gospel definitions 2

8/2/2019 Gospel Definitions 2

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GOSPELDEFINITIONSCompiledbyTrevinWax

www.trevinwax.com

LastUpdated:June2011

DefinitionsfromChristiansinthePast

GilbertBeebeLikesomanyBibleterms,thewordGOSPELhasbeengivenvariousdefinitionscontrarytoits

originalandpropermeaning.

ThewordhasitsorigininChristbeforethefoundationoftheworld.Thiswascontainedinthe

promiseGodmadebeforethefoundationoftheworld.(Tit.1:2)Thegospel,thegood

newsorgoodtidingsisthedeclaredfulfilmentofthatpromise.

InIsaiah61:13isfoundtheoutstandingproclamationmadebytheSumandSubstanceofthe

goodtidings,JesusChristHimself:

TheSpiritoftheLordGodisuponMe,becausetheLordhasanointedMetopreachgood

tidingstothemeek,HehassentMetobindupthebrokenhearted,toproclaimlibertytothe

captives,andtheopeningoftheprisontothemthatarebound.Toproclaimtheacceptable

yearof

the

Lord,

and

the

day

of

vengeance

of

our

God,

to

comfort

all

that

mourn.

To

appoint

to

themthatmourninZion,togivetothembeautyforashes,theoilofjoyformourning,the

garmentofpraiseforthespiritofheaviness;thattheymightbecalledtreesofrighteousness,

theplantingoftheLord,thatHemightbeglorified.

TheRedeemerrepeatedthissameproclamationofHimselfinthesynagogue.

Whilethispropheticalstatementisoftenquoted,itsfullsignificanceisrarelyunderstood.In

thisonesweepingdeclaration,thereisencouchednotthebeginningofthegospel,notapart

ofitsfulfilment,thegrandtotalofwhattheSonofMandeclaredonthecross:ITIS

FINISHED!

TheGreekwordevanggelionistranslatedgospelintheKingJamesVersion.Thisword,

togetherwithitsrenderingofgoodtidings,gladtidingsandpreachthegospeloccurssome

onehundredandeighttimesintheNewTestament,noneofwhichintimateanythinglessthan

finishedredemptioninChrist.


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F.F.BruceOnlyonesavingmessageisattestedbytheNT.Thegospeltothecircumcisionpreachedby

Peterandhiscolleaguesdidnotdifferincontentfromthegospeltotheuncircumcised

entrustedtoPaul(Gal.2:7),thoughtheformofpresentationmightvaryaccordingtothe

audience.Paulstestimonyis,WhetherthereforeitwasIorthey[Peterandhiscolleagues],so

wepreach,

and

so

you

believed

(1

Cor.

15:11).

Thebasicelementsinthemessagewerethese:

1.theprophecieshavebeenfulfilledandthenewageinauguratedbythecomingofChrist;

2.hewasbornintothefamilyofDavid;

3.hediedaccordingtotheScriptures,todeliverhispeoplefromthisevilage;

4.hewasburied,andraisedagainthethirdday,accordingtotheScriptures;

5.heisexaltedatGodsrighthandasSonofGod,Lordoflivinganddead;

6.hewillcomeagain,tojudgetheworldandconsummatehissavingwork.

JeremiahBurroughs

ThegospelofChristingeneralisthis:

ItisthegoodtidingsthatGodhasrevealedconcerningChrist.

Morelargelyitisthis:

AsallmankindwaslostinAdamandbecamethechildrenofwrath,putunderthesentenceof

death,God,thoughHeleftHisfallenangelsandhasreservedtheminthechainsofeternal

darkness,yetHehasthoughtuponthechildrenofmenandhasprovidedawayofatonement

toreconcilethemtoHimselfagainNamely,thesecondpersonoftheTrinitytakesmans

natureupon

Himself,

and

becomes

the

Head

of

asecond

covenant,

standing

charged

with

sin.

Heanswersforitbysufferingwhatthelawanddivinejusticerequired,andbymaking

satisfactionbykeepingthelawperfectly,whichsatisfactionandrighteousnessHetendersupto

theFatherasasweetsavorofrestforthesoulsthataregiventoHimAndnowthismediation

ofChristis,bytheappointmentoftheFather,preachedtothechildrenofmen,ofwhatever

nationorrank,freelyofferingthisatonementuntosinnersforatonement,requiringthemto

believeinHimand,uponbelieving,promisingnotonlyadischargeofalltheirformersins,but

thattheyshallnotenterintocondemnation,thatnoneoftheirsinsorunworthinessshallever

hinderthepeaceofGodwiththem,butthattheyshallthroughHimbereceivedintothe

numberofthosewhoshallhavetheimageofGodagaintobereneweduntothem,andthey

theyshall

be

kept

by

the

power

of

God

through

faith

unto

salvation.

C.H.DoddTheGospelSummarizedin6Parts

1. TheAgeofFulfillmenthasdawned,thelatterdaysforetoldbytheprophets.(Acts3:1826)


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2. Thishastakenplacethroughthebirth,life,ministry,deathandresurrectionofJesusChrist.(Acts2:2231)

3. Byvirtueoftheresurrection,JesushasbeenexaltedattherighthandofGodasMessianicheadofthenewIsrael.(Acts2:3236)

4. TheHolySpiritinthechurchisthesignofChristspresentpowerandglory.(Acts10:4448)

5. TheMessianicAgewillreachitsconsummationinthereturnofChrist.(Acts3:2021)6. Anappealismadeforrepentancewiththeofferofforgiveness,theHolySpirit,andsalvation.(Acts2:3741)

RobertA.GuelichTheanswertoourdilemmaofhowthegospeloftheKingdomandthegospelofthecross

relateisthatthegospelofthecrossisintegraltothegospeloftheKingdomifweunderstand

bothtomeanexpressionofthesamegospel,namely,IsaiahspromisedgospelofGod.

Thegospel

then

isthe

message

that

God

acted

in

and

through

Jesus

Messiah,

Gods

anointed

one,toeffectGodspromiseofshalom,salvation,Godsreign.

WhatistheGospel?

InauguralAddress,FullerTheologicalSeminary(9May1989)

J.HamptonKeathley8AspectstoTheGospel

1. ThegospelofJesusChrist(Mark1:1;1Cor.9:12)orthegospelofGodsSon(Rom.1:9).Thesetwodescriptionsspeakofthegoodnewsofsalvationthatcomesthroughthe

personandworkofJesusChristwhoistheverySonofGodinhumanflesh.Again,thisis

agood

news

of

deliverance

from

sins

penalty,

power

and

presence

through

the

two

adventsofChrist.

2. ThegospelofthegraceofGod(Acts20:24)emphasizesthatsalvationinallofitsaspectsisonthebasisofgraceratherthanonsomemeritorioussystemofworks.

3. Thegospelofthekingdom(Matt.4:23;9:35;24:14)isthegoodnewsthatGodwillestablishHiskingdomonearththroughthetwoadventsoftheLordJesusChrist.

4. Thegospelofpeace(Eph.6:15)describeshowthisgoodnewsofsalvationinChristbringspeaceinallitsmanyaspects(peacewithGod,thepeaceofGod,peacewith

others,andworldpeace)throughthevictoryaccomplishedbytheSavior.

5. Theeternaloreverlastinggospel(Rev.14:6)expandsourperspectiveofgospelaswenormally

think

of

it.

This

gospel

as

proclaimed

by

the

angel

has

several

key

elements

of

gloriouslygoodnewsthataredevelopedinthreecommandsandtworeasons:

Command#1:FearGod.Thisreferstoaholyreverencethatrecognizesthesovereign

authorityandpowerofGodtodealwithmaninHisholywrathandthus,tobringanend

totheworldofsinaswenowknowit.TofearGodistorecognizeHimasthetrueGod

whocandestroythesoulandnotjustthebodyasGodwilldowiththebeastof

RevelationandHisantiGodsystem.

Command#2:GiveHimglory.Thisreferstothepraiseandhonorthatshouldaccrue


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toGodfrommankindduetoourrecognitionandhighestimationofGodasthe

sovereignCreatoroftheuniverse.

Command#3:AndworshipHimwhomadeThewordworshipmeanstoshow

reverenceorrespect.Thiswordemphasizestheexternaldisplayasseeninour

obedience,prayer,singing,andformalworship.Thewordfearemphasizesthe

reverentialmental

attitude

behind

the

worship.

In

the

Tribulation

people

will

be

forced

tofearandformallyacknowledgethebeastandhisimage.Inthismessagetheangelis

demandingthatmankindrejectthebeastandformallyturntoGodtoworshipHim(cf.

Rev.14:11).

Reason#1:Thehourofhisjudgmenthascomeisareferencetothefinaljudgmentsof

theTribulationthebowljudgmentswhichareabouttooccurthatwillputanendto

thesystemofthebeastandbringtheruletheLordJesus,theKingofkings.Thesewill

concludewiththereturnofChristHimself(Rev.19)andleadtotheremovalofall

unbelieversfromtheearth.Theemphasisistonotdelaybecausethetimeisshort.

Reason#2:ThisisseeninthereferencetoGodastheCreatorinverse7b.Hereweare

calledtopayattentiontotheagelessanduniversalmessageofthecreationitself.Age

afteragecreationhascalledmankindtorecognizeGodsexistenceandtoseekafter

Him(cf.Acts17:2627withPsalm19:16).Thismeanspeoplearewithoutexcuseand

that,whentheangelproclaimsthisgospel,thehouroftheCreatorsjudgmentisabout

tofall(seeRom.1:18f).Thoughthisistheessentialandprimaryelementoftheangels

everlastinggospel,perhapshewillsaymorethanthisforfromagetoageapersons

capacitytoreverence,glorifyandworshipGodhascomeonlythroughbelievingand

knowingChrist(cf.John14:6withActs4:12;John4:2324).

GeorgeEldonLaddIcanonlybearwitnessatthispointtowhatHeilsgeschichtemeanstome.MysenseofGods

loveand

acceptance

is

grounded

not

only

in

the

resurrected

Christ

but

also

in

the

Jesus

of

history.HetaughtsomethingaboutGodthatwasutterlynoveltohisJewishauditors:thatGod

isnotonlygraciousandforgivingtotherepentantsinnerbutisalsoaseekingGodwho,in

Jesuspersonandmission,hascometoseekandtosavethelost

GodhasshownmethathelovesmeinthatwhileIwasyetasinner,Christdiedforme(Rom.

