What is the Gospel?

The Gospel: The Good News of Jesus Christ

Introduction

The word “gospel” literally means “good news.” It’s a joyful announcement, not just advice or rules. In the ancient world, a gospel was often the news of a great victory or a new king. In the Bible, the gospel is the best news of all – God’s rescue mission for us through Jesus. The apostle Paul highlights how central this message is: “…I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day…”(1 Corinthians 15:3–4). In this session, we’ll explore what the gospel is (and isn’t), grounding everything in the Bible’s teaching. This outline will help us speak clearly about the gospel in a way that anyone – even at an 8th-grade reading level – can understand. Let’s dive into the good news!

What Is the Gospel?

Simply put, the gospel is the good news about who Jesus is and what He has done to save us. It’s God’s answer to the bad news of our sin and broken world. The gospel isn’t a human invention; it’s God’s message of love and grace to us, recorded in the Bible. Here are the key truths that make up the gospel:

Good News, Not Good Advice:

The gospel is an announcement of what God has done, not a list of what we must do. It’s not about trying harder to be good or religious. Tim Keller explains that “the gospel is neither religion nor irreligion, but something else entirely—a third way of relating to God through grace.” In other words, it’s not about earning our way to God (religion) or ignoring God (irreligion); it’s receiving a gift. Jesus did for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves. This makes the gospel different from any advice or self-improvement plan – it’s news about God’s grace. The Bible says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). This good news has power to save us because it’s about God’s action, not ours.

Jesus’ Life – God With Us:

The gospel centers on Jesus Christ. Jesus is not just a character in a story; He is the Son of God who became human (John 1:14). He lived a life of perfect love and obedience to God – something we all fail to do. He showed us what God’s kingdom is like: teaching truth, healing the sick, lifting up the broken-hearted. When Jesus began His public ministry, He announced, “The time has come… The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). Jesus’ life is part of the good news because He revealed God’s character (love, holiness, compassion) in person. He demonstrated the “different kind of life” under God’s reign. Wherever Jesus went, God’s power was on display – the blind saw, sinners were forgiven, outcasts were loved. This was a taste of God’s kingdom breaking into our world. (See Luke 4:18–21 for how Jesus fulfilled good news prophecy.) Jesus’ perfect life also means He was the spotless Lamb who could take our place. (Important note for new believers: “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name; it means “Messiah” or King. So when we say Jesus Christ, we are saying Jesus is the promised King and Savior.)

Jesus’ Death – Sacrifice for Sins:

The gospel climaxes in Jesus’ death on the cross. Why is the cross good news? Because on the cross, Jesus paid the price for our sins. The Bible teaches that our sins – all the wrong in our hearts and actions – separate us from a holy God (Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23). We deserve punishment, but Jesus took that punishment in our place. “Christ died for our sins”(1 Corinthians 15:3) – this is central to the gospel. On the cross, Jesus fulfilled centuries of promises (like Isaiah 53:5) about a Savior who would bear our sins. Theologian William Lane Craig emphasizes that by dying as our substitute, Jesus satisfied God’s justice on sin’s penalty . In simple terms, Jesus took the judgment we deserved, so that God could forgive us justly and mercifully. One author explains it this way: “Christ’s atoning death frees us from the bondage of sin, death, and hell and so liberates us from Satan’s power.” That means because Jesus died, we can be forgiven (our debt to God is paid) and set free from the powers of evil that held us. On the cross, Jesus cried, “It is finished!” (John 19:30), meaning His mission to save us was completed – the price of our forgiveness was paid in full. This is amazingly good news: God loves us so much that He gave His Son for us (John 3:16), and through Jesus’ sacrifice (what we call the “atonement”), we can be reconciled (brought back) to God.

