Berean Baptist Church

What Is The Christian “Gospel”. Let us begin by defining the term “Gospel”. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines it as “good news”. Now I don't know about you but if you are going to come to me and say that you have good news for me, I expect it to be just that, “Good News”. There is a lot I could say that would possibly be good news to you such as a large pay raise is coming and a lower cost of living, and I wish I could bring you that kind of news but that is not what this tract is about. This tract is about eternal “Good News”. We all know that jobs come and go and the economy is up and down and cost of living is always rising. God has not sent his people out with that kind of gospel. It has specific meaning when it applies to the things of God. In this tract we are concerned with the Good News of the salvation of mankind for in this area is where the “Gospel” is so perverted. Jesus gave what is called the Great Commission to his church to preach the “Gospel” to every creature. (Mark 16:15,16). The same message to every creature. Jesus also states in that commission, to be saved one must believe the Gospel and he that believeth not is damned. Paul also stated that if any man come among you preaching any other Gospel let him be accursed. (Gal. 1:8,9) . Now if man’s salvation is based upon the belief of this same “Gospel Message” surely we need to get the message of that “Gospel” right, and that is the intent of this tract. In the next few lines we desire briefly but clearly to lay out the Biblical view of “The Gospel”. This “Gospel” according to the scriptures is to bring an individual upon the belief of it, into the kingdom of God, where they shall ever remain. Now if this be true “The Gospel” according to The Scriptures surly can be called “Good News”. Let us see.

Have you ever experienced guilt? I am not necessarily speaking of outward condemnation by others making you feel guilty, but inner condemnation, when only you know, self-condemnation. Everyone has experienced it. Historical evidence shows us that man has been trying to make amends for this inner guilt that he has, since the dawn of creation. This historical evidence also shows that this quilt has no boundaries for no matter the educational level, the political stature, economic status, race, or national origin all mankind has experienced this quilt and has participated in religious ceremonies to try clear this guilt. We see this in the various forms of religious ceremonies that man has engineered, all to clear his guilty conscience and to attempt, to appease an offended God. Why do we feel this inner guilt. Because of the witness of God’s Holy Spirit that convicts us that we have offended God by breaking his Holy Law. As with breaking any law there is a penalty if found guilty. This penalty is death according to scriptures Eze. 18.20 “The soul that sinneth; it shall die…” Do you know anyone that has never sinned? The Bible says there is none. Ecclesiastes 7:20 (KJV) 20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. This death is a eternal death and everlasting judgment. The only way we can escape this is to live 100% perfect or to die the death. To late for the perfection isn’t it? So all that is left to us is to die the death.

But wait I have some real Good News to share with you. It is Called the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (KJV) 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The Gospel addresses the three greatest fears and mysteries of man. That being judgment for his sin, his mortality (death and the grave) and the after life. In answer to this the Gospel declares that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures which would imply, that had he not, we would have had to. As we stated earlier “the soul that sinneth it shall die”. He was buried, declares that it was his fleshly human body that was killed and buried, and he arose again declares that the same body that went into the grave is the same body that came out of the grave. What does this mean to us. That Christ Jesus has power over death hell and the grave and the after life (eternal life or eternal death), and this victory is to all that believe the “Gospel”.

Now like any other thing in life there is a cost attached. That cost is a debt that every sinner owes to God for breaking his law. We must settle that debt at God’s judgment seat. Now God being a just Judge demands full payment for our sin debt. That is the bad news, it’s a debt we owe but cannot afford nor or are we able to pay and come out alive. How then do we settle this debt to God? 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. So God sent his son to take our place. To pay our debt. God made a way, he sent his son in our place. He was the only one that could pay the debt and come out alive. He lived a 100% perfect life and met the demands of the law by never sinning, yet he stilled died a sinners death for us.

What is demanded of us to reap the benefits of such “Good News”. The Bible says in Mark 1:15 “Repent ye and believe the Gospel”. It is only good news if you believe what is told and turn to it. This Gospel demand is two folded. The first of these demands is to believe the message. Now the word believe means to have a full trust in. The second is to repent. Now repentance means to turn around in a one hundred eighty degree turn. As stated earlier you won’t turn unless you believe. This repentance is our belief in that gospel and turn to God in trust that Christ meet the Laws demand for 100% righteousness and that we are guilty as charged a sinner, and believe God’s testimony of his son Jesus, and that he died for our sins.

Now to the good part as we showed you earlier in 2 Corinthians 5:21 “that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”. How can this be? Romans 4:20–22 tells us (KJV) “20 He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” Abraham believed what God had promised. Do you believe what God has promised. John 3:16 (KJV) 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Upon believing this Gospel of Jesus Christ, God places in your account 100% righteousness, not yours, but his. So we are saved by his works, not ours. Do you Believe this promise of God? Turn to God and call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then call and let us know so that we may rejoice with you and answer any questions you may have.