5:8).Thisisnotfaithinhistory;itisnotfaithinthekerygma;itisnotfaithintheBible.Itisfaith

inGodwhohasrevealedhimselftomeinthehistoricaleventoftheperson,worksandwords

ofJesusofNazarethwhocontinuestospeaktomethoughthepropheticwordoftheBible.

TheSearchforPerspective,Interpretation25(Jan.1971),56and57.

ThisisthegoodnewsaboutthekingdomofGod.Howmenneedthisgospel!Everywhereone

goeshefindsthegapinggravesswallowingupthedying.Tearsofloss,ofseparation,offinal

departurestaineveryface.Everytablesoonerorlaterhasanemptychair,everyfiresideits

vacantplace.Deathisthegreatleveller.Wealthorpoverty,fameoroblivion,powerorfutility,

successorfailure,race,creedorcultureallourhumandistinctionsmeannothingbeforethe

ultimateirresistiblesweepofthescytheofdeathwhichcutsusalldown.Andwhetherthe


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mausoleumisafabulousTajMahal,amassivepyramid,anunmarkedspotofraggedgrassor

theunplotteddepthsoftheseaonefactstands:deathreigns.

Apartfromthegospelofthekingdom,deathisthemightyconquerorbeforewhomweareall

helpless.Wecanonlybeatourfistsinutterfutilityagainstthisunyieldingandunresponding

tomb.But

the

good

news

is

this:

death

has

been

defeated;

our

conqueror

has

been

conquered.

InthefaceofthepowerofthekingdomofGodinChrist,deathwashelpless.Itcouldnothold

him,deathhasbeendefeated;lifeandimmortalityhavebeenbroughttolife.Anemptytombin

Jerusalemisproofofit.Thisisthegospelofthekingdom.

fromTheGospeloftheKingdom

MartinLutherAtitsbriefest,thegospelisadiscourseaboutChrist,thatheistheSonofGodandbecameman

forus,thathediedandwasraised,andthathehasbeenestablishedasLordoverallthings.

Thismuch

St.

Paul

takes

in

hand

and

spins

out

in

his

epistles.

He

bypasses

all

the

miracles

and

incidents(inChristsministry)whicharesetforthinthefourGospels,yetheincludesthewhole

gospeladequatelyandabundantly.Thismaybeseenclearlyandwellinhisgreetingtothe

Romans,wherehesayswhatthegospelis,andthendeclares:

Paul,aservantofJesusChrist,calledtobeanapostle,setapartforthegospelofGodwhichhe

promisedbeforehandthroughhisprophetsintheholyScriptures,thegospelconcerninghis

Son,whowasdescendedfromDavidaccordingtothefleshanddesignatedSonofGodinpower

accordingtotheSpiritofholinessbyhisresurrectionfromthedead,JesusChristourLord,etc.

Thereyouhaveit.ThegospelisastoryaboutChrist,GodsandDavidsson,whodiedandwas

raised,and

is

established

as

Lord.

This

is

the

gospel

in

anutshell.

MartinLuthersBasicTheologicalWritings,pg.94

M.F.SadlerThewordgospelintheNewTestamentisappliedexclusivelytotheannouncementofcertain

eventsoccurringataparticulartimeinthehistoryoftheworld.Theseare,theIncarnation,

Birth,Baptism,Temptation,Ministry,Miracles,Betrayal,Condemnation,Death,Burial,and

ResurrectionofJesus.ThisisthemeaningofthewordgospelintheopeningsentenceofSt.

MarksGospel.ThisisitsmeaningintheopeningsentenceofSt.PaulsEpistletotheRomans

WhenSt.Paulinanotherplace,setsforthinsomanywordsthegospelwhichhepreached,and

bywhichhisconvertsweresaved,hedeclaresittobetherecordofthreefacts

IfthisbetheaspectunderwhichtheGospelissetbeforeusintheNewTestament,thena

ChurchwhichwouldsetforththeGospelasitiscontainedinScripturemustadheretothis

Scriptureformofit.ItisnotgiventoanyChurchtoassumetobemorespiritualthanGodsHoly

Spiritsoas,inplaceofthesequenceofeventsrecordedinScriptureastheGospel,virtually

tosubstituteasequenceofcertaindoctrinesbeginning(say)withthesecretdecreeofGod


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theHolySpiritworkseffectuallyintheheartsofthefaithful,kindlingandexcitinginthem,faith,

repentance,andthebeginningofeternallife.

Or,wemay,inaccordancewiththeeighteenth,nineteenth,andtwentiethquestionsofthe

Catechism,definethegospeltobethedoctrinewhichGodrevealedfirstinParadise,and

afterwardspublished

by

the

Patriarchs

and

Prophets,

which

he

was

pleased

to

represent

by

the

shadowsofsacrifices,andtheotherceremoniesofthelaw,andwhichhehasaccomplishedby

hisonlybegottenSon;teachingthattheSonofGod,ourLordJesusChrist,ismadeuntous

wisdom,righteousness,sanctification,andredemption;whichistosaythatheisaperfect

Mediator,satisfyingforthesinsofthehumanrace,restoringrighteousnessandeternallifeto

allthosewhobyatruefaithareingraftedintohim,andembracehisbenefits.

ZachariusUrsinus,CommentaryontheHeidelbergCatechism,153483

DefinitionsfromChristiansinthePresent

DannyAkinIdefinethegospelinmyAxiomsmessageasbeingthegoodnewsthatJesusChristcamefrom

heaven,diedonthecrosshavinglivedaperfectsinlesslife,boretheninHisbodythefull

penaltyofoursins,wasraisedfromthedead.Thosewhorepentofsinandplacetheirfaithin

theperfectworkofChristcanandwillbesaved.Theresthegospel.

Dr.DannyAkin,PresidentofSoutheasternSeminary,from2009interviewatKingdom

People

CraigBartholomew

Gospel(fromtheOldEnglishgodspel,goodtale)meansgoodnews,andthisisthebestnews

therecanbe:inJesus,thekingdomofGodhascome!

TheDramaofScripture:FindingOurPlaceintheBiblicalStory

AlistairBeggHeresthegospelinaphrase.BecauseChristdiedforus,thosewhotrustinhimmayknowthat

theirguilthasbeenpardonedonceandforall.WhatwillwehavetosaybeforethebarofGods

judgment?Onlyonething.Christdiedinmyplace.Thatsthegospel.

from

Jesus,KeepMeNeartheCross:ExperiencingthePassionandPowerofEaster

JimBelcherThegospelisthegoodnewsthatthroughJesus,theMessiah,thepowerofGodskingdom

hasenteredhistorytorenewthewholeworld.ThroughtheSaviorGodhasestablishedhis

reign.WhenwebelieveandrelyonJesusworkandrecord(ratherthanours)forour

relationshiptoGod,thatkingdompowercomesuponusandbeginstoworkthroughus.We


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witnessthisradicalnewwayoflivingbyourrenewedlives,beautifulcommunity,socialjustice,

andculturaltransformation.Thegoodnewsbringsnewlife.Thegospelmotivates,guides,and

empowerseveryaspectofourlivingandworship.

JimBelcher,DeepChurch:AThirdWayBeyondEmergingandTraditional

PopeBenedictXVIThetermhasrecentlybeentranslatedasgoodnews.Thatsoundsattractive,butitfallsfar

shortoftheorderofmagnitudeofwhatisactuallymeantbythewordevangelion.Thisterm

figuresinthevocabularyoftheRomanemperors,whounderstoodthemselvesaslords,saviors,

andredeemersoftheworld.Theideawasthatwhatcomesfromtheemperorisasaving

message,thatitisnotjustapieceofnews,butachangingoftheworldforthebetter.

WhentheEvangelistsadoptthisword,andittherebybecomesthegenericnamefortheir

writings,whattheymeantotellusisthis:Whattheemperors,whopretendtobegods,

illegitimatelyclaim,reallyoccurshereamessageendowedwithplenaryauthority,amessage

thatis

not

just

talk

but

reality.

the

Gospel

is

not

just

informative

speech,

but

performative

speechnotjusttheimpartingofinformation,butaction,efficaciouspowerthatentersinto

theworldtosaveandtransform.MarkspeaksoftheGospelofGod,thepointbeingthatitis

nottheemperorswhocansavetheworld,butGod.AnditisherethatGodsword,whichisat

oncewordanddeed,appears;itisherethatwhattheemperorsmerelyassert,butcannot

actuallyperform,trulytakesplace.ForhereitistherealLordoftheworldtheLivingGod

whogoesintoaction.

ThecoreoftheGospelisthis:TheKingdomofGodisathand.

PopeBenedictXVI,fromJesusofNazareth,pgs.4647.

MichaelBirdTakentogetherwecaninferfromICorinthians15:35,Romans1:14andIITimothy2:8,that

thegospelisbothaboutthepersonandworkofChrist.

GodpromisedinthescripturesthatHewouldrenewcreationandrestoreIsrael.Thegospelis

thegoodnewsthatGodhasmadethesepromisesgoodinJesus,theMessiahandLord.Jesus

diedandroseforthepurposeofatoningforsins,andthroughfaithinHimandHiswork

believersarereconciledtoGod.

ThenewagehasbeenlaunchedandGodhasrevealedHissavingrighteousnessinthegospel

sothatHejustifiesanddeliverspersonsfromthepenaltyandpowerofsinanddeath.

MichaelBird,IntroducingPaul:TheMan,HisMissionandHisMessage

JohnBlanchardThegospelisagloriousdeclarationofthemightyactsofGodwhenheinvadedthisearthin

thepersonofhiseternalSon,theLordJesusChrist.


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LorraineBoettnerTheGospelisthegoodnewsaboutthegreatsalvationpurchasedbyJesusChrist,bywhichHe

reconciledsinfulmentoaholyGod.

