Bible Study for Sunday

The Gospel Declared
“A Biblical Definition of the Gospel”

The Gospel Declared

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.”
1 Corinthians 15:3-6

Paul delivered the Gospel to the Church at Corinth. Peter preached the Gospel to the Gentiles as well. John the Baptist proclaimed the kingdom of heaven. Philip proclaimed the Gospel throughout Samaria. There is a common saying that says, “Preach the Gospel daily and if necessary, use words.” I understand the importance of holy living and in no way wish to diminish it, but, it is impossible to live a holy life without sharing Christ with others. As we go through these verses that deal with declaring the Gospel, I understand that most are geared towards salvation of the lost, but there is an effect of declaring the Gospel that many of us might not know. The Gospel also makes disciples and grows disciples. The Gospel will also advance and provide opportunities for itself when it is declared. It is these aspects of the Gospel we will focus on today.

The Gospel Declared for Repentance and Salvation

John the Baptist

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 3:1-2

Jesus Christ
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Mark 1:14

And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.
Mark 13:10

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal...” 6And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Luke 9:1-6

Philip
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5Philip went down to the city£ of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
Acts 8:4-5

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
Acts 8:35

40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Acts 8:40

Peter
Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. Acts 15:7-9

Paul
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16


The Gospel Declared makes Disciples

Paul
When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22strengthening the souls of the disciples
Acts 14:21

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18

I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
1 Corinthians 9:23

if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation£ under heaven
Colossians 1:23





The Gospel Declared will Advance

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians,£ both to the wise and to the foolish. 15So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome
Romans 1:14-15

and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21but as it is written,
£“Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand.”
Romans 15:20-21

We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence.
2 Corinthians 10:15-16


The Gospel MUST be Declared

For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
1 Corinthians 9:16

What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
Matthew 10:27