TOPIC 08 OF 47
The Gospel
The good news of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
THE MAIN TRUTH
The Gospel is the central message of the Bible and of the Christian faith.
Infographic
Explore the Gospel in this visual overview. Select the image to open it at full size.
The teaching
From the book · pages 22–24
The Gospel is the central message of the Bible and of the Christian faith. The Gospel is the Good News that the Creator God is a loving God who chose, in his grace, to save sinful and lost humanity through Jesus in the power of the Spirit.
This Good News was first given in the promise God made after the fall into sin: that he would give a male offspring of Eve to crush the Serpent of evil. He would be an everlasting King. This Gospel promise was repeated in God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and to the people of Israel until it was fulfilled in Jesus the Christ—the Anointed King. God the Father sent his only-begotten Son into our human flesh, and he willingly sacrificed his life in love to take away all our sin, defeat the Devil, and rescue us as our Lord and Savior.
The proclamation of the Gospel freely offers to all sinners the righteousness of Christ Jesus, which restores us to a right relationship with God the Father. God gives forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life to all who believe these Gospel promises. The Gospel of Jesus is the life-giving heart of the believer’s new life.
Scripture foundations
All Scripture excerpts from this topic are presented below in the book’s order. Ellipses and bracketed explanations follow the manuscript. Select a reference to read the surrounding passage in the EHV.
Reading these passages together
Follow the movement from God’s promise after the fall, through Abraham, to its fulfillment in Jesus. His death and resurrection accomplish the salvation that the Gospel now announces and gives to faith.
14 Scripture excerpt groups
SCRIPTURE 01
Romans 1:16-17 ↗
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes—to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed by faith, for faith, just as it is written, ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”
Book page 23
SCRIPTURE 02
Romans 5:8 ↗
“But God shows his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Book page 23
SCRIPTURE 03
Genesis 3:15 ↗
[God speaks the first Gospel promise about the Serpent’s defeat] “I will put hostility between you [the Serpent] and the woman, and between your seed and her seed [a male child]. He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel.”
Book page 23
SCRIPTURE 04
Galatians 3:8 ↗
“Foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, Scripture proclaimed the gospel in advance to Abraham, saying, ‘In you, all nations will be blessed.’”
Book page 23
SCRIPTURE 05
Galatians 3:16 ↗
“The promises God spoke referred to Abraham and to his seed. It doesn’t say, ‘And to seeds,’ as if it were referring to many, but, as referring to one, ‘And to your seed,’ who is Christ [the anointed King].”
Book page 23
SCRIPTURE 06
John 3:16 ↗
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Book page 23
SCRIPTURE 07
Luke 2:10-11 ↗
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord.’”
Book page 24
SCRIPTURE 08
Mark 10:45 ↗
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Book page 24
SCRIPTURE 09
1 John 3:5,8 ↗
“You know that [Jesus] appeared in order to take away our sins, and in him there is no sin . . . This is why the Son of God appeared: to destroy the works of the Devil.”
Book page 24
SCRIPTURE 10
Romans 5:10 ↗
“For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, it is even more certain that, since we have been reconciled, we will be saved by his life.”
Book page 24
SCRIPTURE 11
John 14:6 ↗
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.’”
Book page 24
SCRIPTURE 12
Mark 1:15 ↗
“‘The time is fulfilled,’ [Jesus] said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near! Repent, and believe in the gospel.’”
Book page 24
SCRIPTURE 13
1 John 5:11 ↗
“This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
Book page 24
SCRIPTURE 14
1 Corinthians 1:18 ↗
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.”
Book page 24
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission, as noted in the manuscript.
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY
45-Minute Study Guide: The Gospel
A printable study that weaves the doctrinal statement together with all of its supporting Scripture passages, plus opening discussion, application questions, and prayers.
Download the Complete Bible Study (PDF)PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect and pray
What makes the Gospel good news rather than instructions for earning God’s favor?
How do the promises to Eve and Abraham point forward to Christ?
When your conscience troubles you, which of these promises gives you assurance?
A prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to save us. Turn our eyes to his cross and resurrection, strengthen our trust in your forgiveness, and help us share your good news. Amen.