Written By: Clayton Carlson
The Gospel Of Jesus
The instructions Jesus gave his followers before he ascended into the clouds have become known as the Great Commission. The word used to describe the message they should deliver to the whole world is gospel. The word gospel is synonymous with dogma, faith, truth, life of Jesus, and the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John that record Jesus’ ministry.
Matthew 28:18-20 Easy-to-Read Version 18 So he came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me. 19 So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything that I have told you to do. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time.”
Luke 24:44-48 New Life Version 44 Jesus said to them, “These are the things I told you while I was yet with you. All things written about Me in the Law of Moses and in the Books of the early preachers and in the Psalms must happen as they said they would happen.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Holy Writings. 46 He said to them, “It is written that Christ should suffer and be raised from the dead after three days. 47 It must be preached that men must be sorry for their sins and turn from them. Then they will be forgiven. This must be preached in His name to all nations beginning in Jerusalem. 48 You are to tell what you have seen.
Mark 13:10 Christian Standard Bible 10 And it is necessary that the gospel be preached to all nations.
Acts 1:8 International Children’s Bible 8 But the Holy Spirit will come to you. Then you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.”
The message the followers of Jesus are to take to the world is generally referred to as the gospel of Jesus. As a Biblist, I wondered if the gospel was the best word to interpret what the God-inspired Greek word was, as not all translations use it. Gospel is an Old English word combining god = good and spel = story or message. The inspired Greek word is euangelion. It is also a compound word using eu = good and angelos = messenger. Even though both words are similar, they might be better understood in some languages if they were broken down into their root words. As gospel has come to mean truth, when ‘the gospel’ is used in a sentence it is perceived to be singular, as in ‘the truth’. Splitting the gospel into its two component words is helpful as people realise that good news does not have to be singular but can be plural. There can be plenty of good news.
A quick overview of the NIV New Testament shows the words, good news or gospel, are used 125 times. The message people consistently proclaim to others is their gospel. John the Baptist’s gospel had more than one component to it. He preached baptism for the repentance of sin, and the coming Kingdom of God. While the gospel that Billy Graham was known for was the singular gospel message of salvation.
Matthew 3:1-2 Easy-to-Read Version 1 When it was the right time, John the Baptizer began telling people a message from God. This was out in the desert area of Judea. 2 John said, “Change your hearts and lives, because God’s kingdom is now very near.”
Acts 19:4 Contemporary English Version 4 Paul replied, “John baptized people so they would turn to God. But he also told them someone else was coming, and they should put their faith in him. Jesus is the one that John was talking about.”
Luke 16:16 International Children’s Bible 16 “God wanted the people to live by the law of Moses and the writings of the prophets. But ever since John came, the Good News about the kingdom of God is being told. Now everyone is trying hard to get into the kingdom.
Understanding what the good news message Jesus delivered was, and who he delivered it to, helps me follow his instructions to preach his good news to the world. The Bible names the good news gospel that Jesus preached to the public as, the gospel of the Kingdom of God. When Jesus came he began that Kingdom. His Kingdom grows as the followers of Jesus increase in numbers here on the earth. In the future, Jesus will rule the coming worldwide Kingdom of God with his followers as its kings and priests when he returns.
Matthew 4:23 International Standard Version 23 Then he went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every illness among the people.
Matthew 24:14 King James Version 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Luke 4:43 Lexham English Bible 43 But he said to them, “It is necessary for me to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose.
The good news gospel of the coming Kingdom of God is the gospel Jesus proclaimed. That is the message he taught and was known for. Most of his stories and parables were about the Kingdom of God. The message of the coming Kingdom is good news for all of creation. Its message is still relevant for today as the Kingdom of God has not yet fully arrived. As part of the Lord’s prayer, Jesus instructed his followers to earnestly pray that its coming freedom would arrive here on the earth soon.
Romans 8:19-23 Worldwide English (New Testament) 19 The whole world is waiting for the time when the sons of God will be seen. 20 The world was spoiled. It did not want to be spoiled, but God allowed it. 21 And it hoped to be free like God’s children when they are made great. 22 We know that the whole world has been crying. It has had much pain until now. 23 And not the world only, but we ourselves also cry out. We have the first blessing God gives of his Spirit. But we cry out in our hearts. We are waiting for God to finish making us his sons. Then our bodies will be set free.
Those who follow Jesus, along with creation, will gain full freedom when the last trumpet sounds heralding the return of Jesus. Jesus will return to the earth as its legitimate King of Kings and rule over it with wisdom, authority and power. The faithful followers of Jesus will gain their promise of eternal life with the return of Jesus. That is when they will be able to thumb their noses at death and the grave.
1 Corinthians 15:50-57 King James Version 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Salvation from mankind’s sins was not possible until after Jesus paid for them with his life’s sacrifice. It was then that the temple veil was torn from top to bottom, symbolizing the path from God to man was now open. Although Jesus explained to his followers privately how he would be their salvation, it did not become real or possible for them until after he died. It was then that the good news gospel of salvation became a reality for the world as well.
