Definition of the Gospel

Key Verse: 2 Timothy 1:8-10
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Question: What does the key verse mean to you?

LESSON:

The word “Gospel” comes from the ancient Saxon phrase “godspell” meaning “good” (god) and “narration or history” (spell). The pronunciation in early English evolved to “gospel” meaning “good news” and was thus rendered by the King James translators from the Greek word euaggelion (2098) meaning a good message, i.e. the gospel. Basically, that is exactly what the gospel is, good news. It is the narration of the history of our Savior’s gift of redemption, instructions for today’s living and the promise of God’s Kingdom to come. It deals with the past, the present and the future.

Gospel history includes the good deeds of Jesus and other people. When the woman came and anointed the head of Jesus with ointment, He told his disciples that her actions would be told for a memorial of her when the gospel was preached (Matthew 26:13). Acts of kindness, healing and raising the dead are only part of the gospel, being mentioned in addition to the gospel being preached (Matthew 11:5). The first verse of the Book of Mark identifies it as the “beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ” but this does not mean that the gospel is simply the biography of Jesus. Jesus went about preaching the gospel and He most certainly was not talking only about Himself.

Today those who hear the gospel preached and become aware of the clear meaning of the message are called to adoption in God’s Kingdom (2 Thessalonians 2:14). The ones who respond to the call come to repentance and believe the message, understanding that the Kingdom is at hand, that is, it is being offered to them at that very moment (Mark 1:15). Through the preaching of the gospel, the lost believe, repent and come to salvation by the power of its message. The gospel teaches a way of life and behavior that is to be lived and practiced in this world (1 Corinthians 9:14). Its message of salvation means eternal life in a Kingdom with no sorrow, tears or pain and this life in the flesh is not a hopeless condition with no way out (Romans 1:16).

This is the assurance of the gospel and the future that it promises. Those who believe it and live by it will inherit eternal life in the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 3:6). Paul pointed out that the gospel was not a product of the mind of man (Galatians 1:11-12). The gospel is of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:23). Refer to the Key Verse. It is stated that the gospel was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. “Of the Kingdom” means “from” the Kingdom and that means from God the Father. When Jesus preached the gospel He was delivering the message of the will of the Father, Who had told the Son what to say (John 12:49). This Holy Will was to be a witness to the entire world (Matthew 24:14; Mark 16:15). The tenets of the gospel are for all time, as good and righteousness shall be the manner of God forever. As long as God’s Kingdom stands, the message of the gospel will stand (1 Peter 1:25; Revelation 14:6).

The nature of the gospel is to bring peace to the lost ones who search for a way of life that promises more than just a temporary existence in the harried world they now live in. Its message of redemption, salvation and eternal life and its instructions to live honestly with love for God and neighbor are the very foundation of the teachings of Jesus Christ. The gospel reveals the grace of God by explaining His plan of forgiveness and how to receive it (Acts 20:24). Not everyone comprehends this. Many think that the gospel is just wishful dreaming on the part of people that want a blanket solution to their troubles. They cannot believe that a plan so simple in its presentation and so sweeping in its effect can really be true. They are victims blinded by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

Do not be misled by him. The gospel is so full of hope and good news that even the angels are fascinated by it (1 Peter 1:12).