C.C.BroylesGospel,

or

good

news,

designates

Jesus

message

of

the

appearance

of

Gods

kingdom,

a

messageentailinglibertyforthoseheldcaptivetoanyformofafflictionanddemonstrated

mostdramaticallyinactsofhealing.Insomeinstancesthetermencompassesthewholestory

ofthelife,death,andresurrectionofJesus

ThereaderoftheGospelsmustbewaryofreadingapostEasterdefinitionintotheEvangelists

useofthetermgospel(suchasisfoundinPaulinewritings).IntheSynoptics,itisfoundinthe

mouthofJesusatthebeginningofhisministryTheyusethetermtodesignateJesusmessage

withoutpriordefinition,implyingthatitwasatermknowntotheiraudience.

IVPDictionaryofJesusandtheGospels,pg282,283

RobertF.CaponChristianityisNOTareligion;itistheproclamationoftheendofreligion.Religionisahuman

activitydedicatedtothejobofreconcilingGodtohumanityandhumanitytoitself.TheGospel,

howevertheGoodNewsofourLordandSavior,JesusChrist,istheastonishing

announcementthatGodhasdonethewholeworkofreconciliationwithoutascrapofhuman

assistance.Itisthebizarreproclamationthatreligionisoverperiod.

D.A.CarsonThegospelisintegrallytiedtotheBiblesstoryline.Indeed,itisincomprehensiblewithout

understandingthat

story

line.

Godisthesovereign,transcendentandpersonalGodwhohasmadetheuniverse,includingus,

hisimagebearers.

Ourmiseryliesinourrebellion,ouralienationfromGod,which,despitehisforbearance,

attractshisimplacablewrath.

ButGod,preciselybecauseloveisoftheveryessenceofhischaracter,takestheinitiativeand

preparedforthecomingofhisownSonbyraisingupapeoplewho,bycovenantalstipulations,

templeworship,systemsofsacrificeandofpriesthood,bykingsandbyprophets,aretaught

somethingof

what

God

is

planning

and

what

he

expects.

InthefullnessoftimehisSoncomesandtakesonhumannature.Hecomesnot,inthefirst

instance,tojudgebuttosave:hediesthedeathofhispeople,risesfromthegraveand,in

returningtohisheavenlyFather,bequeathstheHolySpiritasthedownpaymentandguarantee

oftheultimategifthehassecuredforthemaneternityofblissinthepresenceofGod

himself,inanewheavenandanewearth,thehomeofrighteousness.


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TheonlyalternativeistobeshutoutfromthepresenceofthisGodforever,inthetormentsof

hell.Whatmenandwomenmustdo,beforeitistoolate,isrepentandtrustChrist;the

alternativeistodisobeythegospel.

Summarizing1Corinthians15

1.ThegospelisChristological.

2.Thegospelistheological.

3.Thegospelisbiblical.

4.Thegospelisapostolic.

5.Thegospelishistorical.

6.Thegospelispersonal.

7.Thegospelisuniversal.

8.Thegospeliseschatological.

D.A.Carson,fromWhatistheGospel?GospelCoalitionAddress

KnoxChamblin[Paul's]gospelisthewordofthecross(1Cor.1:1718);nowhereisthereacomparable

referencetothewordoftheresurrection.InICorinthians1:2324itisChristcrucifiedwhois

identifiedasthepowerofGodandthewisdomofGod,notaswemighthaveexpected

(especiallyinthecaseofpower),Christresurrected.Boththecrossandtheresurrectionare

offirstimportanceinPaulsgospel(ICor.15:34).UnlessChristhasrisenfromthedead,the

preachingofthecross(andoftheresurrection)isawasteoftime(15:14);butoncethe

resurrectionhasoccurred,thecrossremainscentral.

Andy

Crouch

ThegospelistheproclamationofJesus,in[two]senses.Itistheproclamationannouncedby

JesusthearrivalofGodsrealmofpossibility(hiskingdom)inthemidstofhumanstructures

ofpossibility.ButitisalsotheproclamationaboutJesusthegoodnewsthatindyingand

rising,Jesushasmadethekingdomheproclaimedavailabletous.

AndyCrouch,CultureMaking,page146

MarkDeverHereiswhatIunderstandthegoodnewstobe:thegoodnewsisthattheoneandonlyGod,

whoisholy,madeusinhisimagetoknowhim.Butwesinnedandcutourselvesofffromhim.

Inhis

great

love,

God

became

aman

in

Jesus,

lived

aperfect

life,

and

died

on

the

cross,

thus

fulfillingthelawhimselfandtakingonhimselfthepunishmentforthesinsofallthosewho

wouldeverturnandtrustinhim.Heroseagainfromthedead,showingthatGodaccepted

ChristssacrificeandthatGodswrathagainstushadbeenexhausted.Henowcallsustorepent

ofoursinsandtotrustinChristaloneforourforgiveness.Ifwerepentofoursinsandtrustin

Christ,wearebornagainintoanewlife,aneternallifewithGod.Nowthatisgoodnews.

fromTheGospelandPersonalEvangelism


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DavidDockeryTheheartofgenuinegospelproclamationmustbeafirmtheologicalunderstandingofwhat

GodhasdoneinthepersonandworkofJesusChristThebasicthemesthathelpus

understandthebiblicalandtheologicalaspectsofthegospelmessage.

1. GodasCreatorandtheplaceofmenandwomeninGodscreation2. Thefallofhumanityintosin3. GodsprovisioninJesusChrist4. Godssalvationofmenandwomenfromtheirestranged,guilty,anddreadfulplight5. Godsultimateworkofredemption

Inconclusion,weconfessandaffirmthatJesusChrist,astheGodman,hasfullyrevealedGod

tomenandwomen.Havinglivedasinlesslife,Christ,asoursubstitute,diedadeathforthesins

oftheworld.Havingbeenraisedfromthedead,henowsitsexaltedatGodsrighthand,a

positionofhonorandexaltation,exercisinghisruleanddominion.Wegladlyacknowledge

JesusChrist

as

Lord,

our

prophet,

priest,

and

king

who

has

fully

revealed

God,

who

has

reconciledmenandwomentoGod,andwhonowsitsenthronedasrulerofGodskingdomand

headofhisChurch.Inhimweplaceourtrustandhope,offeringourthanksgiving,praise,and

worshipforthegiftofsalvationhehasprovidedforusbygracethroughfaith.

DavidDockery,SouthernBaptistConsensusandRenewal,pg70,95.

MillardEricksonTosummarize:PaulviewedthegospelascenteringuponJesusChristandwhatGodhasdone

throughhim.TheessentialpointsofthegospelareJesusChristsstatusastheSonofGod,his

genuinehumanity,hisdeathforoursins,hisburial,resurrection,subsequentappearances,and

futurecoming

in

judgment

...that

one

is

justified

by

faith

in

the

gracious

work

of

Jesus

Christ

inhisdeathandresurrection....[Itisnot]merelyarecitaloftheologicaltruthsandhistorical

events.Rather,itrelatesthesetruthsandeventstothesituationofeveryindividualbeliever.

fromChristianTheology,1063

GraemeGoldsworthyThegospelisthewordaboutJesusChristandwhathedidforusinordertorestoreustoa

rightrelationshipwithGod.

GraemeGoldsworthy,AccordingtoPlan

Thegospelistheevent(ortheproclamationofthatevent)ofJesusChristthatbeginswithhis

incarnationandearthlylife,andconcludeswithhisdeath,resurrectionandascensiontothe

righthandoftheFather.ThishistoricaleventisinterpretedbyGodashispreordained

programmeforthesalvationoftheworld


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Itcannotbestressedtoomuchthattoconfusethegospelwithcertainimportantthingsthat

gohandinhandwithitistoinvitetheological,hermeneuticalandspiritualconfusion.Such

ingredientsofpreachingandteachingthatwemightwanttolinkwiththegospelwouldinclude

theneedforthegospel(sinandjudgment),themeansofreceivingthebenefitsofthegospel

(faithandrepentance),theresultsorfruitofthegospel(regeneration,conversion,

sanctification,glorification)

and

the

results

of

rejecting

it

(wrath,

judgment,

hell).

These,

howeverwedefineandproclaimthem,arenotinthemselvesthegospel.Ifsomethingisnot

whatGoddidinandthroughthehistoricalJesustwothousandyearsago,itisnotthegospel.

ThusChristianscannotlivethegospel,astheyareoftenexhortedtodo.Theycanonlybelieve

it,proclaimitandseektoliveconsistentlywithit.OnlyJesuslived(anddied)thegospel.Itisa

onceforallfinishedandperfecteventdoneforusbyanother.

GraemeGoldsworthy,GospelCenteredHermeneutics:FoundationsandPrinciplesof

EvangelicalBiblicalInterpretation(DownersGrove,IL:InterVarsityPress,2006),5859.

First,inordertounderstandtheplaceofthegospelinbiblicaltheology,tentativedefinitionsof

bothgospel

and

biblical

theology

are

called

for.

One

way

to

define

the

gospel

is

in

the

terms

PaulusesinRomans1:14.Herehestatesfourcrucialthingsaboutthegospel.

Verse1.Paul,aservantofChristJesus,calledtobeanapostle,setapartforthegospelofGod,

Firstpoint:itisGodsgospel,whichisprobablyselfevident.However,theepistletothe

RomansimpliesthatthisgospelisGodssolutiontohisownproblemofhowtojustifythe

ungodly.Verse2.[Thegospel]whichhepromisedbeforehandthroughhisprophetsintheholy

Scriptures,Secondpoint:itisthegospeloftheOldTestamentprophetsandcannotberegarded

asreplacingordiscardingtheOldTestamentantecedentstothecomingofJesus.Itmeansthat

Jesusisthefulfilmentofprophecy.Thisfactalonemakesbiblicaltheologynecessary.Verse3.

[Thegospel]concerninghisSon,whowasdescendedfromDavidaccordingtothefleshThird

point:it

concerns

the

Son

of

God

whose

lineage

goes

back

to

the

theologically

significant

figure

ofDavid.Wemayinferfromthisthat,thoughtherecanbenogospelwithouttheFatherorthe

HolySpirit,itsfocusisontheincarnateSon.ThisDavidiclineagealsopointstothestructureof

biblicaltheologyinredemptivecovenantandkingdomhistory.Verse4.and[heistheSonwho]

wasdeclaredtobetheSonofGodinpoweraccordingtotheSpiritofholinessbyhis

resurrectionfromthedead.

