The word gospel means “good news.” And the good news is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for the sins of mankind, was buried, and rose again the third day. The source of the gospel is Almighty God, and the gospel is the power of God for salvation to every person who believes it.
In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul explains the meaning and importance of the gospel. Here is the text:
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
The gospel concerns the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God; His death, burial, and resurrection according to the Scriptures. Paul received the gospel and preached it.
Paul testifies to the fact that Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection are in accordance with the Scriptures. This means that these events are absolutely true. For instance, Isaiah 53:9 prophesied the burial of Christ, in saying “they made His grave with the wicked.” And Psalm 16:9,10 prophesied the resurrection of Christ, which reads in part; “For you will not abandon my soul in Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.”
Isaiah 53:6 prophesied the reason why Christ died: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel and states the reason why. In Romans 1:16,17 he says: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it is the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith”
The text is also about the gospel: “For it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”
“The Hebrew and Greek words for “salvation” imply the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness: “Salvation” is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification. Salvation is in three tenses: (1) The Christian has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin (Lk. 7:50) and is safe, (2) The Christian is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin (Rom. 6:14; 8:2). And (3) the Christian will be saved at the Lord’s return, from all the bodily infirmities that are the result of sin and God’s curse upon the sinful world (Rom.8:18-23) (C.I. Scofield, D.D.)
The Bible tells us “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). It also says: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12).
The Scripture makes it abundantly clear that no one is exempt because all have sinned. That is precisely why the gospel must be preached, so that people can be aware of their need for forgiveness; to be reconciled to God, and to spend eternity in heaven.
God is holy and righteous, Psalm 145:17 says, “The LORD is righteous in all His ways.” Therefore, God will never tolerate sin in any way or form.
William MacDonald makes an insightful commentary on the gospel and God’s righteousness. He writes: “The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. First the gospel tells us that God’s righteousness demands that sin must be punished, and the penalty is eternal death. But then we hear that God’s love provided what His righteousness demanded. He sent His Son to die as a Substitute for sinners, paying the penalty in full. Now because His righteous claims have been fully satisfied, God can righteously save all those who avail themselves of the work of Christ” (William MacDonald Believer’s Bible Commentary, pg.1677 Thomas Nelson Publishers).
There is a universal need for the gospel of God to be proclaimed to every tribe and nation. Ungodliness, unrighteousness and lawlessness are rampant and unrestrained in the world. No wonder the Bible states: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18).
The gospel of God offers forgiveness of sins to every one who repents and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
People who have positively responded to the gospel made the right decision and are on their way to heaven to spend eternity with God and Jesus Christ who is now seated at God’s right hand, and of whom the Scripture says: “He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
Jesus Christ is the only way to God. He said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).