What is "The Gospel of Jesus Christ?"

The word "gospel" means "good news." Although the entire Bible (Old Testament and New) and the stories contained in it are good news...the gospel of Jesus Christ is more specifically defined.

Prior to the death of Christ, the word "gospel" or "good news" is used in a generic sense (e.g., the good news about the kingdom of heaven).

However, after the death of Jesus, the "gospel" came to be recognized as the good news that Jesus (the Christ the Son of the Living God...who became flesh and dwelt among us) came to die on the cross for our sins, was buried in a tomb, and then rose from the grave conquering death and sin.

Here are some additional scriptures to look at:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4: "Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, ² by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. ³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..." (NAS)

Romans 1:1-4: "Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, ² which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, ³ concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, ⁴ who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord..." (NAS)

The disciples were commanded to go and preach the gospel and what it meant to be obedient to the gospel:

Mark 16:15-16 -- "And He (Jesus) said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. ¹⁶ "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." (NAS)

If you look at the gospel messages they preached from that day forward, you'll see a common theme. Here are some examples:

Acts 2:22-24 -- "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know-- ²³ this Man delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. ²⁴ "And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. (NAS)

Acts 2:31-32 -- "³¹ he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. ³² "This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses." (NAS)

Acts 2:36 -- "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ-- this Jesus whom you crucified." (NAS)

Acts 3:14-15 -- "But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, ¹⁵ but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses." (NAS)

Acts 3:26 -- "For you first, God raised up His Servant (Jesus), and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways." (NAS)

Acts 4:1-2 -- "And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees, came upon them, ² being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead." (NAS)

Acts 4:10 -- "...let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead-- by this name this man stands here before you in good health." (NAS)

Acts 4:33 -- "And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all." (NAS)

Acts 5:29-32 -- "But Peter and the apostles answered and said, "We must obey God rather than men. ³⁰"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. ³¹"He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.  ³² "And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him." (NAS)

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