What is the Gospel?

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The core message of Christianity is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the good news in the Bible that communicates how a holy God made a way for sinful mankind to be restored in a relationship with him.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 summarizes:

"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"

Below is an explanation of the gospel as presented in God’s Bridge to Eternal Life.

1. God’s Purpose: Honor and Serve Him

God created man to honor, to serve, and to fellowship with him. The Bible says...

• Revelation 4:11, " Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
• 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
• Psalm 16:11, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

2. Mankind’s Problem: Sin

Man chose to sin against God rather than serve him. The Bible says... 

• Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

What does it mean to sin against God? Sin is breaking God’s law.

• “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness." (1 Jn 3:4).

We sin by doing what God has commanded us not to do or by not doing what God has told us to do.

3. Sin’s Penalty: Death

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

When man chose to disobey God, the result was death.  The basic meaning of death is separation. The Bible teaches that there are three types of death, or separation, that result from sin. 

• Spiritual death separates a person from the life of God (Ephesians 2:1).
• Physical death separates a person’s soul from his or her body (Hebrews 9:27).
• Eternal death separates a person, both soul and body, from God forever in Hell (Revelation 20:15).

4. Then how can we ever have eternal life?

Throughout history individuals have tried many ways to gain or earn eternal life, but every attempt has been unsuccessful.  The Bible says…

• “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12
• “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.” Titus 3:5a
• “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9 

5. Christ’s Payment: Our Sinless Substitute

Jesus Christ, God’s sinless son, was sent by the Father to pay the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross in our place.  The Bible says…

• “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
• “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” I Peter 3:18a

6. Our Pardon: Turn and Trust

How do we cross the bridge to eternal life?  We must receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  

Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father, except through me." John 14:6

In order to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you must repent of your sins and put your trust in Jesus Christ alone as the only hope of eternal life.   

The Bible says…

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out”   Acts 3:19

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved . . .”   Acts 16:31a

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans10:13

7. God’s Promise: Eternal Life

Jesus Christ said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” John 5:24

1. This verse has one promise with three parts for the one who believes:

• Has eternal life
• Does not come into condemnation
• Has passed out of death into life        

You need to ask yourself . . .

Do you need to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior now?

To do so you must...

1. Admit that you have sinned against God and ask Him for forgiveness.
2. Believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God Who died for you on the cross, rose from the dead, and is Lord.
3. Call upon Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior.

Do not hesitatate to contact us with any questions you may have!