Fourthpoint:thedefiningmomentistheresurrectionwhich,ofcourse,impliesthedeathof

Jesuswhich,inturn,impliesthelifeofJesus.Theresurrectionfulfilsthepromisesconcerning

theruleofthesonofDavid.Thegospel,then,isGodsmessageofthepersonandworkof

Jesus,testified

to

by

the

Old

Testament,

and

coming

to

its

climax

in

the

exaltation

of

Jesus.

GraemeGoldsworthy,fromhislectureatSouthernSeminarytitledTheNecessityand

ViabilityofBiblicalTheology

TimKellerThegospelisthegoodnewsthatthroughChristthepowerofGodskingdomhasentered

historytorenewthewholeworld.WhenwebelieveandrelyonJesusworkandrecord(rather


13/31

thanours)forourrelationshiptoGod,thatkingdompowercomesuponusandbeginstowork

throughus.

ThroughthepersonandworkofJesusChrist,Godfullyaccomplishessalvationforus,rescuing

usfromjudgmentforsinintofellowshipwithhim,andthenrestoresthecreationinwhichwe

canenjoy

our

new

life

together

with

him

forever.

TimKeller,fromChristianityToday

A.B.Luter,Jr.TheGreekwordeuangelion,frequentlytranslatedgospel,meansgladtidings,orgood

news,andinPaulineusageitreferstothemessageofGodssavingworkinJesusChrist.Ofthe

seventysixinstancesofgospelintheNT,sixtyarefoundinthePaulinecorpusEuangelionis

forPaultheclassicexpressionofthegraceofGod,respondedtobyfaith.

IVPDictionaryofPaulandHisLetters

RickMcKinleySometimesitseemsasthoughwefindtwogospelsintheNewTestamentthegospelofJesus

andthegospelaboutJesus.ThegospelofJesusisusuallytakentomeanHisannouncementof

thekingdomandthelifeHeembodiedinHislovingactionstowardtheworld.Thegospelabout

JesusreferstohisatoningworkonthecrossandHisresurrection,throughwhichwecan

receievetheforgivenessofsinthroughourfaithandrepentance.

Ibelieve,however,thatthetwoareactuallyonegospelandthatwhenwelosethetension

thatcomesfromholdingbothtogether,weexperienceanunhealthyandunbiblicalpendulum

swinginourfaith.

Ifallwevalueisthesalvationgospel,wetendtomisstherestofChristsmessage.Takenout

ofcontextofthekingdom,thecalltofaithinChristgetsreducedtosomethinglessthanwhat

theNewTestamentteaches.Thereverseisalsotrue:ifwevalueakingdomgospelatthe

expenseoftheliberatingmessageoftheCrossandtheemptytombandacalltorepentance,

wemissacentraltenetofkingdomlife.WithoutfaithinJesus,thereisnotransferringofour

livesintothenewworldofthekingdom.

RickMcKinley,ThisBeautifulMess

ScotMcKnight

ThegospelistheworkofGodtorestorehumanstounionwithGodandcommunionwith

others,inthecontextofacommunity,forthegoodofothersandtheworld.

ScotMcKnight,EmbracingGrace

Godlovesyouandeveryoneelseandhasaplanforus:thekingdomcommunity.


14/31

ButyouandeveryoneelsehaveasinproblemthatseparatesyouandeveryoneelsefromGod,

fromyourselves,fromoneanother,andfromthegoodworldGodmadeforyou.

ThegoodnewsisthatJesuslivedforyou,diedforyou,wasraisedforyou,andsenttheSpirit

foryousoyouallcanliveasthebelovedcommunity.

IfyouenterintoJesusstory,byrepentanceandfaith,youcanbereconnectedtoGod,to

yourself,toothers,andtothisworld.

ThosewhoarereconnectedlikethiswilllivenowasGodscommunityandwillfindthemselves

eternallyinunionwithGodandcommunionwithothers.

Thosewhopreachthisgospelwillnotdeconstructthechurch.Instead,theywillparticipatein

whatGodisdoing:constructingthekingdomcommunityevennow.

JoshMoody

The

gospel

the

central

message

of

Christianity

is

that

Jesus

was

born,

and

he

died

and

rose

again,andthathisdeathwasforoursinsthatwemightreceiveforgivenessandnewlifein

relationshiptoGodnowandforeverthroughfaithalone.

RogerNicoleMovedbyHisincomprehensibleloveformankind,theTriuneGodwaspleasednottoabandon

ourrebelliousandcorruptracetothemiseryandhellthatitjustlydeserved,buttoundertake

tosaveagreatmultitudeofhumanbeingswhohadabsolutelynoclaimonHismercy.

Inordertobringthisplanintoexecution,thesecondPersonoftheGodhead,theSon,took

untohimselfafullhumannature,becominginallthingslikehisbrethrenandsisters,sin

excepted.Thus

he

became

the

Second

Adam,

the

head

of

anew

covenant,

and

he

lived

alife

of

perfectobediencetotheDivineLaw.

Identifyingwithhisown,heborethepenaltyofhumansinonthecrossofCalvary,sufferingin

theplaceofthesinner,thejustfortheunjust,theholySonofGodfortheguiltyandcorrupt

childrenofman.

Byhisdeathandresurrectionhehasprovidedthebasis

forthereconciliationofGodtohumansandofhumanstoGod; forthepropitiationofarighteousTrinity,justlyangryatoursins; fortheredemptionofamultitudeofcaptivesofsinwhoselibertywassecuredatthegreatpriceofHisownblood.

Heofferedhimselfasanexpiatorysacrificesufficienttoblotoutthesinsofthewholeworld

andsecuredtheutmosttriumphovertheenemiesofoursoul:sin,death,andSatan.


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ThosewhorepentoftheirsinsandbelieveinJesusChristarethustobeabsolvedfromtheguilt

ofalltheirsinsandareadornedwiththeperfectrighteousnessofChristhimself.Ingratitudeto

himtheyaretolivelivesofobedienceandservicetotheirSaviorandareincreasinglyrenewed

intotheimageofChristbythepoweroftheHolySpirit.

Thisgood

news

of

salvation

by

grace

through

faith

is

to

be

proclaimed

indiscriminately

to

mankind,thatistoeveryman,woman,andchildwhomwecanpossiblyreach.

J.I.PackerIformulatetheGospelthisway:itisinformationissuingininvitation;itisproclamationissuing

inpersuasion.Itisanadmonitorymessageembracingfivethemes.First,God:theGodwhom

PaulproclaimedtotheAtheniansinActs17,theGodofChristiantheism.

Second,humankind:madeinGodsimagebutnowtotallyunabletorespondtoGodordo

anythingrightbyreasonofsinintheirmoralandspiritualsystem.Third,thepersonandworkof

Christ:Godincarnate,whobydyingwroughtatonementandwhonowlivestoimpartthe

blessingthat

flows

form

his

work

of

atonement.

Fourth,repentance,thatis,turningfromsintoGod,fromselfwilltoJesusChrist.Andfifthly,

newcommunity:anewfamily,anewpatternofhumantogethernesswhichresultsfromthe

unityoftheLordspeopleintheLord,henceforthtofunctionundertheoneFatherasafamily

andafellowship.(44,emphasisadded)

Packer,J.I.ServingthePeopleofGod:CollectedShorterWritingsofJ.I.Packer.Vol.2.

Carlisle, UK:Paternoster,1998.

DarrinPatrickFundamentally,

the

gospel

is

the

good

news

that

the

eternal

Son

of

God

entered

our

sinful

worldandlivedalifeofperfectobediencetotheFather,diedasasacrificeintheplaceof

sinners,androsetriumphantlyasasignofsinsdefeatandtheFathersacceptance.Inallthis,

theSonestablishedarighteousnessforthosewhohadnorighteousnessoftheirown.

Therefore,thereisnownocondemnationforthosewhotrustinChristalone.Jesusdeath

andresurrectionarethepermanentplaceholdersforthesinnersrightstandingbeforetheholy

God.

MichaelPattonTheGospelisgoodnews.Itisgoodnewsonlytothedegreethatthebadnewscanbe

understoodfirst.

Theworldisamessedupplace.Itisnotjustourgenerationthatisnoticesthis,butevery

generationhashadtodealwiththeirshareofproblems.Todayisnotreallyanyworsethanit

was100yearsagoor1000yearsago.

ThegoodnewsisthatGodisfixingwhatisbrokenineverygeneration.Thisiscalled

redemption.Redemptionmeanstobuybackorrestoretoapreviouscondition.


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Godisintheprocessofputtinghismessedupcreationbackinorder.TheGospelisthegood

newsthatthatwhichwasbrokenisbeingfixed.

Butthebrokennesshaditsgenesisinus,mankind.Godisdifferent.Heisperfectanddemands

perfectionbecauseofhischaracter.Inotherwords,astheBibleputsit,Godisrighteous.Our

brokennessis

due

to

choices

that

we

have

made.

All

of

us

have

messed

things

up.

This

is

called

sin.

Wehavesinnedthroughourselfishness,pride,hatred,andperversionofhiscreation.Itisnot

thewayitwassupposedtobe.

Godallowsustorejecthimandsuffertheconsequences,buthealsooffersushope.Thishope

istheGoodnews.ItisthehopethatGodhasnotabandonedus.Itisthehopeforredemption.

Godlovesusinspiteofourperversionofgood.Godlovesusinspiteofourrejectionofhim.He

didnotwaitforustoliveuptohisstandard,whichcanneverhappen,buthesenthisSon,Jesus

Christ,

2000

years

ago

to

live

a

life

that

we

could

not.

GodtheSonbecamemanandneverfailed,neverperverted,andshoweduswhoGodis.

BecauseChristlivedasinlesslife,hecouldtaketheplaceofman,creatinganewrace...a

redeemedrace.

Christwasrejectedandkilledonacrossbyman.ButGodallowedthissothatChristcouldtake

thepunishmentthatmanthatyouandIdeserved.Indoingthis,hediedinsteadofyou.He

tookyourpenaltyofdeathandseparationfromGodonaexecutioncross.

ButsincehewasGodtheSonandsinceheneversinned,hedidnotstaydead.Afterthreedays

hecamebacktolifeandproclaimedvictoryoverallthedeath,perversion,sin,andpenalties

thatmanhadaffordedcreation.