Jesus’ Resurrection – Victory and New Life:

The gospel is not only about Jesus’ death, but also His resurrection. Three days after the crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead (Matthew 28:5–6). This isn’t a fairy tale; it’s recorded by eyewitnesses in Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:4-6). Why is the resurrection part of the good news? Because it proves that Jesus is who He claimed to be (the Son of God, Lord of all) and that His death truly accomplished salvation. N.T. Wright and other scholars point out that the resurrection means God’s new creation has begun – Jesus defeated death itself, showing that sin’s penalty was overcome. In fact, “God’s raising Jesus from the dead is not only a ratification (proof) of the efficacy of Christ’s atoning death; it is a necessary consequence of it. For by his substitutionary death Christ fully satisfied divine justice… Thus, Christ’s resurrection is both a necessary consequence and a ratification of his satisfaction of divine justice.” In simpler terms: since Jesus paid our debt completely, death had no claim on Him – He had to rise! His resurrection is like God’s stamp of victory, declaring that sin, death, and Satan are defeated. This is good news for us because it opens the way to eternal life. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). Because He lives, we also will live with Him. The gospel announces victory – Jesus is alive as King forever, and all who trust in Him will share in His victory over sin and death.

Salvation by Grace – A Free Gift:

At the heart of the gospel is the idea of grace – God’s undeserved favor. We cannot save ourselves by good works or by being “good enough.” The Bible is clear: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9). The gospel tells us that Jesus did all the work for our salvation; our part is to respond with faith – trusting in Him – and repentance – turning away from sin to God. This is why the gospel is humbling (we can’t boast in ourselves) and joyful (the pressure is off – God saves us!). Tim Keller often contrasts “religion” and the gospel this way: religion says “I obey, therefore I’m accepted,”but the gospel says “I’m accepted through Christ, therefore I obey.” We obey God because He saved us, not to earn salvation. Knowing we’re saved by grace gives us peace and assurance – we don’t have to wonder if we’ve done enough. Jesus has done enough, once and for all. It’s a gift to receive, not a wage to earn.

The Kingdom of God – Jesus is Lord: Another dimension of the gospel, emphasized by scholars like N.T. Wright, is that it’s the announcement of God’s Kingdom. The phrase “Jesus is Lord” is essentially political and transformational: it means Jesus is the true King of the world. When Jesus preached “the good news of the kingdom,” He was declaring that God’s reign was breaking into history through Himself. This has huge implications: if Jesus is King, then the powers of evil, injustice, and even Caesar (in His day) are not in charge – God is. One writer explains, “We often think of ‘Gospel’ as the part that brings forgiveness of sins (and of course, that is part of it), but ‘Gospel’ is the announcement that everything has changed in the coming of Jesus and it leads us to a new kind of living. It is a Kingdom of God lifestyle with allegiance to a King as the ultimate restorer.” In other words, the gospel isn’t just about my personal forgiveness; it’s that Jesus is King over all creation, bringing a whole new way of life. Through Jesus, God is restoring and healing what was broken by sin. This “big picture” good news means that when we follow Jesus, we become part of God’s grand story – His kingdom. We start living under Jesus’ lordship (His loving leadership), which transforms how we live now. The early Christians proclaimed “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9) – meaning Jesus, not any earthly power, has ultimate authority. For a new believer, it’s important to know that the gospel isn’t only about going to heaven one day; it’s also about Jesus being King of your life here and now, and one day the whole world will be put right under His rule.

Invitation to New Life:

The gospel calls for a response – it’s an invitation. Jesus’s message was, “Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15). To repent means to “turn around” – turn away from sin and self-rule – and to believe means to trust Jesus and what He’s done. One author summed up Jesus’s invitation like this: “Jesus’ message is, simply, ‘Turn around and step into a life with God, the kind of life I lived and invite you to live with me.’”God invites us into a relationship – life with Him. When we accept Jesus’ invitation and put our faith in Him, several things happen: our sins are forgiven, we become children of God (John 1:12), and we receive the Holy Spirit who gives us a new heart and new power to live God’s way. This is being “born again” into a new life (John 3:3). It truly is good news – we’re not just spared from judgment; we’re welcomed into God’s family and given a fresh start. Jesus promises, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). The gospel is the doorway to that full, eternal life with God.

So, in summary, the gospel is the good news that: Jesus, the Son of God, lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose again to rescue us. By God’s grace, through faith in Jesus, we receive forgiveness, new life, and a forever relationship with God. It’s an announcement of victory – that our King has come to save us – and an invitation to follow Him. This is the heart of Christianity and the foundation for a believer’s life.

