What Is the Gospel? A Quest for Spiritual Understanding
What is the gospel? Over the ages, countless people have been fascinated and motivated by this question. Prepare to be amazed once more if this is your first—or perhaps your twentieth—time diving into the Gospels. Jesus consistently challenges our mental models and subverts our preconceptions. But let's take a moment to comprehend what you are going to read before you dive right in. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are chronicled in the four Gospels, which contain the oldest accounts. However, what kind of narrative is a "Gospel"?
What is the gospel?
Central to the gospel message is the good news of Jesus Christ. It encapsulates His life, death, resurrection, and the message of salvation and redemption offered to humanity. This is not merely a religious concept but a transformative truth that has shaped civilizations. The term "gospel," which literally translates as "good news," appears 93 times in the Bible, all of which are found in the New Testament. The Greek word euaggelion is the source of the English terms evangelist, evangel, and evangelical. The entirety of Scripture is the gospel in a general sense; more specifically, the gospel is the good news of Christ and the path to salvation.
A better understanding of the gospel
To fully grasp the gospel, one must delve into its historical, theological, and spiritual dimensions. It's a narrative that invites us to explore the profound depths of God's love and the profound impact of Christ's sacrifice.
So, what exactly is the gospel?
One of the main figures in the New Testament, the apostle Paul, highlights the importance of "the gospel of God...concerning His Son" (Romans 1:1-3, ESV). In these seven words, two crucial truths about the gospel are highlighted. First of all, it is "the gospel of God," a message that is divine in nature and comes from God, not from any person or organization. Secondly, it revolves around Jesus, God's Son, making it a pivotal and transformative message. The gospel is not merely information but a pathway for individuals to encounter Jesus Christ as both Savior, delivering them from sin, and Lord, guiding and taking charge of their lives. To grasp the profound impact of this life-changing message, understanding both its essence and fullness is essential.
A Gospel's Essence
Three central questions form the core of the gospel: who is Jesus, what has He done, and why has He done it? The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, articulates a concise summary of the gospel, emphasizing the importance of Christ's death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection on the third day. These elements are also echoed in Jesus' explanation of His life and mission in Luke 24:45-49.
In essence, the gospel declares that Jesus is the Christ, signifying His role as Savior, Lord, and King. His actions include the pivotal events of dying on the cross and rising from the dead, constituting the core of the salvation work. The purpose behind Jesus' actions is to offer forgiveness for sins and bestow the benefits of salvation upon believers. The gospel's veracity is confirmed by its consistency with the writings of the Old Testament and the accounts of multiple eyewitnesses to His resurrection. The appropriate response to the gospel involves repentance (turning to God) and faith. In essence, the gospel is a proclamation of who Jesus is, what He has accomplished, and the transformative purpose behind His actions, inviting a response of repentance and faith from those who hear it.
Gospel in all its fullness
The fullness of the gospel extends beyond its essence, encompassing a vast and rich tapestry of truths, themes, and implications that require a lifetime to explore. Each of the first four books of the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—focuses on a distinct facet of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection, but they all present the same gospel. For instance, Matthew focuses on the gospel of the kingdom, highlighting Jesus as Israel's unexpected king, while John emphasizes eternal life.
Moving into the Acts of the Apostles, various gospel messages are conveyed, adapting to specific audiences and situations. The epistles, such as Paul's letter to the Romans, delve into the theological and practical implications of the gospel. Adoption into the family of God, a result of Christ's saving work, is one such implication, shaping not only our relationship with God but also our connections with fellow believers. The gospel, as the foundation for these relationships, prompts the transformation of all aspects of life, exemplifying the directive to love one another as Jesus has loved us.
Jesus also taught that all of the Old Testament writings, such as the Psalms, the Prophets, and the Law of Moses, point to Him. The entirety of the Bible communicates gospel truth, underscoring that the gospel is consistently a message about Jesus. This intricate interweaving of the gospel throughout Scripture underscores why a lifetime is needed to fully grasp its depth and significance.
The Gospel Experience
The gospel is not just a set of beliefs but an experience. It involves encountering God's love, recognizing our own brokenness, and embracing the salvation offered through Christ. This experience is both deeply personal and universally relevant. Experiencing the gospel goes beyond mere comprehension; it involves an ongoing encounter with the presence and power of Jesus Christ, resulting in a life-changing transformation. The gospel enables individuals to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord, initiating a new and vibrant life. Four key truths guide this transformative journey:
The love of God
The gospel unveils God's immense love, demonstrated by sending His only Son to bring life to humanity (1 John 4:9). At the heart of the gospel is the love of God, a love that is unconditional, sacrificial, and redemptive. This love is demonstrated most profoundly in the life and death of Jesus Christ.
Problems we face
Through the gospel, awareness of personal failure and the need for redemption grows, acknowledging the universal reality of sin and spiritual death (Romans 6:23). The gospel addresses the fundamental problem of human existence: our separation from God due to sin. It acknowledges our struggles, fears, and failures, offering a path to reconciliation and healing.