ButthisGoodNewsdoesnotapplytoeveryone.Itisonlyforthosewhobelieveandtrustin

whatChristdidforthem.Ifyoubelieveinhim,youwillhavelife.Ifyoutrustinhim,notin

yourselforyourworks,butinhimalone,youwillliveforever,witnessingandbeingapartofa

redeemedcreation.

OnedayChristwillcomebacktocallintoaccountallpeople.Youcaneitherstandonyourown,

givingaccountforyourownsinoryoucanacceptthefreegiftofsalvationandstandwith

Christ.ThebadnewsisthatwithoutChrist,youstandaloneandhopeless.TheGoodNewsthe

Gospelis

that

you

can

stand

with

Christ

full

of

hope.

MichaelPatton,directorofReclaimingtheMindMinistries

JohnPiperTheheartofthegospelisthegoodnewsthatChristdiedforoursinsandwasraisedfromthe

dead.WhatmakesthisgoodnewsisthatChristsdeathaccomplishedaperfectrighteousness

beforeGodandsufferedaperfectcondemnationfromGod,bothofwhicharecountedasours


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throughfaithalone,sothatwehaveeternallifewithGodinthenewheavensandthenew

earth.

ChristianityToday,June2009

ThegospelofChrististhegoodnewsthatatthecostofhisSonslife,Godhasdoneeverything

necessarytoenthralluswithwhatwillmakeuseternallyandeverincreasinglyhappy,namely,

himself.

JohnPiper,ThePassionofJesusChrist

TheGospelisthenewsthatJesusChrist,theRighteousOne,diedforoursinsandroseagain,

eternallytriumphantoverallhisenemies,sothatthereisnownocondemnationforthosewho

believe,butonlyeverlastingjoy.

JohnPiper,TheGospelin6Minutes

TheGospel

is

the

good

news

of

our

final

and

full

enjoyment

of

the

glory

of

God

in

the

face

of

Christ. ThatthisenjoymenthadtobepurchasedforsinnersatthecostofChristslifemakeshis

gloryshineallthemorebrightly. Andthatthisenjoymentisafreeandunmeritedgiftmakesit

shinemorebrightlystill. ButthepriceJesuspaidforthegiftandtheunmeritedfreedomofthe

giftarenotthegift. ThegiftisChristhimselfasthegloriousimageofGodseenandsavored

witheverlastingjoy.

JohnPiper,GodistheGospel

JeffPurswell

The

gospel

is

the

good

news

of

Gods

saving

activity

in

the

person

and

work

of

Christ.

This

includeshisincarnationinwhichhetooktohimselffull(yetsinless)humannature;hissinless

lifewhichfulfilledtheperfectlawofGod;hissubstitutionarydeathwhichpaidthepenaltyfor

manssinandsatisfiedtherighteouswrathofGod;hisresurrectiondemonstratingGods

satisfactionwithhissacrifice;andhisglorificationandascensiontotherighthandoftheFather

wherehenowreignsandintercedesforthechurch.

Suchnewsisspecific:thereisadefinedthatnesstothegospelwhichsetsforththecontentof

bothoursavingfaithandourproclamation.Itisobjective,andnottobeconfusedwithour

response.Itissufficient:wecanaddnothingtowhatChristhasaccomplishedforusitfallsto

ussimplytobelievethisnews,turningfromoursinsandreceivingbyfaithallthatGodhasdone

forus

in

Christ.

ChrisSeayThegospelisthegoodnewsthatGodiscallingoutallpeopletoberedeemedbythepower

residinginthelife,death,andultimateresurrectionofJesustheLiberatingKing.Thesecalled

outonesarerescuedfromalifeofslavery,sin,andfailuretobecomeemissariesinanew


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kingdomsettojointheredemptionoftheentirecreation,groaningandlongingtobe

redeemed.

R.C.SproulThereisnogreatermessagetobeheardthanthatwhichwecalltheGospel.Butasimportant

asthat

is,

it

is

often

given

to

massive

distortions

or

over

simplifications.

People

think

theyre

preachingtheGospeltoyouwhentheytellyou,youcanhaveapurposetoyourlife,orthat

youcanhavemeaningtoyourlife,orthatyoucanhaveapersonalrelationshipwithJesus.All

ofthosethingsaretrue,andtheyreallimportant,buttheydontgettotheheartoftheGospel.

TheGospeliscalledthegoodnewsbecauseitaddressesthemostseriousproblemthatyou

andIhaveashumanbeings,andthatproblemissimplythis:GodisholyandHeisjust,andIm

not.Andattheendofmylife,ImgoingtostandbeforeajustandholyGod,andIllbejudged.

AndIllbejudgedeitheronthebasisofmyownrighteousnessorlackofitorthe

righteousnessofanother.

Thegood

news

of

the

Gospel

is

that

Jesus

lived

alife

of

perfect

righteousness,

of

perfect

obediencetoGod,notforHisownwellbeingbutforHispeople.HehasdoneformewhatI

couldntpossiblydoformyself.ButnotonlyhasHelivedthatlifeofperfectobedience,He

offeredHimselfasaperfectsacrificetosatisfythejusticeandtherighteousnessofGod.

Thegreatmisconceptioninourdayisthis:thatGodisntconcernedtoprotectHisown

integrity.Hesakindofwishywashydeity,whojustwavesawandofforgivenessover

everybody.No.ForGodtoforgiveyouisaverycostlymatter.ItcostthesacrificeofHisown

Son.SovaluablewasthatsacrificethatGodpronounceditvaluablebyraisingHimfromthe

deadsothatChristdiedforus,Hewasraisedforourjustification.SotheGospelissomething

objective.It

is

the

message

of

who

Jesus

is

and

what

He

did.

Anditalsohasasubjectivedimension.HowarethebenefitsofJesussubjectivelyappropriated

tous?HowdoIgetit?TheBiblemakesitclearthatwearejustifiednotbyourworks,notby

ourefforts,notbyourdeeds,butbyfaithandbyfaithalone.Theonlywayyoucanreceive

thebenefitofChristslifeanddeathisbyputtingyourtrustinHimandinHimalone.Youdo

that,youredeclaredjustbyGod,youreadoptedintoHisfamily,youreforgivenofallofyour

sins,andyouhavebegunyourpilgrimageforeternity.

EdStetzerThegospelisthegoodnewsthatGod,whoismoreholythanwecanimagine,lookeduponwith

compassion,people,

who

are

more

sinful

than

we

would

possibly

admit,

and

sent

Jesus

into

historytoestablishhisKingdomandreconcilepeopleandtheworldtohimself.Jesus,whose

loveismoreextravagantthanwecanmeasure,cametosacrificiallydieforussothat,byHis

deathandresurrection,wemightgainthroughHisgracewhattheBibledefinesasnewand

eternallife.


19/31

SamStorms

ThegospelisthegoodnewsofwhatGodhasaccomplishedinthepersonofhisSon,inhislife,death,andresurrection,tosecuretheforgivenessofsinsofallwhowillrepentandbelievein

JesusasLordandSavior.

Inother

words,

the

gospel

is

something

that

God

has

accomplished.

Its

not

something

that

we

do.Ourfaithisnotthegospel.Ourrepentanceisnotthegospel.Buttheyaretheeffectsofit.

Sowecouldsaythatthegospelisanindicative,notanimperative.Inotherwords,itsan

accomplishmentbyGod;itsnotacommandtous.ThegospeliswhatGodhasachieved,not

somethingthatwearetoattempt.

Thecontentofthegospel,theessenceofhtegospel,isGodssavingactivityinJesusasLord

inhissinlesslife,hisatoningdeathonbehalfofsinners,hisresurrection.Thisisthegospel.

Thegospeldoeshaveconsequences.Forexample,wehavearesponsibilitytopursuejustice,

accordingtothebiblicaltermsinwhichitissetforth.Wehavearesponsibilitytowardthe

environment,towardcreation.Wehavearesponsibilitytowardracialreconciliation.Wehavea

responsibilitytopursuethewelfareoftheunborn.Butthesethingsarenotthegospel.Theyare

theconsequencesofthegospel.TheyareresponsibilitiesthatfalluponusasChristiansbecause

ofwhatGodhasdone.

Whenwetalkaboutproclaimingthegospel,weretalkingaboutdeclaringthegoodnewsof

whatGodhasgraciouslyandmercifullydoneinJesusonbehalfofotherwisehelldeserving

sinnerstosecureeverythingnecessarythattheymightenterintothefullnessofeternallifeand

theforgivenessofsins.

TullianTchividjianTheGospelisthethegoodnewsthatinandthroughChristslife,death,andresurrection,God

makesallthingsnew.

fromTulliansBlog

Thegoodnewsofthegospelissimplythis:inthemidstofourhopelessandhelpless

circumstance,GodsenthisSon,JesusChrist,tosavesinnerslikeyouandme.

TullianTchividjian,DoIKnowGod?

SteveTimmisJesusChrist,Godspromisedrescuerandrulerlivedourlife,diedourdeathandroseagainin

triumphantvindicationasthefirstfruitsofthenewcreationtobringforgivensinnerstogether

bytheHolySpirittoliveunderhisgraciousreignasHisKingdompeople.


20/31

DerekThomasThegospelisnotGodlovesus,butGodlovesusatthecostofhisSon.

Joe

Thorn

Atitscore,thegospelisJesusasthesubstituteforsinners.Wecouldsummarizethewholeby

sayingthatinhislifeJesuslivesinperfectsubmissiontothewillofGodandhefulfillshis

righteousstandard(thelaw).InhisdeathonthecrosshequenchesGodswrathagainstsin,

satisfyingthesovereigndemandforjustice.Inhisresurrectionheisvictoriousoversinand

death.Allofthisisdoneonbehalfofsinnersinneedofredemptionandofferedtoallwho

believe.Thisisthereforeverygoodnews.

Jesuslifeisgoodnews,forhisobediencetotheFatherandfulfillmentofthelawisforus.

Whileweassinnersfailtokeepthelaw,Jesuswasperfectlyfaithful.Jesusdeathisgoodnews

becausehisdeathwasapaymentforoursin,andbyitwearecleansedfromourguiltand

releasedfrom

condemnation.