What the Gospel is NOT (Common Misconceptions)

Now that we’ve seen what the gospel is, it’s important to clear up what the gospel is not. Sometimes people (even well-meaning Christians) get confused or hear incomplete versions of the gospel. Let’s address a few common misconceptions. Each of these “false gospels” misses the true good news in some way:

Not Just “Do Good and God will love you”:

The gospel is not a message that we must earn God’s love by being good or following a bunch of rules. Some think Christianity is mainly about keeping commandments so God will accept us. This is false. The Bible teaches we cannot earn salvation by our works (Titus 3:5). The true gospel says God loves us first, even while we were sinners, and Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). We do good because we’ve been saved, not to achievesalvation. Any idea that “being a good person gets you to heaven” is not the gospel. In fact, the gospel confronts our pride by saying no one is good enough and we all need Jesus. So it’s not about climbing up to God by our behavior; it’s about God coming down to rescue us. Salvation is a gift, not a reward (Eph. 2:8–9).

Not Just Intellectual Belief or a Ritual:

The gospel is not merely agreeing with some facts in your head or saying a one-time prayer without a real heart change. Some assume if you know about Jesus or if you went forward at church once, you’re “good to go,” even if it makes no difference in your life. But the Bible shows that true faith is living and active (James 2:17). Simply knowing about Jesus isn’t enough – even the demons know who Jesus is (James 2:19)! And reciting a formula without sincerity doesn’t save. The gospel calls us to a relationship with God through faith, which involves the heart and results in a changed life. It’s not a magic spell or a checkbox on a form. We must personally trust and follow Jesus, not just know about Him. So the gospel is not “fire insurance” – a ticket to heaven that lets you live for yourself now. It’s a call to become a disciple (a follower) of Jesus, experiencing transformation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Not “God helps those who help themselves”:

You might hear the phrase “God helps those who help themselves,” but that’s not the gospel (and not even a Bible verse!). In fact, the gospel says the opposite: God helps those who cannot help themselves. We were powerless because of sin, but Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6). The misconception here is thinking we start the work and God just assists. No – salvation from start to finish is God’s work. We don’t do our part and Jesus does the rest; Jesus paid it all. Our response is to humbly accept what He’s done. If we think “I have to clean up my act and then God will save me,” we misunderstand the gospel. The gospel is not self-help or self-improvement – it’s God’s rescue. We are not the heroes of the story, Jesus is. This humbles us but also lifts our burden – we can rest in His finished work.

Not Just About Afterlife (Heaven vs. Hell) Only:

A very common misunderstanding is treating the gospel as only a way to get to heaven when you die. Yes, eternal life is a huge promise in the gospel, but it’s not only about life after death. Some boil it down to, “Pray a prayer so your sins are forgiven and you won’t go to hell, then just wait for heaven.” That’s not the full picture. Jesus talked a lot about life with God now – “abundant life” starting today (John 10:10) – and the Kingdom of God present among us. One believer, after deeper study, said, “I no longer believe that being a Christian is just a matter of having my sins forgiven… The good news that Jesus announced is that we can live our lives with God — which is the best kind of life that is humanly possible.” Amen! The gospel is not just a transaction for a future reward; it’s an invitation into a daily relationship with God. Heaven is a glorious part of the promise, but Jesus wants to know us and walk with us starting right now. Thus, the gospel is about transformed living, not just a heavenly destination. If someone thinks, “I’m saved, so I can ignore God until I die,” they’ve missed the point. We are saved into a living relationship with Christ (John 17:3).

Not One of Many Ways or Just a Nice Idea:

 In our pluralistic world, some think the gospel is just “one truth among many” or a general message that “God is nice and we should be nice.” But Jesus claimed exclusivity for Himself: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). The true gospel is specific and Christ-centered. It’s not a vague spirituality or generic positive thinking. And it’s not merely a moral philosophy like “love your neighbor” (though loving others is a result of the gospel). The gospel is the unique good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection to save sinners. It’s rooted in historical events and timeless truth. So it’s not interchangeable with other religious messages. It’s Jesus or nothing – He is the gospel. Another misconception is that the gospel is just about social reform or political activism. While the gospel does inspire us to seek justice and help others (as we follow Jesus’ teachings), doing those things alone is not the same as the gospel. The gospel is about what Jesus has done; our works of love flow out of that, they are not themselves the gospel. We must keep Jesus at the center.

