What is the gospel? When the New Testament speaks of the Gospel it uses the Greek word that would be pronounced “euangelion,” a word which simply means “good news.” We can all agree that the world is always in need of good news – and there is no better than the message of the Gospel!
In First Corinthians 15.1-4, the apostle Paul clearly summarize this “good news.” He reminds the congregation that the gospel is that which they were saved by and plainly states “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel, therefore, is the saving work of Jesus. His cross, His burial and His resurrection. It is of the utmost importance for us to realize the Scripture never treats the Gospel as a bare set of facts – but rather as a message with a purpose. Romans 1.16 states, “that it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.” The Gospel must be seen as God’s chosen instrument to display His power to forgive, restore, to rescue, and renew. It is information that brings about transformation!

At the heart of the Gospel is the doctrine of substitution. Christ died for our sins. Many see Jesus as a martyr, but He is so much more than that. He did not die as a moral example that we should be inspired by Him. He died in our place, bearing our guilt, satisfying God’s justice and reconciling us back to the Father (2 Corinthians 5.21; Romans 5.8-10). The Gospel is good news because Jesus has accomplished for us what we could never do for ourselves.
Of course, Jesus death on the cross would be a sad yet inconsequential footnote in history were it not for His resurrection. Without it, our faith is empty and we are still in our sins (1 Corinthians 15.57). But because He lives, the gospel announced that New Cration is breaking into the old! For not only has Christ risen, but He reigns as Lord and all will bow unto Him (Philippians 2.9-11). To believe the Gospel is to trust Him. It is to abdicate the throne of self-rule and to coronate Him as the King of your heart.
The Gospel also carries a promise. Jesus said, “Repent and believe the Gospel” (Mark 1.15). Those who believe receive forgiveness (Acts 10.43) adoption (Galatians 4.4-7), the Spirit (Eph. 1.13) and the hope of eternal life (Titus 1.2). The Gospel of Christ is the foundation upon which we daily stand (1 Corinthians 15.1).
Truly the Gospel is not just the good news – it is the best news that we will ever hear!