Jesus

resurrection

is

good

news

because

his

victory

over

death

is

oursandthroughitwelookforwardtoaresurrectionofourown.

fromNotetoSelf:TheDisciplineofPreachingtoYourself

AllenWakabayashiSowhatisthegospel?AccordingtotheSynopticGospels,thegoodnewsofJesusChristis

primarilythatJesushascometoinauguratethekingdomofGod,toestablishGodsgoodreign

overallofcreation.InthesamewaythatAslandrewnearandbroughtspringtimeintothe

bitterwinterofNarnia,Jesushasdrawnneartobringthespringtimeofhisredemptionintothe

bitterwinterofourfallenworld.Hediedtopaythepriceforourrebellionandtofreecreation

fromSatansdominion.Hewillreturnonedaytobringitalltocompletionandfullyestablish

thekingdomofGod.Thisisgoodnews.Thisisthegospel!

AllenMitsuoWakabayashi,KingdomCome

DerekWebbWhatagreatquestion.IguessIdprobablymyinstinctistosaythatitsJesuscoming,living,

dying,andbeingresurrectedandhisinauguratingthealreadyandthenotyetofallthingsbeing

restoredtohimselfandthathappeningbywayofhimselfthebeingmaderightofall

thingsthatprocess

both

beginning

and

being

areality

in

the

lives

and

hearts

of

believers

and

yetadaycomingwhenitwillbemorefullyrealized.Butthegoodnews,thegospel,the

speakingofthegoodnews,Iwouldsayisthenewsofhiskingdomcomingtheinauguratingof

hiskingdomcomingthatsmyinstinct.

fromSaidatSouthernpodcast#2


21/31

MichaelWittmerHeartheChristiangospel:

WeareallrebellioustraitorsagainstGodandhiskingdom,andforthatwearedyingnowand

aredestinedtosufferforeverintheultimatedespairofhell.WeareactuallyGodsenemies

(notmerely

in

our

imagination),

and

we

deserve

whatever

torment

we

have

coming.

Worse,

we

areentirelyunabletolaydownourweaponsandchangesides,forastheapostlePaulreminds

us,wearedeadinourtransgressionsandsinsbynaturedeservingofwrathwithouthope

andwithoutGodintheworld(Eph.2:112).Weareunwillingtochange,andunabletochange

ourheartsandmindssowewouldbewilling.

Godjustlycouldhavebeencontenttodestroyourinsurrectionandwipeusfromtheearth.But

hetookpityonus,andwhilewewereGodsenemies,whilewewerestillsinners,Christdied

forus(Rom.5:8,10).Thecrossisamostunusualweaponofchoice,butthedeathofhis

belovedSonwastheonlywaythatGodcoulddefeatoursinanddeath.Satanhadbecomethe

functionalrulerofusandofthisworldwhenhetemptedAdamandEve,Godsappointedrulers

ofcreation

to

switch

their

allegiance

to

him.

Now

aSon

of

Adam,

the

Son

of

God,

had

come

to

earthtowinusback.

JesusdidnotconquerSataninsomeheavyhandedway,usinghisoverwhelmingforcetothrow

himdown.GodbeatSatanonalevelplayingfield.Hebecameacreature,vulnerabletoSatans

attacks,anddefeatedthedevilthroughweaknessratherthanshockandawe.Inthiswayhedid

notsomuchoverpowerSatanasoutwithim.HeshowedSatanandhisdemonstobefools,for,

havingdisarmedthepowersandauthorities,hemadeapublicspectacleofthem,triumphing

overthembythecross(Col.2:15).

Demonsshriekedanddancedaroundthecross,deliriouslysurprisedbyhoweasilyJesushad

fallenintotheirtrap.Whattheydidntrealizewasthattheyhadwalkedstraightintohis.Jesus

knewwhatC.S.LewisinTheLion,theWitch,andtheWardrobe calledthemagicdeeper

still,thatwhenawillingvictimwhohadcommittednotreacherywaskilledinatraitors

stead,theTablewouldcrackandDeathitselfwouldstartworkingbackward.Deathdiedinthe

deathofChrist,forJesusboreourpenaltyinourplace.

Jesustookoursinanddeathdownwithhimintothegrave,andwhenhearoseheleftthemin

thedust.Paulexplains,Hewasdeliveredovertoedeathforoursinsandwasraisedtolifefor

ourjustification(Rom.4:25).Jesusspectacularresurrectionisnotmerelyanauthoritative

illustrationofageneraltruththatisembeddedincreation.Ratheritistheturningpointof

worldhistory,

for

that

is

the

moment

that

God

reversed

the

cruse,

releasing

forever

those

who

puttheirfaithinJesus.Jesusdeathandresurrectiondontmerelyrevealthatdeathleadsto

life;theyaretheverythingsthatmakeittrue.Jesustriumphedoversin,death,andSatanbyhis

crossandemptytomb,andanyonewhotrustshisfinishedworkalonewilljoinhisvictory.

fromChristAlone:AnEvangelicalResponsetoRobBellsLoveWins(148150)


22/31

N.T.WrightThegospelistheroyalannouncementthatthecrucifiedandrisenJesus,whodiedforoursins

androseagainaccordingtotheScriptures,hasbeenenthronedasthetrueLordoftheworld.

Whenthisgospelispreached,Godcallspeopletosalvation,outofsheergrace,leadingthemto

repentanceandfaithinJesusChristastherisenLord.

ChristianityToday,June2009

ThewholeChristiangospelcouldbesummedupinthispoint:thatwhenthelivingGodlooks

atus,ateverybaptizedandbelievingChristian,hesaystouswhathesaidtoJesuson[theday

ofhisbaptism].Heseesus,notasweareinourselves,butasweareinJesusChrist.

MarkforEveryone,pg.4.

ThegospelitselfreferstotheproclamationthatJesus,thecrucifiedandrisenMessiah,isthe

one,trueandonlyLordoftheworld.

fromPaulinDifferentPerspectives:Lecture1

Theideaofgoodnews,forwhichanolderEnglishwordisgospel,hadtwoprincipal

meaningsforfirstcenturyJews.First,withrootsinIsaiah,itmeanthenewsofYHWHslong

awaitedvictoryoverevilandrescueofhispeople.Second,itwasusedintheRomanworldof

theaccession,orbirthday,oftheemperor.SinceforJesusandPaultheannouncementofGods

inbreakingkingdomwasboththefulfillmentofprophecyandachallengetotheworldspresent

rulers,gospelbecameanimportantshorthandforboththemessageofJesushimself,andthe

apostolicmessageabouthim.PaulsawthismessageasitselfthevehicleofGodssavingpower

(Romans1:16,1Thessalonians2:13).

fromtheGlossaryinWrightsForEveryoneseries

TrevinWax:Couldyougiveusabriefdefinitionofthegospel?

N.T.Wright:IcouldtrytakingaPaulineangle.WhenPaultalksaboutthegospel,hemeans

thegoodnewsthatthecrucifiedandrisenJesusistheMessiahofIsraelandthereforetheLord

oftheworld.Now,thatsaboutasbriefasyoucandoit.

ThereasonthatsgoodnewsIntheRomanEmpire,whenanewemperorcametothethrone,

theredobviouslybeenatimeofuncertainty.Somebodysjustdied.Istheregoingtobechaos?

Issocietygoingtocollapse?Arewegoingtohavepiratesrulingtheseas?Arewegoingtohave

nofoodtoeat?Andthegoodnewsis,wehaveanemperorandhisnameissuchandsuch.So,

weregoing

to

have

justice

and

peace

and

prosperity,

and

isnt

that

great?!

Now,ofcourse,mostpeopleintheRomanEmpireknewthatwasrubbishbecauseitwasjust

anotheroldjumpeduparistocratwhowasgoingtodothesameastheotheroneshaddone.

Butthatwastherhetoric.


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PaulslicesstraightinwiththeIsaianicmessage:Goodnews!GodisbecomingKingandheis

doingitthroughJesus!Andtherefore,phew!Godsjustice,Godspeace,Godsworldisgoingto

berenewed.

Andinthemiddleofthat,ofcourse,itsgoodnewsforyouandme.Butthatsthederivative

from,or

the

corollary

of

the

good

news

which

is

amessage

about

Jesus

that

has

asecond

order

effectonmeandyouandus.Butthegospelisnotitselfaboutyouarethissortofapersonand

thiscanhappentoyou.Thatstheresultofthegospelratherthanthegospelitself.

ItsveryclearinRomans.Romans1:34:Thisisthegospel.ItsthemessageaboutJesusChrist

descendedfromDavid,designatedSonofGodinpower,andthenRomans1:1617whichsays

veryclearly:IamnotashamedofthegospelbecauseitisthepowerofGoduntosalvation.

Thatis,salvationistheresultofthegospel,notthecenterofthegospelitself.

frommyinterviewwithN.T.Wright,November2007


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OrganizationalandCorporateDefinitions

AntiochNetworkThegospelisthestoryaboutChrist,GodsandDavidsSon,whodiedandwasraisedandis

establishedas

Lord.

Churches

forming

the

Antioch

Network

desire

to

join

together

to

proclaim

thegoodnewsthatGodsKingdomhascomeinthelife,death,andresurrectionofJesusof

Nazareth,theLordandMessiah,infulfillmentoftheWordofGod.

Thegospelwedeclareevokesfaith,repentanceanddiscipleshipitsaccompanyingeffects

includetheforgivenessofsins,justification,reconciliation,adoption,wisdomandthegiftofthe

HolySpirit.Weaccompanyourproclamationofthegospelwithcooperativeworksof

compassionandmercyforthoseinneedordistress.

AntiochNetworkofChurchesDoctrinalConfession

AnEvangelical

Celebration

ThisGospelofJesusChristwhichGodsetsforthintheinfallibleScripturescombinesJesusown

declarationofthepresentrealityofthekingdomofGodwiththeapostlesaccountofthe

person,place,andworkofChrist,andhowsinfulhumansbenefitfromit.ThePatristicRuleof

Faith,thehistoriccreeds,theReformationconfessions,andthedoctrinalbasesoflater

evangelicalbodiesallwitnesstothesubstanceofthisbiblicalmessage.

