The Linked Bible

CONCEPT

Gospel

The word gospel is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word which meant "the story concerning God." In the New Testament the Greek word euaggelion, means "good news." It proclaims tidings of deliverance. The word sometimes stands for the record of the life of our Lord (Mark 1:1), embracing all His teachings, as in Acts 20:24. But the word "gospel" now has a peculiar use, and describes primarily the message which Christianity announces. "Good news" is its significance. It means a gift from God. It is the proclamation of the forgiveness of sins and sonship with God restored through Christ. It means remission of sins and reconciliation with God. The gospel is not only a message of salvation, but also the instrument through which the Holy Spirit works (Romans 1:16).

The gospel differs from the law in being known entirely from revelation. It is proclaimed in all its fullness in the revelation given in the New Testament. It is also found, although obscurely, in the Old Testament. It begins with the prophecy concerning the `seed of the woman' (Genesis 3:15), and the promise concerning Abraham, in whom all the nations should be blessed (Genesis 12:3; 15:5) and is also indicated in Acts 10:43 and in the argument in Ro 4.

In the New Testament the gospel never means simply a book, but rather the message which Christ and His apostles announced. In some places it is called "the gospel of God," as, for example, Romans 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:2,9; 1 Timothy 1:11. In others it is called "the gospel of Christ" (Mark 1:1; Romans 1:16; 15:19; 1 Corinthians 9:12,18; Galatians 1:7). In another it is called "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24); in another "the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15); in another "the gospel of your salvation" (Ephesians 1:13); and in yet another "the glorious gospel" (2 Corinthians 4:4 the King James Version). The gospel is Christ:

He is the subject of it, the object of it, and the life of it. It was preached by Him (Matthew 4:23; 11:5; Mark 1:14; Luke 4:18 margin), by the apostles (Acts 16:10; Romans 1:15; 2:16; 1 Corinthians 9:16) and by the evangelists (Acts 8:25).

We must note the clear antithesis between the law and the gospel. The distinction between the two is important because, as Luther indicates, it contains the substance of all Christian doctrine. "By the law," says he, "nothing else is meant than God's word and command, directing what to do and what to leave undone, and requiring of us obedience of works. But the gospel is such doctrine of the word of God that neither requires our works nor commands us to do anything, but announces the offered grace of the forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation. Here we do nothing, but only receive what is offered through the word." The gospel, then, is the message of God, the teaching of Christianity, the redemption in and by Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, offered to all mankind. And as the gospel is bound up in the life of Christ, His biography and the record of His works, and the proclamation of what He has to offer, are all gathered into this single word, of which no better definition can be given than that of Melanchthon:

"The gospel is the gratuitous promise of the remission of sins for Christ's sake." To hold tenaciously that in this gospel we have a supernatural revelation is in perfect consistency with the spirit of scientific inquiry. The gospel, as the whole message and doctrine of salvation, and as chiefly efficacious for contrition, faith, justification, renewal and sanctification, deals with facts of revelation and experience.

David H. Bauslin

▶Sermons

Audio

  • Aldy Fam Fanous
    Mid South Conference 1978-01 Fellowship in the Gospel
    Aldy Fam Fanous · 39:58

    Aldy Fam Fanous emphasizes the significance of fellowship in the gospel through prayer, testimony, and giving, while encouraging believers to find joy in their relationship with Christ.

  • Aldy Fam Fanous
    Mid South Conference 1978-02 Fellowship in the Gospel
    Aldy Fam Fanous · 32:20

    The sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life that reflects Christ, and the significance of the coming day of the Lord.

  • Aldy Fam Fanous
    Mid South Conference 1978-03 Fellowship in the Gospel
    Aldy Fam Fanous · 33:12

    The sermon emphasizes the importance of fellowship in the gospel and living a separated life unto Christ, highlighting the dangers of compromise and the power of the Christian life.

  • Aldy Fam Fanous
    Mid South Conference 1978-04 Fellowship in the Gospel
    Aldy Fam Fanous · 28:12

    The sermon emphasizes the importance of fellowship in the gospel, complete surrender to God's will, and living a life that is surrendered to the Holy Spirit.

  • Aldy Fam Fanous
    Mid South Conference 1978-05 Fellowship in the Gospel
    Aldy Fam Fanous · 34:03

    The sermon emphasizes the importance of fellowship in the gospel, living for others, and having a lowly mind, just like Christ.

  • Aldy Fam Fanous
    Mid South Conference 1978-06 Fellowship in the Gospel
    Aldy Fam Fanous · 42:24

    The sermon encourages believers to rejoice in the Lord, emphasizing the importance of fellowship, worship, and the dangers of sin in maintaining joy and victory in their lives.

  • Alistair Begg
    A Grasp of the Gospel
    Alistair Begg · 52:28

    Alistair Begg emphasizes the importance of understanding the Gospel as the fulfillment of the Law and the source of true assurance and forgiveness for believers.

  • Alistair Begg
    At Stake the Truth of the Gospel
    Alistair Begg · 42:12

    The sermon emphasizes the importance of maintaining the truth of the gospel and standing firm against false teachings that seek to dilute or distort its message.