In short, the gospel is not about us trying to reach God by our own efforts or just a feel-good motto. It’s not a human invention or a self-help program. The gospel is God reaching down to save us through Jesus. It’s vital to avoid these misunderstandings, because a muddled gospel can lead to either pride (if we think we save ourselves) or despair (if we think we’ll never be “good enough”). The true gospel keeps us humble and joyful: saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. As Tim Keller warns, many people have enough religion to make them miserable – trying to earn God’s favor – but miss the true gospel of grace that brings joyful freedom . Let’s hold on to the true good news and gently correct these misconceptions when they arise.

Why the Gospel Matters for Believers Today

Finally, let’s talk about what this gospel means for us right now. The gospel isn’t just a set of beliefs to sign off on – it’s meant to change our lives. For a new Christian (and actually for every Christian), understanding the gospel deeply will shape how you live, think, and feel every day. Here are some of the wonderful implications of the good news:

Forgiveness and Peace with God:

Because of the gospel, we are forgiven of all our sins (Colossians 1:13–14). Think about that – every wrong you’ve ever done or will do was nailed to the cross with Jesus (Colossians 2:13–14). We no longer carry the guilt and shame of our past. Romans 8:1 declares, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” We have peace with God (Romans 5:1) – the barrier of sin is removed. This gives us a clean conscience and a fresh start. As believers, we can wake up each day knowing we’re accepted by God because of Jesus. When we stumble or sin, we can run to God and seek forgiveness, confident that Jesus’ sacrifice covers us (1 John 1:9). This assurance of forgiveness is life-changing – it replaces fear with freedom and gratitude. We don’t have to live in doubt about where we stand with God; in Christ, we’re reconciled (brought back into friendship with God)

New Identity and Transformation:

The gospel also means we become a new creation. When you trust in Jesus, you’re not the same person anymore in God’s eyes – “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are given a new identity: child of God, disciple of Jesus, member of Christ’s body (the church), and citizen of God’s kingdom. This identity isn’t achieved by us; it’s given by grace. Knowing who we are in Christ changes how we live. We’re no longer slaves to sin; we are empowered to change by God’s Spirit. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us (Ephesians 1:19–20)! Over time, the Holy Spirit helps us grow to be more like Jesus – this process is called sanctification. We begin to exhibit the “fruit of the Spirit” like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. (Galatians 5:22–23). It’s important for new believers to realize: the gospel not only wipes away our past, it also transforms our future. We start to live a new life (Romans 6:4), with new desires to love God and others. When you truly grasp the gospel, you want to obey God out of love, not fear. As Tim Keller notes, the gospel of grace undercuts both pride and despair – we become humble (knowing we’re saved by mercy, not merit) yet confident and joyful (knowing we’re deeply loved and not defined by our failures) . This balance helps us grow in healthy, godly ways.

Relationship with God (Life with God Now):

The best gift of the gospel is God Himself. We now have a personal relationship with God through Jesus. We can pray to God as our Father (Matthew 6:9) and know He hears us. We can experience God’s presence in our daily life. Jesus promised to be with us “to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Through the Holy Spirit living in us, God is always with us (John 14:16–17). This means we are never alone – our Savior and King is also our closest friend. What an amazing reality: the Creator of the universe calls us His children and friends! This relationship brings comfort in trials, guidance in decisions, and strength in weakness. As we read the Bible (God’s Word) and pray, we get to know Him more deeply. Eternal life, Jesus said, is to “know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent” (John 17:3). So eternal life isn’t just about living forever in heaven; it’s about an everlasting, loving relationship with God that begins now. In daily life, that might look like sensing God’s peace when you’re anxious, receiving wisdom from Scripture when you’re confused, or feeling prompted by the Spirit to show kindness. The gospel opens this living connection to God 24/7. This truly is “the best kind of life that is humanly possible” – not problem-free, but never facing problems without God’s help.

Hope and Future Restoration:

The gospel gives us hope for the future. Because Jesus conquered death and promises to resurrect us, we don’t have to fear death or the unknown. We know how the story ends: Jesus will return one day to make all things new (Revelation 21:5). There will be a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13), no more tears or pain (Revelation 21:4). This hope isn’t wishful thinking; it’s guaranteed by Jesus’ resurrection. For believers today, this hope means we can endure hardships with the confidence that present troubles are temporary and God’s glory is coming (2 Corinthians 4:16–18). It also means our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58) – everything we do for Jesus has eternal significance. When we suffer or see injustice in the world, we hold onto the good news that Jesus will fully establish His Kingdom in the end, where justice and peace reign. This hope purifies us and motivates us to keep faith and persevere. It’s truly good news that the brokenness of our world is not forever – God’s redemption plan will be completed.

