What is the Gospel?

The word "gospel" simply means "good news." It is the good news that God, in His love, has made a way for sinful people to be forgiven and restored to a relationship with Him through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Humanity was created to know and enjoy God, but sin separated us from Him. Because God is holy and just, sin must be judged. Yet because God is also loving and merciful, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take our place. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose bodily from the grave three days later, defeating sin and death.

The Apostle Paul summarized the Gospel this way:

"Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand and by which you are being saved... For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

—1 Corinthians 15:1–4

The Gospel is God's gracious gift to the entire world. Jesus died for every person, and God desires everyone to be saved.

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

—John 3:16

"He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world."

—1 John 2:2

"[God] wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

—1 Timothy 2:4

Because of Christ's finished work, forgiveness and eternal life are offered freely to every person. Salvation cannot be earned by good works, religious rituals, or personal effort.

"For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift—not from works, so that no one can boast."

—Ephesians 2:8–9

How Do We Respond?

Although Christ died for all, each person must personally respond to the Gospel. The Bible calls every individual to repent and believe.

Repent

Biblical repentance means a genuine change of heart and mind that turns us away from sin and toward God.

"Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out."

—Acts 3:19

Believe

Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone as Lord and Savior, relying completely on His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

—Romans 10:9

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved."

—Acts 16:31

When a person repents and places their faith in Christ, God forgives their sins, gives them new life, adopts them into His family, and begins transforming them through the Holy Spirit.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!"

—2 Corinthians 5:17

The Invitation

The Gospel is God's invitation to every person.

"The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' Let the one who hears say, 'Come!' Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely."

—Revelation 22:17

If you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, today is the day to respond. God loves you, Christ died and rose again for you, and eternal life is offered freely to all who will repent and believe in Him.