The solution provided by Christ
At the heart of the gospel lies the essence of salvation—Jesus, the Savior and Lord, who not only died for our sins but rose from the dead, reigning as the Lord of all (Romans 5:8).
Jesus Christ is central to the gospel. His life, death, and resurrection provide the solution to our estrangement from God. Through Christ, we find forgiveness, redemption, and the promise of eternal life.
How do we respond?
Understanding that salvation cannot be earned through personal efforts, the gospel invites a response of faith to receive Jesus into one's life (Ephesians 2:8–9, John 1:12). Our response to the gospel is crucial. It calls for faith, repentance, and a commitment to follow Christ. This response is both a personal decision and a journey of transformation.
Having embraced Christ through the gospel, the journey does not move beyond it. The gospel remains a foundational message, continually revisited throughout one's life. It is not just an initial message but an ever-present truth applied consistently. The Christian life entails constant internal change, directed by the Holy Spirit through the revelation and resolution of sin and brokenness found in the Bible. Deep needs must be met by experiencing Jesus' love and the power of His Spirit via adherence to His Word. This dynamic relationship with Christ results in the excitement of living with Jesus, working through believers by the power of His Holy Spirit (Galatians 2:20).
The Gospel: Communicating it
Communicating the gospel is about sharing the story of Jesus and its impact on our lives. It's a call to witness, to share our experiences, and to invite others into this transformative journey. Experiencing Jesus through His gospel naturally inspires a desire to share that transformative encounter with others. Communicating the gospel effectively involves simple yet powerful approaches. Just as Andrew and Philip shared their personal experiences with Jesus, individuals can authentically convey what they have encountered and invite others to consider Him.
Utilizing the Bible, particularly the Gospels According to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, provides a foundational and impactful means to introduce others to Jesus.
Explore How the Gospel is Lived Out
Living out the gospel means embodying its principles in our daily lives. Exhibiting grace, love, and compassion while striving to improve the world is the goal. Clear explanations, as demonstrated in the book of Acts, play a crucial role in helping others understand the gospel. Additionally, recognizing the interplay between words and actions, the apostle Paul underscores the importance of living a life aligned with the gospel message. This entails upholding the second great commandment, which is to love one's neighbor and act in a way that is worthy of the gospel. Through this integrated approach, the good news of Jesus Christ spreads powerfully, not only through words but also through the transformative impact of genuine love.
The light in the darkness
The gospel stands as a light in the darkness, offering hope, purpose, and direction. It challenges and inspires us to live lives of meaning and service.
The Gospels have four distinctive features.
The four gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—each have unique features that contribute to our understanding of the gospel message.
Feature 1 – References to the Old Testament
The Gospels are replete with references to the Old Testament, showing the fulfillment of ancient prophecies in the life of Jesus Christ. The Gospels, particularly Matthew and Mark, demonstrate how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament narrative through various literary techniques, assuming a high degree of familiarity with the Scriptures. The authors employ:
1. Direct Quotations: Matthew, for instance, depicts Jesus' healing ministry as a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy about the suffering servant (Isaiah 53:4).
2. Subtle Allusions: Genesis 22:2, Isaiah 42:1, and Psalms 2:7 are combined with God's announcement of Jesus' baptism in Mark 1:9–11 to highlight Jesus as the messianic servant King and the offspring of Abraham.
3. Narrative Parallels: Matthew portrays Jesus as surpassing Moses by structuring his story to mirror Moses' journey. In order to establish Jesus as a superior figure to Moses, both figures leave Egypt, cross a body of water, go through forty days in the desert, and ascend a mountain to impart divine lessons.
Feature 2 – Claims of identity
Regarding Jesus' identity as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the world's Savior, each Gospel makes strong arguments. Mark 1:1 ("The beginning of the Gospel about Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God") is one example of how the Gospel writers explicitly and subtly reveal Jesus' identity. These include:
1. Miracle Stories: Demonstrating Jesus' power over creation.
2. Words: Including teachings, parables, and dialogues.
3. Testimonies: Accounts of people whose lives were touched by Jesus.
4. Divine Affirmation: God's proclamation, such as "This is my Son" (Matt 3:17).
5. Disciples' Confessions: Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God (Matt 16:16).
6. Demon Acknowledgment: Demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God (Matt 8:29).
7. Public Perceptions: People in Nazareth questioned Jesus' background (Matt 13:55), and a Canaanite woman addressed Him as "Lord, Son of David!" (Matt 15:22).
8. Formal Inquiries: In Matthew 26:63, the High Priest challenges Jesus' status as the Son of God and Messiah, and in Matthew 27:11, Pilate queries if He is the Jewish king.
9. Roman Soldier's Testimony: A Roman soldier acknowledges, "Surely this man was the Son of God" (Matt 27:54).
These diverse perspectives collectively contribute to shaping the reader's understanding of Jesus' identity throughout the Gospels.