  • Alistair Begg
    The Power of the Gospel
    Alistair Begg · 58:12

    Alistair Begg emphasizes the transformative power of the Gospel and the necessity for preachers to communicate its truths clearly and boldly.

  • Andrew Strom
    The True Gospel
    Andrew Strom · 1:39:37

    The speaker argues that modern Christianity has strayed from the apostolic truths and that a return to the basics of New Testament Christianity, including repentance, baptism, and filling with the Holy Spirit, is necessary.

  • Anton Bosch
    The Gospel in Philemon
    Anton Bosch · 38:30

    The book of Philemon teaches us about the gospel and how it transcends social lines and ethnic barriers, bringing us to the same level as others.

  • Art Katz
    Jewish Opposition to the Gospel
    Art Katz · 48:12

    The church's obligation to go to the Jew first is rooted in the mandate given by Jesus, and it is a challenge that requires the church to be apostolic in character and quality.

  • Art Katz
    The Gospel and the Righteousness of God
    Art Katz · 1:01:04

    The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, and the righteousness of God is revealed through faith, which comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

  • Bill McLeod
    The Fifth Gospel
    Bill McLeod · 44:42

    The Book of Isaiah is a powerful and prophetic book that reveals the coming of Jesus Christ and the significance of the gospel in relation to Israel.

  • Carter Conlon
    The Gospel According to Noah
    Carter Conlon · 40:47

    The sermon emphasizes the importance of hearing God's voice and responding promptly to His message, as the coming judgment can be sudden and unexpected.

  • Charles E. Fuller
    Repent, Believe and the Gospel of God
    Charles E. Fuller · 51:22

    The sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance and faith in receiving the gospel of God and experiencing salvation through Christ.

  • Charles Price
    Cracks in our Foundations
    Charles Price · 41:18

    Charles Price emphasizes that the foundational truth of the gospel is the restoration of God's righteousness into human experience, warning against the cracks that appear when society and Christianity detach from this core.

  • Chuck Smith
    Everlasting Gospel
    Chuck Smith · 30:17

    Chuck Smith's sermon emphasizes the urgency and importance of accepting the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ before it's too late.

  • David Smith
    The Blood, the Call, the Promise
    David Smith · 1:33:48

    The blood of Christ is the core of the Christian faith, satisfying God's holiness and righteousness, and providing redemption and forgiveness of sins.

  • David Valderrama
    The True Gospel saves us From the Power of Sin
    David Valderrama · 1:06:13

    David Valderrama teaches that the true gospel is the powerful means by which Jesus Christ saves believers from the bondage and power of sin through His love and sacrifice.

  • Dennis Kinlaw
    The Gospel of Mark
    Dennis Kinlaw · 32:22

    The Gospel of Mark is a model for discipleship, focusing on who Jesus is and why he came, and highlighting the inadequacy of the twelve disciples.

  • Denny Kenaston
    Adorning the Gospel of God Our Saviour (Part 1)
    Denny Kenaston · 1:16:24

    Denny Kenaston's sermon emphasizes the importance of adorning the Gospel through our lives and actions to reflect its transformative power.

  • Derek Prince
    You Are the Pearl of Great Value
    Derek Prince · 41:58

    Man is a unique creation, made in the image and likeness of God, and is a partner with God, with Christ being all and in all.

  • Detlef Stegen
    Separated Unto the Gospel
    Detlef Stegen · 1:12:56

    God's word is a source of purpose and direction, and ignoring it can lead to a lukewarm and unfulfilled life, but surrendering to it can bring about change and restoration.

  • Don Wilkerson
    Good News of Great Joy
    Don Wilkerson · 52:04

    Don Wilkerson reveals how the angel's announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2 proclaims the true gospel of salvation, urging believers to move from mere religious symbols to the living light of Christ.

  • E.A. Johnston
    A Bloodstained Jesus Will Get You Mad
    E.A. Johnston · 15:02

    E.A. Johnston passionately warns that a true gospel featuring a bloodstained Jesus demands repentance and submission, and will provoke a fierce response from sin-loving rebels.

  • E.A. Johnston
    A Double Barreled Gospel
    E.A. Johnston · 5:25

    E.A. Johnston passionately urges preachers to deliver a 'double barreled gospel' that confronts sinners with both the reality of judgment and the necessity of repentance, leading to true conviction and salvation.

  • E.A. Johnston
    A Gospel Tract Ministry
    E.A. Johnston · 31:30

    A gospel tract ministry is a powerful tool for sharing the gospel and planting seeds of salvation in people's lives.

  • E.A. Johnston
    A Little Country Church
    E.A. Johnston · 3:59

    E.A. Johnston emphasizes the necessity of preaching the Old Gospel that confronts sinners with their peril under God's law to awaken true repentance and salvation through Christ.

Text

  • A.B. Simpson
    (Missionary Messages) 4. THE LOGIC OF MISSIONS
    A.B. Simpson

    A.B. Simpson passionately argues that the logic of missions is rooted in the divine provision of salvation through Christ, making it the responsibility of believers to proclaim the Gospel to a lost world.