TheheartoftheGospelisthatourholy,lovingCreator,confrontedwithhumanhostilityand

rebellion,haschoseninhisownfreedomandfaithfulnesstobecomeourholy,lovingRedeemer

andRestorer.TheFatherhassenttheSontobetheSavioroftheworld(1John4:14):itis

throughhisoneandonlySonthatGodsoneandonlyplanofsalvationisimplemented.So

Peterannounced:

Salvation

is

found

in

no

one

else,

for

there

is

no

other

name

under

heaven

giventomenbywhichwemustbesaved(Acts4:12).AndChristhimselftaught:Iamtheway,

thetruthandthelife.NoonecomestotheFatherexceptthroughme(John14:6).

ThroughtheGospelwelearnthatwehumanbeings,whoweremadeforfellowshipwithGod,

arebynaturethatis,inAdam(1Cor.15:22)deadinsin,unresponsivetoandseparated

fromourMaker.Weareconstantlytwistinghistruth,breakinghislaw,belittlinghisgoalsand

standards,andoffendinghisholinessbyourunholiness,sothatwetrulyarewithouthopeand

withoutGodintheworld(Rom.1:1832,3:920;Eph.2:13,12).YetGodingracetookthe

initiativetoreconcileustohimselfthroughthesinlesslifeandvicariousdeathofhisbeloved

Son

(Eph.

2:4

10;

Rom.

3:21

24).

TheFathersenttheSontofreeusfromthedominionofsinandSatan,andtomakeusGods

childrenandfriends.Jesuspaidourpenaltyinourplaceonhiscross,satisfyingtheretributive

demandsofdivinejusticebysheddinghisbloodinsacrificeandsomakingpossiblejustification

forallwhotrustinhim(Rom.3:2526).TheBibledescribesthismightysubstitutionary

transactionastheachievingofransom,reconciliation,redemption,propitiation,andconquest

ofevilpowers(Matt.20:28;2Cor.5:1821;Rom.3:2325;John12:31;Col.2:15).Itsecuresfor


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usarestoredrelationshipwithGodthatbringspardonandpeace,acceptanceandaccess,and

adoptionintoGodsfamily(Col.1:20,2:1314;Rom.5:12;Gal.4:47;1Pet.3:18).Thefaithin

GodandinChristtowhichtheGospelcallsusisatrustfuloutgoingofourheartstolayholdof

thesepromisedandprofferedbenefits.

ThisGospel

further

proclaims

the

bodily

resurrection,

ascension,

and

enthronement

of

Jesus

as

evidenceoftheefficacyofhisonceforallsacrificeforus,oftherealityofhispresentpersonal

ministrytous,andofthecertaintyofhisfuturereturntoglorifyus(1Cor.15;Heb.1:14,2:1

18,4:1416,7:110:25).InthelifeoffaithastheGospelpresentsit,believersareunitedwith

theirrisenLord,communingwithhim,andlookingtohiminrepentanceandhopefor

empoweringthroughtheHolySpirit,sothathenceforththeymaynotsinbutservehimtruly.

Godsjustificationofthosewhotrusthim,accordingtotheGospel,isadecisivetransition,here

andnow,fromastateofcondemnationandwrathbecauseoftheirsinstooneofacceptance

andfavorbyvirtueofJesusflawlessobedienceculminatinginhisvoluntarysinbearingdeath.

Godjustifiesthewicked(ungodly:Rom.4:5)byimputing(reckoning,crediting,counting,

accounting)righteousness

to

them

and

ceasing

to

count

their

sins

against

them

(Rom.

4:1

8).

SinnersreceivethroughfaithinChristalonethegiftofrighteousness(Rom.1:17,5:17;Phil.

3:9)andthusbecometherighteousnessofGodinhimwhowasmadesinforthem(2Cor.

5:21).

AsoursinswerereckonedtoChrist,soChristsrighteousnessisreckonedtous.Thisis

justificationbytheimputationofChristsrighteousness.Allwebringtothetransactionisour

needofit.OurfaithintheGodwhobestowsit,theFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit,isitself

thefruitofGodsgrace.FaithlinksussavinglytoJesus,butinasmuchasitinvolvesan

acknowledgmentthatwehavenomeritofourown,itisconfessedlynotameritoriouswork.

TheGospel

assures

us

that

all

who

have

en

trusted

their

lives

to

Jesus

Christ

are

born

again

childrenofGod(John1:12),indwelt,empowered,andassuredoftheirstatusandhopebythe

HolySpirit(Rom.7:6,8:917).ThemomentwetrulybelieveinChrist,theFatherdeclaresus

righteousinhimandbeginsconformingustohislikeness.Genuinefaithacknowledgesand

dependsuponJesusasLordandshowsitselfingrowingobediencetothedivinecommands,

thoughthiscontributesnothingtothegroundofourjustification(James2:1426;Heb.6:112).

Byhissanctifyinggrace,Christworkswithinusthroughfaith,renewingourfallennatureand

leadingustorealmaturity,thatmeasureofdevelopmentwhichismeantbythefullnessof

Christ(Eph.4:13).TheGospelcallsustoliveasobedientservantsofChristandashis

emissariesintheworld,doingjustice,lovingmercy,andhelpingallinneed,thusseekingto

bearwitnesstothekingdomofChrist.Atdeath,Christtakesthebelievertohimself(Phil.1:21)

forunimaginablejoyintheceaselessworshipofGod(Rev.22:15).

Salvationinitsfullsenseisfromtheguiltofsininthepast,thepowerofsininthepresent,and

thepresenceofsininthefuture.Thus,whileinforetastebelieversenjoysalvationnow,they

stillawaititsfullness(Mark14:6162;Heb.9:28).SalvationisaTrinitarianreality,initiatedby

theFather,implementedbytheSon,andappliedbytheHolySpirit.Ithasaglobaldimension,


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forGodsplanistosavebelieversoutofeverytribeandtongue(Rev.5:9)tobehischurch,a

newhumanity,thepeopleofGod,thebodyandbrideofChrist,andthecommunityoftheHoly

Spirit.AlltheheirsoffinalsalvationarecalledhereandnowtoservetheirLordandeachother

inlove,toshareinthefellowshipofJesussufferings,andtoworktogethertomakeChrist

knowntothewholeworld.

WelearnfromtheGospelthat,asallhavesinned,soallwhodonotreceiveChristwillbe

judgedaccordingtotheirjustdesertsasmeasuredbyGodsholylaw,andfaceeternal

retributivepunishment.

TheGospelofJesusChrist:AnEvangelicalCelebration

Dictionary.ComNoun

1.theteachingsofJesusandtheapostles;theChristianrevelation.

2.thestoryofChristslifeandteachings,esp.ascontainedinthefirstfourbooksoftheNew

Testament,namely

Matthew,

Mark,

Luke,

and

John.

3.(usuallyinitialcapitalletter)anyofthesefourbooks.

4.somethingregardedastrueandimplicitlybelieved:totakehisreportforgospel.

5.adoctrineregardedasofprimeimportance:politicalgospel.

6.gladtidings,esp.concerningsalvationandthekingdomofGodasannouncedtotheworldby

Christ.

7.(ofteninitialcapitalletter)Ecclesiastical.anextractfromoneofthefourGospels,forming

partoftheEucharisticserviceincertainchurches.

8.gospelmusic.

Adjective

9.of,pertainingto,orproclaimingthegospeloritsteachings:agospelpreacher.

10.inaccordancewiththegospel;evangelical.

11.oforpertainingtogospelmusic:agospelsinger.

TheGospelCoalitionWebelievethatthegospelisthegoodnewsofJesusChristGodsverywisdom.

Utterfollytotheworld,eventhoughitisthepowerofGodtothosewhoarebeingsaved,this

goodnewsischristological,centeringonthecrossandresurrection:thegospelisnot

proclaimedifChristisnotproclaimed,andtheauthenticChristhasnotbeenproclaimedifhis

deathand

resurrection

are

not

central

(the

message

is

Christ

died

for

our

sins

...[and]

was

raised).

Thisgoodnewsisbiblical(hisdeathandresurrectionareaccordingtotheScriptures),

theologicalandsalvific(Christdiedforoursins,toreconcileustoGod),historical(ifthesaving

eventsdidnothappen,ourfaithisworthless,wearestillinoursins,andwearetobepitied

morethanallothers),apostolic(themessagewasentrustedtoandtransmittedbytheapostles,


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whowerewitnessesofthesesavingevents),andintenselypersonal(whereitisreceived,

believed,andheldfirmly,individualpersonsaresaved).

EvangelicalDictionaryofTheologyThegospelisthejoyousproclamationofGodsredemptiveactivityinChristJesusonbehalfof

manenslaved

by

sin.

R.H.Mounce.EvangelicalDictionaryofTheology.

HeartCryMissionarySocietyTheGospelisthepowerofGodforsalvation(Romans1:16)andthepreachingoftheGospelis

thegreatmeansandmethodologyofmissions.TheGospelis,firstandforemost,Godin

ChristreconcilingtheworldtoHimself(IICorinthians5:19).Itanswerstheeternalquestionof

howajustGodcanrightlyjustifywickedmen(Romans3:26).ItpointstoChristalone,whobore

thesinsofHispeopleuponthecross,wasforsakenofGod,andcrushedunderthefullforceof

Hisjust

wrath

against

sin.

The

Good

News

of

the

Gospel

is

that

through

Christs

death,

the

justiceofGodwassatisfied,andsalvationwaswonforagreatmultitudeofpeople.Thisis

evidencedbytheresurrectionofJesusChristfromthedeadHewhowasdeliveredover

becauseofourtransgressions,andwasraisedbecauseofourjustification(Romans4:25).

IVPDictionaryoftheNewTestamentGOSPEL(GoodNews)SeeKingdomofGod

DanielG.Reed,TheIVPDictionaryoftheNewTestament,DowersGrove,IL:InterVarsity

Press,2004.page457

SovereignGrace

Ministries

JesusChrististhegospel.

Thegoodnewsisrevealedinhisbirth,life,death,resurrection,andascension.Christs

crucifixionistheheartofthegospel,hisresurrectionisthepowerofthegospel,andhis

ascensionisthegloryofthegospel.Christsdeathisasubstitutionaryandpropitiatorysacrifice

toGodforoursins.ItsatisfiesthedemandsofGodsholyjusticeandappeaseshisholywrath.It

alsodemonstrateshismysteriousloveandrevealshisamazinggrace.