Purpose and Mission:

Finally, the gospel gives us a purpose. We are saved forsomething – to glorify God and to share this good news with others. Jesus gave His followers the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations…”(Matthew 28:19-20). We have the privilege of being messengers of the gospel now. God includes us in His mission to love the world and call people to Himself. This doesn’t mean every new Christian must become a preacher or missionary overseas – but every Christian can shine the light of Christ in their own sphere. Whether at school, work, or home, our lives and words can point others to Jesus. The gospel also changes how we treat others: since God showed us grace, we extend grace and forgiveness to people in our lives. Since we’ve been loved undeservedly, we learn to love our neighbors (and even enemies) in a new way. We become part of the church, the community of believers, working together to serve and bless others. Tim Keller’s vision of gospel-centered ministry emphasizes doing both word and deed ministry – sharing the message of Jesus and showing Jesus’ love by helping those in need . In short, the gospel makes us participants in God’s work. As one writer put it, we’re invited to be Jesus’ “coworkers in what He is doing in the world.” There’s no greater mission to live for! This gives our lives meaning and direction. Every talent or opportunity we have can be used to honor God and spread the good news. And remember, we do this not to earn God’s love, but because we already are loved and we want others to know that love too.

How to Receive the Gospel

Admit you need a Savior

We all start here. It begins with humility.

We admit that we can’t save ourselves. We’ve sinned. We’ve missed the mark. We’ve tried to be our own god, our own savior—and it’s left us broken.

The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

But the good news is: you don’t have to stay stuck. When you admit your need, that’s when God can step in and save.

Believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

This is the heart of the gospel.

Believe that Jesus is the Son of God. That He died on the cross to take your place. That He rose from the grave to give you new life.

This isn’t just head knowledge. This is trusting Him with your heart.

The Bible says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Turn from sin (repent)

Repentance means turning around. It’s saying, “I’m done with living life my own way. I want to follow God’s way now.”

You’re not promising to be perfect—you’re choosing a new direction.

Jesus said, “Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15).

God doesn’t just want your behavior. He wants your heart. And when you turn toward Him, He meets you with open arms.

Confess Jesus as Lord

This step is powerful. It’s saying out loud: “Jesus is my King. My Leader. My Savior.”

You’re no longer in charge—He is.

Romans 10:9 says, “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.”

When you confess Him as Lord, you’re giving Him the rightful place in your life.

Receive salvation as a gift of grace.

This is not something you earn. It’s not about being “good enough.”

It’s a gift.

Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.”

So you don’t work your way to God—you open your hands and receive His mercy.

Follow Him in faith and obedience.

Salvation is the starting line of a new life with Jesus—not the finish line.

You walk with Him. You grow. You obey—not to earn love, but because you’ve already received it.

Jesus said, “Follow me.” That invitation still stands.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the gospel is the core of our faith – it’s the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection and the salvation He brings. We’ve seen that the gospel is richer and more exciting than a list of rules or a ticket to heaven. It’s truly *“good news of great joy… for all people”(Luke 2:10-11), because it’s about Jesus, the Savior King. As new believers, you can build your life on this solid foundation. Keep coming back to these truths: God loves you, Jesus died and rose for you, and by trusting in Him you are saved and welcomed into God’s family. Let this good news shape your identity, your outlook, and your daily choices. And as you grow, you’ll find (as Tim Keller and others highlight) that the gospel isn’t just the ABCs of Christianity, but the A to Z – we never move past it, we only go deeper into it.

Remember Paul’s words: “Since we have been justified (made right with God) through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). That’s the gospel in a nutshell – peace with God through Jesus. Hold onto this gospel. Preach it to yourself often. Share it with others who need hope. And rejoice that you have received the best news in the world!

Let’s close by celebrating what God has done: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them” (Luke 1:68). All glory to Jesus – He has done it! That’s the gospel. Amen.