Resources - The Gospel
We hear this term used in different ways:
Dictionary: “The teachings of Christ and the Apostles”
Example: Mark 1:1—the entirety of the story of Jesus.
Luke 9:6—what would they have declared? Messiah is here, etc.
We are commanded to do the same in Mark 16:15—“Go . . . and preach the gospel to every creature.”
But, in our case, Jesus is no longer physically present. So what do we tell people the
Gospel is?
I Corinthians 15:1-2, 3-4
- Christ died for our sins.
- He was buried.
- He rose again.
Okay, I’m convinced, but what do I do? Interestingly enough, this is not a new question. It was asked in Acts 2:37.
Their question was asked right after a message which was essentially a longer
version of “this is the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Let’s have a look: Romans 6:1-11
- The death of Jesus—Romans 6:6: “... our old man is crucified with him ... that henceforth we should not serve sin”
- Turn away from sin and doing wrong – often called repentance
- ANOTHER EXAMPLE?
- Burial of Jesus—Romans 6:4: “we are buried with him by baptism”
- The symbolism is striking: immersion in water “with him” in Jesus name
- Resurrection of Jesus—Romans 6:5: “we shall we also in the likeness of his resurrection”
- How are we spiritually resurrected?
- Romans 8:11 says the Holy Spirit is in us
Now read Romans 6:1-11 again.
Therefore, the essence of the teachings of Jesus Christ can be summed up by the “gospel”
- Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again—for me!
How does this compare with Jesus’ teachings about the New Birth?
John 3:1-8 features two elements of note (repentance is implicit in this instance):
- Water = baptism
- Spirit = Holy Spirit
This lines up very well with the “Gospel” (The kingdom of God—Romans 14:17)
Practically speaking, what this means is that I need put this into being by doing what?
Acts 2:37-38
Is that all there is to it? No, but with the gospel of Jesus in hand, we can then get about living and doing as Jesus taught and intended.