 3:2-3. In heaven God will wipe away every tear. There will be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain, Revelation 21:3&4. Best of all you will be in the presence of God, Revelation 22:3-5.

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3 NKJV

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’” Revelation 21:3-4 NKJV

“And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:3-5 NKJV