To make new disciples and continue his church into the future, Jesus instructed his disciples to multiply themselves with new believers from those who God has called to follow. This is the good news of salvation. Salvation is about knowing and faithfully following Jesus. Salvation needs to be preached for the continuation of believers and the church. Spreading the good news about the coming Kingdom of God and encouraging all people to treat others as they would want to be treated, will complete the full gospel message of Jesus to the world.
Our language suggests ‘the gospel’ is singular, but there is more than one good news story that Jesus instructed his followers to proclaim. I prefer to follow the biblical examples we have of how Philip and Paul publicly preached the full gospel of Jesus. They proclaimed all of Jesus’ gospel and I believe the Bible recorded them preaching the good news as Jesus instructed in the correct order of priority.
Acts 8:12 GOD’S WORD Translation 12 However, when Philip spread the Good News about God’s kingdom and the one named Jesus Christ, men and women believed him and were baptized.
Acts 28:30-31 King James Version 30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Like Philip and Paul, I believe it is vital for the church of Jesus, and me personally, to spread the good news of the coming Kingdom of God to the world. When I talk about God’s coming Kingdom I have no clue who will respond positively to that message. It is good news for everyone, even if they are not called by God at this time to follow Jesus. When God’s coming Kingdom arrives in full with the return of Jesus, it will tangibly demonstrate God’s love to all of humanity and creation through God’s healing powers of love. Those who hear and are drawn by that message to Jesus may want to learn more about Jesus and the salvation he alone has brought. Then like Paul and Philip, I describe what Jesus has done for me in my life and what Jesus can do for them in theirs.
Few Christians will deny that Jesus left his church with a mission to fulfill. I believe the only way his followers can successfully complete his mission is if they understand what that mission involves. Limiting their work by not fully following the biblical directions of Jesus will thwart their efforts and slow the return of the Kingdom of God. Following the directions of Jesus to preach his full gospel is the only way for the church to successfully complete the mission Jesus gave them.
For me, your post has made me search for more thorough understanding of what “The Gospel Truth” really is. The search is ongoing. But I would like to know what others say or believe what the Gospel is. Not for the sake of argument, but simply because I’ve recently learned how immense this topic really is!
Here is what the phrase “The Gospel” brings to my mind:
1) Replacing death, that is in store for me, with immortality.
2) Being saved from God’s wrath.
3) Getting reconciled to God through Jesus.
4) Being saved from the penalty of death because Jesus took the punishment.
5) Being saved from myself!
In and of itself, if those above items do not equate to something that we can live or die for, then what does?
In modernity, we have seemed to put the truth on par with the likes of fairy tales, stories, legends, and beliefs that might provide an alternative to reality for the weak minded.
There is a deeper truth. The Gospel Truth. I will be studying and considering:
What do I personally believe and how / when do I introduce the parts of the gospel A) Creation B) The Fall C) Reconciliation D) The Kingdom Here & To Come, to others.
Often, I have been led to feel, OK with my weakness and lack of urgency, because if I live in the light that Jesus provides by dwelling in me as I respond to him and the call of God, people will notice and ask me for advice and then I can tell them the truth. That is a very passive hopeful representation of how I ought to live because I am saved. I think the truth is, I need to get out of my comfort zone, with wisdom, and preach the gospel. I have heard many Christians say they want to preach the gospel because they are afraid a loved one will go “to hell”. I have never felt that responsibility as I don’t think Jesus put that weight on my shoulders. I think I need to understand how to “preach” the gospel with the gifts that have been given to me. GOD HELP ME! Amen.
Thank you for your comments. I hope you find your answers within the words of God as that is the best source to find them. I’m reminded that like a body, all Christians have their place. They are not all evangelists, preachers or teachers. I think most are just people trying to navigate this world the best they can. The important part is to always remember Christians represent the Kingdom of God. I’m sure you will find where you fit.
Thank you for your thoughts. The followers of Jesus have become part of Jesus and as such represent the Kingdom of God here on the earth. We need to treat others around us with the selfless love God would have us show them. This will bring honour to God and help bring people to Jesus. Jesus will return as God wills, and his Kingdom will rule the world. I hope Christians will demonstrate now, what that Kingdom will be like then.
The issue is with the modern evangelical movement in North American in particular. There is a constant message of escapism being preached and wanting the rapture to take place now. Christians want to escape from the mess and destruction that seems to be on the horizon. This thinking has many Christians living in fear and anxiety.
Your point that we are to bring the Kingdom of God here (and Jesus said to pray for it to happen) on earth is not being exercised with our faith and this is part of the reason the world is in a mess.
God does want His Kingdom here on earth and we need to live as though it has arrived. Yes, Lord, Your kingdom come Amen!