✝️ What is the Gospel?
Many people believe Christianity is just a religion with rules. However, at its center is something much greater: the Gospel – the good news of God’s salvation for humanity. But what does that mean exactly?
Depending on whom you ask, you get different answers:
- The historical-critical view: Gospels are historical documents about Jesus, important literary works that have strongly influenced Western culture and art.
- Catholic view: The message of Jesus plus the tradition and teachings of the Church, which are considered supplementary to the biblical texts.
- Modern interpretation: A call for social justice and charity, a message for improving the world.
- Secular view: Part of the cultural heritage with historical and moral teachings.
- The Gospel – are these four different ones? Or more?
Here you get short, concise, biblically grounded answers:
📖 Meaning of the word “Gospel”
The word Gospel comes from the Greek euangelion and means “good news.” It describes the message of Jesus Christ – and is also the name for the four books in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
📚 The four Gospels in the New Testament – four books, one message
Three eyewitnesses and one historian (Luke) report the story of Jesus from their perspective:
- Matthew: shows Jesus as the Messiah and Teacher.
- Mark: shortest book, emphasizes the deeds of Jesus.
- Luke: emphasizes Jesus’ humanity and compassion.
- John: theologically profound, shows Jesus as the Son of God.
All four books have one goal: to inspire faith and to bear witness to the life of Jesus.
Do you have doubts that the authors were eyewitnesses? See my article on it here: The Bible – Is it Credible?
But what is the good news now?
The Gospel in one Sentence
The following sentence in the Gospel of John is often quoted as the epitome of the good news:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (NL)
The quote comes from a conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came to him at night. Jesus makes it clear to Nicodemus that his education and reputation are not enough to be saved. He explains to him that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is “born of water and the Spirit.” Nicodemus does not understand what Jesus means and asks: “How can this be?” To which Jesus gives him guidance, culminating in this quoted sentence: Believe in Jesus, and you will not perish but have eternal life. You can read the entire discussion in John 3:1-21.
What does saving faith in Jesus entail?
What exactly must I believe for it to be fulfilled that I “shall not perish but have eternal life”? Paul explains this to the Corinthians:
“Now I want to remind you of the good news… by this you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you… I passed on to you what is most important and what was also handed down to me:
- that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures,
- and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day …
from the letter of Paul to the Corinthians: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
It is therefore not about believing that Jesus was a good person, but it is centrally about the death and resurrection of Jesus on the cross of Golgotha. Jesus’ disciples repeatedly summarize it in their writings this way: Jesus died the death on the cross that we deserved, as a substitute for your sin and mine. When I accept this gift and thereby admit my guilt before God, God grants me his Holy Spirit and with it “eternal life.” I will therefore live on with God after my earthly death. But not only that, I also receive a new identity, I become “a new creation” and can rebuild my life with God.
🕊️ The Central Message of the Gospel
- God is holy and just.
- Man is separated from God by sin and can do nothing to undo this separation.
- Jesus Christ came as a man, lived without sin, and died as a substitute for our guilt.
- The Resurrection shows: Jesus has conquered death, his substitutionary death was accepted.
- Through faith in him we receive forgiveness and new life.
This message concerns everyone. It is not about religiosity, but about a relationship with God as the basis for a life in abundance. Jesus makes this relationship possible.
The Gospel in 8 Words
“Jesus died for you – you can be free.” (Markus Voss)
Yes, it’s that simple. It also has to be simple so that everyone can understand it.
💡 Why the Gospel is so Important
The Gospel confronts us with the reality of our separation from God – but also with the hope of reconciliation. It is not just a doctrine, but a life-changing truth. No one can save themselves. But God offers salvation and new life by grace.
🙏 How Can I Respond to the Gospel?
God invites every person to personally accept this message:
- Repent – turn towards God, who offers you grace.
- Believe – accept that Jesus died and rose for you.
- Follow – begin a life in relationship with God.
🌱 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
📣 Conclusion: The Best News in the World
The Gospel is not a religion, but salvation, relationship, and hope. It invites you to get to know Jesus personally.
If you have questions or want to know more, feel free to write to me.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)
Further Information
For the creation of this article, I used the message of the New Testament.
Bildquellen / Image Sources
- Was-ist-das-Evangelium: ChatGTP
