The gospel is the joyful message concerning God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is not only the message of salvation but also the means by which God saves sinners. It is through this message that God works His power of giving spiritual life to sinners so that they believe in His Son and receive His forgiveness (Romans 1:16).

In order to fully understand the gospel, we must understand what Scripture says concerning God, man, Jesus Christ, and how we must respond in order to be saved.

GOD — God, our eternal Creator and Judge, is perfectly holy, righteous, and good (Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 5:4; 7:11; 106:1). He made us for His glory (Isaiah 43:7; Psalm 86:9), and we are accountable to Him (Romans 14:10–12; 1 Peter 4:5). He is our ultimate authority (Psalm 103:19), and His requirement of us is that we fear Him, walk in all His ways, love and serve Him with all our heart, and keep His commandments, which are for our good (Deuteronomy 6:5; 10:12–13).

MAN — Man, however, is a sinner, a rebel against God, morally corrupt to the core, with a natural bent towards worshiping created things and serving himself rather than worshiping God and serving Him (Romans 1:18–3:20). Because of his sin, man is separated from fellowship with God (Isaiah 59:2) and is destined to die (Romans 6:23), and after he dies he will face the righteous judgment of God (Hebrews 9:27). If man dies in his sins and is judged according to his deeds, he will be justly condemned by God and sentenced to eternal hell (Revelation 20:11–15).

CHRIST — Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world to satisfy God’s wrath towards sinners by bearing their punishment (Isaiah 53:4–12; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 3:18). He died on a cross in their place for their sins (1 Corinthians 15:3), and God raised Him from the dead and has exalted Him as Lord over all (Acts 2:32–36; Ephesians 1:20–21; Philippians 2:5–11). Because Jesus has satisfied the justice of God towards guilty sinners through the sacrifice of Himself, it is possible for sinners to receive mercy from God through Jesus, to be forgiven of their sins and granted eternal life (John 17:2; Romans 3:23–26). Jesus is the only way for guilty sinners to be saved from the divine judgment that they deserve (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

RESPONSE — Those who by God’s grace believe this good news and respond by repenting and placing their faith in Jesus will be saved. Those who humbly confess and forsake their sinful way of life and trust in Jesus alone as their Lord and Savior will be declared righteous by God and will be forgiven of their sins and granted eternal life (Isaiah 55:7; Romans 4:3–8; John 5:24). They will have peace with God solely on the basis of what Jesus has done for them (Mark 1:15; John 3:16; Acts 2:37–39; Ephesians 2:8–9).

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:9–11)

We would love to talk with you and answer any questions that you might have, or provide you with more information. Please contact us, or come by and visit us during our worship service on Sunday.