What is the Gospel?

The word gospel means “good news.” At the center of Christianity is the good news of what God has done to rescue sinners through Jesus Christ.

The gospel is not primarily advice about how to become a better person. It is the announcement that although our sin has separated us from God, God has acted in grace to save us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

God created us.

We were made by God and for God. He created human beings in His image to know Him, worship Him, enjoy Him, and live under His good rule. He is holy, loving, righteous, and the rightful Lord over our lives.

Because God made us, our lives belong to Him. We were created to find our deepest joy and purpose in knowing and glorifying Him.

Genesis 1:26-27 · Psalm 100:3 · Revelation 4:11

We have sinned.

But humanity has rebelled against God.

Sin is more than the mistakes we make. At its heart, sin is rejecting 
God's rightful rule and choosing our own way instead. The Bible teaches 
that every one of us is a sinner—by nature and by choice.

Our sin separates us from the holy God who made us, leaves us guilty 
before Him, and places us under His just judgment. We cannot repair that
 relationship through good deeds, religion, morality, or trying harder.

Our greatest problem, then, is not simply that our lives need improvement. We need to be rescued and reconciled to God.

Romans 3:23 • Romans 6:23 • Ephesians 2:1-3

Christ died and rose.

God did for us what we could never do for ourselves. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became truly human while remaining truly God. He lived the perfect, sinless life that we have failed to live.

Then, on the cross, Jesus willingly gave His life for sinners. He stood in the place of His people, bearing the judgment our sin deserved and offering Himself as the perfect and sufficient sacrifice for sin.

Three days later, Jesus rose bodily from the dead. His resurrection demonstrated His victory over sin and death and confirmed that His saving work was complete.

Because of Christ, guilty sinners can be forgiven, reconciled to God, adopted into His family, and given eternal life.

Jesus is not one way among many. His death and resurrection are the only ground of our salvation.

Isaiah 53:5–6 · Romans 5:8 · 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 · 1 Peter 3:18

God calls us to repent and believe.

The gospel calls for a response—to turn away from sin and from living as our own lord—and to believe in Jesus Christ.

Believing is more than agreeing that Jesus existed or knowing facts about Him. It means placing our trust in Jesus alone to save us rather than trusting in our goodness, our religious activity, or anything we can accomplish.

We are saved entirely by God's grace, received through faith in Christ. We do not earn salvation. We receive it as God's gift.

And when God saves us, He does not simply forgive our past. Through His Holy Spirit He gives us new life, brings us into His family, and begins transforming us to become more like Christ.

Mark 1:15 · John 3:16 · Acts 20:21 · Ephesians 2:8–9 · Romans 10:9–13

This good news is for you.

Christianity is not ultimately about becoming religious enough for God to accept you. It is about a holy God graciously rescuing people who could never rescue themselves.

Jesus said: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” ~ Mark 1:15

If you have never trusted in Christ, you can turn to Him today. Admit your sin and your need for His mercy. Turn from trusting yourself and place your confidence in Jesus—who died for sinners and rose again.

And if you have questions about Jesus, faith, or what it means to follow Him, we would love to talk with you.