What is the GOSPEL? How important is it to Christians? How powerful is it?
The word “gospel” means “good news.” In the Bible it is “the good news of Jesus Christ” as we see clearly in Romans 1:1-3, “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ…separated to the GOSPEL of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, CONCERNING HIS SON JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.” The Lord Jesus Christ is at the heart of the gospel for He alone died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day so sinners could be saved. Listen to these words from the Apostle Paul to the saints at Corinth and at Rome (from the King James Version):
*1st Corinthians 15:1, 3-4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the GOSPEL which I preached unto you…how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
*1st Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
*Romans 1:16, “For I am not shamed of the GOSPEL OF CHRIST: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”
These words are plain, the GOOD NEWS to mankind is that the Jesus Christ took our place on the cross of Calvary and while there, God laid OUR SINS upon Him and judged Him for those sins. Isaiah the prophet wrote of this in Isaiah 53:5-6, 10, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD laid on him the iniquity of us all…Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin.” After Jesus had exhausted God’s judgment, He cried out in holy victory, “It is finished” and then He “bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:30). He paid the price God’s holiness had demanded, was buried, and three days later God manifested His approval of Christ’s finished work by raising Him from the dead. “Who was delivered up for our offenses, and was RAISED because of our justification” (Romans 4:25 NKJV).
This, my dear friend, is the GOSPEL. The moment you take your place as a lost sinner and BELIEVE IT you ARE SAVED, as we saw in 1st Corinthians 1:18 and Romans 1:16. It is indeed “the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” Have you believed it? Millions hear the gospel and refuse to believe it, thinking, “Surely there is something I must do to be saved?” Yet as we have seen the gospel is all about JESUS CHRIST AND WHAT HE HAS DONE; it has nothing to do with us and or what we do. Ephesians 2:8-9 declare, “For by grace you HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH, and that NOT OF YOURSELVES; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
You asked, “How important is it to Christians?” We have seen it is ALL IMPORTANT, for we will always be thankful that we were given the knowledge of our salvation through the Gospel. Add to that the fact that after we are saved we have the privilege of preaching the gospel to others so that they too may hear it, believe it, and be saved. This commission is given to us in Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (305.5) (DO)