JesusChrististheonlymediatorbetweenGodandman.Thereisnoothernamebywhichmen

mustbesaved.AttheheartofallsounddoctrineisthecrossofJesusChristandtheinfinite

privilegethat

redeemed

sinners

have

of

glorifying

God

because

of

what

he

has

accomplished.

Therefore,wewantallthattakesplaceinourhearts,churches,andministriestoproceedfrom

andberelatedtothecross.

SovereignGraceMinistries


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WycliffeBibleEncyclopediaThecentraltruthofthegospelisthatGodhasprovidedawayofsalvationformenthroughthe

giftofHissontotheworld.Hesufferedasasacrificeforsin,overcamedeath,andnowoffersa

shareinHistriumphtoallwhowillacceptit.ThegospelisgoodnewsbecauseitisagiftofGod,

notsomethingthatmustbeearnedbypenanceorbyselfimprovement.

WycliffeBibleEncyclopedia

Appendix

TheGospelasaThreeLeggedStoolTrevinWaxfromCounterfeitGospels:RediscoveringtheGoodNewsinaWorldofFalseHope

InFebruary2008,IbeganablogseriescalledGospelDefinitions,inwhichIposted

(withoutcomment)

any

and

every

definition

of

the

gospel

that

Icame

across

in

books

or

online.Eventually,thatseriesbecamethelargestgroupofgospeldefinitionsontheweb.

AsIhavepostedvariousdefinitionsofthegospelonmyblog,Ihavenoticedthat

peoplehearthequestionwhatisthegospel?indifferentways.

TellingtheStoryforanIndividual

Somehearthisquestionandimmediatelythinkabouthowtopresentthegospeltoan

unbeliever.TheirpresentationsystematizesthebiblicalteachingofoursinandChrists

provision.TheyusuallybeginwithGodasaholyandrighteousjudge.Thenwehearabout

mans

desperate

plight

apart

from

God

and

how

our

sinfulness

deserves

his

wrath.

But

the

goodnewsisthatChristhascometoliveanobedientlifeanddieinourplace.Wearethen

calledtorepentofoursinsandtrustinChrist.(GregGilberttakesthisapproachinhishelpful

book,WhatIstheGospel?.)

TellingtheStoryofJesus

OthershearWhatisthegospel?andthinkofhowtheNewTestamentauthorswould

definetheword,whichleadstodefinitionsthatzeroinontheannouncementofJesus.They

focusonJesuslife,death,andresurrection.Thegospel,accordingtothissecondgroup,is

tellingpeoplewhoJesusisandwhathehasdone.(MartinLuther,GraemeGoldsworthy,

andJohn

Piper

take

this

approach.)

TellingtheStoryofNewCreation

StillothershearthewordgospelandthinkofthewholegoodnewsofChristianity,

howGodhasactedinChristtobringredemptiontoafallenworld.Theyfocusonthegrand

sweepoftheBiblesstorylineandhowJesuscomestoreversethecurseandmakeallthings

new.(TullianTchividjian,TimKeller,andJimBelchertakethisapproach.)


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RobustGospelDiscussion

Thoughthereissignificantoverlapamongthesegroups,advocatesofeachposition

sometimesdiscussanddebatetheothers.

TheIndividualStorycrowdsays,IfyouonlyfocusontheannouncementofJesus,youleaveout

thereasonweneedgoodnews.Inotherwords,zeroinginontheChristpartofGodMan

ChristResponsedoesnttellyouenough.

TheJesusStorycrowdsays,Youreaddingtoomuchtothegospel,confusingthetruthabout

oursinorournecessaryresponseofrepentancewiththegoodnewsitself,whichisonlyabout

Jesus.Inotherwords,dontadddoctrinestothegospelthattheNewTestamentdoesnt

describeasgospel.

TheNewCreationcrowdsays,Ifyouonlyfocusonindividualsalvation,youleaveoutthe

cosmicsweepofwhatGodisdoing.Youalsoleaveoutthenecessityofthechurch.Inother

words,

the

picture

of

Gods

redemptive

activity

is

bigger

than

just

God

Man

Christ

Response

or

eventheJesusannouncement.YouneedthebirdseyeviewofCreationFallRedemption

Restoration.

Forthemostpart,Iamencouragedbythesediscussions.Howmarveloustosee

Christiansyoungandoldseekingclarityonthemessagethatisattheheartofourfaith!Itis

importanttothinkclearlyaboutthegospel,andthemotivationbehindthesedebatesistoget

themessagerightandhopefullytothentakethatmessageeverywherefromour

neighborhoodstothenations.

Ibelievethereisahelpfulandbiblicalwaytosynthesizethisrobustdiscussiononthe

gospel.Everything

mentioned

by

these

three

groups

is

good

and

is

in

some

way

connected

to

thegoodnews.Butweneedhookstohangallthesegoodthingson.Weneedtoseehowthey

fittogether,andweneedtomakesurethattheheartofthegospelstayswhereitissupposed

tobe.Providingaframeworkforthinkingthroughthisissueisthepurposeofmybookonthe

gospel.

PuttingitAllTogether

Fromanexegeticalstandpoint,thewordgospelisusedintheNewTestament

primarilywhenspeakingoftheannouncementofJesusChrist.So,atitscore,thegospelisthe

specificannouncementaboutwhatGodhasdonethroughthelife,death,andresurrectionof

Jesusto

bring

about

our

salvation.

The

announcement

of

Jesus

is

the

gospel.

YetthisJesuscenteredmessageneedscontext.TheStoryfortheindividualgroupis

righttoinsistthatthebackstory(Godscharacter,oursin,etc.)isneededifthegospel

announcementistomakesense.AndtheNewCreationcrowdisrighttoinsistthatweplace

ourindividualsalvationwithinthebiggerpictureofGodsgloryintherenewalofallthingsand

thecallingoutofapeople.Thisdiscussionbringsustotheimagethatformstheheartof

mybookonthegospel.


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TheThreeLeggedStool

Iproposethatthegospelislikeathreeleggedstool.Eachlegofthestoolisimportantto

understandingthemessage.

TheGospelStory

First,thereisthegospelstory,theoverarchinggrandnarrativefoundintheScriptures.

TheBibletellsusaboutGodscreationofagoodworldwhichwassubjectedtofutilitybecause

ofhumansin.GodgavetheLawtorevealhisholinessandourneedforaperfectsacrifice,

whichisprovidedbythedeathofJesusChrist.ThissameJesuswillonedayreturntothisearth

tojudgethelivingandthedeadandthusrenewallthings.ThegospelstoryistheScriptural

narrativethattakesusfromcreationtonewcreation,climaxingwiththedeathand

resurrectionofJesusatthecenter.

TheGospelAnnouncement

Thesecond

leg

of

the

stool

is

the

gospel

announcement,

namely

that

God

in

the

personofJesusChristlivedaperfectlifeinourplace,borethepenaltyforoursinthroughhis

deathonthecross,wasraisedfromthedeadtolaunchGodsnewcreation,andisnowexalted

asLordoftheworld.TheannouncementcentersuponJesusandwhathehasdonetoreconcile

ustoGod.Ourresponsetothisannouncementistorepentofoursinsandputourcomplete

trustintheworkhehasaccomplishedonourbehalf.

TheGospelCommunity

Thethirdlegofthestoolisthegospelcommunity.Ourresponsetothegospel

announcement(repentanceandfaith)isnotaonetimeevent,butalifelongexpressionof

gratitudethatwellsupfromthebottomofourheartsandoverflowsintoloveforGodandhis

belovedcommunity.Weareshapedbythegospelintothekindofpeoplewhoheraldthegrace

ofGodandspreadthenewsofJesusChrist.Godhascommissionedthechurchtobethe

communitythatembodiesthemessageofthegospel.Throughourcorporatelifetogether,we

obeythegospelbylivingaccordingtothetruthofthemessagethatJesusChristisourSavior

andtheLordoftheworld.

HowTheyRelate

Hereshowtherelationshipbetweenthegospelstory,announcement,andcommunitywork:

STORY:Creation

Fall

Redemption

Restoration.

This

is

the

grand

narrative

of

Scripture

that

providescontextfortheannouncement.

ANNOUNCEMENT:JesusChrist.Theannouncementofhisperfectlife,substitutionarydeath,

resurrection,andexaltationismadewithinthecontextoftheStory.

COMMUNITY:Thegospelannouncementcallsfortheresponse(repentanceandfaith)thatGod

usestobirththechurch.Thechurchistheembodimentofthegospel.Thoughthechurchisnot


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thegoodnews,itputsondisplaythegoodnews.Thus,thechurchisaresultofthegospel,

butIwanttoreiteratethatitisanecessaryresult.

WhyItsHelpfultoThinkoftheGospelThisWay

Thinkingwithintheframeworkofthethreeleggedstoolhashelpedmerethinklotsof

areas,includingmissiology.Whenwewitnesstothegospel,weneedallthreelegsofthestool.

WeneedtobeginwiththebigstoryofScripture,maketheannouncementofJesuswithinthat

context,andtheninvitepeopletowitnessthegospelcommunityinaction,asweprovidean

embodiedapologeticofthetruthoftheannouncement.

Thinkingwithinthisframeworkhasalsohelpedmespotpotentialpitfallsintakingone

legofthestooltotheexclusionoftheothers.Thestoryfortheindividualcangivethe

impressionthatthechurchisanoptionalimplicationofthegospel,notthenecessaryresultof

theannouncement.Likewise,somecanemphasizethevastnessofGodsredemptiveworkina

waythatpushesoutthecrossanddiminishesthepracticeofurgingpeopletorepentofsinand

trustin

Christ.

Thisframeworkhasalsomadesenseofmyexperienceintimesofsuffering.WhenIm

facingatrial,thegospelstoryexplainsthefallennessofourworldandremindsmeofthefuture

hope.Thegospelannouncementgivesmethetoolstodealwithsuffering,andalsoremindsme

thatmylifehassignificanceinrelationto(notapartfrom)Christasthefocalpointofhuman

history.Thegospelcommunityhasembodiedthegospeltomeduringsufferingbyholdingme

upandremindingmeofthepromisesIhaveinChrist.

gospel definitions 2

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