The gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. The word comes from the Old English godspell, meaning good news. It translates the Greek euangelion. The gospel is the message of the cross. It is the message of the empty tomb. It is the message of grace. It is the message of hope. It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. It is the story of what God has done. It is the story of what God is doing. It is the story of what God will do. It is the story of Jesus.

The gospel is summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures. He was buried. He was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures. He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve, then to more than five hundred. That is the gospel. It is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is the payment for sin. It is the victory over death. It is the offer of forgiveness. It is the gift of eternal life. It is the call to repentance and faith.

The gospel in scripture

• 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: the gospel defined.
• Romans 1:16: the power of God for salvation.
• John 3:16: God so loved the world.
• Mark 1:15: the kingdom of God is at hand.
• Acts 4:12: no other name under heaven.

The gospel is not advice. It is not a self-help program. It is not a list of rules. It is news. It is an announcement. It is a proclamation. It is what God has done. It is a gift to be received. It is a truth to be believed. It is a life to be lived. The gospel is the center of the Bible. It is the center of history. It is the center of the church. It is the center of the Christian life. Without the gospel, there is no salvation. With the gospel, there is everything. It is the good news. It is the best news. It is the gospel.