The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
- Why do we need it?
- How is it defined?
- What are we to do with it?
- Who needs to hear about the Gospel?
- How do we live it out?
“The Gospel was not meant merely to reside in our intellect, memories, and tongues, but to be seen in our lives.” ~ J.C. Ryle
In the following passage Paul reminds us of the Gospel and answers some of the above questions.
1 Corinthians 15:1-6oreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
Context:
Paul here is speaking to those in the church in Corinth, a church that Paul had started on a previous missionary journey. It’s noteworthy here to point out that the city of Corinth was at that time a thriving metropolis at the center of major trade routes. And expectedly it was morally corrupt. There were a lot of other worldly minds coming in from all over and philosophical debates were often at the center of attention. But In chapter 2 of 1 Corinthians Paul states in verse 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. Now he’s stating this not only to merely proclaim the gospel but to take people’s minds off of the things that are coming in from all over and into the church.
Why is the Gospel of Jesus called the Good News?
The Greek word euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον) translates exactly to the words good news or good message.
How is Jesus the good news?
Since Jesus was sinless and owed no debt to God, his death could pay for our sins. He took our place on the cross and suffered the penalty we deserved. His death now makes it possible for an all powerful God to forgive our sins and offer us salvation.
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
What the gospel is not.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not your personal testimony.
Sharing your personal testimony is a good and edifying thing that can lead to discussions about the Gospel, but it is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
What is The Gospel? Simply put it’s Jesus , who He is and what He has done. The life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
This great commission as it’s called can be challenging for some christians to fulfill. But the gospel gives us the strength we need to carry that out and in the same way live it out. Knowing that we have the assurance that Christ is with us always, we can persevere in carrying out the commission with strength that surpasses anything we have in ourselves.
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Amen brother!
It has been said that through the power of the Holy Spirit, the believers in Christ went out to proclaim Him and turned the world upside down.
Their message wasn’t based on what Christ did in their lives but who He was and what He came to accomplish for mankind.
It was the fulfillment of the promise in Genesis 3:15 made to Adam and Eve after their failure to obey God and sin had now corrupted them with the penalty of death upon them and all that would come after them.
The remedy was found in Christ. And as He raised Himself up out of the grave; He will do the same for all who will come into His presence and believe on Him,
Great message. You expressed it well.
Thank you for the kind words.
Hello Matt,
Another great message of truth that is so desperately needed in this world!
I enjoyed your entire article, but I must say what stood out to me, was your prolific statement about Jesus Christ’s Gospel. I thought this was fabulous “The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not your personal testimony.”
I’ve said that to many people throughout the years. Testimony is powerful it’s true, and a witness for the LORD, and His Sovereign Glory and Mercy and love. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ…another level in and of itself.
Loving your articles Matt, thank you so much! I look forward to your next one!
God Bless~
Thank you very much!
The gospel bridges all cultures, races, and lifestyles. The cross is the great equalizer, giving all people an equal opportunity to receive God’s saving grace. Yes, we must stick to the gospel without compromise as the only answer to the sickness of the human heart and the problems of humanity. Thanks for your article.
Absolutely, thanks for the kind words.
Great job, Matthew! Keep up the good work of giving out the gospel.
Thanks for the kind remarks