Pastor's Corner: The Gospel

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of hope, life and eternal life. There is no other message in the world that offers so many benefits and precious promises. ``Gospel’’ means good news in the Greek (Evangelion) in the Old Testament. In Psalm 103:1-5 King David blesses the Lord saying, ”Bless the Lord O my soul and forget none of His benefits who forgiveth all thine sins, who healeth all your diseases, who redeemeth your life from destruction, who crowneth you with loving kindness and tender mercies, who fills your mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.”

In the New Testament, Saint Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For all the promises of God in Christ are yes and in Him amen.” The gospel of God is a powerful message and gives the free gift of salvation. Saint Paul said in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for in it is the power of God to salvation.” Salvation in the Greek (Soteria) means “made whole to rescue, deliver, to prosper, to bring peace, tranquility and rest.” This is God’s benefit and promise to everyone who believes.

What is the Gospel? Saint Paul said in 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 that the gospel He preached to the world was how Christ died for our sins and that He was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. The Gospel of Jesus Christ saves us. 2 Timothy 1:9-10, ”God who saved us and called us with a holy calling. Not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began, when Jesus Christ our Savior came to this world. He preached this message, His life, His death, and His resurrection hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

God loved us and gave us His one and only son to deliver us from our sins. Revelation 1:5 says that Jesus Christ suffered and died, He was buried and on the third day rose again. This is done for you and me. The book of Hebrews, verse 10:12, says that “after Jesus Christ had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, He sat down on the right hand of God. So let us draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith. This is the Gospel that is preached to the whole world. It restores fellowship with God, it forgives all our sins, it brings a new life, a new person. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If any man is in Christ, he is a new man. The old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.”

The hope of the Gospel, what is it? Titus 1:2 says “in hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie promised before the world began.” [END ITAL] This is eternal life.

John 17:3 calls us “to know God, the only true God and Jesus Christ the sent Savior.”