Feature 3 – The biblical story's climax
The Gospels represent the climax of the biblical story, culminating in the redemptive act of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. In each of the four Gospel accounts, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are presented as the climactic events in the narrative of the Bible. Mark devotes six chapters to the seven days preceding Jesus' death in Jerusalem and ten chapters to the roughly three years of His announcement of His kingdom.
Matthew introduces Jesus' death at the hands of Israel's leaders early on (Matt 12:14) and emphasizes the anticipation of His death by Jesus Himself on multiple occasions (Matt 16:21, 16:27, 17:22-23, 20:18-19). Jesus foretells His death and resurrection, presenting it as the moment when He will become king (Matt 27:37). The crucifixion and resurrection are portrayed as pivotal and central to the overarching narrative of the Gospel accounts.
Feature 4 – Events are rearranged
While the four Gospels claim to recount real historical events, each author purposefully shapes and arranges the core stories of Jesus to highlight distinct aspects of His character:
1. Matthew: Portrays Jesus as a figure greater than Moses, fulfilling the ancient Scriptures' promises. Emphasizes Jesus' resurrection as the enthronement of the King of heaven and earth.
2. Mark: Emphasizes the mystery and misunderstanding surrounding Jesus' proclamation of the kingdom of God. Presents Jesus as an unexpected Messiah and underscores the paradox of recognizing the exalted Messiah in the humiliated, crucified Jesus.
3. Luke: Highlights Jesus as the bringer of the Gospel to the nations. Shows Him empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the Old Testament promise that salvation would extend beyond Israel to include all nations.
4. John: Introduces Jesus as God incarnate, emphasizing His divine nature. He gives those who believe in Him signs that validate His messianic claim and offers them eternal life.
These brief summaries capture the unique perspectives and themes that each Gospel author emphasizes in their portrayal of Jesus.
The Gospels: How to Read Them
Understanding the Gospels requires a thoughtful approach to reading them.
Tip I– Look for repeated words and themes.
Identifying recurring themes and words helps in understanding the central messages of the Gospels. The Gospel writers have woven together a number of short stories concerning the teachings or miracles of Jesus to create their larger narratives. They use repeated words and ideas to connect these stories and emphasize specific themes. For example:
Example I - Stories linked by repeated words:
In Luke, various stories are linked together to underscore Jesus as the Son of God:
Baptism: Jesus declared God's "beloved Son."
Genealogy: Jesus' lineage traces back to Adam, "the son of God."
Wilderness testing: Satan questions Jesus' identity as the "Son of God."
Nazareth's rejection: His hometown questions, "Whose Son is this?"
Demon encounters: Demons proclaim, "You are the Son of God."
The emphasis is on Jesus being the Son of God, Israel's Messiah, and humanity's representative, despite his contested identity.
Example II - Stories linked by repeated ideas:
In Matthew:
John the Baptist doubts Jesus as the Messiah.
Jesus reacts to towns rejecting Him.
Pharisees reject Jesus, contrasting with sick people accepting Him as the Messiah.
Jesus tells a parable of the four soils.
The point is to highlight the diverse responses to Jesus' message, with some doubting or rejecting Him while others accepting and being transformed by His grace. Parables are then used to reflect on these varied responses and challenge everyone to pay attention.
Tip II - Notice how the characters in the story respond to Jesus.
The reactions of various characters to Jesus offer insights into His identity and mission. The Gospel authors, rather than explicitly instructing on how to respond to Jesus, illustrate diverse reactions in their stories. Readers are encouraged to engage by asking:
1. Reactions to Jesus: Consider how individuals in the story respond to Jesus.
2. Motivations: Examine the motivations behind each character's response to Jesus.
3. Results: Evaluate the outcomes or consequences of these reactions.
4. Personal Reflection: Reflect on whether you can identify aspects of your responses to Jesus mirrored in these characters.
This approach encourages readers to introspectively connect with the narratives, prompting a deeper understanding of personal responses to the message of Jesus.
Tip III - Read, reread, and then read some more!
Repeated reading of the Gospels deepens understanding and fosters a more personal connection with the text. The Gospel accounts are crafted for repeated readings and even memorization. Insights about Jesus emerge with each revisit, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to repeated words and themes. The recommendation is to read slowly, then quickly, and then slowly again, suggesting that immersion in the four Gospels is a valuable and limitless endeavor. Multiple readings unveil deeper understandings and nuances about Jesus that may be missed in a single pass.
The takeaway
The quest to understand the gospel is a journey of discovery, transformation, and hope. It invites us to encounter God, understand our humanity, and embrace a life of purpose and service. The Gospel authors aim to present a compelling portrayal of Jesus, urging readers to acknowledge and follow him. While their messages about Jesus' identity are often subtle, they emphasize the need for a personal experience with Jesus and a response from the reader. Unlike simple biographies, the Gospels encourage repentance by attempting to alter the reader's perception of God, the universe, and oneself in light of what Jesus has accomplished. These texts are described as serious literature and the best news one could hear, offering an opportunity for a transformative journey of following Jesus and shaping and forming individuals into a new kind of person.