What has prompted this study, is the perception that many important scriptural terms in connection with the gospel are losing their value and significance in our day. Terms such as Substitution; Redemption; Justification; and Propitiation are becoming increasingly confused, and in some cases they are spoken of as if they all basically mean the same thing. This depreciates the value of these great truths of salvation which God had given to us in His Word.
Salvation is obtained through simple faith in Christ, but the understanding of what that transaction involved will unfold throughout eternity. It is important for us to understand what these scriptural terms mean.
The Origin of the Gospel
There are a multitude of scriptures which make it clear that the gospel has its origin with God, and has nothing to do with man. The following references will suffice to establish this point: the gospel of God (Rom. 1:1; 1 Thess. 2:2), the gospel of the glory of the blessed God (1 Tim. 1:11), the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mk. 1:1), the gospel of God concerning His Son, Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:14), the gospel of His Son (Rom. 1:9), the gospel of our Lord Jesus (2 Thess. 1:8), the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Cor. 4:4), and the gospel of Christ (Rom. 15:19; 1 Cor. 9:12; 2 Cor. 2:12).
These scriptures show that the gospel has its origin, and therefore it’s authority, from God. Man is not at liberty to change its terms or modify its message. It is of God.
The Message of the Gospel
The word “gospel” in the original language of the Bible simply means “good news.” The Apostle Paul gives us a succinct summary of what the gospel message is when he writes: “the gospel that I preached unto you… how that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and rose again, according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:1-4). A scriptural gospel message, therefore, must deal with the question of sin, and the relation of the Cross to it, and the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. These are the foundation truths of the “Good News” that God has for fallen humanity. A summary of what the gospel contains follows:
* Sin had alienated man from the presence of God, and from fellowship with Him.
* Man by nature is spiritually separated from God, and depraved in every part.
* Man cannot remedy his situation by good works or sacrifices.
* God in His infinite love and mercy has sought after man with a view to salvation.
* God sent His Son to Calvary to die for sinners, to pay the price of redemption.
* Christ rose from the dead and ascended to God’s right hand, evidence that His sacrifice satisfied every claim of God.
* The death and resurrection of Christ has opened the gate of salvation to all who believe.
* Those who reject the gospel and die in their sins will go to hell awaiting the final judgment.
* Unbelievers will be judged by the risen Christ at the Great White Throne. The Judge will assign both death and hell to the Lake of Fire for all of eternity.
* Those who have salvation in Christ look forward to dwelling in bliss in fellowship with God forever.
Subjects of the Gospel
Scripture makes it very clear that the gospel is for a universal audience, without fear or favor. The scope and availability of God’s gospel is without limit. John 3:16 tells us, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” There can be no limitation on the potential of the grace of God to save all, and the gospel is offered to all for acceptance or rejection.
Sir Robert Anderson wrote: Does not every principle of truth and right forbid that the elect should be scared into repentance by concealment of the fact that the ink upon their discharge was dry long centuries ago, and that others should be tantalized with deceptive promises of blessings that they can never know, enforced by threats of judgment from which, for them, there is no escape?
And again,
He [God] gave His only begotten Son, and He adds, not as a cold formula which the initiated know to be overshadowed by the doctrine of election, but as the expression of the longing of that mighty love–“that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Scripture teaches that there is not a human being on the face of the earth who is excluded from the possibility of salvation through faith in Christ. To teach otherwise, is the death knell of biblical evangelism.
The Presentation of the Gospel
Preaching is the primary means by which men hear the gospel, upon which they have a responsibility to respond in faith. We see this demonstrated practically in the Acts where the apostles spent their time preaching the Word, with exceptional results. Of course we can all be “witnesses” to Christ by our lives and by word of mouth, but preaching involves public declaration. The word used conjures up the picture of the “heralds” who were dispatched from Rome to the various provinces and towns of the Empire to publicly declare whatever message the Caesar wished to convey, with the expectation of obedience from the hearers. Some examples:
“How shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14); “Faith cometh by hearing…by the Word of God” (Rom. 11:17); “Christ sent me…to preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 1:17); “The preaching of the gospel…is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18); “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching” (1 Cor. 2:21); “We preach Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:23).
How the Gospel is Received
The gospel is received by faith. That is, the sinner coming under the conviction of the Spirit of God is required to exercise faith in Christ. He is asked to “believe,” or to “receive.” This involves the exercise of the human will. The following Scriptures will suffice to demonstrate:
“But as many as received Him…become the sons of God…those that believe on His name” (Jn. 1:12);
“That whosoever believeth in Him…hath everlasting life” (Jn. 3:15); “That whosoever believeth in Him…hath everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16); “He that believeth…hath everlasting life” (Jn. 3:36); “Many more believed because of His own word” (Jn. 4:41); “He that heareth My word and believeth…” (Jn. 5:24);
“They that gladly received His word…” (Acts 2:41).
The work of the Spirit and the preaching of the Word of God is to be followed by a response from those who hear. They must “receive” or “believe.” Some teach, based on Ephesians 2:8, that the ability to “believe” or “receive” is a gift from God given to the elect. Sir Robert Anderson calls this “the fatalistic theory of faith, which regards it as a kind of grace imparted to the soul by God.” Alford writes, “To read the text as though the faith were the gift, is to destroy not only the meaning of the verse 9, but the force of the whole passage.” “The gift of God” spoken of in Ephesians 2:8 is not the “faith,” but the salvation which follows the exercise of faith. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
The Results of Believing the Gospel
It will take eternity for us to discover the outcome of believing the gospel. We will continually be discovering new things that will thrill our souls forever, and provoke fresh songs of praise to the Lamb in the midst of the Throne. Some of the more evident results are:
* Our sins are all forgiven–past, present and future–and we have peace with God.
* We can never again be lost for we are possessors of eternal life.
* We are designated “sons” and “heirs of God.”
* Heaven is our home forever.
* God is our Father, and the Lord Jesus is our Saviour, High Priest and Advocate.
* We are baptized in the Holy Spirit, and He takes up residence in our bodies.
* By the baptism of the Spirit, we belong to the universal Church, the Body of Christ.
* We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
* We have a “blessed hope”–the Lord has promised to come again and receive us to Himself, that where He is, there we may be also.
How our salvation should thrill our souls daily. Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
In Conclusion
The gospel has its origin in God. The historical essentials of the gospel are: Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again. The gospel is a universal message which has the potential to save all, and is primarily made known through the vehicle of “preaching.” It is received by faith on the part of the hearer, that is, by believing or receiving. The gospel brings an eternity of blessing to the believer in Christ, to be enjoyed starting now.