The Gospel

We are beginning a multi-week study on the Gospel. I hope to show where some definitions are wrong, where some fall short, and most importantly, what the Bible says about the Gospel. We want the truth about the Gospel. There are 94 passages that mention the Gospel. Most just simply say the "gospel" and don't define it which is where most people are today. We refer to the Gospel but can we define it? We will begin with a passage that actually defines and says "This is the Gospel!" While there are many other verses that can be used to support the study, for the sake of the time we have in class, the verses in the outline are what I have chosen. It is a benefit of being the one teaching. I hope and pray that you will just use this as a starting point. Use your Bible and look up other passages and deepen your understanding on this most crucial aspect of a Christian's life.



The Gospel Defined
Lesson 1
“A Biblical and Systematic Definition of the Gospel”

The Gospel Defined

While there are many different ideas about what the Gospel is, Biblically there is really only one. 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 gives the clearest explanation. It says;

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ for our sins died 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.”

What does this passage mean? If someone were to ask you what all this Gospel talk is about, how would you answer? (I’m assuming you talk about Jesus and the Gospel, especially outside the church.) Let’s break down this passage and be able to answer this question.

The Gospel is Salvation through Jesus Christ

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (ESV)

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thess 5:9 (ESV)

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, Heb 5:7-9 (ESV)

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory 2 Tim 2:10 (ESV)

Why through Christ?

The Gospel is Christ Died for our Sins

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly Romans 5:6 (ESV)

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (ESV)

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died— Romans 8:34 (ESV)

For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living
Romans 14:9 (ESV)

What are the implications of Christ’s death?

The Gospel is Christ brings forgiveness of Sins

for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matt 26:28 (ESV)

to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,
Luke 1:77 (ESV)

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,
Acts 2:38 (ESV)

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,
Acts 2:38 (ESV)

How is forgiveness possible?

The Gospel is the testified Resurrection of Christ from death

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26 (ESV)

he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ,
Acts 2:31 (ESV)

And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:33 (ESV)

having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
Acts 24:15 (ESV)

Are the resurrection testimonies reliable?


The Gospel is in accordance with Scriptures

I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets
Acts 24:14 (ESV)

But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.”
Matt 26:56 (ESV)

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself
Luke 24:27 (ESV)

for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
Acts 18:28 (ESV)
This is a very precise, systematic definition of the Gospel. Through out the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the Gospel is also referred to as the “Kingdom” and the “kingdom of God or heaven.” Some might argue that they are separate, but what you see is that the Gospel is directly tied to the kingdom and in some instances gospel and kingdom are used interchangeably. A very broad definition of the Gospel is that of John 3:16. While broad definitions are not necessarily bad, we must remember that we at some point must be very specific in our delivery of the Gospel. Next week we will look at another aspect of the Gospel found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, the Gospel is delivered. We will call it the Gospel Declared.